Selecting the Right War Eagle Spinnerbait for the Conditions at Hand
Different Blades, Colors and Weights, All Things to Consider
Without a doubt the spinnerbait is a lure any bass angler has likely tied on and thrown. For some it was their first lure that their dad or grandpa rigged up for them, or that lure they saw on the rack at the tackle shop and picked out.
The spinnerbait although, simple in design, is a bait that has numerous variations.
Here are my top-five War Eagle spinnerbaits variations to match to the conditions.
Single Gold Colorado Gold Wire White-Chartreuse Skirt ¼-ounce
When I first start fishing in the spring, it is likely there is some color to the water from spring run-off and the bass are tight to isolated pieces of cover.
This is why this compact spinnerbait excels. The ¼-ounce size allows me to make pinpoint casts to targets and the single gold Colorado blade emits a lot of vibration, even when I’m slow rolling the bait, which will get the bass’s attention via their lateral line.
The gold wire and head of the bait, coupled with the white-chartreuse skirt, will also give the bait some pop in the stained water, which many times will generate a strike out of a tight-lipped bass.
Tandem Gold Indiana/Red Kicker Blade, Gold Wire White-Chartreuse Skirt ½-ounce
If spring bass are very tight lipped, or if the body of water you are fishing has stained to muddy water, a tandem Gold Indiana with a Red Colorado Kicker blade is a great choice.
Like a Colorado blade, an Indiana blade emits a tremendous amount of vibration, which is needed to garner a bass’ attention when they aren’t able to feed visually. Adding the small red Colorado kicker blade, puts the icing on the cake, as that bass moves up on your spinnerbait to strike.
Many times, I go up to a ½ -ounce size as the added weight forces the lure down in the water column. Slow rolling it at a lower depth helps get the maximum amount of vibration out of the blades.
READ RELATED: Maximize Your Spinnerbait with the Right Trailer
Finesse Nickel Wire, Silver Shiner Skirt 5/16-ounce
As it say’s on the package, “Get 5 Quick,” the 5/16-ounce Finesse Spinnerbait is a great option when you need a quick limit in the boat.
This compact spinnerbait has a smaller profile which is ideal when the water is clear and the baitfish are small.
The lead turtle shaped blade, with a small Colorado blade on the wire delivers a nice combination of flash and vibration.
When bass are still up shallow and guarding fry, this is a great bait to cast around for those weary cruising bass that are still recovering from the spawn.
Double White Willow, Nickel Wire Coleslaw Skirt ½-ounce
I’m sure as you read the description of this spinnerbait, you are thinking another bait choice for stained to muddy water, but I’m going to change things up for you.
Yes, the double, painted white blades are a good choice in stained water, but I think they even do a better job of mimicking baitfish in water that has a more natural summer “green” to it.
This water clarity is common in many lakes or rivers during the summer months when there is an algae bloom or just the water’s normal color.
The ½-ounce size allows me to make long casts over weed flats and keeps the bait down in the water column to where the bass are sitting in the deeper, cooler areas.
I like the Coleslaw skirt from War Eagle, as the main white color of the skirt, with orange and chartreuse accents catches the bass’ attention and is versatile at emulating several forms of forage, from shad to crawfish to bluegill.
READ RELATED: The Versatility of Creature Baits with Jason Christie
Screamin Eagle Double Willow Nickel Wire White Silver Skirt ½ ounce
When the bass are feeding on shad and they are looking for a quick and steady cadence to the bait being retrieved, I tie on the Screamin Eagle from War Eagle.
What makes the Screamin’ Eagle unique is that even though the bait weighs a ½-ounce, its profile is that of a 3/8-ounce model. This allows me to speed up my retrieve in the water column and the bait won’t lift out of the water column.
I like to use double willowleaf blades as their shape and the flash they emit resemble fleeing baitfish. This is the bait I’m ideally rigging up when the bass get feeding on the shad heavily in late summer or the fall.
Advertising