by Kevin Van Dam
10/16/2022
NOTES
Burning spinnerbait for schooling fish
For fish on grass offshore
Add a lot of action
Change speed and flutter
Right underneath surface
1/2oz best
Keep it above the fish
Uses Trailer hook
no plastic trailer
Introduction:
The video features an angler demonstrating the technique of using a spinnerbait to catch bass on shallow bars during the fall season. The angler emphasizes the importance of using a fast-retrieve spinnerbait and varying the speed of retrieval to entice bites from neutral fish. The technique is particularly effective in areas with scattered grass, wind, and clear water conditions.
Seasonal Focus:
- Fall
- During this time, bass are primarily focusing on shad.
Target Structures and Challenges:
- The angler targets Big Flats with scattered grass.
- The technique is effective on shallow bars where fish group in small stretches.
- The presence of birds is a critical indicator as it signals the presence of fish.
Practical Approaches and On-the-Water Techniques:
- The angler uses a fast-retrieve spinnerbait, specifically a half-ounce Strike King Scorcher spinnerbait, designed for speed.
- The spinnerbait is kept above the fish’s line of sight, never hitting the bottom or the rocks.
- The angler emphasizes varying the speed of retrieval, especially when the lure approaches clumps of grass, to make the fish react to it.
- The angler looks for clumps and changes the speed of the spinnerbait as it approaches them to flare the skirt and the blades and trigger bites.
Casting Strategies and Observations:
- The angler casts to visible grass lines or near shallow bars and observes the water with polarized glasses to see clumps of grass.
- The angler aims to make the fish see the spinnerbait but not get too good a look at it, keeping it high in the water column and using wave action to break up the outline.
- The angler changes the speed of the spinnerbait every 10 feet, making it work by adding a lot of action to it.
Baits and Equipment:
- Spinnerbait: Half-ounce Strike King Scorcher spinnerbait in a Blue Shad color, which is very translucent and natural for clear water conditions.
- Blades: The spinnerbait has two small razor blades that are narrower than a standard Willow blade, allowing for faster retrieval.
- Head Design: The head design of the spinnerbait is built for speed, keeping the bait straight up and down in the water.
- Wire: The spinnerbait has a little heavier wire to tolerate the speed of a high-speed reel.
- Reel: High-speed reel is used for burning the bait right underneath the water.
Fish Caught:
- The angler catches a good solid keeper bass by changing the retrieve speed as the spinnerbait approaches a clump of grass.
- The specific weight of the fish caught is not mentioned in the provided transcript.
Weather Conditions:
- The video does not provide specific details on weather conditions, air temperatures, or water temperatures.
- The conditions are mentioned to have a little bit of wind and wave action, with clear water conditions.
Conclusion:
The video provides valuable insights into using a fast-retrieve spinnerbait effectively to catch bass during the fall season. The emphasis is on keeping the spinnerbait above the fish’s line of sight and varying the retrieval speed to trigger bites, especially near clumps of grass on shallow bars. The presence of birds and the use of polarized glasses to observe the water are crucial for identifying potential hotspots. The technique demonstrated is particularly effective in clear water conditions with scattered grass and wind, allowing anglers to cover more water and find aggressive fish.