Just One Choice!
by Alan Paczkowski

My guess is, if faced with the above dilemma, most bass anglers would select a plastic worm, lizard, or a jig-and-pig. All great choices. But not me! My hands down, without hesitation, "no brainer" selection would be a spinnerbait. Why? Simple, a spinnerbait is without question the most versatile bait on the market today.

Think about it, you can effectively present a spinnerbait under a myriad of conditions, in all types of cover or structure, and in every season. Whether it's summer, fall, winter, or spring. Whether the water is hot, cold, muddy or clear. Whether you are fishing deep, or just below the surface. Whether you are working weeds, grass, brush, standing timber, stumps, rock piles, boat docks, rip-rap or any other particular type of cover or structure, a spinnerbait is tough to beat.

Fact is, spinnerbaits probably account for catching more bass than any other bait. So, just what is it that makes the spinnerbait such a consistent bass catcher?

For certain, it is not because a spinnerbait resembles any form of natural forage; because it doesn't. It does however represent a combination of elements which are attractive to bass. Spinnerbaits offer unlimited combinations of flash, vibration, color, and profiles. Additionally they are quiet, non-threatening baits which act naturally. Properly match the above characteristics to the existing conditions and bass find them quite irresistible.

Don't get me wrong. I am not suggesting that spinnerbaits are the magic key to bass catching consistency. What I am saying is that no other single bait offers the versatility, flexibility, and capability to be properly presented under every imaginable fishing condition and scenario as does the spinnerbait.

Basics. Now that you know how I feel about spinnerbaits it only seems fair that I share a few basic considerations I use when deciding which one to tie on. Space constraints limit today's discussion to a very few spinnerbait fundamentals. As with every aspect of successful bass angling, on-the-water experimentation under various conditions is the best way to fine tune the basics of spinnerbait angling.

Blade Types. Spinnerbait blades come in a variety of blade types. Today we'll just discuss the most common:

• Willow Leaf. Generally speaking, I believe a Willow Leaf blade is the best all-around choice for fishing clear or slightly stained water. Why? Its shape provides sufficient flash and vibration without spooking the bass. Additionally it can be presented in much heavier cover and worked at faster speeds than the other two common types.

• Colorado. When fishing cold or muddy water I prefer a Colorado blade because it displaces a lot of water, gives off more vibration, and can be presented much slower than a Willow Leaf can. Remember that cold or muddy water conditions dictate a slower presentation and some "noise" so the bass can more easily locate and respond to your bait under conditions of reduced metabolism or visibility. Colorado blades fulfill both concerns.

• Indiana. Lastly there is the Indiana blade, which is tearshaped and a compromise between the Colorado and Willow Leaf. Indiana blades produce good vibration, a lot of flash and displace an ample quantity of water. They are my choice when fishing warm stained or warm muddy water when the bass are active.

Single Blades. Single spinnerbaits (one blade) are the most common and versatile. They can be fished deep, shallow, and with a variety of retrieves (stop-and-go, straight, helicoptered, fluttered, Yo-Yo). Their clean design allows them to be fished in cover with minimum snags or hang-ups. They also produce more vibration than tandem blades (two blades). One drawback to single blades is their tendency to roll to the side when retrieved at a high speed. Not a desirable presentation!

Tandem Blades. Tandem spinnerbaits offer more flash and lift than do single spins. They are excellent choices when a lot of flash or more lift is desired. More importantly they can be worked at higher speeds through shallow cover when the bass are in an active mood and cruising. Tandems are the perfect choice for "buzzing" or "burning" your bait just under the surface to create a bulge or wake. When the bass are active and shallow, tandem blades are hard to beat. On the other hand, they are not a good choice for deep water, slow rolling, or vertical drop presentations.

Blade Size. Blades are available in many different sizes. On most spinnerbaits you can switch blades to achieve different combinations of size, color, flash, vibration, and depth. A numbering system starting from #00 (smallest) to #8 (largest) is used. Blade sizes are arbitrary; that is, a #3 Colorado is not the same size as a #3 Willow Leaf. I prefer to start with smaller blades in the spring (#2 or #3) and move to larger blades as the season progresses. If the bass are feeding on shad I try to match my blade size to the size of their body. As with all baits, don't be afraid to experiment until the bass tell you what they want. Different conditions call for different sizes, colors, and presentations.

Blade Color. Blade finishes can be painted, flat metallic, or hammered. Silver, gold, and copper are the most common colors. However, don't overlook the whole new family of painted blades which has invaded the market. Water clarity and light conditions dictate my blade color choice. In clear water I prefer silver. On tandem spins I often use a silver/gold combination. Blades with the new metalflake finishes are also big favorites. Even though they don't emit the same amount of brilliance metallic blades do; they produce a lot of flash which is broken up into numerous tiny flashes - just like a school of baitfish flitting through the water. Try them, they work!

Skirt Color. Once again there are more colors available than you can imagine. As you may have guessed, water clarity, light conditions, and available forage dictate my choice. When the water is clear I prefer skirts in a clear silverflake, clear green, or clear pepper color. I also like to add a few strands of red, blue, or gold to the above. Solid white is also a good choice. In stained water chartreuse and white or chartreuse and blue are solid picks. Muddy water calls for pure chartreuse or a firetiger pattern. Of course, at night or on dark, heavily overcast days colors like black or purple work well.

Trailers. I believe in them and I use them. Why? They add color, wiggle and provide bulk. Under most conditions white or pearl-white are my favorite. Chartreuse adds often needed visibility. A good rule of thumb for trailer colors is to complement your skirt color. Try to avoid dramatically contrasting skirt/trailer combinations.

That's the Basics of Bass Know-How. As usual I could go on and on. We've barely scratched the surface. There is so much more about spinnerbaits we need to talk about. Maybe in a future article at Bassdozer. In the interim, if you have any questions give me a call.

Till next time, have fun fishing, be safe and courteous on the water, and please practice catch and release so we all can enjoy bass fishing for many years to come.

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