A Different Spin on Spinner Baits

Most of us have used spinner baits for fresh water fishing at some point in our life.  Then the “saltwater” spinner bait for redfish and other shallow water species came along.  Most anglers have found that they work well for saltwater species.  I have found that making a few changes to the spinner bait can make a big difference in just how good they can work for you.

I have been playing with different spinner bait patterns for the last few years.  The things that I’ve tried include; changing blade size, color and style.  I have also experimented with the size of the jig head, its color, different styles of grubs and skirts on the spinner bait.  These changes have made some major differences in how many fish I’ve caught.  It has also made it easier for my clients to fish with spinner baits.

When and where do I use a spinner bait?  I really like using spinner baits because they work and they are easy to use!  I can put a spinner bait in the hands of a beginner angler and they can catch a Redfish just by reeling in the line!  There is a catch to this ease; you have got to be in the right area for spinner bait to work.  I use spinner baits in relatively shallow waters; about one to three foot.  Try casting spinner baits on oyster flats, grass flats and marsh grass edges.  They are also good along creek mouths where the water goes from one or two feet and drops off in to deeper water.  Try them anywhere the water is shallow.

One rule I use is to use spinner baits where I would also use top water lures.  How do I make the call between top water or spinner bait?  The wind can be a real problem when fishing top water lures; this is a good time to get out the spinner bait. Also, if the angler does not have experience using or working a top water plug, then we go with the spinner bait.  Something else I have noticed is that spinner baits work well in brackish and tannic “brown” stained waters.

Ok we’ve talked about the “wheres”, now lets look at changing the spinner bait up a bit.  Blades come in many sizes, colors and styles.  Let me help you by narrowing down what seems to work and what doesn’t work.  Not to say you should not try other changes than these you can try.  Everyone’s fishery is different!  Sizes: I’ve had the best luck staying in the blade range of three to six with fours, four & ½, fives and five & ½ working the best.  Colors: gold, silver, white, pink, orange, red and chartreuse are the colors I’ve had the best luck with.  So how do I pick what color to use?  Here are a few tips I have learned.  Early mornings, late afternoons, cloudy and foggy days, I like gold, silver and white.  On sunny days bright blue sky’s I prefer pink, green and chartreuse.  There are exceptions to every rule especially when it comes to fishing!  Here are some finer points to color selection.  I’ll use gold; hammered gold, chartreuse and orange in brackish water.  In very clear water I like white, green and red/white.

Styles of blades; Colorado blades are the most common store bought spinner baits and are still my favorite blade.  A little harder to find are Willow Leaf, Indiana and French style blades.  My second favorite is the Indiana Blade.  They are a lot like the Colorado but a little skinner.  I also use Deep Cup Colorado blades.  I like a deep cup when the fish are moving slow; do to cooler water temps.  The deep cup has great vibration for a very slow retrieve.

Split Ring Pliers

Give some of these tactics a try; be creative you never know what you might come up with that works.  It’s fairly inexpensive to make changes to spinner baits.  All need is a few spinner baits, some blades and a good pair of split ring pliers; trust me get a good pair (a lot less headaches)!  My favorite off the shelf spinner bait is made by Saltwater Assassin; Red Daddy and the inline Mac Daddy.  Please let me know how it works out and if you have any questions, drop me a line!

Capt. Jot Owens
www.captainjot.com
910-233-4139