spinners, what color to use?

[stevef]

I was never much of a spinner fan but decided to give it another try
this year. Had some success so far with white spinners in moderately
dingy water. Decided I should learn how to fish them better. What
rules should I go by in selecting colors, both skirt and blade? Also
suggestions on when to use which blade type would be appreciated. I
get on both clear and dingy lakes so a set of simple rules would be
great.

[Tourney]

First of all Steve, you have to understand there are no hardcore rules to
what colors or blades are best, it more of a "At the moment" type of thing.
But I will tell you what I start with for most situations.

Clear Water:
Translucent, White, White/Chartreuse or Special blend Skirts (shad,
bluegill, etc.). Double Willowleaf or Tandem Willowleaf over Colorado
Blades in Chrome, Brass, Copper. Blade size depends on season and depth. I
mostly use 1/2 oz spinnerbaits, but in shallow water I use 3/8 oz. and in
deep water (15+ feet) I use 3/4 - 1oz., and I use 20 pound test line in
Green or Fluorocarbon. Speed depends on conditions, but I start with a
medium fast retrieve and then adjust. But I never use a steady retrieve, I
usually start with: Two fast reels, then one normal, one fast, one normal
then repeat.

Stained Water:
White, White/Chartreuse, Chartreuse, Chartreuse/Black Skirts. Double
Willowleaf (Chrome or Painted white over chartreuse), Tandem - Indiana over
Colorado (Chrome, Brass, Copper or Painted) Blades. Color of blade depends
on how stained the water. Blade size: Top #4.5, 5, or 5.5. Same weights
and line type as above.

Muddy Water:
Chartreuse, Chartreuse/Black, Black, Bright Orange/Black Shirts. Double
Indiana, Tandem Indiana over Colorado, or Single Colorado Blades. Painted
Blades in White, Chartreuse, or Orange. Blade sizes are big #5, #5.5, #6,
#7. Worked with my rod in the 11 o'clock position, and keep the lure just
under the surface and slow retrieve.

Night:
Black, Blue/Black Skirts. Blades - see above.

You have to understand that sometimes a big Colorado Blade works well in
Clear Water, and sometimes a small Willowleaf works well in Muddy Water. I
just use the above as a starting point. The key to successful fishing is
adapting to the conditions of the day.

I won a tournament last year working a single #7 Indiana Blade Spinnerbait
with white/chartreuse skirt, jigging it in clear water. I tried everything
and the fish just were not hitting (100°, water temp was in the 90s, high
pressure blue bird sky). So I decided, what the hell, let's give it a try.
So I pitched it in the shade of a laydown, and let it sink to the bottom,
and then just lifted it like a jig-n-pig. On the second hop, bang. Found a
pattern that I fished the last 90 minutes and scored four fish and won. Out
of 100 anglers only 15 other guys that day weighed in fish and I was the
only one to have more than two fish. Cheap win, I know, but I'll take it!

--
Tourney

[Bob Rickard]

I think my server went fishing. I would love to see the original posting to
which Tourney is replying.

Thanks,
Bob

Tourney <tourn...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:3TbV4.73856$WF.41...@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

[stevef]