Spinnerbaits

[creekcrappie]

I just realized that I have no spinnerbaits. I will have to buy some more. What colors and sizes should I get? When should I try to use them? Also, when would be a good time to throw some shallow running crank baits like the cotton Cordell big o? I would like to try to use some of my rattle traps too.

[Travis C.]

Spinnerbaits.

1/4oz & 1/2oz

white or chartruse/white or black (if your night fishing)

double silver willow blade or combo with gold colorado blade & silver willow blade & big single colorado blade (if your night fishing)

They are good any time just depends on location and speed for the time of year. Wait until the full moon after bass spawn which will be the shad spawn. Then throw a white double willow along grass edges, timber, boat docks and other structure. Bass will be coming off bed looking to feed on the shad.

Big O's & Rattle Traps

They both are good pre-spawn (now) for bass in and around spawning flats or adjacent drops to deeper water. Then after spawn for the same reason as above in shad colors.

[creekcrappie]

The shad spawn, would that be the time to use top water poppers, in shad patterns? Do you know where any spawning flat would be on Percy priest lake?

Any color works for me as long as it's white. A spinnerbait is my go-to bass lure - I fish it before anything else unless it's wintertime (and it can be fished effectively even then). I like a double willow blade, and lately I've been using one that has three or four willow blades, with good success.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by creekcrappie

The shad spawn, would that be the time to use top water poppers, in shad patterns? Do you know where any spawning flat would be on Percy priest lake?

I guess you could use poppers then but I tend to have far more success on topwater poppers like your talking about in the late summer fall time frame when the bass school the shad in what you'll see referred to as the "jumps".

I am not as familliar with Percy as Old Hickory but you can probably narrow it down some by following the channels. Bass travel channels like we do roads and usually migrate from the main lake body into the creeks. Get a map and look at it this way to maybe eliminate some water for you:

major river channels = interestates
larger creek channels off the river channel = major highways
smaller creek channels = acces roads linking neighborhoods to highways
neighborhoods have streets within which could be ditches, depressions and road beds.

Like when we travel we won't just hop on and take off for a long trip without stopping. They will stop at point's along the way to rest or feed. You'll hear this referred to as "staging". If you can't find them in the place they should be to spawn then work back out towards the main lake until you find them.

Hope this didn't confuse you too much.

[blink]

I also love fishing spinnerbaits.
I dont fish any lighter than 3/8 oz, mostly 1/2 ounce ones.

My favorites are:
War Eagle
Booyah Blade
SOB Mini Me
Ledge Busters for deep situations.
Academy's 1/2 oz compact double willow are great too.

I fish mostly white, silver, chartreuse colors.
I use willow blades mostly, but will do a tandem with a willow/colorado when the water is a bit stained. Silver blades for clearer water, gold for stained.

[massman]

Originally Posted by creekcrappie

I just realized that I have no spinnerbaits. I will have to buy some more. What colors and sizes should I get? When should I try to use them? Also, when would be a good time to throw some shallow running crank baits like the cotton Cordell big o? I would like to try to use some of my rattle traps too.

i go to wal-mart buy the cheap spinner baits for a dollar and just find out what color does the best cheap and you dont have to spend big bucks on one if you catch fish great i have many of them i like chat/white wilow blades with gold and sliver .

[FloatNFish]

Are you guys using soft plastics on the spinners as well?

-Alex

I nearly always use a Berkeley power bait white grub as a trailer.

Just my opinion, but brand makes a huge difference both with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. A subtle difference in action can mean the difference between lots of fish and no fish, in my experience.

[jimj3561]

As a newbie I love learning this info from others. This is one reason I like this forum so much. I appreciate everyone sharing general info!

[SAMBOLIE]

Originally Posted by tnpondmanager

I nearly always use a Berkeley power bait white grub as a trailer.

Just my opinion, but brand makes a huge difference both with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. A subtle difference in action can mean the difference between lots of fish and no fish, in my experience.

I would agree that brands could make a difference under less than ideal conditions, provided that expensive is not the factor in choosing a brand. I have had better results with Hoppy's (mid priced) than brands costing more.

[creekcrappie]

What about split tail trailers?

[blink]

Originally Posted by creekcrappie

What about split tail trailers?

I use these, but I also really like using a jr swimming fluke as a trailer sometimes. Good action.

[blink]

I also agree with tnpondmanager about brand.
My favorites are all $4 to $7 baits. Not too Expensive. I have tried the really cheap ones, and to me they are not worth it.

I was fishing them so much in creeks and rivers at one time and losin a bunch, that I bought a bunch of used lots of various ones on eBay. I know have about 100 spinnerbaits that I don't like, but it helped me figure out what I do like, and for about $1 a bait.

[SAMBOLIE]

Originally Posted by creekcrappie

I hate losing big fish. Just had a 5 pound bass throw my hook right at the bank of my favorite pond using a rattle trap.

I always wondered how a fish could make it look so easy to get all those hooks loose.

It is better to lose one than not have one on for awhile.