Spinnerbait

The spinnerbait is the old faithful of bass fishing: flash from spinning blades, thump the fish feel in their lateral line, and a skirted single hook riding safely behind a wire arm that sheds grass and wood. When the wind blows and the water stains up, the spinnerbait finds fish that sight-baits can't - and it comes through the middle of a laydown like it owns the place.

What it is & how it works

A safety-pin wire frame: blades on top (willow = flash and speed, Colorado = thump and lift), a lead head and silicone skirt below with a single upturned hook. The upper arm deflects cover away from the hook point.

When & where it shines

Wind, stain and cover: breezy banks, laydowns, stump rows, grass edges, dock posts - spring and fall especially. The dirtier the water, the bigger and thumpier the blades. It also slow-rolls along deeper structure when fish drop.

How to fish it

Steady retrieve past and into cover, letting it deflect like a squarebill. Kill it as it clears a limb - the helicopter fall triggers followers. Slow-roll it deeper by counting down and crawling it so the blades barely turn.

Tackle & rigging

6'10"-7'2" medium-heavy casting rod, 14-20 lb fluorocarbon, mid-to-fast reel. Tie direct to the R-bend or use a snap on twisted-eye frames.

Colors & sizes

White and white-chartreuse skirts do most of the work; double willow (flash) in clearer water, Colorado-willow or single Colorado (thump) in stain and at night. 3/8 oz standard, 1/2-3/4 oz for depth and wind.

Common mistakes

Fishing it in flat-calm clear water (its worst scenario), never touching cover with it, and retrieving at one speed all day - the kills, deflections and speed changes trigger the strikes.