Spinnerbaits - Speed and Depth

An angler’s presentation is key to actually getting a fish to strike. Size, speed, color, and vibration are all variables that add up to create situational success. Target species, water temperature, presentation depth, so many variables. The key to consistent success is reducing as many variables as possible.

When I was first learning how to fish, I thought that the key to success was having access to every bait possible. We were living in the dark ages! We have access to so much better information now. The process of eliminating variables creates a much more consistent outcome.

In this article I’d like to examine a lure that has a multitude of variables that can be altered to either increase or decrease both vertical and horizontal presentation speeds. The spinnerbait is a lure that is composed of a hook, weight, and metal arm. These pieces are molded together to form a rigid lure. Often, there is a skirt attached to the lure. Made of silicone or rubber, this skirt material offers attractive qualities for the fish. The skirt adds bulk and water resistance. This water resistance offers some lift during the retrieve. Knowing this, an angler can change the density of the skirt material to alter either the retrieve speed or depth.

Having addressed the skirt material, another key factor affecting retrieve speed and depth is the weight of the lead or tungsten material composing the “head” of the spinnerbait. It can go without saying that a lighter head weight will allow an angler to fish a spinnerbait at much slower speeds or around shallower water.

Conversely, a relatively heavy head weight will allow anglers to fish a spinnerbait at much greater depths and speeds. Speed is often an overlooked triggering variable for game fish at certain times of the year. Some fish respond very favorably to lures retrieved at near breakneck speeds. Summer smallmouth and musky can be suckers for high-speed lure retrieves. Retrieve speeds as fast as someone can turn the handle of the reel!

The final variable is the blade configuration. The blade is attached to the arm of the lure. Blades are affixed to the arm through a series of split rings and swivels. This allows the blade to rotate when the lure is pulled through the water. Now for, blade shape and thickness. Blades can either be long and narrow or short and nearly round. The long narrow blades provide a tremendous amount of flash and the least amount of resistance during the retrieve. The short round blades have a much larger radius when the rotational area is observed. This larger radius increases vibration by reducing the frequency of rotation. Slower speeds and more thump!

Spinnerbaits can make exceptional offerings whether fishing in heavy cover or open water. By manipulating weight, skirt material, and blade configuration an angler can effectively fish a spinnerbait just beneath the surface or down to depths of 30 feet. Remember nearly all three variables on the spinnerbait can be changed to suit the fishing situation at hand. Keep a handful of blade varieties in your box and several rubber core sinkers (to add weight to the shank of the hook). This process will reduce the number of baits you have to carry and allow you to reduce more variables.