How to Fish a Spinnerbait
Spinnerbaits cover water and find bass when nothing else will — a thump fish feel through their lateral lines, a flash they see. Here's when to throw one, how to work it, and which blade wins.
Sep 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Photo: Pexels
A spinnerbait is the closest thing fishing has to a search warrant. One blade or two, spinning on a wire arm above a skirted hook, it throws two signals at once: a thump bass feel through their lateral lines, and a flash they can see. That pair works in every water temperature and every water color, which is why the bait has been catching bass for over a century. Learn one retrieve, change one blade, and you have a different tool — no other lure makes that trade so easy.
How it works
A wire arm runs through a weighted head and into the hook. On the arm sit one or two metal blades, held by spacers, beads and a swivel. A rubber skirt hides the hook.
The blades do the work. A round, cupped Colorado blade pushes a lot of water — bass feel that pressure through their lateral line even in dark or dirty water. A narrow willow blade spins with little resistance, throwing flash instead of thump — a visual signal bass can pick out at a distance. The skirt pulses with every twitch, adding a third, subtle trigger.
That mix is why spinnerbaits fish well over grass, around wood and past docks: the wire arm deflects off branches and timber instead of snagging, which few other lures can claim.
When to use it
Spinnerbaits are a full-column bait. Burn a double-willow across the surface in summer, or slow-roll a big single blade in 20 feet of water. Two rules of thumb cover most decisions:
| Condition | Pick |
|---|---|
| Clear water + a breeze on the surface | Spinnerbait, long cast — few lures cover it better |
| Wood, logs, branches, docks | Spinnerbait — the wire arm bounces off cover |
| Stained water, 55–75°F | Tandem Colorado + willow, moderate retrieve — the classic window |
| Cold water (below ~55°F) | Colorado blade, slow retrieve |
| Hot weather, bass chasing bait | Double-willow burned just under the surface |
| Sunny, dead-calm day | Skip it — most moving baits struggle |
How to work it
Start with a smooth, steady retrieve from the moment the bait hits the water.
Then add one change: two quick turns of the handle, a brief pause, and back to a steady wind. That speed burst and stop triggers reaction strikes. Throw in short, sharp rod-tip twitches at random points in the cast — it makes the skirt pulse.
For deeper water, slow-roll: retrieve slowly enough to keep the bait in the strike zone. That calls for a longer rod and long casts. When bass are finicky and hit a bait without committing, burn the spinnerbait back fast — don't give them a good look at it.
Match the retrieve to conditions. Cold water means slow. Warm, active water means speed. Want to fish shallower and faster? Use a lighter head. Want depth? Add weight.
Rod, line & rigging
- Rod — all-graphite for feel; medium-heavy power. A 7-foot rod handles covering banks and docks. For deep slow-rolling, go 7'6" or longer so long casts and sweeping hooksets work.
- Reel — 7:1 gear ratio covers water efficiently and sets reaction bites. A larger spool helps long deep casts.
- Line — 16–20 lb fluorocarbon resists abrasion around structure. Or 40–50 lb braid on a softer rod: zero stretch sends the bait's vibration straight down the blank.
- Trailer hook — worth adding. Spinnerbait bites often come short, and fish will strike the blades. A trailer hook converts many of those misses.
- Soft-plastic trailer — a split-tail, grub or small swimbait adds bulk and a bigger target. Run a trailer or a trailer hook, not both, or they tangle.
Colors
Blade shape is the single change that most affects your results. Pick it to match the water:
| Blade | Shape | Gives | Use it in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | round, deep cup | vibration ("thump") | dirty or cold water, night — retrieve slow |
| Willow | long and narrow | flash and profile | clear or warm water — retrieve fast |
| Colorado + willow | tandem | both | stained water, all-round default |
The short version: the colder and murkier the water, the more you lean to Colorado blades and highly visible colors; the clearer and warmer it gets, the more you go willow and natural.
Skirt color follows the same logic. Muddy water: white. Clear and sunny: translucent shad patterns. Clear and cloudy: natural with chartreuse strands. Night: all black — bass track dark silhouettes after dark.
Putting it together
A 3/8-ounce tandem spinnerbait, Colorado front and willow back, in white or natural, on a 7-foot medium-heavy graphite rod with fluorocarbon. Work it steady with occasional speed bursts, slow it down as the water cools or dirties. That single setup finds bass in more situations than any other I know.
Sources
The facts in this guide are grounded in the following references:
- Wired2Fish — How to Choose the Perfect Spinnerbait — blade selection, temperature window and color rules
- Mystery Tackle Box — Colorado vs Willow Blades — thump vs flash distinction
- Tackle Warehouse — Spinnerbait Patterns & Techniques — gear, retrieve and rigging
- Mossy Oak — Bladed Jig vs. a Spinnerbait — when it beats a vibrating jig
- Wired2Fish — Types of Fishing Lures — anatomy and mechanics