A Difference Between Blade Baits 2025
everythingthatswims reply :
Is there really much of a difference between a plain jane Silver Buddy and a fancy Damiki Vault or Lucky Craft blade? I'm sure the vibrations of the baits are slightly different, and the looks obviously are too, but in the water temperatures we use blade baits in, I can't imagine that a bass's senses are heightened enough to pick out those differences to a point where one would be more effective than the other?
I'm sure some of you guys have fished them all, and I want to hear about it! Thanks BR.
fishballer06 reply :
If you look on the Damiki or LC, you'll see different holes at the top on where to tie your line onto. Moving from one hole to another will change the vibration and fall. This is a nice feature to have if you're switching from vertical jigging, to casting and retrieving, to casting out and hopping the bottom.
I also like the various available colors in the "fancier" brands like the Damiki or LC.
A-Jay reply :
I've fished a few different brands & models of blade baits the past several seasons. Seems at one point or another most all will catch bass.
Reviewing past results, the original Silver Buddy, for whatever reason - is a top producer for me.
I also fish the Dimiki bait a lot, especially in windy conditins as the smaller / compact design casts well. This one is probably second in production but it does seem to routinely attract a smaller class of fish where the 5/8 & 3/4 Silver Buddy gets the bigger bites (it's a larger profile bait of course as well).
As for the your statement / question ~ "I can't imagine a bass's senses are heightened enough to pick out those differences to a point where one would be more effective than the other ?" I will disagree with that whole heartedly.
Over the years I've seen a multitude of instances where out of a line up of several of the same crankbait, ONE certain bait seems to totally out produce all the others. They all may all look & sound the same to me, but there's clearly something about that one bait that's different, however subtle, it makes a different to the bass.
Just like there may be a spot on a spot - I have seen too many instances where The Bait on the bait was the deal.
YMMV
A-Jay
"hamma" reply :
I have some silver buddies, sonars, and had a couple cicadas. And I will say that at times one will outproduce another. Usually the silver buddy will be my choice as its proven itself over and over,..but If im not getting bit on them i will switch to my painted sonars, I have white and chartruese, and they have worked for me in the past when the buddy fails, usually on dark cloudy days, or right after turnover. the cicadas were nice and casted a country mile, (hence their demise) they did work, but just not as good as the silver buddies do. Dont allow the name to fool you, I have some silver buddies that are gold colored and work just as well, much better on some lakes. These baits can be deadly
I just wish I got to use them this year.
Yeajray231 reply :
Cabelas blade bait has different holes for line ties as well. And they don't charge a bunch for their bait so that's not a good reason . We all know confidence is key. I refuse to pay extra when I can get a quality bait at a lower price ? It's like "High end" cars. They dont cost that much because they are worth it , they cost that much because the rich(er) want to pay for something that costs more. And they want those cars to cost more so someone like me could never have one.
Same for the Yamamoto's . Why do they cost 7.99 a pack ? Because people buy them by the truck load. I'm sure the price will keep inching up as long as the sales are parallel.
Maybe those expensive baits are better. but I'll never know cuz I'm busy catching fish on my "bargain baits"
A-Jay reply :
On 12/10/2016 at 1:30 AM, Yeajray231 said:Cabelas blade bait has different holes for line ties as well. And they don't charge a bunch for their bait so that's not a good reason . We all know confidence is key. I refuse to pay extra when I can get a quality bait at a lower price ? It's like "High end" cars. They dont cost that much because they are worth it , they cost that much because the rich(er) want to pay for something that costs more. And they want those cars to cost more so someone like me could never have one.
Same for the Yamamoto's . Why do they cost 7.99 a pack ? Because people buy them by the truck load. I'm sure the price will keep inching up as long as the sales are parallel.
Maybe those expensive baits are better. but I'll never know cuz I'm busy catching fish on my "bargain baits"
Not to Hi-Jack this one but I'll offer you this in response to the above underlined text, which I could not possibly disagree more with.
Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives. The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.
Obviously YMMV and it usually does.
A-Jay
Yeajray231 reply :
On 12/10/2016 at 1:40 AM, A-Jay said:Not to Hi-Jack this one but I'll offer you this in response to the above underlined text, which I could not possibly disagree more with.
Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives. The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.
Obviously YMMV and it usually does.
A-Jay
A-Jay Chevy and GMC are a prime example. Same motor. Same chassis . Some leather seats and a different badges and it costs 15k more.
A-Jay reply :
On 12/10/2016 at 1:43 AM, Yeajray231 said:A-Jay Chevy and GMC are a prime example. Same motor. Same chassis . Some leather seats and a different badges and it costs 15k more.
I hear ya ~ I just don't necessarily agree
But it's funny you should mention GMC . . .
Here's my 5th.
A-Jay
J Francho reply :
On 12/10/2016 at 1:43 AM, Yeajray231 said:A-Jay Chevy and GMC are a prime example. Same motor. Same chassis . Some leather seats and a different badges and it costs 15k more.
Totally false. If you are comparing like vehicles with like option packages, they are the same. Occasionally, some things are available that are not in the other. For instance, there was no option for a 6.2 L with a towing package, Z71 suspension, "work truck" for Chevy the year I bought my GMC. It wasn't 15k more. It was the same as an optioned out 5.3 Silverado with leather heated seats, steering wheel, mirrors, etc. luxury model.
Yeajray231 reply :
Sorry everythingthatswims lol
J Francho reply :
On 12/9/2016 at 11:24 PM, everythingthatswims said:Is there really much of a difference between a plain jane Silver Buddy and a fancy Damiki Vault or Lucky Craft blade? I'm sure the vibrations of the baits are slightly different, and the looks obviously are too, but in the water temperatures we use blade baits in, I can't imagine that a bass's senses are heightened enough to pick out those differences to a point where one would be more effective than the other?
I'm sure some of you guys have fished them all, and I want to hear about it! Thanks BR.
I'm sure there is a big difference in manufacture, and consistency, but really the original is a proven producer. So proven, others have attempted to improve upon it.
Wayne P. reply :
I catch more and larger bass with a Krazy Blake than a Silver Buddy or Damiki.
The waters I fish are slightly to heavy stained and the extra vibration seems to get more attention.
Will Wetline reply :
The blade baits I use cost less than $1.50 apiece because I put them together from Barlow's components. Buy a 25 pack of 5/8 oz. "body blanks," whatever hooks you want, a pack of split rings (unless you're using double hooks), a pack of Duo Lock snaps and 3-D eyes.
http://www.barlowstackle.com/Vibrating-Blade-Lure-P2631.aspxIt's
Too, it's less painful to leave one of these on the bottom than say, a Damiki or Lucky Craft bait.
And last year my clear water smallies weren't fussy about brand names.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/10/2016 at 8:55 PM, Will Wetline said:The blade baits I use cost less than $1.50 apiece because I put them together from Barlow's components. Buy a 25 pack of 5/8 oz. "body blanks," whatever hooks you want, a pack of split rings (unless you're using double hooks), a pack of Duo Lock snaps and 3-D eyes.
http://www.barlowstackle.com/Vibrating-Blade-Lure-P2631.aspxIt's
Too, it's less painful to leave one of these on the bottom than say, a Damiki or Lucky Craft bait.
And last year my clear water smallies weren't fussy about brand names.
Thanks for posting this. In my quest to better understand and more effectively utilize these style baits, I've run into the issue of them being difficult to find locally and buying in bulk isn't very appealing when it's a bait I don't yet have confidence in. I already have all the other components from making other baits, so those will be a really minor investment to continue on my journey.
Will Wetline reply :
On 12/9/2016 at 11:24 PM, everythingthatswims said:Is there really much of a difference between a plain jane Silver Buddy and a fancy Damiki Vault or Lucky Craft blade? I'm sure the vibrations of the baits are slightly different, and the looks obviously are too, but in the water temperatures we use blade baits in, I can't imagine that a bass's senses are heightened enough to pick out those differences to a point where one would be more effective than the other?
I'm sure some of you guys have fished them all, and I want to hear about it! Thanks BR.
My choice for a blade bait costs less than $1.50 apiece because I assemble them from Barlow's components. The 5/8 oz. "body blanks" cost $28.12 for a 25 pack. Then I add hooks, split rings, Duo Lock snaps and 3-D eyes to complete. And I do not use any makeup (paint or decals) on the face of this "plain Jane" bait; she gives off a vibe my clear water smallies go for.
Sheepdog reply :
On 12/10/2016 at 8:55 PM, Will Wetline said:The blade baits I use cost less than $1.50 apiece because I put them together from Barlow's components. Buy a 25 pack of 5/8 oz. "body blanks," whatever hooks you want, a pack of split rings (unless you're using double hooks), a pack of Duo Lock snaps and 3-D eyes.
http://www.barlowstackle.com/Vibrating-Blade-Lure-P2631.aspxIt's
Too, it's less painful to leave one of these on the bottom than say, a Damiki or Lucky Craft bait.
And last year my clear water smallies weren't fussy about brand names.
I've only tried this style of fishing once, with no luck. Any tips on how you fish them? Which body color (brass/nickel) and eye color you recommend for what conditions/forage? I'm a huge fan of the short shank Gama ewg treble hooks. Any reason those wouldn't work with these? Thanks for the post and link! Pure awesome!
@Will Wetline It looks like you only have the back hook installed from the photos. Is that all you use?
Wayne P. reply :
If you are adding treble hooks, the best ones for less fouling is the split shank trebles like the Silver Buddy has.
Using a split ring effectively adds length to the treble shank, more flexibility, and more hook fouling.
everythingthatswims reply :
On 12/10/2016 at 1:07 AM, A-Jay said:I've fished a few different brands & models of blade baits the past several seasons. Seems at one point or another most all will catch bass.
Reviewing past results, the original Silver Buddy, for whatever reason - is a top producer for me.
I also fish the Dimiki bait a lot, especially in windy conditins as the smaller / compact design casts well. This one is probably second in production but it does seem to routinely attract a smaller class of fish where the 5/8 & 3/4 Silver Buddy gets the bigger bites (it's a larger profile bait of course as well).
As for the your statement / question ~ "I can't imagine a bass's senses are heightened enough to pick out those differences to a point where one would be more effective than the other ?" I will disagree with that whole heartedly.
Over the years I've seen a multitude of instances where out of a line up of several of the same crankbait, ONE certain bait seems to totally out produce all the others. They all may all look & sound the same to me, but there's clearly something about that one bait that's different, however subtle, it makes a different to the bass.
Just like there may be a spot on a spot - I have seen too many instances where The Bait on the bait was the deal.
YMMV
A-Jay
I am well aware that bass have very keen senses and have experienced the same differences between baits on certain days, I was just saying that I don't think those senses would be near as heightened in lower 40 and upper 30 degree water temperatures that blades are often fished in. Purely assumption though.
A-Jay reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 3:00 AM, everythingthatswims said:I am well aware that bass have very keen senses and have experienced the same differences between baits on certain days, I was just saying that I don't think those senses would be near as heightened in lower 40 and upper 30 degree water temperatures that blades are often fished in. Purely assumption though.
Fair Enough ~
As for the water temps dulling the basses senses, can't say for sure one way or the other. I'll admit that I never really thought about. I kind of always believed that although the fishes metabolism is observably slower, the rest of the sensory package was just along for the ride. And that's based on nothing - which is always a very solid way to document any research . . .
A-Jay
everythingthatswims reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 3:07 AM, A-Jay said:Fair Enough ~
As for the water temps dulling the basses senses, can't say for sure one way or the other. I'll admit that I never really thought about. I kind of always believed that although the fishes metabolism is observably slower, the rest of the sensory package was just along for the ride. And that's based on nothing - which is always a very solid way to document any research . . .
A-Jay
Sounds like a capstone project to me 
A-Jay reply :
On 12/11/2016 at 11:09 AM, everythingthatswims said:Sounds like a capstone project to me
It sure does ~ an You Sir might be Just the Right Man for the Job.
A-Jay
Will Wetline reply :
On 12/10/2016 at 11:45 PM, Sheepdog said:I've only tried this style of fishing once, with no luck. Any tips on how you fish them? Which body color (brass/nickel) and eye color you recommend for what conditions/forage? I'm a huge fan of the short shank Gama ewg treble hooks. Any reason those wouldn't work with these? Thanks for the post and link! Pure awesome!
@Will Wetline It looks like you only have the back hook installed from the photos. Is that all you use?
This video, which A-Jay posted when the topic of "blade baits" came up last year or the year before, is one of the best:
I've only been fishing vibrating blades for a couple of seasons and would tell you that the most important thing to keep in mind is not to overwork them. Present like so: Let the bait hit bottom then with a steady, short pull, say 18" - 24", lift it off the bottom. All you want to do is feel the bait vibrate. Remember that both bass and prey, being cold blooded, are moving slowly in 40º -50º water. Reel slowly as you follow the bait back down with your rod. Let it rest on the bottom for a second or two. Repeat. Expect the bass to eat this bait while it's motionless on the bottom.
This lure type is one of the worst for hanging up which is why I've been experimenting with hook arrangements. tholmes on this forum likes double hooks. I was still plenty capable of hanging with them so I went with a single rear treble last year and had better results re hang ups. I visualize a bass attracted by the vibration of this bait to kinda mosey over to it and then inhale it. The single rear treble worked satisfactorily. That said, during April 2017 I'll be trying an arrangement that Crestliner2008, also on this forum, swears by: a single 1/0 siwash hook.
In my neck of the woods, bassmasters say nothing beats a blade for chilled out smallies.
ec1 reply :
So far, I've had experience with a bunch of blade baits starting first with the Binsky about 5 years ago. Over time, I tried a bunch more (BPS XPS, Megabass, OSP), and they all seem to catch fish. These baits flat out catch trout, pike, smallies. I have never used the silver buddy, cicada, or the Johnson Thinfisher.
I think the thing that seperates a premium blade bait from a cheaper blade bait would be 2 things:
1. The feedback (vibration) given to the angler. (Expensive doesn't mean better feedback though - You'll need to try them)
2. Color and paint jobs
Double hooks and treble hooks don't make too much of a difference as long as you're aware that you can't lift half way on a slack line if you don't want the bait to tangle.
Like the video says, just make sure that your front hook can't tangle with your back hook and fish the heck out of them once your water hits 50F.
Take a look at this video as well!
Josh Douglas Blade Bait Smallies
TnRiver46 reply :
Well I started to order some of those off barlows tackle and went to checkout. Minimum order was $100 so I'm still looking........
William Rossi reply :
Maybe Lurepartsonline?
I use The Binsky but also get blanks at Ebay and add my own hooks etc.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 12/19/2016 at 11:57 PM, William Rossi said:Maybe Lurepartsonline?
I use The Binsky but also get blanks at Ebay and add my own hooks etc.
Thanks man I will check that out. eBay is beyond my skill set
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/19/2016 at 11:21 PM, TnRiver46 said:Well I started to order some of those off barlows tackle and went to checkout. Minimum order was $100 so I'm still looking........
What? I've never heard of a minimum $100 order on Barlow's. I ordered the blanks and some hooks with my last order and they seem really nice. I should have gotten some gold ones too I'm afraid.
J Francho reply :
On 12/20/2016 at 9:54 PM, Bluebasser86 said:What? I've never heard of a minimum $100 order on Barlow's.
From their checkout:
Small Order Charges.
Barlow's does not have a minimum order but must charge a fee for small orders. Orders less than $15.00 in merchandise will incur a small order fee of $4.00 plus specified postage. If you do not want to incur this fee please go back and order $15 in merchandise. Please note that this fee will not show on your order until the final 2 checkout pages.
International customers please note there is a minimum order of $100 U.S. in merchandise.
I don't think Tennessee counts as international.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 12/20/2016 at 10:07 PM, J Francho said:
From their checkout:
Small Order Charges.
Barlow's does not have a minimum order but must charge a fee for small orders. Orders less than $15.00 in merchandise will incur a small order fee of $4.00 plus specified postage. If you do not want to incur this fee please go back and order $15 in merchandise. Please note that this fee will not show on your order until the final 2 checkout pages.
International customers please note there is a minimum order of $100 U.S. in merchandise.
I don't think Tennessee counts as international.
Hahahahha. Guess I read that wrong, thanks. I think I'll order 6-8. Provided I click the correct buttons.......
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