Sometimes it seems like the spinnerbait, which has been a stalwart occupant of bass anglers’ tackleboxes for generations, has entered the witness protection program.
In shallow-water applications, it still shows up occasionally, but in a world replete with swim jigs, ChatterBaits and hollow-bellied swimbaits, the spinnerbait’s formerly outsized role has been curtailed.
In deep water, it’s even worse. Ask any ardent ledge fisherman to name his top tools, and he’ll probably quickly list a crankbait, a jig, a swimbait and a big worm — perhaps adding in a Carolina rig if he’s a bit old school. But that old-school nature tends not to extend to a heavy spinnerbait, which for years was used in that circumstance before falling out of favor.
That doesn’t mean that the pros aren’t using spinnerbaits out deep, just that they’re not publicizing it.“To tell you the truth, I’m a little bit hesitant to talk about it,” said 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones. “But it’s something I still do for sure. I have a big spinnerbait out almost any time I’m fishing a ledge. It’s one of the often-overlooked tools, and it’s definitely a big-fish bait. Anytime you can show a bass something he hasn’t seen, the advantage is to the angler.”
