Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

I live and fish primarily in North Carolina, and mostly fish tournaments. I know patterns can change from day to day, and normally, the most consistent bait of choice here in Feb, and March are jerkbaits. However, the water has been really stained this spring, with visability around a foot. I personally have a hard time using a jerkbait in these conditions. It has not affected the weights of the tournaments at all, 26 and 27 pounds every week, with a 32lb bag this past week. Whenever the fish really get on the SB bite, my partener and I usually do very well, but I have always used 50 degrees as the magic number to start throwing a SB. Is this acurate? Can it be used effectively in colder water, or does it need to be warmer. Most of the times in tournaments, I look for five big bites, instead of culling 10 times a day, and a SB is a great way to get five big bites, but I dont want to be wasting my time if the water is to cold to be using a SB.

While I prefer a large-bright coloreed crankbait in water less than 50 degrees, I see no reason not to throw a spinnerbait. I would use a 1/2 ounce black skirted spinnerbait with one large #5-6 single gold or copper blade with the slow-rolled technique. Bass will hit spinnerbaits in cold water, just have to slow down a little. Good luck, Johnnie

I have to agree with Jonnie on this. (as always)

I dont think there is a "magic" temp to start throwing a spinner bait. You just have to work it slower for colder water. To this day my biggest bass in a tournament came on a spinner that was slow rolled right on the bottom in about 8 ft of water and when I say right on the bottom I mean right on the bottom it was dragging on the rocks as I brought it in..and it was cold water.

I agree with Conley, if there's no ice covering the water, it's SPINNERBAIT time. I don't think enough anglers use spinnerbaits in cold water on the bottom. Lots of bass feed deep in cold water on crawfish and injured bait fish.

I tell you what, I love my jigs, I love my soft plastics, but when the fish are on, there is no other bait I'd rather throw than a spinnerbait. You can catch them at any time of the year on this bait, it is so versatile.

Late to the table, but for what it's worth.

I've thrown SB's in water that read 43' F, and caught fish, albeit a slow bite, but it was a slow fish too. Just fast enough to flutter the blade and tic the bottom.

Richard.

I'm beginning to think you guys are like old combat veterans. When we get together and start telling war stories, we all laughingly call them lies, but we all know the bitter truth. You guys remind me of them. Are there any fish at the end of these tales?