Messages from earlier eras suggest evolutionary trends in the lures. Advancements in wireform lengths, hooks, head shapes, line ties, swivels and skirt materials have made a better, but not more popular spinnerbait.
More choices than ever before are available in spinnerbaits, but total use seems to have declined. Even former U.S. Open winner Rusty Brown admits their diminished role in his arsenal.
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confidence in its
users. The old guard
Bassmasters were
excellent casters and
spinnerbaits allowed
them to make lots of snag
free casts in water known
for its cover, dingy water
clarity—and booming bass
populations.
But as Westerners tried
to capture some of that
magic, either the lack of similar
conditions in many waterways
or a “California soft plastic
mindset” didn’t allow for the
same success. For many, the
casting prowess needed to wet
a Texas-rig was not up to the
pinpoint pitches of the spinnerbait
pros. When looked at collectively
(at least in theory) it might be said
that western anglers did not fish the hardware with the same confidence as they did with their reliable worm or jig.
I realize there are contrasting opinions on the matter, but looking big picture, as with spinnerbait sales and common usage, the lure clearly has
become a niche bait—the niche just
changes with the individual.
Today, with weedless swimbaits,
squarebill crankbaits and the afore-
mentioned wake baits (including
buzzbaits), not to mention several
“worm” variations from tubes to
Senkos ideally suited for shallow
water, a spinnerbait has become a
bait of choosing. Meaning, we use it,
but only when we choose to.
Brown summed it up saying, “I’m
the same way. I only use it for certain
things.”
And that iswhathashappenedto the spinnerbait.
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