Fishing tip of the week

Fishing Tip of the Week

Wednesday, 22 January 2025 08:59

Difference in Blades of a Spinner Bait

by Mike Gerry

There are three basic blades used on a spinner bait; Willow leaf, Colorado blade and Indiana blade. The difference is primarily their shape, vibration and the way they move in the water.
Each type is distinct from the other the willow leaf runs at about a 20-degree angle, the Colorado blade runs about 45 degrees of angle, and the Indiana blade runs somewhere in the middle at about 30 degrees.

The Willow leaf blade spins quickly and has the least amount of resistance in the water, hence making it ideal for deeper fishing, The Colorado blade is wide and rounded. It spins slower with significant resistance and the vibration is strong and thumps a lot in the water.
While the Indiana blade is a hybrid between the two which spins faster than a Colorado blade yet slower than a Willow leaf blade.

All three have what I would deem as their fits when it comes to fishing; Willow leaf blades generates lots of flash making it ideal for clear water or when fish seem to be feeding visually on bait fish. Making it ideal bait for covering water, when you trying to locate fish and find a school that could win you a tournament. Colorado blade produces a strong thumping vibration making it ideal for muddy or stained water, especially if the water is muddy and the fish are reacting to vibrations to feed. Lastly the Indiana blade is your most versatile blade on a spinner bait, making it a great bait to use if you’re unsure of what the fish are reacting too.

Each blade has its own movement and gives you a variety of ways to catch fish; the willow leaf is good for speed and flash in clear water, The Colorado blade is the ideal stained water solution for fishing a spinner bait and the Indiana blade is the unsure blade for fish you can’t figure out all helping you target fish behavior, different water conditions and whether you want to fish slow, fast, deep or make a lot of water movement to attract fish.
Spinner bait fishing is my favorite bait, and it is a bait I have on my deck just about anytime I am on the water; it can be your favorite bait, with just a little practice.
Captain Mike