Choosing Between Single and Tandem Blade Spinnerbaits for Spring Bass

Spinnerbaits are one of the most versatile and effective lures you can use for bass fishing. They can be fished in a variety of water clarities ranging from clear to muddy and can be used to target bass in shallow water to deep water.

One of the most important decisions you'll make when fishing a spinnerbait is choosing the right blade combination. There are two main types of blades used on spinnerbaits: Colorado blades and willow leaf blades.

Colorado blades are wider and have a deeper cup than willow leaf blades. They produce more vibration and thump, which makes them ideal for fishing in cold, dirty water when bass tend to be sluggish. Willow leaf blades are narrower and have a shallower cup. They produce less vibration but a greater amount of flash making them more effective in clear water and when water temps are higher making the bass are more active.

MLF bass pro Edwin Evers often relies on choosing the right spinnerbait when chasing spring bass on the Bass Pro Tour. Take a few moments and watch as EE explains his system for selecting the right spinnerbait depending on the conditions he encounters during each spring event:

Spinnerbait Tips for the Prespawn

Spinnerbaits are a versatile lure that can be used in a variety of conditions and situations, especially during the prespawn. 

By adjusting the size, color, and blade configuration of your spinnerbait, you can tailor your cool water spinnerbait presentation to the specific conditions you'll face this time of year. 

Here are a few reasons why you might choose to use a spinnerbait in this season:

They Trigger Aggressive Bass: In the spring, bass are often more aggressive as they prepare for the spawning season. Spinnerbaits can create a lot of vibration and movement in the water, which can trigger a response from these aggressive fish, especially when paired with a good trailer like a paddletail swimbait.

Dirty Water Abounds: Spring rains can cause the water in lakes and rivers to become murky to muddy. Spinnerbaits with large Colorado blades can create a lot of flash and vibration, making them more visible and enticing to bass in these conditions.

Prespawn Bass Love Cover: During the prespawn, bass start their move into shallow water as they prepare to spawn. Spinnerbaits can be very effective around shallow cover such as logs, rocks, docks, and weed beds, due to their snag resistant design.

Fishing Spinnerbaits for Early Spring Bass

There is little doubt that spinnerbaits are a great bait and enhance early spring bass fishing success.  One of the key features relating to the effectiveness of spinnerbaits when fishing for bass is the versatility of spinnerbait styles and color patterns.

As a matter of fact, not only are spinnerbaits great for early spring bass, they also shine throughout the entire spring, summer, fall and yes even into the winter fishing seasons!

What are some of the reasons behind this versatility?

1. Spinnerbaits come in a variety of sizes, colors, blade combination and styles allowing bass anglers to chose a bait for almost any seasonal situation when on the water;
2. Spinnerbaits can be fished at almost any depth level by varying the speed of retrieve, lure weight and blade combination; &

Vibra-Bug Spinnerbaits: A Springtime Favorite

A Vibra-Bug spinnerbait by Rocky Ledge Tackle is a fantastic shallow to medium depth, single-bladed lure perfect for targeting cover as bass prep for their spawning rituals.

With its unique vibrating action and wide-range of color patterns, the Vibra-Bug does an excellent job imitating both injured baitfish darting about and crawdads scurrying along the bottom. Something most hungry springtime bass can’t resist.

These spectacular spinnerbaits are definitely my preferred bait in the spring (though they work all season long actually) and here’s an example of the creator, Jim Migliozzi of Rocky Ledge Tackle showing us why 

Want a little more proof?

Here’s a picture on a nice 21.5″ largemouth caught from a small Lakes Region (NH) pond right after sunset in May of 2017 on a black Rocky Ledge spinnerbait...

They not only catch lots of bass but pretty nice ones as well too!

Check out Rocky Ledge Tackle’s selection of baits by clicking on their logo image below:

You will be glad you did!

Spinnerbaits Tips for Spring Bass

Take the time to read several articles or books on spring bass fishing and one thing is certain; they will all mention you should use spinnerbaits for spring bass success!

Educating yourself on spinnerbait basics, one of the primary spring bass fishing baits, will increase the number and size of bass you catch.

Here’s a great video presentation on some of the key points to remember about spinnerbaits and how to fish them throughout the bass catching season …

Jimmy Houston does an excellent job and goes beyond just naming the spinnerbait as a great spring bass lure but also describes the how’s, why’s and when’ of using them …

Kudos to Jimmy and have fun with spinnerbaits the next time you hit the water!

Check out the great selection of spinnerbait gear available from the folks at Omnia Fishing by clicking on the following link:

Spinnebait Tackle Selection @ Omnia

Slow Rolling During Pre-Spawn

Cool water and pre-spawn conditions call for one retrieve when fishing a spinnerbait… slow rolling!

In this video, FLW Pro Terry Bolton details his thoughts on the gear and approach to making this presentation work when water temperatures are < 50 degrees F!

Did the ice just go out?

Perhaps it's time to break out those spinnerbaits for a little pre-spawn bassin' fun? :D