Crafting Your Own Double-Bladed Spinnerbait

Spinnerbaits are versatile lures known for their ability to attract a variety of game fish species. While pre-made spinnerbaits are readily available in the market, many anglers enjoy the satisfaction of crafting their custom lures. 

In this post, we'll walk through the steps of constructing a double-bladed spinnerbait using a preformed spinnerbait head, blades, skirts, swivel, clevice, and spacing beads.

Materials Needed:

• Pre-formed spinnerbait head (choose your desired weight and style)
• Two blades (typically Willow-leaf, Colorado, Indiana)
• Spinnerbait Skirt (choose your preferred colors and material)
• Swivel
• Clevis
• Spacing Beads
• Needle-nose and/or Round-nose plus Split-ring Pliers
• Scissors

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Ensure you have all the necessary components for constructing your double-bladed spinnerbait. Lay them out on a clean, well-lit workspace to make the assembly process more efficient.

Step 2: Select the Blades

Choose the two blades you want to use for your custom spinnerbait. Consider factors such as blade color, size, and shape, as these can affect the bait's visibility, action, and vibration in the water.

Step 3: Attach Blades to Clevis

Insert the lead smaller blade into the clevis, ensuring it spins freely on the upper arm of the spinnerbait form. The clevis is a small, U-shaped metal component that connects a blade to the spinnerbait form.

Step 4: Add Spacing Beads

Slide spacing beads onto the spinnerbait's wire shaft above and below clevice. These beads serve to separate the blades, preventing them from tangling during retrieval and clevice to rotate freely.

Step 5: Add Larger Blade to Swivel and Affix to End of Upper Arm

Attach the larger blade to a split ring on the swivel then use either the needle-nose or round-nose pliers and start to form a small loop on the end upper arm of the spinnerbait wire. Place the other swivel's split ring in the open loop then use the plier to close the loop against the wire arm to secure the swivel/blade combo to the upper arm of the spinnerbait.

Step 6: Attach Spinnerbait Skirt

Select and attach selected skirt to the spinnerbait head. Spinnerbait skirts come in various materials, colors and patterns allowing you to customize the bait's appearance. Trim the skirt to your desired length using scissors for optimal appearance and action in the water.

Tips:

• Use different blade combinations to create varying water displacement and vibration. Willow leaf blades offer little vibration but more flash, while Colorado blades produce more lift and a greater thumping action.
• Experiment with skirt colors and materials to match the hatch or attract attention in murky water.

Need additional components to  make your own spinnerbaits? 

Check out the wide variety of materials to create your own custom spinnerbaits available at Lure Parts Online by clicking on the following links!

Spinnerbait Heads

Spinner Blades

Skirts & Skirt Material

Tools

Terminal Tackle

A Quick Guide to Ultralight Rod Actions

Ultralight fishing is a unique and exciting way to target bass. It's not about brute force; it's about finesse, feel, and the thrill of the fight. But to truly master this fishing style, you need to understand the different actions of ultralight rods and when to use each one.

U/L Rod Actions Explained

The action of a fishing rod describes how it bends when pressure is applied. In ultralight bass fishing, there are three main actions to consider:

Fast Action: These rods bend only in the top quarter to one third of the blank, making them incredibly sensitive and ideal for feeling light bites and working small lures with precision. Finesse rigs like small worms, jigs, and drop shots are best suited for fast action rods.

Moderate Action: More forgiving than fast action rods, these bend throughout the middle third. They offer a good balance of sensitivity and power, making them suitable for a wider range of lures, from small crankbaits, topwaters to spinners.

Slow Action: Bend throughout the entire blank, providing maximum forgiveness and shock absorption. They're perfect for soaking baits, live bait, fighting big fish on light line, and absorbing headshakes from aggressive bass.

Matching the Action to Fishing Situations

Now, let's break down when to use each action:

Fast Action:

Ideal for:

• Pinpoint accuracy when casting to tight cover
• Feeling subtle bites from finicky bass
• Working finesse worms, jigs, and drop shots

Moderate Action:

Ideal for:

• A wider range of lures and techniques, especially moving baits
• All-around versatility for different fishing situations
• Ned rigs, small crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwaters
• Balancing sensitivity with fighting power

Slow Action:

Ideal for:

• Soaking baits like live minnows or nightcrawlers
• Fighting large bass on light line
• Absorbing headshakes and preventing pulled hooks
• Deeper crankbaits, minnow baits and swimbaits

Although I have often included ultralight rod combos in my bassin' tool kit, I honestly did not give much thought to the rod actions and how they might optimize success with different presentations. 

I mean a buggy whip i a buggy whip, right? 

Well that's what I thought until I came across Ethan Huyvetter's Fish Anything YouTube channel when my insight on the details and nuances of ultralight grew exponentially...

Take a few moments and watch Ethan's 2022 U/L rod breakdown where he not only discusses the different actions and uses but also provides some great insight into great combos at several different price points!

Understanding the nuances of ultralight rod actions allows anglers to tailor their gear selection to different techniques and conditions. Whether you're aiming for precision, versatility, or flexibility, there's an ultralight power rod action that best fills your need.

Want to learn more regarding ultralight fishing?

Ethan's YouTube channel, Fish Anything, is definitely a great place to explore the world of U//L fishing.

Adding Whiskers to Soft Plastics

Have you ever wanted to add your own appendages to soft plastic bait to change its appearance and give the bass a bait with a different look and action?

I know I have, especially around dragon fly hatches when the bass are chomping on these winged morsels and sometimes get very finnicky about what baits they'll bite! 

When this happens I take some 3" and 4" soft stickbaits and add a several strands of jig/spinnerbait skirt matierial a short distance from the head of the bait. This gives it the appearance of wings to an otherwise bland soft stickbait.

It's not that hard to do, you just need a tab of skirt material and a tool like a threader for a fly tying bobbin (see below). 

If you are lacking a threader, you can even take a piece of thin but stiff wire and bend it over to create your own threading tool.

To get a better idea of how this bait hack works, take a moment and watch this short video from the folks at Omnia/Bass Utopia for a quick demo of the few steps needed...

Need additional components and tools to modify baits or make your own fishing lures? 

Check out the wide variety of bait making and modifying items available at Lure Parts Online by clicking on the following image!

Hook Removal Tip from a Pro

Even though they're attached to dozens of highly effective bass baits, I am not a fan of treble hooks. Not because they don't have their place but because if you use treble hooked baits long enough, this WILL happen:

So for that time when the treble hook gets you or your fishing partner rather than a bass, here's a quick tip from fishing legend Jimmy Houston as he demos how to use fishing line to remove a deeply imbedded hooks from his wife's forearm!

Good luck!

Four Casts for Shallow Cover Angler

If you are a budding shallow water cover angler, there are several types of casts that, once mastered, will help you present your baits more effectively and catch more bass.

Take a moment and watch as bass pro Andy Montgomery gives an on the water demo showing each of these casts and how to perfect them...

Using Scrounger Heads when Fishing Deep to Shallow Cover

A scrounger style jig head is a type of fishing jig head that is designed to create a realistic swimming action in soft plastic lures, such as swimbaits or grubs. 

The scrounger jig head typically features a round jig head with a molded plastic bill that extends from the front of the head. The bill is usually curved and angled upwards, which creates a wobbly swimming action as the lure is retrieved through the water.

To use a scrounger jig head for bass fishing, you would typically rig it with a soft plastic bait, such as a swimbait, fluke-style bait, or grub, by threading the hook through the bait to the back-side of the bill of the jig head. The combination of the weighted head and the curved bill creates a realistic swimming action that can be very effective for attracting bass. 

To fish with a scrounger jig head, you would typically cast it out, count down to the desired depth, and retrieve it slowly, using a steady retrieve to create the swimming action. You can also experiment with different retrieval speeds and techniques to find the most effective presentation for the conditions and the bass you're targeting.

Take a moment and watch as bass pro Joss Stracner explains why he uses a scrounger-style head to probe both hard and soft cover throughout the water column opposed to other more "standard" baits...

Beginners Guide to Fly Fishing for Bass

If you're looking for a new way to fish for bass, fly fishing might be just what you need. Fly fishing for bass can be a fun and challenging way to catch these hard-fighting fish, and it's a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

Here are some tips for getting started with fly fishing for bass:

Get the right gear

To start fly fishing for bass, you'll need a few pieces of specialized equipment. First, you'll need a fly rod and reel. A 6- or 7-weight rod is a good choice for bass fishing, and you'll want a reel that can hold a decent amount of line. You'll also need a weight-forward floating fly line, a leader, and some bass flies. Your best bet to get the best gear for your budget is to talk to your local fly shop to get specific recommendations for the bass in your area waters.

Learn the basics of casting

Casting a fly rod is different from casting a spinning rod, so it's important to learn the basics before you head out on the water. There are plenty of resources available to help you learn to cast, including YouTube instructional videos or classes at your local fly shop.

Find the right spots

Bass are found in a variety of habitats, including streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Look for areas with cover, such as fallen logs or weed beds, where bass like to hide. Bass also tend to hang out in areas with structure, such as drop-offs or rocky points. You can fly fish for bass just about anywhere you fish with casting and spinning tackle.

Choose the right flies

Bass flies come in a wide variety of styles and colors, and different flies are effective in different situations. Streamers, eel worms, poppers, and topwater bugs are all popular choices for bass. Experiment with different flies to find out what works best in your local waters.

Popular Bass Flies

Whether you're an experienced angler or just starting out, fly fishing for bass can provide a unique challenge that's sure to keep you coming back for more. 

When it comes to fly fishing for bass, the right fly can make the difference between just fishing for or actually catching bass each time you are on the water. 

Here are several popular bass fly that every angler should have in their tackle box:

Clouser Minnow: This versatile fly is a must-have for bass fishing. Its weighted design allows it to sink quickly, making it ideal for fishing in deeper water. The Clouser Minnow mimics a variety of baitfish, making it effective in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

Deer Hair Popper: A topwater fly that imitates a frog or other small creature, the Deer Hair Popper is a go-to for bass anglers. Its popping action creates a commotion on the surface of the water that can attract bass from a distance.

Solid body poppers: Cork and foam body poppers are a type of fly that creates a popping or splashing sound when retrieved through the water. This sound mimics the sound of prey on the surface, attracting bass from below. Poppers are perfect for fishing in calm water, especially during the early morning or late evening when bass are most active.

Woolly Bugger: The Woolly Bugger is a classic fly that works for a variety of fish species, including bass. Its marabou tail and chenille body make it look like a small baitfish or leech. It can be fished slowly near the bottom or stripped quickly to imitate a fleeing baitfish.

Crawdad: Bass love to eat crawfish, so it's no surprise that a crawdad fly is a top choice for many anglers. The pattern can vary, but most crawdad flies feature a dark, mottled body with rubber legs and pincers.

Lefty's Deceiver: Another versatile fly, Lefty's Deceiver is a streamer pattern that can mimic a variety of baitfish. Its long, flowing feathers create a realistic swimming action that can entice even the wariest bass.

Streamers: Streamers are long, thin flies that mimic the shape and movement of baitfish. The patterns and colors of streamers vary, but all are designed to catch the attention of bass. Streamers are an excellent choice for fishing in deep water or for targeting larger bass.

Deer Hair Frog: This fly imitates a frog, a favorite meal for bass. The buoyant deer hair body helps the fly to float on the surface, and the hand-tied  hair legs create a lifelike movement that can entice bass into striking.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of a fly can depend on the specific location, time of year, and water conditions. 

It's always a good idea to do some research and talk to local experts to determine the best flies for the area you plan to fish.

Float n Fly System for Lethargic Bass

There are certain days and times of the year when bass and other gamefish move away from structure and cover to suspend mid-depth in the water column especially when the water is very cold, very hot or when the lake is highly pressured.

Over the decades, savvy anglers have developed a presentation system that harkens us back to the early days of fishing when we were kids using a float and bait to lure fish into biting; the float n fly system. 

At first glance the basic setup appears fairly straightforward but in reality there are a number of nuances that come into play to fish the system successfully.

Take a moment and watch as the guys from Tactical Bassin' explain their modifications to the float n fly system making it simpler than many early appraoches to the technique...

A Bass Pro's Top 2 Year-round Baits

Ever wonder if pro tournament anglers have favorite or confidence baits they fish any time, any where?

Well in Gerald "G-Man" Swindle's case the answer is a loud n proud Yes!

Take a moment and watch this short video as G-Man explains his reasons for selecting two baits that are always on the deck of his boat:

Pretty interesting but in my case I can't seem to limit it to two; maybe perhaps four:

• Texas rigged soft plastic (usually a soft stickbait)
• Spinnerbait
• Chatterbait
• Rigged jighead (usually a paddletail swimbait or grub)

:)

What’s In Your Bass Fishing Line?

I was talking with a friend recently who only fishes a few times a year and he started asking me about the different types of bass fishing line. Of course he really wanted to know which type, monofilament, fluorocarbon or braided line is the best.

As I sat there gathering my thoughts on how I was going to answer this question without making it a full lecture (I have a habit of doing that sometimes!), I decided to keep it to an overview of the three main types of those bass fishing line: monofilament, super-lines (braided line), and fluorocarbon.

Given the time of year (people prepping for next season) and fact many people maybe even be looking to purchase some line as present for fishermen, I decided my answer would make for a great “short” post on this site …

Keep Your Line Fresh for More Bass

All bass anglers are looking for secrets to help increase their bass catching. One secret many fishermen overlook pertains to a basic piece of bass fishing equipment the line on their reels!

Keep Your Line Fresh for More Bass …

Make no mistake, the weakest part of your connection to the bass is the line you are using.  Many bass anglers spool their reels at the beginning of the season and continue to use the same line until they can’t cast anymore.

I know being frugal can be a good thing but when you are bass fishing around all sorts of cover, the line is constantly being abraded and degraded!

Sun Low, Think Top, Sun High, Think Bottom

As we ease from spring and into summer, my approach to presentations takes on a timing pattern throughout the day based on the phrase…

Sun Low, Think Top, Sun High, Think Bottom

One thing to keep in mind…

Depth control matters relative to the time of the day…

Before I set out on an early morning trip to one of my favorite waters, I rig several rods with a variety of lures allowing me to adjust presentation depth as the Sun climbs higher in sky…

Starting at the pre-dawn launch until around 8 AM, the two rigs garnering the most action are the topwater and buzzbait rods since the Sun is still low on the horizon and bass are more active on top…

As the day ages and we approach the 9 AM hour, the topwater bite often slows and there’s a switch to mid-depth presentations.

Important Knots For Bass Anglers

Ever Feel Like You’re Missing That Special Fishing Knot?

How many times have you been out on a bass fishing trip facing a specific situation where a certain knot is required but couldn’t remember how to tie it?

I’m sure it has happened to each of us at some point and what happens?

We end up either running around asking everyone else how to tie the knot or improvise using a knot that is less than an ideal solution.

Even if you’ve been lucky enough to get your hands on a credit card size knot guide for your wallet, sometimes the little diagrams just don’t cut it!

Obviously the best way to avoid this situation is to re-learn how to tie the knot and keep practicing to commit it to memory.

Fortunately, today’s Internet provides numerous resources enabling us to access a variety of websites and other resources (videos, downloadable e-books, etc.) to help solve almost any problem.  This is definitely the case for our fishing knot problem and I would like to introduce you to a few of the resources I found particularly useful …

I was amazed to not only find numerous websites providing diagrams and written instructions but also websites with downloadable PDF files (e-books) and even videos.

The best part … I found all my favorite bass fishing knots on a cool website including the Albright, Improved Clinch, Palomar, Blood and Rapala knots.

Plus they were all in animated video …  How cool is that!!!!

Get Your Bass Fishing Knot Guidance Here!

Here is a video tour I created to guiding you through the website, different bass fishing knots (and why I use them) and how the site works …

As mentioned in the video, the link to the animated video site can be accessed directly by clicking below:

Grog’s Fishing Knots

Enjoy and good luck! 

Selecting Bass Fishing Rods

Are you in the market for a new rod and reel combo for bass fishing?

Then you definitely need the right set of “tools” to get the job done once you hit the water to catch some bass.

One of the most important tools in your bass fishing toolbox is the proper selection of rod and reel combo. Selecting the right bass fishing rods, however can be more than a little confusing since there are literally hundreds on the market today.

It becomes even more complex when you understand that each rod and reel combination is intended to be used with certain lures and sometimes even specific presentations of those baits.

Therefore you’ll need a little background regarding these different combos to make the proper choice.

Considerations When Selecting a Rod …

If you’re going to a local discount store or bait and tackle shop, you may find a fairly large selection of bass fishing rods for sale. In order to focus your efforts and narrow the selection, there are some basic questions you need to answer including:

* Do you want a spinning or baitcasting outfit?

* Do you know the rod length do you need/want?

* What kind of power will you need in your bass rod?

* What type of rod action is best for the way you fish?

These questions will likely be based on factors like the types of baits and presetantions you usualy fish or your experience level with the equipment.

Stop Line Issues When Using Spinning Reels

 Spinning reels afford bass angler both ease of use and greater versatility especially when throwing light baits…

One problem many anglers have when using spinning gear is line twist; often a major problem when using light line…

In the following video, Bassmaster Elite Series Pro, Shaw Grigsby offers some great tips to help combat many of the common issues associated with spinning reel use…

Take a few moments to watch and learn 

Making Sense of Scents

Personally I am one of those long time bass anglers who has had a love-hate relationship with the plethora of gooey, slimy concoctions we add to baits ... bait scents. 

Thinking way back to the first introductions of scents like Fish Formula and the oil-slick like trail they left when hitting the water after first application not to mention an oily slime on everything it touched.

Combine the oily mess with the fact I was never really sure it worked, more often than not I couldn't be bothered adding scents to baits. If a bait happened to be doused in scent when it was manufactured, fine but the decade-old bottle of oil-based craw scent occupying space in one of my less used tackle bags is evidence of my attitude toward regular use.

Now as far as purposely buying packages of pre-scented soft baits, the only company's baits I buy are those from Berkley lures with their water-based additives in the PowerBait/MaxScent lines. After reading some of the background research info and trying the baits on numerous occasions, I found there were times when the bite was off and the PowerBait scented baits appeared to help catch more fish. Add in the fact the baits were manufactured with the scent "baked-in" so I didn't have to mess with adding it myself all the better, especially since it has kind of a funky smell.

Earlier this year, American Baitworks (company behind Snag-proof & Scum frogs, Net Baits, Halo Rods, etc.) introduced a new, water-based, NON smelly scent called BaitFuel that is rapidly gaining popularity in the bass angling community. 

Even scent naysayer, Mikey Balzz seems impressed with BaitFuel as he describes in the following video...

Pretty cool video and I appreciate his demo on how to "marinate" baits properly to get the best results and not impact the structure of the baits (especially those that contain salt) if you add to much to the package.

Sounds like it could be a great non-smelly alternative to Powerbait so I just picked up a bottle to check it out.

If you are interested in getting a bottle of BaitFuel for yourself, click on the image below to access the current inventory at Omnia Fishing plus more video info on the science behind the scent...

Rigging a Texas Worm

Have you ever see or participated in an online survey about favorite bass fishing lures?

I know I have numerous times and do you know what bass fishing lure wins most surveys?

Plastic bass baits, particularly plastic worms ….

There are a number of different methods you can use to rig a plastic worm but the “Texas Rig” is preferred most often.

Many anglers use the Texas rig in a variety of situations since it is more or less weedless (therefore resists hang-ups) and works in numerous structure and cover situations.

So if you are struggling with your plastic worm fishing, here is another bass fishing video tip demonstrating the proper method for rigging a plastic bait using a “Texas Rig” …

Enjoy!

Once you learn how to properly prep a plastic bait with the “Texas Rig”, you will likely never forget.

If you do not get the worm rigged correctly on the other hand, it will often twist and turn not only leaving the bass a little dizzy but your line a curled mess as well!

Sweeping for Bass?

A few days ago I saw a “Tweet” telling about a new bass fishing technique called the “Sweeping Method“.  Initially I though it would describe a hook-setting method, so I dismissed it since I already posted an article describing sweep hook-setting several months ago.

Today, however, I came across the video on YouTube and after watching the video found that my initial interpretation was wrong!

As a matter of fact, the sweeping technique has absolutely nothing to do with hook-sets; it’s actually a method of presentation …

Modeled after some of the oldest presentation methods known to man, namely jigger-poling and doodling, this fixed line retrieve allows a stealthy bass angler to work in close to shallow cover with complete control of the lure …

Interested in learning more?

Then take a moment and watch this bass fishing tactic video below to see how this kayaking fisherman uses the Sweeping Method to his greatest advantage …

One concern I had watching him work the sweeping method using a buzzbait on such a short line pertains to a high potential for broken rods …

I think using a graphite-fiberglass composite rod (like an Ugly Stik) and baitcasting reel spooled with braided line and a slightly loosened drag should help minimize that issue …

What do you think?

How Visible Is 20 lb Fluorocarbon in Clear Water?

What line do you choose when flipping or pitching heavy cover in clear water: fluorocarbon or braid?

Is there really a significant visibility difference between the two?

Take a couple of minutes and see what the guys from Hook n Look discovered when filming from the bass' perspective...

 

 

Would you trust fluorocarbon line in those conditions? 🤔