It's Almost Blade Bait Time 2024
A-Jay reply :
As the waters cool off up here in the northern mid-west, one of my favorite techniques comes back into play - Blade Baits.
The air & water might be cool or even down right cold - but the blade bite can be Smoking Hot !
Up until recently, my success with this technique was marginal at best. A few years ago I watched the attached video trying to gain some insite as to why I was not getting the results I expected.
Mr Scott Dobson's approach to fishing these baits was a GAME CHANGER. The less is best deal Really worked for me -
A fairly weed free clean bottom of sand or gravel really helps here.
If you have the right conditions and haven't tried this yet, or have but would like to give it another shot, watch this clip. Reproduce this technique the best you can and have the net, scale & camera rolling.
You'll be glad you did.
A-Jay
Jtrout reply :
I couldn't get the sound to play. Do u also recommend using blade baits from the bank or just from a boat?
A-Jay reply :
Sound works fine for me ?
I have not fished blade banks from the bank - but if the body of water you're fishing has a fairly weed free sand or gravel bottom my answer is Most definately YES.
However if there is wood, brush or moderate to heavy weeds (don't think it matter what kinds - it's all bad for blade baits) or any type of cover (even man made) that snags up other sub-surface treble hook baits, then No.
A-Jay
tholmes reply :
This is right in my wheelhouse! Thanks for posting this video!
I've been making my own blade baits for years, and IMHO they're among the most versatile (and overlooked) baits.
On 10/3/2015 at 1:15 AM, Jtrout said:I couldn't get the sound to play. Do u also recommend using blade baits from the bank or just from a boat?
I fish them from the bank a lot (exclusively these days) and A-Jay is right on the money. Stay away from brush and timber or you WILL hang 'em up. One thing I do on the baits that I make - I use an open-shank double hook with the points facing backwards. No split rings, I just clip the hook in the hole in the lure. This cuts down on the snags considerably.
Tom
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
29-6 bag of 5 smallies...
Great video, thanks for posting.
ec1 reply :
Was introduced this technique by a friend a couple of years ago. Love this bite! This is one of the few techniques that I try to avoid braid if fishing on casting gear because of the tip wrapping tendencies. Spinning on the other hand, not a problem!
everythingthatswims reply :
And if the bass aren't hungry you will catch something on a blade. Bluegill, perch, trout, walleye, catfish.......when it's cold enough to fish a blade I don't care what's biting
Jtrout reply :
Ok thanks guys the lake I fish is basically all weedy at the bottom. What would u recommend for a weedy bottom instead of the blade baits?
A-Jay reply :
On 10/3/2015 at 6:28 AM, Jtrout said:Ok thanks guys the lake I fish is basically all weedy at the bottom. What would u recommend for a weedy bottom instead of the blade baits?
A Jig.
A-Jay
ClackerBuzz reply :
great video A-Jay. I've always wanted to get into blade baits. I can tell you I would have been bummed they 'didn't work' when I retrieved them like a rattletrap. and even more frustrated when I stroked them like a football jig w/o success. I love jigs so now it should be an easy cross over. Looking forward to trying them.
Will Wetline reply :
I've watched that video several times and it taught me the basics. As A-Jay said, you don't want to overwork it. Matter of fact, you simply pull - not rip! - it off the bottom with just enough oomph to feel it vibrate. And the distance is 2' or less. Let it fall back and sit on the bottom for a couple of seconds. Repeat. On one of your lifts you may find a smallmouth attached.
I've been fishing blades assembled from Barlow's components:
http://www.barlowstackle.com/Vibrating-Blade-Lure-P2631.aspx
tholmes posted a couple of years ago that he preferred the double hook arrangement which I thought was a great idea . . . but found that I'm still capable of hanging them. But hey, don't let that deter you. This is a bait you want to be showing to smallies in the cold water period.
bowhunter63 reply :
Thanks for posting
Bassguytom reply :
I love fishing blade baits. I have been using Binsky blades in gold and silver with great success for a couple of years. I picked up some Sexy Shad colored ones and am eager to give them a shot. And yes less is more. I always tell anyone that is new to this technique to just lift until you feel 2 or three flutters. This is an easy effective technique that can be used by any experience level of anger that will catch fish. If you haven't tried this yet give it a shot you won't regret it. Thanks for posting the video AJ.
http://www.fishsenselures.com/fish_sense_lures_catalog.htm
tholmes reply :
On 10/3/2015 at 7:57 AM, Will Wetline said:I've watched that video several times and it taught me the basics. As A-Jay said, you don't want to overwork it. Matter of fact, you simply pull - not rip! - it off the bottom with just enough oomph to feel it vibrate. And the distance is 2' or less. Let it fall back and sit on the bottom for a couple of seconds. Repeat. On one of your lifts you may find a smallmouth attached.
I've been fishing blades assembled from Barlow's components:
http://www.barlowstackle.com/Vibrating-Blade-Lure-P2631.aspx
tholmes posted a couple of years ago that he preferred the double hook arrangement which I thought was a great idea . . . but found that I'm still capable of hanging them. But hey, don't let that deter you. This is a bait you want to be showing to smallies in the cold water period.
The double hook doesn't make them snag-proof, but it sure cuts down on the hang-ups, especially if you put the snap in the center hole. That make them run in more of a "nose-down" attitude which lets them flip over obstacles.
Tom
stk reply :
Thanks for posting this video AJay, I will give this technique/bait a try. Do you think that this technique would also apply to rattle traps?
Will Wetline reply :
On 10/5/2015 at 7:57 AM, stk said:Thanks for posting this video AJay, I will give this technique/bait a try. Do you think that this technique would also apply to rattle traps?
A 4.7 lb. smallie picked up the Strike King Silent Red Eye Shad retrieved the way I described in my post above before I had gotten any blade baits, so I'm confident they'll eat lipless cranks as well.
You do want to consider the price difference between metal blades and a paint job on plastic, however. A few years back so many other smallie guys that fish the same water as I said "You've gotta try blades when the water's cold," I bought a 25 pack of bodies, VMC double hooks, 3-D eyes and #2 Duo-Lock snaps and started catching fish. Simple, inexpensive and productive (once you find a school of cold water smallmouth, of course).
A-Jay reply :
On 10/5/2015 at 7:57 AM, stk said:Thanks for posting this video AJay, I will give this technique/bait a try. Do you think that this technique would also apply to rattle traps?
YES ~ and I like the 6th Sense S n a t c h 70 X Lipless Crankbait for this.
Note **** I do not work a blade bait like this.
A-Jay
Darren. reply :
Great video, A-Jay.
Scahhht Dahhhbson. That's what I got out of the video.
I JEST! I jest, my friend! 
A-Jay reply :
On 10/5/2015 at 9:58 AM, Darren. said:Great video, A-Jay.
Scahhht Dahhhbson. That's what I got out of the video.
I JEST! I jest, my friend!
You've got it ~ Time to move north.
A-Jay
Darren. reply :
On 10/5/2015 at 10:36 AM, A-Jay said:
You've got it ~ Time to move north.
A-Jay
Hey, I already moved back south from the nasal
sounds of Western NY. it is SODA, not PAHHHP.
HAMburger, not HAaaamburg.
Dang. I'm having a tough night. My Bills lose and
I have to recall the atrocious accent I evaded! LOL...
jbw252 reply :
Great video - thanks for posting this A-Jay.
Mainebass1984 reply :
I love fishing blade baits from around Mid October to Ice up. The only blade bait I use is a silver buddy. It is an outstanding bait. I prefer to fish them around off shore structure that is mostly gravel and rock that is holding baitfish. Most of the time I am fishing it near schools of small young of the year smelt catching bug smallmouth and largemouth. This weekend might be the first time I will cast it this fall if the conditions are appropriate.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Don't know that I've ever caught a bass on a blade, lots on jigging spoons though. I'm kind of like the guy that tears them up on a T rigged worm but can't get a bite on a jig. Baits are so similar, but I just can't seem to get one of them to work. Glad I watched the video, sounds like I might be overworking the bait. Just bought a few Silver Buddy blades on clearance a couple months ago, hopefully I can catch some smallmouth on them in a month or so when the water gets cooler.
Craiger12 reply :
On 10/7/2015 at 12:03 AM, Mainebass1984 said:I love fishing blade baits from around Mid October to Ice up. The only blade bait I use is a silver buddy. It is an outstanding bait. I prefer to fish them around off shore structure that is mostly gravel and rock that is holding baitfish. Most of the time I am fishing it near schools of small young of the year smelt catching bug smallmouth and largemouth. This weekend might be the first time I will cast it this fall if the conditions are appropriate.
Where can I purchase the Silver Buddy?
Ginosocalbass reply :
We're can I pick up those double hooks ? I m inclined to switch the hooks out on my traps as well as my blade baits
Mainebass1984 reply :
On 10/8/2015 at 11:22 AM, Craiger12 said:Where can I purchase the Silver Buddy?
www.silverbuddy.com
ebay
www.basstackledepot.com
Dicks Sporting Goods
senile1 reply :
Excellent video, A-Jay! Thanks for the tips.
A-Jay reply :
Been doing well on the blade all week ~
Even though the water still needs to cool off a little, the fish didn't seem to care.
Video's loading up now and will post it up here in a bit.
A-Jay
Choporoz reply :
Also check out Barlows. You can experiment with finish, eyes, hooks, etc for a lot less cash. Good action on these.
Dypsis reply :
Do you guys find these baits effective in shallow water, less than 6'. Maybe the 1/4 or 3/8oz?
Logan S reply :
On 10/9/2015 at 5:49 AM, Dypsis said:Do you guys find these baits effective in shallow water, less than 6'. Maybe the 1/4 or 3/8oz?
Yes. It's one of the best winter time baits you can throw on the Potomac. Some of my best bass fishing days ever were in freezing cold water on the river with a Silver Buddy. I use the 1/2oz most of the time. Shallow or deep...But even 'deep' on the river is usually not that deep by normal bass fishing standards.
A-Jay reply :
On 10/9/2015 at 5:49 AM, Dypsis said:Do you guys find these baits effective in shallow water, less than 6'. Maybe the 1/4 or 3/8oz?
During the colder water periods, which is when I've had the best results with blade baits, the bass in my area are rarely in that kind of skinny water. It's just too clear.
So I'm routinely fishing at least 15 ft anyway. The 1/2 ounce size works well for me on days with less wind and down to 20 feet or so.
With any kind of wind and past 20 feet - I'm going with a 3/4 ounce bait or bigger; offers more control & better feel.
The bigger bait does seem to generate more strikes from the bass I'm looking for, meaning Long & Fat.
I have a few of the older Original sliver buddy baits that are 5/8 oz - these have become a real fan favorite - perfect size compromise.
A-Jay
Dypsis reply :
On 10/9/2015 at 9:49 AM, Stratos20SS said:Yes. It's one of the best winter time baits you can throw on the Potomac. Some of my best bass fishing days ever were in freezing cold water on the river with a Silver Buddy. I use the 1/2oz most of the time. Shallow or deep...But even 'deep' on the river is usually not that deep by normal bass fishing standards.
On 10/9/2015 at 10:01 AM, A-Jay said:During the colder water periods, which is when I've had the best results with blade baits, the bass in my area are rarely in that kind of skinny water. It's just to clear.
So I routinely fishing at least 15 ft anyway. The 1/2 ounce size works well for me on days with less wind and down to 20 feet or so.
With any kind of wind and past 20 feet - I'm going with a 3/4 ounce bait or bigger; offers more control & better feel.
The bigger bait does seem to generate more strikes from the bass I'm looking for, meaning Long & Fat.
I have a few of the older Original sliver buddy baits that are 5/8 oz - these have become a real fan favorite - perfect size compromise.
A-Jay
Thanks guys. This is my first year fishing the Potomac (started in March, so almost a full season), but nearly 90+% of the time we fish less than ~6' of water. I just wasn't sure as anytime I see videos or read about these types of baits and many are fishing in 15'+ FOW.
I guess there is only one way to find out.
Matt
Logan S reply :
For Dypsis - The Potomac, like most tidal rivers, fishes differently from 'normal' fisheries...The majority of fish are shallow year-round, even in the coldest of water. You'll catch more fish from deeper water (8-12' or so) in the winter but there will still be plenty up in shallower water. A slow lift/drop or yo-yo retrieve is a good way to start out. Most bites come as it falls, so try not go completely slack when you drop it. The trickiest part is not losing all your baits to snags 
. Someone else already said it, but it's definitely true...Every species of fish will eat a blade.
FWIW I like to replace the hooks on the Silver Buddy with similar sized Owner/Gama/etc...But I don't add a split ring. I cut the hook-eye with wire cutters, bend it out just enough to slide into the hole on the Buddy, then bend it back (so they hang directly from the bait). The hooks foul way to much if you add a split ring and the stock hooks are junk.
Jaw1 reply :
I see a lot of references to smallmouth fishing with this type bait but how well do you guys do with largemouth on it? I don't regularly visit smallmouth fisheries in my state(arkansas) and no one I know fishes blade baits. I usually winter fish in the 14 foot range at a few local lakes using bigger bodied flat coffin billed crankbaits but wouldn't mind trying these out if you think they would be productive.
Dypsis reply :
On 10/9/2015 at 9:10 PM, Stratos20SS said:For Dypsis - The Potomac, like most tidal rivers, fishes differently from 'normal' fisheries...The majority of fish are shallow year-round, even in the coldest of water. You'll catch more fish from deeper water (8-12' or so) in the winter but there will still be plenty up in shallower water. A slow lift/drop or yo-yo retrieve is a good way to start out. Most bites come as it falls, so try not go completely slack when you drop it. The trickiest part is not losing all your baits to snags
FWIW I like to replace the hooks on the Silver Buddy with similar sized Owner/Gama/etc...But I don't add a split ring. I cut the hook-eye with wire cutters, bend it out just enough to slide into the hole on the Buddy, then bend it back (so they hang directly from the bait). The hooks foul way to much if you add a split ring and the stock hooks are junk.
Awesome thank you. Yes the Potomac can be a fickle beast. I'm still learning so much.
A-Jay reply :
On 10/9/2015 at 9:35 PM, Jaw1 said:I see a lot of references to smallmouth fishing with this type bait but how well do you guys do with largemouth on it? I don't regularly visit smallmouth fisheries in my state(arkansas) and no one I know fishes blade baits. I usually winter fish in the 14 foot range at a few local lakes using bigger bodied flat coffin billed crankbaits but wouldn't mind trying these out if you think they would be productive.
Largemouth definitely gobble up a properly presented blade bait.
Remember a cleaner bottom is key - and may be why the bait is not fished in your area.
Either way, a killer way to fish it is to position your boat over or just back up onto a grass flat and then cast out into what is usually a deeper but cleaner bottom area, and work it back.
Working up to or along that bottom composition change (from clean to grass) is often a bass gold mine. They seem to want to grab it right before it "escapes" into the grass.
Good Luck
A-Jay
A-Jay reply :
Timing seems about right so, I'm bringing this one back.
As one of The Best Cool to Cold water brown bass technique's I fish, this thread contains quite a bit of useful information from some experienced & successful Blade Bait Believers.
This video by Scott Dobson is very good regarding the tackle & how-to's of fishing a blade bait.
If you haven't fished a blade bait and you have the deeper clean bottom areas these baits excel in, I like to encourage you to pick up a few and give it a try. (they are not expensive).
But please be careful - you might get your arm broke . . . .
Below is a clip of a decent late season day I had a few years ago in the Old Town where a 1/2 oz Silver Buddy did most all of the heavy lifting. (and before I get it again, I have already been counseled by the masses regard the way I was holding these fish up to the camera. I don't do that any more.)
Additionally, in a effort to 'update' my own offering here, since the OP I have had been fishing a rattle bait in many of the same places & in the same manner as the blade baits. The results have been Really Good.
And while most any fast sinking rattle bait will get bites, the thinner & heavier bait styles seem more suited to this often deep(er) water presentation. Specifically the Duo Realis G-Fix Vibration Tungsten Lipless Crankbait has been my go-to.
I talk about this bait here ~
A-Jay
TnRiver46 reply :
Probably my biggest bass (or one of them anyway) ate a silver buddy two days after Christmas . 7-8 lb northern strain LMB (just guessing on the weight)
ww2farmer reply :
That bite starts here in about a month.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Every year you bring this up, I convince myself I'm going to figure these baits out. Maybe some day that last part will actually happen ???? I think I did catch about a half dozen bass on one last year, so that about doubled my previous total with them, so that's something I guess.
Choporoz reply :
Bite switched almost overnight from spinnerbait to bladebait
punch reply :
You blade nerds, have you checked out Megabass's jointed blade? Kinda neat.
https://www.thehookuptackle.com/fishing-Spoons-Tailspins/Megabass/Chitala
boostr reply :
I will be trying these hopefully this weekend.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I got a fish to smack a blade Sunday night in 15' of water off a rocky point and I whiffed on the hookset. The agony of defeat was painful missing a clear bite on a bait that I can't seem to figure out.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 11/19/2019 at 1:48 PM, Bluebasser86 said:I got a fish to smack a blade Sunday night in 15' of water off a rocky point and I whiffed on the hookset. The agony of defeat was painful missing a clear bite on a bait that I can't seem to figure out.
You cant figure it out? Then it must just not be good in your area haha. I would feed it to those wipers if i were you! Theres not too much to figure out from what ive experienced, you inevitably miss some because its sinking so fast.
scaleface reply :
I went yesterday for what is most likely the final trip of the year . Water temp was 42 degrees . I checked out deep water with the sonar first thing but didnt fish it because there was almost nothing showing up on the sonar . After four hours of fishing shallow and catching just 1 bass in a brush-pile with a jig I went back out on a point . I only had 1 blade bait , a Cordell Gay Blade , tied it on and salvaged the outing by nailing nine largemouths in 25 foot of water . There still wasnt much showing up on the sonar . Get this , the bass were not on the point . The point goes out to about sixteen feet then drops abruptly to 25 foot . I was positioned close to the drop and making long cast out on a featureless flat .
Choporoz reply :
On 11/17/2019 at 3:29 AM, punch said:You blade nerds, have you checked out Megabass's jointed blade? Kinda neat.
https://www.thehookuptackle.com/fishing-Spoons-Tailspins/Megabass/Chitala
I lose way too many blade baits to ever consider paying that much.
Alternatively, I was throwing some from here for the first time on Sunday: http://www.cincyfisher.com/
Great components, great vibration even on gentle lift; extremely affordable and caught lots of fish. They have a thinner profile than i normally use, but after one outing, I'm ready to recommend highly.
scaleface reply :
AJay, what are your favorite blade lures and have you tried the Cordell Gay Blade ? I'm going to purchase some more and like the feel of the Cordell but if there are better options I may go that route , I wont go high dollar though .
TnRiver46 reply :
On 11/28/2019 at 2:37 AM, scaleface said:AJay, what are your favorite blade lures and have you tried the Cordell Gay Blade ? I'm going to purchase some more and like the feel of the Cordell but if there are better options I may go that route , I wont go high dollar though .
Ordering the blanks is something you (and I) should do. They are cheap and work great, I bought a bunch of homemade ones off a guy for $2/ apiece years ago and they were the best ones I ever had. Just plain Jane and effective. I can’t stand those cotton codell blades but they do work. I’ve had some that wouldn’t vibrate and the line always grabs the hooks. They do catch fish tho
A-Jay reply :
On 11/28/2019 at 2:37 AM, scaleface said:AJay, what are your favorite blade lures and have you tried the Cordell Gay Blade ? I'm going to purchase some more and like the feel of the Cordell but if there are better options I may go that route , I wont go high dollar though .
@scaleface
I'm pretty old school on this one.
The Silver Buddy in 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 oz does just about everything I need when it comes to blade baits.
(pictured below ~ above the hair jigs)
I like the silver and 'tin' in the sunshine and the gold for scattered or full on cloudy days.
A-Jay
DogBone_384 reply :
Blade baits are already rockin’ and rollin’ in Plymouth/Cape Cod waters.
A little green/gold Damiki is my best producer as of late.
Water temps are in the mid 40’s out here.
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