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Talk about a tough question! Ask yourself: If you had to pick just one lure to use on largemouth bass for all eternity, what would it be? A lot of people have posed that question to me over the years. And I confess, the answer has been different at various stages of my career.
In my younger days, my top choice was a purple worm rigged Texas-style. Later, I vowed the jigworm was the eternal choice. Then I veered to a tandem, willow-blade, chartreuse spinnerbait. Then I went back to a jigworm. Etc., etc., etc.
Frankly, the question is so difficult that it’s hard for any bass angler to decide on any one lure. But after a remarkable day of bass fishing last week using one bait, I’ll issue my current pick for one of the most productive, versatile bass baits of all time (mind you, my answer might change by the time this column gets printed). Today’s pick is…
A black spinnerbait with a single, pounded copper Colorado blade!
Why a Spinnerbait?
The answers are numerous. First and foremost, bass love to hit spinnerbaits. The beefy profile, flashing/thumping blade and pulsating skirt team up to create a 1-2-3 punch that triggers both reflexive and feeding strikes.
Spinnerbaits are also incredibly easy to use. They cast well, swim through heavy cover and can be fished anywhere in the water column; fast or slow; steady or erratic. You can work them high like a topwater; slow-roll them low to bump bottom; and even drop them vertically in and around cover. They are simply one of the most versatile bass baits around.
Why Black?
Like all bass fishermen, I have a full spectrum of spinnerbait colors in my arsenal. But black is a go-to color because it silhouettes so well against the sky above. Bass are designed for upward hunting. The positioning of their eyes tells us this. And their affinity to attack topwater targets proves it.
As Mr. Largemouth lurks at an ambush point in shadowed heavy cover, he’s in-tune to potential meals overhead. It’s no surprise that baitfish evolved to have white underbellies. The white protects them since it blends in well with the bright sky above (when viewed from below). Black, on the other hand, forms a crisp silhouette that’s easily seen.
I also consider black to be the “common denominator” color in many water types: clear, cloudy, stained, etc. Now, are there conditions when other colors outperform black? Absolutely. But back to the subject at hand: If I had to pick just one color, today it would be black.
Why a Single Blade?
A lot of bass anglers will argue with me on this one. Some guys swear by tandem-blade spinnerbaits. Don’t get me wrong, I love them too. They’re superior when you’re running the bait just below the surface because two blades give the lure more “lift,” so you can keep it higher with a slower retrieve. Two blades also push more water when you’re “bulging” the bait below the surface.
But a single blade gives you more versatility than a multi-blade spinnerbait. You can still “bulge” it below the surface. It’s better for slow-rolling in deep water. And here’s my favorite: You can bring the bait to the edge of a weed break, pocket, stump or other cover and let it free-fall. The single blade makes the spinnerbait descend like a helicopter and bass love to pounce on it while it’s falling.
Why Pounded Copper?
Frankly, I can’t give you a scientific reason why I prefer copper to silver, gold, or painted blades. All I know is that from years of personal experience, black and copper seem to make a magic combination. As for the pounded texture, each dimple in the blade imparts extra flash, which usually never hurts.
Why Colorado?
Thump, thump, thump… that’s why. The Colorado blade’s stout shape rings the vibration dinner bell on bass. Indiana blades and willows do a great job too, but for my money the Colorado blade tickles a bass’ lateral line better than the others.
Some Spinnerbait Tips
You can fish a spinnerbait right out of the package and catch a lot of bass. But there are a few alterations you can make that can improve your catch rates. The first thing I like to do is give the spinnerbait more body by adding a second skirt. You can mix and match colors here and experiment with performance. Other ways to enhance the body of the bait is with twist-tail grubs, strips of pork rind or even live leeches, minnows or crawlers. I tend not to use fat plastics and pork products because they fill too much of the hook gap and can impede good hooksets.
If the factory skirt on the spinnerbait is exceptionally long, it can result in short strikes. Trim the skirt back to just beyond the curve of the hook and you’ll get better hookups. Another smart solution to short strikes is the addition of a stinger hook. Keep in mind that a stinger will hang you up more in heavy cover – but that’s a hassle I’m willing to endure if it means more fish in the boat.
Finally, remember to routinely check the alignment of the wire on your spinnerbait as well as your line knot. If the bait runs tipped to one side, it’s out of tune. A simple bend of the wire to put it in alignment with the hook shank will solve the problem.
As many of you read this, you’ll think: ‘ah Babe is out of his mind! A white tandem willow is much better than a single-blade black’ or some such thing. And I think that’s great if you disagree with me. That’s one of the things that makes fishing so wonderful! We all have our favorite baits, presentations, species, lakes, etc… as it should be.
But one thing we can all agree on is this: No bass tackle box is complete without a simple, black, single-blade spinnerbait.
Good Fishing!
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