Fishing with spinnerbaits for bass Spinner baits are at times some of the best lures to use for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. They work in rivers, lakes, ponds, and even in saltwater for red drum. These lures are similar to buzzbaits, but they are less noisy.
Spring is one of the best times of year to use spinner baits. When the water begins to warm after the winter, bass lose their sluggish ways, and begin to pursue schools of baitfish, particularly along the edge of the shallows. Fishing with spinner baits and crankbaits is also very productive when the lures are reeled steadily at a medium pace along drop offs and cuts, and around structure.
Casting directly out into the water, letting the lure sink, and then beginning a slow retrieve is another successful way to fish spinnerbaits. This is usually better in deeper water, as fish are less likely to notice the lure when it rides just below the surface, which is fine in the shallows, but getting the lure down may be necessary in deep water when fish are not feeding on the surface.
Spinnerbaits are some of the only bass lures that seem to be steadily successful when they are colored brightly. As bass usually prefer brown, gray, olive, and black baits, spinner baits are sure to work in yellow, chartreuse, and white.
These lures are very easy to use. As with many other baits, such as jigs, crankbaits, and spoons, there seems to be one steady rule to fishing with spinnerbaits that does not apply to soft plastic lures. The reel (retrieve) must be constant, as twitches in the rod or on and off reeling often causes the lure to tangle, and takes away from its appeal, as the blade stops spinning.
Spinnerbaits are some of the best bass baits at certain times, as they may be fished in the shallows, in deep water, and around structure with success. For bream, small spinnerbaits, like beetle spins may be used.
