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Spinnerbait
Presentations
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There are two lures
that have been a staple in my tournament fishing the past
five years, they are the Senko and the Spinnerbait.
Here are a few tips on Spinnerbait Presentations.
The spinnerbait is truly a reaction Lure and my "go
to" lure for finding active bass. First I'll do
my homework on the body of water and pick out the spots I
think are best. Once I find that perfect spot, where
I think they might be, I'll
typically try and cast beyond that spot where I think they
are. For example, if there is a stump, log, submerged
structure or vegetation, I'll cast just beyond the target area.
If I
don't get a bite the first one or two casts I'll change
things up a little bit, usually by first slowing down presentation
a bit and then by trying to bump or hit the
structure. It that structure is vegetation, as soon
as I feel the bait hit I'll rip it through or in an upward
direction and then kill it. By letting the
spinnerbait flutter down after coming in contact with the
structure is a great way to generate a vicious strike.
This presentation also works great if there is a hard
bottom like pea gravel or some other hard substance.
Slow down the retrieve so the bait ticks the bottom every
once I a while. Vary the retrieve by holding the rod
tip at different angles and then either pausing for a
second or two or jerk the rod tip up or out in another
direction. This does two things, it makes the bait stall
causing the blades flutter and creates an erratic presentation
much like a wounded bait fish.
I like to use a 6 1/2 or 7 ft rod and a reel with a 6:1 gear
ratio. My favorite line for spinnerbait fishing is
17lb Stren Magnaflex. This gives me a perfect hook
set combined with my 7ft custom All Star Spinnerbait rod.
Here are a
few "Presentation" tips for Spring Time Lunkers!
Spring Time - Clear Water
I like to use a 1/2 oz white Strike King Pro Model
Spinnerbait with tandem willow leaf blades. At this
point of the year I'm looking for the active fish in
shallow water and am going with a medium to fast retrieve,
just under the surface.
Remember, spawning bass generally
will not go after a large spinnerbait, so you may need to
both downsize your bait and slow down your presentation to
entice a bass at this time of year.
If I'm not getting bit, then I'll slow it down and maybe
drop 1 - 2 ft. It is crucial to have a trailer hook
on at this time of year, especially in dingy to muddy
water. If the water is clear, then leave the trailer
hook off. Ideally I'm also taking into consideration the forage and
trying to match the hatch in the lake. Many of the
lakes in the northeast are loaded with sunfish, shad,
perch and golden shiner. So this means using a gold
or painted blade much of the time.
Spring Time - Muddy or Murky Water
When the water is still cold and the water is
either muddy or murky I like to go with a slightly smaller
bait in the 3/8 - ½ ounce size. Most of my
spinnerbaits are the Strike
King Pro-Models. In the murky or muddy water I also
want to use the bass's sense sound and vibration and hit
that lateral line with a No. 4 or No. 5 Colorado blade
thumping away. With these blades strapped on I can
slow down my presentation and generate maximum vibration.
When the water is murky or muddy, like crankbaits, I opt for darker colors like Chartreuse, Orange and Red.
These colors match the hatch (crawfish, sunfish, perch
etc.) and stand out in murky
water. A good imitation of a sunfish would be
a chartreuse or chartreuse/blue skirt dressed with a chartreuse
trailer. The trailer only helps by bulking the bait
up a little bit and adding to the overall presentation.
JD's Spinnerbait Rig:
Rod: 7ft Custom All Star Spinnerbait Rod
Line: 17lb Stren Magnaflex
Reel: Shimano Curado
Spinnerbait: Strike King Pro Model
Trailer Hook: Only in dingy to Muddy Water
Scent: On the Trailer (if there is one on)
Written By: JD
Lunker USA
January 2006
http://www.lunkerusa.com
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