Tantalizing Blades
By Brent Propst
Spinnerbaits, otherwise known as
“blades” by professionals and amateurs around the bass fishing world are
known as one of the most versatile and challenging lures to be on the market for
the past 30 years. In today’s high priced and fancy market of flashy lures
that truly catch more the eye of the angler than the eye of the bass, the
spinnerbait has maintained almost its original shape and design from its
inception. Changing its materials to withstand the knocks and bumps that the
strongest fish and strongest angler could ever give one of these baits, the
tackle companies have had to create materials that hold up to all the
abuse that both fish and anglers could ever put it through.
From the start, spinnerbaits were made
of stainless steel and had a "close-pin" type frame.
The wire was of one diameter with anywhere from one to two blades of
various shapes and sizes to create different flashes and vibrations desired.
Manufacturers then started to try various other shapes of wire and they created
the “r-bend” which helps balance the bait better. The “r-bend” allows
the bait to swim more natural and balanced without turning over like "out of
balance" baits do. After the “r-bend” was developed, companies began
experimenting with variations of smaller wire diameter that allows the bait to
vibrate on a greater level. With thinner wire toward the end by the blades, the
wire shaft begins to vibrate making a squeaking noise that the fish can hear and
home in on. Some companies are currently experimenting with spring wire.
Spring wire is a wire variation between a stainless wire and titanium.
While the stainless wire will bend and have to be retuned after each fish, the
titanium wire, which is a little thicker and has a sound of its own, snaps back
and maintains its original shape and does not break or bend after numerous fish. The experimental spring wire has its own vibration and it has
some snap back capabilities along with better durability than standard stainless
wire.
New to the market last year were the
titanium wire spinnerbaits introduced by Terminator, but actually
manufactured by the Horizon Lure Company located in Douglas, AZ. The titanium
spinnerbait is a hit on the market due to its durability plus there is no need
to tune the bait after each fish. With the wire being a little thicker than
stainless wire, there is a little less vibration than you have with the
stainless wire. One of the problems
with these baits was that with titanium wire being virtually unbreakable,
initially there was no way to change the tandem blade on the arm. There was
essentially no way to open the loop on the end of the arm. This year Horizon
Lure Company is producing for Terminator a sleeve on the arm of the spinnerbait
that allows for the changing of the blade. This clip is very useful and will
allow for many combinations of baits to be designed by many different fishermen.
Hawg Caller Baits, located in Union,
South Carolina, has been making spinnerbaits for many years. Hawg Caller uses
a thin wire that allows for maximum vibration and a well-balanced bait. Like
some spinnerbait companies, Hawg Caller, in their building of baits, paints the
neck of the bait with an orange-red color, which represents wounded bait. Hawg
Caller also incorporates different blade combinations into their line of
product. They are one of a few companies that make a tandem bait with an Indiana
blade and a willow combination, instead of the Colorado and a willow combination
manufactured by most companies. The different combinations allows for a
different vibration which in turn makes for a different look in the water to
the fish. Hawg Caller was the first company, to my knowledge, to produce a
spinnerbait that incorporates triple willow leaf blades. Now, there are numerous
other companies that have come out with a model this year with three or four
willow leaf blade combinations.
Let’s look at the many different
blade types that are available and what the differences are for each type.
There are Colorado blades, willow leaf blades, Indiana blades, and turtleback
blades. The Colorado blade is a blade that is meant to be used in dingy to dirty
colored water due to the fact that it gives off the most vibration of all the
blades currently on the market. The Colorado blade comes in sizes 00 to 7, 7
being the biggest. Colorado blades are also available in numerous color
variations. Next is the Indiana blade which is between a willow leaf and a
Colorado blade. The Indiana blade gives off a little less vibration than the
Colorado but it gives off a little more flash than the Colorado blade. The
Indiana blades also come in sizes from 00 to 7 and they are also available in
some colors. The willow leaf is next. It is one of the more popular blades
currently on the market today and its shape resembles that of a baitfish. This
blade gives off less vibration than any other blade, but it gives off the most
flash than all the other blades. These blades are available in sizes from 3 to 7
and they are available in more colors than any of the others. Last is the
turtleback blade. This blade appeared about two years ago and gives off a
tremendous amount of flash and vibration. This blade has the shape of a
turtleback and with its unique shape it has become popular with the fisherman.
The turtleback blade is available in sizes from 4 to 7 and only available in
nickel and gold colors.
When fishing a spinnerbait, there are
many different ways to fish them. There is a method called “slow rolling.”
This method can be done with baits ranging from ¼-oz to 2-oz baits. The bait is
thrown out and allowed to sink, you would then turn the handle slow enough so
that the blades on the bait barely turn. This gives the bait the look of a dying
or wounded baitfish. Another method is when you throw out the bait and you reel
the lure very fast to where the lure is making a wake on the surface, you can
also allow the lure to blow out of the water occasionally making it look like a
baitfish is running away and leaping out of the water. This method is called
“burning” a spinnerbait. Another
method is where you just reel at a normal speed and pump the rod. This method
makes the skirt pulsate and allows the bait to come to life. While you are
reeling if the lure gets hung up in the grass, just twitch the rod tip pulling
the lure free, just don’t pull too hard or the lure will move too fast. When
the lure is pulled free from the cover, you have the opportunity to get a
reaction strike from the fish. Spinnerbait trailers can be added for extra
action and a different look and also don’t forget about a trailer hook, but
realize that these additions can change the action of the bait ever so subtle.
Spinnerbaits can be fished on line from 10-lb to 25-lb depending on the cover
that you are fishing around. There are some braids on the market that you should
also give a try. The braids are thinner in diameter and they provide such
sensitivity that you will be amazed at what you can feel. Fishing with a braid,
you will know when your blades quit turning either from a fish or from weeds
stopping the rotation of the blades.
Spinnerbaits have quite a bit of
potential for many different situations and areas. There are many different
sizes, shapes, wire material, color and blade combinations to choose from.
Don’t be afraid to use one and don’t give up on them to early. You have to
build as much confidence as possible in the baits that you are using.
This means that you need to learn as much as possible about each of the
baits you fish. The more you learn
about their function and variations available, the better your confidence
becomes. Your confidence will directly influence your ability to catch fish.
all baits provided by:
Hawg Caller Spinnerbaits and Soft Plastics
P.O. Box 100
Union, SC 29379
1-800-842-0582
Horizon Lure Company
4715 Eugene Avenue
Douglas, AZ 85607
1-800-818-3026