I would like to take a few minutes to discuss, in some detail, one of the two most important parts of the traditional spinnerbait.
Besides the hook, the spinners themselves make or break the spinnerbait. These lures that we have all thrown at bass most of our lives are a bit more complex than they might appear at first glance.
Having used spinnerbaits for over 5 decades, I have gotten pretty good at knowing when and where and how to use them. However, when it comes to what exactly makes up these amazing lures I went straight to the Midwest expert on this topic.
Rob Park, out of central Illinois, is this expert. Park makes all his spinnerbaits by hand and is a stickler for both quality and detail. I began by asking him what makes up a great spinnerbait.
“A spinnerbait starts with a straight shank, wide gap hook,” he began. “The wire form either has an R-head or a loop leading down to the molded lead jig head. On that frame are spacer beads, a skirt and, of course, the blades.”
I became very interested in learning more about the blades. There are three main types of blades. There are a few other outliers, but I am going to focus on the top three, one at a time.
COLORADO BLADE — These are very rounded blades. Because of this shape they have the most vibration and create a noticeable thump during a slow retrieve.
Blade sizes are universal and sized from #00 to #10. Even though blades of different types may be sized the same, it does not mean they have the same dimensions.
WILLOW BLADES — Sometimes referred to as “Willow leaf” blades. These are longer and narrower than Colorado blades and are pointed on both ends. Willow blades spin the easiest with less vibration but much more flash.
INDIANA BLADES — For all practical purposes the cross between the Colorado and Willow. These have moderate vibrations when compared to the Colorado, but produce a bit more flash. Still, though, less flash than the Willow.
Blade material is most commonly steel, copper or brass. Some are plain while others are plated with nickel, gold or silver. Still others are polished brass or copper. Black nickel is also a good color choice.
Often spinnerbait blades will come painted in a variety of colors. Rob Park and I have seen white, chartreuse, black and red blades just to name a few. Rob says he has also seen walleye fishermen paint theirs with glow-in-the-dark paint.
I asked Park about the number of blades he likes on his spinnerbaits. The conditions of the day are how he decides upon single or multiple-blade lures.
Water clarity, water temp, time of day and the amount of vibration you wish to achieve all come into play as you make the “number of blades” decision.
So, now it was time for me to stop asking Rob Park about facts and get right his opinion on HIS favorite spinnerbait.
“I love copper blades,” he started. “The reason for that is that the bass seem to love them. It does not matter if they are brightly polished or tarnished like an old penny.”
Park also told me he has experience with bass that will not hit any other color but copper. He recommends that, regardless of the type or size of the blades you are using, if you are having no success, switch to copper blades.
So, there you have it. Spinnerbait knowledge passed along to you from a true spinnerbait professional.
(Mike Roux can be reached at roux@adams.net.)
