Rigging spinner baits???

[blu70devil]

I have never used a spinnerbait for bass fishing before. I bought some the other day and I cant figure out how to rig them. If anyone knows of any instructional websites or wants to give me their personal opinion it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[johnnie crain outdoors]

I guess I don't understand what you mean by "rigging" a spinnerbait. Most spinnerbaits come with either an open or closed eye line tie. When using a closed eye type I like to use a snap to connect the bait to the line, this allows me to change baits quickly and easily. When using the "S" or open eye type I tie directly to the bait. There are several things you can do to enhance spinnerbaits. Spinnerbaits will catch fish right out of the package, but there are times that enhancing the bait pays off. I like to use a two to four inch twister tail grub which I thread onto the hook, most usually a different color, unless I want the bait to appear larger, then I use the same color as the baits skirt. At times, dingy water etc, I will add a rattle to the grub body, for added noise. I almost always use Fish Formula Shad fish scent on spinnerbait. Blades and skirts are easy to replace on spinnerbaits and I suggest buying a limited number of baits and a few extra skirts and blades which can be changed as conditions change. I really like spinnerbaits that have a snap swivel on the blade, this really makes changing blades easy. Simply open the snap, change blade and close snap. The skirts should be easy to get off also, grab the head of the skirt near the spinnerbait head and gently pull down with your thumbnail and fingernails, should slide right off. If it's tied on with thread you can't do that, I never buy these type baits. Keeping spare skirts in a baggy with some talcum powder keeps the skirts legs from sticking together. 1/4 and 3/8th ounce baits are good choices until you get used to using spinnerbaits. Single spin or tandem blades both work well, tandem blades offer a little more protection from snags. There is no wrong way to use a spinnerbait as long as it is moving. Sometimes I buzz them across the surface, slow roll them at mid-depth or really slow down and scrape the bottom, just experiment, the bass will let you know when its right for that day. Hope this helps. P.S. if you're talking about in-line spinners or buzzbaits, we can help you there too. Keep in touch, Johnnie

[Don House]

Well it is really hard to even try to follow Johnnie, and since he just told you everything but what color works best, here is my 2 cents worth...

What type of spinnerbait did you buy? Most have a elbow bend which is where you will attach line to. You can go to www.berkley-trilene.com look under bass fishing tips/ tackle tips good diplay of the trilene knot,and more on getting that knot tied.

Spinnerbaits come in all sorts of weights, blades and colors. I like Johnnie also agree that those little changes in the bait make the world of difference.

We have a little trick here in Missouri we call it bulging. It is where we take the big Colorado blade and bend the blade at the end of the blade down. This really makes the displace alot of water and if you you reel it back fast it will ride on top of the water, like a buzz bait but with a big blade it displaces much more water and you get a bigger waking or bubbling effect. Little tricks like this just drives the fish crazy. Hope this helps you alittle any troubles post a question this Pro Staff is like a nice owners manual for bass fishing!!!

Good fishing.

EAT SLEEP FISH

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Don, good point on bulging, it's one of my favorite techniques. Except for cold water, I always start out by bulging spinnerbaits, there's no faster, better way to see if the fish are active. I love to watch the bass take the bait. Don, ever used the same technique with a large jig and pig bulged across the surface, it's deadly at times, leaves a nice, easy to follow wake, and it's not as hard as it looks. Johnnie Crain