Why Blade Baits and Spoon Fishing For Bass is So Effective

Blade baits such as the Heddon Sonar and Spoons such as the War Eagle Jigging Spoon create flash, and flash is the key to catching lethargic bass in the dead of winter!

As we go through our blog today, I will highlight three factors of why these two wintertime lure selections create so much success. The first being the most obvious, the flash! The second is the subtle action in the drop or retrieve, and the third is understanding what bass and various types of shad are doing this time of year.

1. Flash

This is probably the most obvious factor in why these lures are so effective for bass. As any angler knows flash is a sure-fire strike inhibitor in bass because it mimics the flashing of baitfish as they move through the water. There are no other lures that do this better than a blade bait or jigging spoon because they are simply stamped pieces of metal or lead with a metallized and perhaps painted coating. Their construction naturally gives them abundant flash that bass can’t stand! The flash of each one though is quite different and suits different situations. Blade baits like the Cordell Gay Blade typically have a tighter wobble similar to a lipless crankbait and this creates a quick flash best suited for schooling bass, or more aggressive fish. Jigging spoons like the Cordell CC Spoon however are primarily a vertical bait for targeting suspended bass. You can jig the lure right in their face and send a bold flash out that is perfect for lethargic bass.

2. Subtle action

Subtlety is a misunderstood cause for bass striking that many anglers forget about. Most would rather toss big heavy lures with gawdy actions in situations that don’t call for it. Blade baits and spoons on the other hand give off a very subtle action that is needed in clear, pressured waters. Blades give off a very tight wiggle like a lipless crankbait but without all the added noise – just flash. This makes them deadly around schoolers like I mentioned above or anytime you are chasing bass in warm water. Jigging spoons provide nothing but flash and a slow shimmering fall just like dying baitfish. This is irresistible to bass in the wintertime when hordes of shad are dying and ripe for the picking. It might not be a cast and wind bait like a blade, but it is pretty simple by just dropping and popping!

3. Behavior

The behavior of bass and the baitfish they chase make very important factors in the success of blade baits and spoons. These two options are shad imitating lures and work best when fished around bait and bass that are actively chasing them. Certain times of the year positions bass and baitfish into modes that make these two lures types the perfect choices! Such as the Fall when bass are aggressively feeding up on baitfish and schooling heavily. This makes a blade bait an excellent choice for targeting bass near the surface. In the winter during shad die offs jigging spoons become a top choice because they look so similar to the shad fluttering to the bottom as they die. These lures are situational baits but when the time is right they absolutely can’t be beaten!

All of the lures mentioned in today’s blog can be found online at Lurenet.com!