How to Fish a Spinnerbait for More Bites
For years, I thought a spinnerbait was just a “dummy bait.” You cast it out, you reel it in. Simple. Then one afternoon on Lake Goodwin, I was sharing a boat with an old timer who was putting on an absolute clinic with one. I was throwing the same color, the same size, and getting nothing.
He finally chuckled and said, “Son, you’re not listening to the lure.” He showed me how to feel the “thump” of the blades, how to slow it down until they barely turned, and how to bang it off a stump to make a bass absolutely crush it. It changed everything for me.
A spinnerbait isn’t just a lure; it’s a search party. It’s the single best tool for finding aggressive fish fast, and today I’m going to teach you how to listen to it.
The Anatomy of a Fish-Catcher
Understanding the parts of a spinnerbait tells you why it works so well.
- The Blades: This is the engine. Blades provide flash (imitating baitfish scales) and vibration (thump).
- The Skirt: This hides the hook and provides the bait’s profile.
- The Wire Frame: This R-shaped frame is genius. It makes the lure remarkably snag-resistant.
Choosing Your Weapon: Weight, Color, and a Pro-Tip
Don’t get overwhelmed by the wall of spinnerbaits at the store. You only need a couple to get started.
Captain’s Pro Tip: ALWAYS Use a Trailer Hook. Bass often swipe at a spinnerbait and miss the main hook. A small “trailer” hook threaded onto the main hook will easily double your catch rate.
How to Fish It: More Than Just Casting and Reeling
The steady retrieve works, but the pros trigger strikes by changing things up.
When and Where: The Late Summer/Fall Transition
Right now, in mid-to-late August, is a prime time for spinnerbaits. As the days get a little shorter, bass sense the coming fall and start to key in on schools of baitfish. Look for windy banks and points.
Mastering the spinnerbait is a huge step in becoming a more versatile angler. It’s one of the essential tools for your arsenal, which we cover in our Ultimate Guide to Bass Fishing. Now get out there and make some noise.
-Captain Sal
