Any hard bait is made up of components, especially our array of blade baits. You’ve got connectors, swivels, hooks and of course, the blade. But as you scale down your offering, as with an under-spin, what has the greatest influence on what you deliver in your presentation?

Since I’m writing this, I’d have to say it’s the trailer.

For all the clever painting of lead heads and the reliance of some on ball-bearing swivels, those components are dwarfed in impact by your choice of a lure body. And I don’t just mean your sexy, hologram, peppermint shad-colored grub.

A trailer may add color, or expand your illusion of something the bass can see or need to see, but it can do more, depending on the situation or your interpretation of what needs to be done to get a bite. Of course, there may be some overlap, since the bass don’t always respond like it says in the book. But here are some common choices and what they can offer to an application.

1. Fluke (or small “F” fluke): The same shape that may zig or zag when fished weightless, is a one directional, minimal drag tail on an under-spin. You want a fast retrieve, single or tandem in clear water? The fluke is the right deal, also long as the body isn’t too “deep” to interfere with the blade.

2. Fishee-style: In and out of production, this elongated, minnow-shaped bait has a small curl tail (for body length) as well as fins. Minimal drag, more transparent colors to choose from, is another favorite in clear water.

3. Swimbait-style: Kicking, boot-like, Sassy Shad, or whatever, common tail is now available in many sizes–solid or hollow. On under-spins of at least 1/4-ounce, you can find a slender one as long as 3 1/2 inches or so that won’t “over-power” the head. Slows the bait, makes it ideal for rolling, and adds vibration even at the most sluggish retrieve. Hollow bodies usually need to be glued to the head.

4. Ribbon-tails: The smaller versions, 4 inches or less (and you can shorten from the head) come in all kinds of shaddy colors. (Examples: Screamer, or old Kalin Lunker Worm). Have a rippling action in the water, but create little drag, and are probably under-utilized for fishing fast.

5. Curl tail grub: Usually pack too much drag for their relative size. Work on heavier heads and breaking fish that are really on the feed. But when the fish get touchy, almost nobody uses one.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 7:51 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Dude, make your under-spin even better”