Ken Cook - 1991 BASS Masters Classic Champion - on the science of spinnerbait.

Spinnerbait

Spinnerbait can be used under a variety of conditions. It's a great searching tool, and it may be the most versitile bait of all time.

Selection

Spinnerbait selection is a lot more a random guess, and the color of the skirt is only one factor. In clear water, you want less vibration and more flash. So use smaller, tandem, willow leaf blades. The tandem blades rotate in opposite directions and balance each other out. The skirt should be clear or a natural color that imitates prey. In muddy water, you want more vibration, so go with single Colorado blades. Also, the skirt should be brighter - the muddier the water is, the more chartreuse I'll use.

Retrieve

The easy fish have all been caught these days, so I retrieve in different ways - I find that to be more productive. Sometimes I'll stop the bait over a target and let it flutter down. Bass take everything else on the drop. Why not spinnerbaits? Sometimes, I'll retrieve real slow, and raise and lower the rod tip. That makes the spinnerbait undulate. Sometimes I'll "burn" my retrieve -- In clear water, with tandem willow leafs, I'll crank as fast as I can. All these retrieves work for me.

The Right Rod And Reel

I normally use a longer rod which gives me the leverage I need when pitching spinnerbaits. But I will use a shorter rod for smaller baits and for close-in fishing. That's why the rods I designed for Daiwa range from 5'6" to 7' - three rods that will handle any spinnerbait situation. These rods work better than any I've ever used. They have a light tip, a strong butt, and fast action. And they're lightweight, so they don't tire you out. I use a Team Daiwa baitcasting reel.

Go to: Daiwa Home Page.