GET MORE FROM YOUR SPINNERBAITING

Fishing with spinnerbaits is a mystery to many anglers. The single most common question I get asked is ‘how do I catch fish on them’ as a lot of fisherman use spinnerbaits regularly but have caught few (if any) fish on them.

The road to success with spinners starts with your selection at the tackle shop. Certain spinnerbaits work better under certain circumstances, however the options available are endless.

I will try and clarify a few of the more common spinnerbait options so that you can make an informed choice at the tackle shop and once on the water you can decide which spinner is best to start with.

Note that I said “to start with” in the above paragraph. Whilst you can use all the best knowledge and theory available, sometimes the fish don’t follow the script and you must be willing to change tactics to different spinnerbait configurations.

Don’t be scared of them. Spinners are a good thing and it’s worth pushing through the initial frustration.

Blade Shape

There are two main blade types used in Australia. The willow (shaped like a willow leaf) and the Colorado (shaped like a spoon). In a simplistic view the willow leaf sinks more rapidly due to the narrower profile having less water resistance, whilst the Colorado creates a ‘throbbing’ vibration, spinning (and sinking) more slowly than the willow. As a rule of thumb use willow blades in fast water or where you need a greater sink rate and the Colorado in shallower water or where you want the lure to sink slower. My personal preference is for Colorado blades and I adapt my retrieve and rod action to suit.

Blade colour

The most common blade finishes are copper or gold. Copper works well in discoloured water and I like gold in very clear water. Black nickel is becoming a popular colour and these blades are killers when the fish are shy. Chrome or silver is another colour that works well in clear water. My preference is for copper or black nickel. Painted blades in any colour you can imagine are also available, but unless you want to ‘pimp up’ your spinners, keep it simple.

Head weight

The only time I even bother to look at head weight is when I am fishing very shallow water. 5/8 or ¾ oz heads are on the money for most waters I fish (1-5 metres), and I would only go heavier than this if I was trolling. Smaller heads are better in really shallow water (<1m), but again I normally adjust my rod action with the tip up in the shallows and lower the rod tip in deeper water.

Singles

A single is the classic spinner with one or two blades on a single arm. These are the simplest spinner to use and are the starting point for your foray into a new fishing technique.

Twins

Twin spins have two arms with a single blade on the end of each arm. These spinners have a strong action and sink slower than a single. The retrieve for a twin is slower than for a single.

Quads

Quadspins are the flagship of spinnerbaits with two arms each with two blades attached. The four blades combine to give a mass of flash, vibration and all round fish attracting ‘bling’. The profile of the quad is large which gives them great appeal as a substantial meal for a hungry cod, whilst golden’s are attracted to the flash and eye the skirt as a shrimp-like morsel worth eating. Quads sink very slowly and in flow can actually be difficult to get under the water. They are ideal is slow water where ultra slow retrieves can be achieved.

Skirts

Skirts give spinners a ‘squid-like’ appearance and by design allow the lure to come to life. With each pulse of the blade(s), the skirt ‘breathes’ and vibrates making it look very lifelike. Skirts come is all manner of colours and I like a nice thick skirt which adds bulk to the lure. Purple is my favourite.

Rattles

Rattles can be added to spinners and at times may provide that little bit extra, but usually the whirring metal and pulsing skirt is enough to attract attention. I don’t use rattles in my spinners and prefer the blades to do the talking.

Hook

The main hook used in your spinner needs to be a quality hook that can withstand repeated snagging and hookups without dulling the point. There are many hooks used in spinners but the one made by ‘Owner’ with the cutting point, is a lethal piece of equipment with an equally impressive price tag. Your local spinnerbait manufacturer may make you a special order, but expect to pay plenty for a great piece of gear. Whatever hooks are in your spinner, keep checking the point is razor sharp as this is the only contact point you have with the fish.

Stinger hooks

Stingers are a second hook ganged to the bend of the main hook. The stinger is usually a razor sharp specialist hook designed for this purpose and gives extra hooking ability when fish are nipping at the blades or rear of the skirt. Stingers will increase hookups with goldens, whilst cod tend to smash the head of the lure and are usually taken on the front hook. It’s important to note that the extra hook will increase the snag rate of the lure. When you are learning you may not appreciate the extra snags and you may be best to wait until your skills increase before adding stinger hooks.

Soft plastic trailers

A soft plastic lure added to the hook of your spinner will definitely improve the lure. Plastics used can either be shads or worms, and either will increase bulk and give extra movement when your spinner is moving slowly or sinking. I like worms as the wriggle tails work well when the lure is sinking, whereas the shads work best when the lure is being retrieved. Using a plastic to integrate the stinger hook is a common rigging method and has benefits by increasing lure bulk and ‘hookability’ (Hookability is perhaps not a word, but I would use it in Scrabble). Carry plenty of spare plastic tails as after a few fish they usually need replacing.

Wire weight

The thickness of the wire used in your spinner is something not many people consider, but is can impact the action, durability and fish catching ability of the lure. For small bladed, light headed spinners, a light wire improves action, whilst for a 3/4oz 7/0 monster with blades as big as table spoons, you want a wire that’s as tough as the massive cod its designed to catch. Low quality wires will also snap under the repeated stress of fish, use, and especially de-snagging, so make sure your spinners wire is up to scratch.

Swivels and Split Rings

I am really getting into details, but unless the swivel used in your spinner is a quality ball bearing model, the rear blade won’t spin at ultra low speeds and the lure becomes less attractive to fish. Also consider the split rings used to hold the rear blades on. If they are too light, the rear blade can be pulled off by a fish or a snag. You can lose a fish and/or the use of that particular lure in one swipe.

Now that you have selected a spinner suitable for the species and water you plan to fish, you need to get your retrieve speed correct.

My favourite speed is when the blades are spinning slowly (ie: barely turning over & not whirring as fast as a Celta for example). To slow my overall retrieve, I add momentary pauses to the retrieve about every half turn of the handle. This keeps the lure in the fish’s strike zone, whereas a straight retrieve without pauses pulls the lure away from the fish too quickly. Cod especially can take a little while to make up their mind whether to eat the spinner or not, so the longer the spinner is in front of its eyes, the more chance the fish will attack.

Cod and goldens can attack a lure as soon as it hits the water so be sure to engage the reel immediately and pull any slack out of the line as the lure sinks. Slack line can result in missed strikes so be prepared as soon as the lure splashes down.

Finally you’ve selected a spinner and have nailed your retrieve, all you have to do now is cast it at a log and hang on, right? Hmmm, not exactly, but at least you have a start.

If you want to find out my secrets to better spinnerbaiting, visit www.riverinasportfishing.com and book a trip. A day or two on the water will have you spinnerbaiting like a champion. If you want to use the best, consider Mudguts or Angler Tech Spinnerbaits of Wagga Wagga.

© Jamin Forbes June 2008