Bassdozer's Big Spinnerbaits for Stroking Big Bass

by Russ Bassdozer

This shows and tells product photos, product descriptions and information for the lure models and colors that are (or have been) available at BassdozerStore.com. Not all models and colors shown are currently available, and exact specifications are subject to change.

Note: Some of the following configurations may not all be currently in stock. Some may be sold out at this time. Please check online at www.BassdozerStore.com for current availability of specific items below. Thank you for your business.

Bassdozer's Big Spinnerbaits for Stroking Big Bass

Pike Anglers: The models with the twisted closed wrapped eyes are also perfect for pike, since the closed eyes permit use of wire leaders.

Stroking Jigs. In recent years, a tactic called stroking a jig has grown in popularity. Stroking a jig is usually performed in moderately deep water. One way to describe stroking is that you work a skirted jig and trailer like a jigging spoon, using a long rod stroke to hop, pop and lift the jig at least several feet off the bottom. That there is the main or primary upstroke, and that's often all. A variation is to make a double-pump on the upstroke, and sometimes secondary mini-jigging it (or shaking) is applied on the upstroke (or at the apex of the upstroke), and all that's just to draw attention and create instant excitement. After that, you're hoping for a reaction strike on the fall or downstroke, but the fall is usually passive in that there's not any angler-imparted action during the downstroke.  All in all, it takes a certain knack, and it's all in the action or stroking to attract attention, cause excitement, to pump up and prime the bait in order to get a reaction as it then falls alluringly. Get good at it, and there are many times a stroked jig will get bit when the same jig, used with standard slow, deliberate bottom-dragging methods will not get bit.

Stroking a jig can be very effective performed in shallow water too, but shallow stroking is not the norm. If you want to try shallow stroking, envision it as more of a horizontal sweeping, bursting, fleeing movement as opposed to the deepwater vertical lift-and-drop. Whether shallow or deep, you tend to get hit on the falling movement after the powerful stroke.

Stroking Spinnerbaits. Not that many anglers are familiar with stroking jigs, and even less are familiar with stroking spinnerbaits. The same principles apply as mentioned above. Most of the time, a heavy spinnerbait is used, at least one ounce, and it's mainly a deep water tactic - 20 to 35 feet of water, for example. Heavy tackle is required, and the upstroke with a spinnerbait is hard and fast, somewhat similar to hauling off to set the hook.

Make a long cast for starters (unless it's extremely snaggy, then you'll need to cast the bait closer) and as soon as you feel the spinnerbait hit the bottom (the line will go slack), wind in any excess line, then pull the rod like you're making a strong hookset, lifting the bait up 4 or 5 feet. Then let it drop again and if you're lucky, a bass will pick it up on the way back down. Repeat until you get the spinnerbait back to the boat, or until it comes past the bottom structure or cover that you were targeting.

Make no mistake, this is a strenuous way to fish, and it will strain your tackle to the max. It requires a stiff rod, heavy line and a gutsy reel that can take the strain. Make sure you have some spare blades, because you will lose a few of them as the stroked spinnerbait rips through bottom obstructions and cover with enough force to open the end loop of the wire that holds your swivel and blade. An .040 to .045 wire arm is best for extra strength and durability.

Make no mistake, this is a big fish tactic, it's a big bait, and requires heavy tackle.

Important Note: Although designed for stroking, of course these spinnerbaits can be also fished the same basic ways as any ordinary spinnerbait - keeping in mind they are heavy duty for big fish and heavy tackle.

These spinnerbaits have:

• .045 wire arms on Style H
• .040 wire arms on Styles A, B, C, D
• Arm lengths ideally optimized for stroking
• Large blades optimized to attract bass as it free-falls on the downstroke
• Premium Worth ball bearing swivels.
• Premium 6/0 Mustad UltraPoint heavy duty, long shank hooks.

Slow-Fall Willow Blades

A big blade for big fish. Especially selected for its dependable, strike-provoking helicopter action or parachute effect on the fall. The descent (which is when you get bit) is relatively stable and controlled with this particular blade model.

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style H ~ Green Pumpkin

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style H ~ Black Red. Blade is gold-plated.

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style H ~ Black Blue. Blade is nickel-plated.

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style H ~ White Bone. Blade is nickel-plated.

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style C ~ Sexy Chartreuse Shad (sold out)

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style A ~ Sexy Shad. #6 Nickel Blade

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style A ~ Bluegill. #6 Gold Blade

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style D ~ Black Red

Although optimized for stroking, you can use any of these spinnerbaits most any other way you would normally use a big spinnerbait. One thing that's unique about the 1 oz Style D head with this huge Willow blade, is you can fast-burn it, and the spearpoint-shaped Style D will run truer and better than other 1 oz head shapes at high speeds.

The 1 oz Style B shape below is also very stable, but because it is ball-shaped, it's not as suited to fast-burning as the spear-nosed Style D above.

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style B ~ Chartreuse Shad Flash

However, these can be used most any other way you would normally use a big spinnerbait.

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style B ~ Chartreuse Shad Flash #2

Most other 1 oz head styles would torque, spin or list to one side with this huge Oklahoma blade, but since the 1 oz Style B's head mass is concentrated into a dense, ball-like shape, it can effectively counterbalance this massive Oklahoma blade. If it doesn't run true, check to make sure the wire is not bent crooked to one side or the other. The wire has to be perfectly straight and overhead for starters. Once the wires are straight, if it still torques, squeeze the wires closer together, a little at a time to adjust. Once tuned, you'll think you have a jackhammer tied to your line.

Helicopter Fall Oklahoma Blades

An extra wide blade with lots of rapid vibration and water resistance on the fall. The big Oklahoma blade has more of a horizontal spiral falling action. It loops in a wide, flat, circular arc as it falls in comparison to a Willow which exhibits more of a vertical tight spin. The big Oklahoma blade is also effective with another tactic - to flip and flop the spinnerbait as you drag it across bottom like you'd work a jig. Move the rod tip about one foot or less, and drag the spinnerbait. The big Oklahoma bade will flip and flop above bottom like a twitching, struggling baitfish.

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style H ~ Smallie Special. Blade is nickel-plated.

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style H ~ Green Pumpkin Red. Blade is nickel-plated.

Note the Oklahoma on the 1 oz Style A below needs to be a 1/2 size smaller than the blade that's best with Style H. That's the maximum size blade which Style A can handle. Even still, it has more thump and vibration than most any other blade I know - and it is sized to produce the maximum possible vibration without torque and without listing to one side (when the bait is properly tuned).

One thing the flattened Style A does that other head styles can't do on a free-fall, is the blade vibration causes the thin, flat Style A head to aggressively paddle side-to-side as it falls. So yes, there definitely are differences in lure actions due to spinnerbait head shapes.

1 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style A ~ EZ Sexy Shad w/Tail

1-1/2 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style C ~ Bleeding White Shad. #6 Nickel Blade (perfect for pike too)

1-1/2 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style A ~ Sexy Shad. #6 Nickel Blade (perfect for pike too)

1-1/2 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style A ~ Bluegill. #6 Gold Blade (perfect for pike too)

Extra Large Slow Fall Blades

These are some of the largest Willow blades on the planet matched with 1-1/2 heads.

1-1/2 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style C ~ Chartreuse White Shad. #8 Nickel Blade (perfect for pike too)

1-1/2 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style C ~ Smallie Special (perfect for pike too)

1-1/2 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style C ~ Smallie Special. #8 blade (perfect for pike too)

1-1/2 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style C ~ Bleeding White Shad. #8 Nickel Blade (perfect for pike too)

1-1/2 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style A ~ Sexy Shad ~ #8 Blades (perfect for pike too)

1-1/2 oz Spinnerbait ~ Style A ~ Bluegill. #8 Gold Blade (perfect for pike too)