The Versatility of Black Spinnerbaits for Catching More Bass

The Versatility of Black Spinnerbaits for Bass Fishing

As an avid bass angler, one of my favorite lures to have tied on is a black spinnerbait. The black spinnerbait is an incredibly versatile lure that can catch bass in a variety of situations. In this article, we'll discuss why black spinnerbaits are so effective and how to get the most out of them for catching bass.

The Allure of Black

Black is a very attractive color for bass. It creates a solid silhouette that mimics baitfish extremely well. Black also stands out in murky water. When bass are active, a black spinnerbait mimics a fleeing baitfish perfectly. The flash from the blade contrasts against the black skirt and attracts aggressive strikes.

Black spinnerbaits work great even when bass are inactive. The dark color doesn't spook wary fish. You can slowly roll a black spinnerbait over submerged structure and get hesitant bass to strike. It's the ideal "slow fishing" color.

Spinnerbait Construction

To get the most out of black spinnerbaits, pay attention to the components used in their construction.

• Blades - Colorado blades provide the most vibration. Willow blades offer a tighter wobble and run deeper.
• Skirts - Use skirts with long, flowing strands that pulse in the water.
• Trailers - Match the hatch with craw or baitfish trailers in black or blue.
• Hooks - Strong, sharp hooks ensure solid hooksets.
• Wires - Titanium or tungsten wires allow precise casts and runs true.

Techniques for Black Spinnerbaits

Here are some of the most effective techniques for fishing black spinnerbaits:

Shallow Power Fishing

When bass are active in shallow water, black spinnerbaits absolutely shine. Use a fast retrieve to mimic fleeing baitfish. The blade flash and vibration will trigger reaction strikes. Target areas like shallow flats, points, and flooded vegetation.

Slow Rolling

When bass are holding tight to cover, slowly roll a black spinnerbait right on their nose. Let it gently tumble over submerged wood, rocks, docks, and other structure. The slow fall and subtle vibration can entice stubborn bass to strike.

Grinding

Grinding a spinnerbait means making long, straight casts and retrieving back right against any available cover or structure. Target ditch edges, riprap, standing timber, and weed lines. Ticking the bait against cover creates reaction bites.

Deadsticking

When bass are really finicky, deadsticking a black spinnerbait can work. Cast past targets like stumps or limbs, let the spinnerbait sink, then subtly twitch it in place. Almost like jig fishing. The natural fall and flash triggers strikes from neutral bass.

Black Spinnerbait Gear Recommendations

Having the right gear for black spinnerbaits will help you fully utilize them. Here are some recommendations:

Rods

A 7' to 7'6" medium or medium-heavy power rod with a fast tip is ideal. The rod needs to have a strong enough backbone to drive hooks home, but maintain sensitivity.

Reels

For spinning tackle, a size 3000-4000 reel works well. Match that with braided line from 30-65 lb test. For baitcasters, a 6.3:1 or 7.1:1 gear ratio gives the right mix of power and speed.

Line

On spinning gear, braided line is excellent, allowing long casts and good hooksets. For baitcasters, go with a fluorocarbon like 12-17 lb test. The low stretch is ideal for working black spinnerbaits.

Storage

Keep black spinnerbaits secured in a tackle binder or plastic boxes. This prevents the skirts from drying out or getting damaged. Use bait keepers on lines to reduce damage during transport.

Putting It All Together

The next time you head out bass fishing, be sure to have black spinnerbaits tied on and ready to go. They are one of the most versatile bass lures around. With a bit of practice using the techniques mentioned, black spinnerbaits will catch you more bass.

Pay attention to construction and don't be afraid to experiment with blades, skirts, trailers and other components until you dial in what works best on your local waters. And make sure you've got the appropriate bass rods, reels and line for fully utilizing these awesome lures.

Black spinnerbaits should have a permanent place in every bass angler's tackle arsenal. Have confidence in them for situations from shallow power fishing to finesse tactics when bass are finicky. And be ready for some heart stopping strikes! Good luck out there.

FAQs

Why are black spinnerbaits so effective for bass fishing?

Black is an excellent color for mimicking baitfish. It creates a solid silhouette that draws strikes. Black also works well in murky water and clear water when bass are inactive. It doesn't spook fish easily.

What types of blades work best for black spinnerbaits?

Colorado blades offer lots of vibration to trigger reaction strikes. Willow blades provide a tighter wobble and allow the lure to run deeper. Use whichever matches your fishing conditions best.

What rod, reel and line combos work best?

For spinning tackle, a fast action 7' rod with a 3000-4000 reel spooled with 30-65 lb braided line is ideal. For baitcasters, a 7' medium-heavy rod with a 6.3:1 reel and 12-17 lb fluorocarbon line works excellently.

Where are the best places to fish black spinnerbaits?

Target areas like points, shallow flats, flooded vegetation, riprap banks, standing timber, ditch edges, and anywhere with shallow structure or cover. Those high percentage areas hold bass.

How can I prevent skirt damage to my black spinnerbaits?

Store spinnerbaits securely in tackle binders or plastic utility boxes to prevent the skirts from drying out or getting damaged. Use bait keepers on lines when transporting lures as well.