The spinnerbait is a bass-fishing classic that just keeps catching. Its spinning blades throw flash and vibration that a largemouth can home in on even in wind, stained water or low light, and its safety-pin design comes through wood and weeds surprisingly cleanly. It covers water fast and calls fish from a distance, which makes it a superb search bait.
Why it works
A spinnerbait appeals to a bass's lateral line as much as its eyes. The thumping blades put out vibration that fish detect in muddy water and darkness, while the flash imitates a school of fleeing baitfish. Because it is relatively weedless, you can burn it right through and alongside cover where bass ambush.
How to fish it
- Slow-roll it just over cover and structure, letting the blades thump.
- Burn it near the surface to trigger reaction strikes from active fish.
- Bump the cover: run it into wood and weeds and let it deflect, a classic trigger.
- Match the blades: Colorado blades thump more (good for dirty water and slow-rolling), willowleaf blades flash more (good for clearer water and speed).
Tip Fish it around cover and in the conditions that beat other lures, wind, stain and low light. When clear-water finesse baits struggle, a spinnerbait's flash and thump shine, so reach for it when the water is churned up.
Gear
A medium-heavy baitcasting outfit with the power to move a fish out of cover, a Daiwa baitcaster suits it well. Match the spinnerbait weight to the depth and cover you are fishing.