Spinnerbait Trailers

[Flysmallie]

I carry a couple of 1/8 oz. willow/colorado combo's, but I seldom use them. Most safety-pin spinnerbaits (even the lighter weight models) have hooks that are too big for stream Smallies, IMO.

I think a lot of people are of that opinion. That you need to go smaller to catch steam smallies. I'm not sure what the correct answer is but I catch a lot of little smallmouth in the lakes on 1/2 ounce spinnerbaits. I hardly ever use a sb that size in a stream but I'm not afraid to go with a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce bait. It will usually increase your overall size of fish.

[fishinwrench]

I know you're right, but there aren't enough 3-5lb. Smallies in the streams I fish to justify balancing my tackle towards them. Throwing a 3/8 tandem SB on a ML spinning or baitcasting rig and 8# line just doesn't work for me.

You can't increase the size of the fish you catch if they simply aren't there.

[RSBreth]

You can't increase the size of the fish you catch if they simply aren't there.

Truer words were never spoken!

[Flysmallie]

You can't increase the size of the fish you catch if they simply aren't there.

I agree with that 100%.

The thing that really matters, and I preach it a bunch. You have to use what you have confidence in. It does not matter what you read in a magazine, see in a commercial or hear about on here. If you don't have confidence in what you are using and or doing then you will have little success.

[eric1978]

I think a lot of people are of that opinion. That you need to go smaller to catch steam smallies. I'm not sure what the correct answer is but I catch a lot of little smallmouth in the lakes on 1/2 ounce spinnerbaits. I hardly ever use a sb that size in a stream but I'm not afraid to go with a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce bait. It will usually increase your overall size of fish.

Ditto. I mostly use 1/4 ouncers on streams, and the only fish that can't fit that hook in their mouths are the fish I don't care to catch anyway. If sunfish can eat it, most smallies can, too.

However, I do like the idea of a slightly smaller hook, and I'm really thinking about starting to make my own...I wish some of you guys who do would post some pictures of your SBs......hint, hint

[eric1978]

Something that I like to do with spinnerbaits is to push the trailer hook into a 2" to 2 1/2" hollow tube bait and then thread that onto the main hook of the spinnerbait. You can come up with some intersting colors that way and plus it tends to cover the trailer hook. If I'm using a pretty much white spinner I will sometimes use a blue tube with a chartreuse tail, one of my favorites, the sky is the limit on combo's that can be used. Works for me anyway.

Trailer hooks aren't a great idea if you are concerned about releasing fish unharmed. I'm not saying it happens every time or even often, but trailer hooks can really tear up a fish's throat and ultimately kill them.

[fishinwrench]

I'll share one mod I do with SB's that I've never seen anyone else do.... I use tiny tie straps (zip-strips) to hold the silicone skirt on, and cut off the little rubberband ring. That holds the skirt material evenly around the collar, doesn't let the strands get bunched to one side, and the skirt will last the life of the spinnerbait.

If anyone wants to start pouring some good 1/8 - 3/16 frames (with DECENT smaller hooks) over the Winter....I'll donate to the cause, and take a couple dozen.

[Al Agnew]

I absolutely always use a curly tail grub trailer on my homemade twin spin. If I'm using a white or chartreuse spinnerbait I use a pearl grub. If brown, a white grub. If black, a black grub. I never even experiment with any other colors. And I use a trailer hook. I always bend the barb down on the trailer hook, but to keep the trailer hook on I leave the barb on the main hook. Fact is, however, that the majority of bass are hooked on the main hook. I make mine on a 1/4 ounce spinnerbait frame and hook.

I don't always use the trailer on safety pin type spinnerbaits, but I often do.

[RSBreth]

I always use some kind of trailer, usually a Kalins 3- or 5-inch, with the tail down, matched to the main color of the lure.

Top is Strike King "Little Mr. Money", bottom is Terminator 3/8th tandem. Both have a 5" Kalin grub trailer.

No trailer hook, ever. If the fish aren't getting hooked or just swiping at it, I change lure speed, size, or color. Or all three.

[fishinwrench]

I always use some kind of trailer, usually a Kalins 3- or 5-inch, with the tail down, matched to the main color of the lure.

Top is Strike King "Little Mr. Money", bottom is Terminator 3/8th tandem. Both have a 5" Kalin grub trailer.

No trailer hook, ever. If the fish aren't getting hooked or just swiping at it, I change lure speed, size, or color. Or all three.

That bottom one looks like a killer ! I'm not sold on titanium frames though, still like the old fashioned silver wire.