05/04/2000
- Article
Shallow
Water Spinnerbait Techniques
By
Jason Waldschmidt
As
spring approaches all fishermen begin to get that fever of being out on the water.
For most anglers the time to start fishing is immediately
after the ice has left the lake. While a majority of fish are still deep in many lakes, there
are those who venture to the shallow for the warmth of the sun.
From this time through the next ice over fish can be caught
with a variety of methods, but none is better or easier than the old
standby spinnerbait.
Spinnerbaits
can be bought in several colors and blade combinations, however an
angler only
needs to have a few in his/her
arsenal. First, every
angler only needs carry five colors of spinnerbaits I.E. white, chartreuse
& white, chartreuse, silver, and black.
These colors will work in any water color situation you might
find. When it comes to
blades I have a little secret that I follow.
The darker the water the slower the bait needs to run, and
this is achieved by adding Colorado style blades in muddy water and
in clear water throwing tandem willow leaf blades.
Make it simple, a spinnerbait is used to show flash and
produce vibration. Follow
these tips and it will help you eliminate the frustration of finding
the right spinnerbait.
Along
with the tips on colors and blades there are also a few things an
angler can do when the spinnerbait comes out of the package.
First, when you go and buy your new Picasso spinnerbait
always take the arm of the bait and bend it out slightly.
This opens the bite area of the bait to allow more hookups.
Second, take a pair of pliers and grab the bend of the hook
rotating the hook point so that it is aimed upward slightly.
Pointing the hook upward allows for immediate penetration
into the fish. Last,
the problem of the always-occurring
short striking fish. Take a pair of scissors and cut the skirt so that it hangs
1/8 to ¼ of an inch
below the hook. Remember
always add a trailer hook and follow
these tips and you can not go wrong with a spinnerbait.
Now
that we have chosen a spinnerbait and have prepared it to fish, one
needs to learn how to fish this deadly tool.
The most important thing to remember during shallow
spinnerbait fishing is your presentation or cast.
I am a firm believer in making a silent presentation into the
water so that the
splashing of the water does not spook a bass. This presentation can be achieved by making a short roll cast
and before the lure hits the water lift ever so slightly on the rod
to lower the bait into the water.
Also, a good tip to remember for shallow water is throw the
bait onto the bank and bring it into the water slowly.
When fishing this spinnerbait never throw it directly at a
target. For example, when fishing a clump of grass or stump
throw three feet behind the target and then retrieve the lure.
This also relieves the possibility of spooking the fish next
to cover. Also, while fishing a spinnerbait in shallow water make your
bait run into things. If
you were reeling by a stump make sure your bait hits that stump.
This causes the bait to do something erratic, and in turn
causes a bass to reflex strike.
Furthermore, the retrieve speed can play a giant role in a
good day or a bad day. There
are four major ways to retrieve a spinnerbait.
First, a steady cadence
all the way back to the boat. This
is good for fairly active fish.
Second. Stop and go is probably the most used and will cause many strikes.
Reeling the bait does this
and throughout the retrieve periodically pausing the lure.
This seems to imitate a wounded baitfish.
Third, is called burning and it is very effective on
smallmouth and active largemouth.
Basically this retrieve is reel it back to the boat as fast
as you can and hang on. Last,
slow rolling has become
very popular over the past few years.
This technique is exactly what it says, the angler reels so
slow that the bait is just crawling through the cover.
This will catch those fish that are not very active.
Try these techniques and I know that you will catch more
fish.
In
order to accomplish all of the techniques one must have the proper
equipment while fishing a spinnerbait.
A fisherman’s line is the largest factor when spinnerbait
fishing. The
spinnerbait is s moving bait and it does not allow the fish to see
the line, therefor I throw the heaviest pound test I can. For example, I throw 17-20 pound test Triple Fish Silicone.
Remember to throw a line that is very high in abrasion
resistance as you will be throwing through some thick cover.
Along with the line comes that of the proper rod. In short
distance situations I use a 5’6” Falcon Lowrider pistol grip. Using
a short rod gives you increased accuracy for making the best
presentation. If I am
fishing lay
downs or open water grass beds I
like to throw my spinnerbaits on a 6’6” Falcon Lowrider
Composite Rod. Using the composite rod lets me have the advantage of glass
but the sensitivity of graphite.
As for reels I prefer a medium retrieve with a 5:1 gear
ratio. I believe that
this will accommodate all situations of spinnerbait fishing.
Last, is to tie on a good Picasso spinnerbait and go fishing.
Throughout
the years the spinnerbait has become the standard lure for catching
shallow water bass. It
seams as if the bait will never grow old and always catch fish.
It is also the best way for a novice angler to start fishing.
Use these tips and techniques and visit your local lake.
Remember “ a bad day on the water is better than a good day
at work”. Good Luck!
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