Last updated on September 24th, 2020

Fishing with Spinners

The heightened senses of fish are well documented and this knowledge is used in the creation of tools that appeal to them.

Any movement or vibration in the water is interpreted by the fish as prey. Fishing with a spinner allows the angler to mimic bait, or prey, perfectly.

When fishing a spinnerbait, the spin of the metal blades create flashes which attract fish to the bait by simulating prey. This action attracts and causes the fish to move toward the bait.

The level of vibrations created by the spinnerbaits depends a lot on the size and shape of the spinnerbait. Here, we’ll look at what goes into making a good spinnerbait design as well as the various types and, lastly, suggest a few proven tips to help you catch more fish with spinnerbaits.

Blade Matters

Spinnerbaits use different types of blades that serve a variety of purposes. Some blade designs require more speed while others require less speed to start a spin, maintain spin and control the speed of retrieval. The type of blade also affects the level of vibration and flash.

With a broader sized blade, the vibration is at a higher level. Slimmer blades create a lower level of vibration.

The color, texture, and size of the blade are all factors that affect the degree of flash in spinnerbait. Blades that are painted pockmarked fluorescent or silver would all produce varying degrees of flash depending on the light conditions.

Popular spinnerbaits include the Colorado – a spoon-shaped blade that causes heavy vibrations and great for muddy, shallow water, low visibility situations.

Willowleaf designs are prized for their flash with real-life baitfish simulation and are perfect for clear, deeper water conditions with their elongated slim design.

The Indiana is a blend of the Colorado and the Willowleaf and is well-suited for fishing varying water depths in water neither overly clear or muddy.

Tandem blades excel in dark waters with dense cover.

 Wire arm lengths

Spinnerbait types are generally classified as short arm, where the top wire is shortened, or the long arm with a lengthened top wire. Anglers tend to favor the short arm spinnerbaits for vertical presentations and in cases where the lift and drop technique is needed.

The long arm spinnerbaits are more versatile and you can use them practically anywhere. However, the long arm excels in the grass or bush alike ground cover and for horizontal retrieves.

How to Fish Spinners

There are several tried and true techniques for using spinnerbaits for optimal results under certain conditions.  The helicopter method is used effectively in areas where there are ledges and drop-offs. Once the lure touches the bottom, you start reeling then raise the rod slightly before dropping it again.

When fishing in weed-covered areas or areas with a lot of stumps, you may want to try the contact method. By bumping the lure against structures, you change the movement of the bait which encourages a bite.

Want to create a splash? The Buzz method is used in mostly dark and shallow waters. To create a splashing sound hold the tip of the rod high when the blades make contact with the surface.

You can also get great results by using the wake and the slow roll methods, both of which use a slow retrieve to attract the fish.

The Weedless Spinnerbait

While many of the spinnerbaits dealt with so far work great in heavy cover, there are spinnerbaits that are designed to make your life much easier when fishing under all sorts of conditions.

The weedless spinnerbaits gives the angler a more worry-free experience due to their versatility. Weed or no weed, cover or no cover, dark or clear, the weedless spinnerbaits give you an edge.

Yes, you may argue that spinnerbaits are, or should be weedless but this is not always the case. There are some spinnerbaits that are specifically designed to greatly enhance your weedless fishing experience.

Spinnerbaits are a must for any serious fishing enthusiast. There is a lot more to consider when purchasing spinnerbaits including hook dressing, trailer, and skirt options.

Be sure to try a mix of the many types of spinnerbaits and options available on the market to see which works best for your particular fishing needs, whether it be big Musky and Northern Pike or trophy Largemouth Bass.

Have fun with colors, lure weights and experiment with different casting methods and retrieval speeds.