I need some advise on how to fish a spinnerbait deep. Say 20-40 foot deep daytime. How does everyone fish them? I have a 1oz white spinnerbait with a huge willow leaf blade. I've tried slow rolling it and even using it somewhat like a jig, but can never get a bite. Any suggestions would be great!! emoThumbsup
Fishing a spinnerbait deep..??
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Fat Albert
Well-known member
<font color="#ff0066">There must be fish close by or in the area.....Long casts, sink to the bottom, let it lay there for a minute, then slowly drag it along in short retrieves or raise the rod tip quickly and let it drop back down....you should be able to catch a fish when doin this....FA</font>
Liveliner
Well-known member
When I fish a SB deep I always use the opposite from your choice. I use a 1/4oz with a small blade in a dark color. That is my bait of choice at Tims at night. I fish as I would a jig for about half way in then I crank it slowly the rest of the way. I have got many hits right at the boat as the lure is about to hit the surface. As you should know a Bass will follow a bait and like a house cat, Then will hit it when they feel it is about to get away. </p>
With SBs, Cranks and Worms, I try to match the sky and light in the water. The brighter the sky the brighter the color and as the water depths get less light I start using darker colors as well. </p>
Works for me...</p>
With SBs, Cranks and Worms, I try to match the sky and light in the water. The brighter the sky the brighter the color and as the water depths get less light I start using darker colors as well. </p>
Works for me...</p>
jbh3
Well-known member
As FA sez, you have to be around fish for this - or any other - technique to be sucessfull. Personally, I would change the "huge" willow blade out for a #4 or 4.5. The large blade will cause the bait to lift more. Also in 20-40' I would probably go to a 1.5oz bait. I like to make a long cast, let the bait hit bottom, then raise the rod to get the blade turing and do the "slow roll" trying to follow the bottom contour. When the strike happens, there will be NO doubt. FWIW, lately I find myself relying much more on the jigging spoon in those depths. Good luck!
BackOnTheWater
Well-known member
Great advice from all...emoThumbsup
One thing to keep in mind...as with practically every lure, some days one retrieve or blade/ color combination, some days it's a different one.
I prefer a SB to a jig in deep water simply because of the flash the blade provides. I will start working it like a worm...up and down. If that doesn't get a hit, I'll slow-roll it ON the bottom, just fast enough to feel the vibration of the blade(s). If that doesn't work, I'll speed it up a bit and run it a few feet from the bottom (or higher if working suspending fishes). If that doesn't work...go elsewhere.
Point is, there is never an answer that works all of the time...vary the retrieves and blades/ colors or try a different lure or location.
The flash and vibration can get a fishes attention from farther away that you might think. Be patient and the bass will find it and attack one retrieve or another.
Go get 'em!emoDance
One thing to keep in mind...as with practically every lure, some days one retrieve or blade/ color combination, some days it's a different one.
I prefer a SB to a jig in deep water simply because of the flash the blade provides. I will start working it like a worm...up and down. If that doesn't get a hit, I'll slow-roll it ON the bottom, just fast enough to feel the vibration of the blade(s). If that doesn't work, I'll speed it up a bit and run it a few feet from the bottom (or higher if working suspending fishes). If that doesn't work...go elsewhere.
Point is, there is never an answer that works all of the time...vary the retrieves and blades/ colors or try a different lure or location.
The flash and vibration can get a fishes attention from farther away that you might think. Be patient and the bass will find it and attack one retrieve or another.
Go get 'em!emoDance
polo-dog
Well-known member
If you are fishing during the day and deep with a spinnerbait the thing to do is to downsize your blades and use willowleaf blades. If you use a 1 to 1 1/2 oz bait and use two number 4 willowleaf blades you can move your bait at a pretty good pace and still keep bottom contact. When I'm fishing 15+ feet down I usually wind about 5 times with my reel and then let the bait drop to the bottom. You can crank really fast as long as you pause to let the bait hit the bottom you know you are near the strike zone, assuming the fish aren't suspended. Ranger Rob made me up some 1oz baits in Chart/white with a gold and silver # 4 willowleafs and I have caught some really good fish on them.
If you are fishing at night you really need to fish with a single colorado blade with a lot of "thump" or vibration and therefore you must go slower 'cause the colorado creates much more lift and so you must fish slower to stay in contact with the bottom.
I tend to play around with the blade configuration until I feel that I'm covering the depth range that I want to and can move at the pace that I need to. If I'm searching, I use a heavier bait with smaller blades and if I feel that I'm close to a bunch of fish I can slow down and use a lighter bait and can switch to colorado or indiana blades. Play with it and you'll see what I mean. It really helps to know someone that can pour you up a bunch of spinnerbait bodies and you add the swivels and clevuses and blades until the bait feels right to you for the depth range you are fishing. I used to have a buddy pour me up 1/4s, 3/8s, 1/2s, 5/8s, 3/4s, and 1oz baits and not even paint the heads and I caught just as many fish without paying a premium price. Once I figured out what I liked I told RR and he made me some pretty ones that might catch me a few more fish.
If you are fishing at night you really need to fish with a single colorado blade with a lot of "thump" or vibration and therefore you must go slower 'cause the colorado creates much more lift and so you must fish slower to stay in contact with the bottom.
I tend to play around with the blade configuration until I feel that I'm covering the depth range that I want to and can move at the pace that I need to. If I'm searching, I use a heavier bait with smaller blades and if I feel that I'm close to a bunch of fish I can slow down and use a lighter bait and can switch to colorado or indiana blades. Play with it and you'll see what I mean. It really helps to know someone that can pour you up a bunch of spinnerbait bodies and you add the swivels and clevuses and blades until the bait feels right to you for the depth range you are fishing. I used to have a buddy pour me up 1/4s, 3/8s, 1/2s, 5/8s, 3/4s, and 1oz baits and not even paint the heads and I caught just as many fish without paying a premium price. Once I figured out what I liked I told RR and he made me some pretty ones that might catch me a few more fish.
