Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are lures that make a commotion as they rattle, clank, and spin along through the water. They are flashy as well, and function best when reeled slow. In early spring, as the water begins to warm, the metabolisms of bass begin to speed up, and the fish become more aggressive. Springtime bass happily accept spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, as the fish are hungry, and the slow moving lures make easy meals that are hard for the fish to pass up.
Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits
Buzzbaits are a spinnerbait with a sort of propeller for a blade, which causes extra commotion, audibly attracting the fish. Both of these baits resemble a small school of slow moving minnows, or a single medium sized baitfish. They have the flash in the blade to catch the eye of bass, and various other colors on the undulating legs which ride below the blade.
Attracting Fish
Fish hear by using their lateral line, hardly visible on some species, but it runs just above and through the black stripe on the side of largemouth bass. Bass feel vibrations on the lateral line, toward the front (right or left side) if there is a commotion in front (right or left), and they receive the vibrations on the tail end of the line, or toward the tail to the side, if something behind them, or off to the side behind the bass is making noise. The lateral line helps them pinpoint the location of something splashing or moving water, often dooming injured minnows, frogs, or small rodents on the surface.
The spinnerbait and buzzbait provide the right amount of noise to attract nearby bass when the lure avoids the fish's line of sight. In early spring, when bass are not yet at full strength (as they are when they are jumping around for dragonflies and damselflies, or chasing minnows in summer), they are not spooked as easily as they are in the summer, so a noisy spinnerbait should not frighten the fish.
Lure Retrieve
In water less than four feet deep, it is alright to reel spinnerbaits close to the surface, as fish even at the bottom of the water column should notice them. However, in deeper water, it is best to let these lures sink to a depth where they are just a few feet from the bottom. When reeling spinnerbaits, try to reel at a constant pace that is not too slow, letting the lure sink, or too fast, bringing the lure up to the surface (as bass in spring are not yet feeding on the surface). Try to find a speed that keeps the spinnerbait at a constant depth while reeling. Let the lure sink a few seconds after casting in deeper water, and then begin the retrieve.
Buying Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits are available anywhere that freshwater fishing equipment is sold. Generally, they are large (a few inches in height and length) but they are available in different weights. When fishing shallow, no weight is needed, but in deeper water, it is best to go with a bait that has a heavier head. Chartreuse, yellow, and white baits seem to work best this time of year, as the fish are not yet selective enough to be turned off by bright colors, but they notice these vivid colors more easily. Buzzbaits are best when fished on or near the surface, and so in spring, they work well in shallow water.
Spinnerbaits also work in summer and fall, but in early spring, when the bass are just beginning to lose their sluggish habits, and are venturing into the shallows, try throwing a spinnerbait their way. They just might reward you.
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