Blade baits work spectacularly on Great Lakes
smallmouth in fall and early spring. But they
can be nearly as effective on largemouth
bass in sprawling reservoirs of the South or
just about any other water where bass feel
winter’s chill!
Open water wonders
The secret to blade bait fishing is to simulate
the shuddering behavior of a dying forage fish.
Those little twitches and paroxysms spell the
end for a shad, shiner, goby or other favorite
food item on the bass menu. Get your blade to
do a convincing death dance, and largemouth,
smallmouth and spotted bass alike respond
quickly to what they perceive as easy pickin’s!
Short pulls rather than big rips characterize
Dobson’s “less is best” presentation.
Cast your blade, and let it sink to the bottom.
Then start working it slowly, retrieving it
much as you would a Texas-rigged worm. Let
the blade throb and shudder say, oh, five to
seven times on each pull. Then pick up slack
and execute your “pull” retrieve again. Feel the
blade vibrate with each pull.
category. Dobson has taken more smallmouth
on a stainless steel Silvery Buddy than any
other cold weather bait, but in recent years he
has expanded his blade arsenal.
The Nories Jaka Blade sports a revolving
willow blade that adds extra flash and
turbulence on the retrieve. Designer Norio
Tanabe has replaced the treble hooks on the
belly and tail with up-riding dual hooks that
allow the bait to work effectively over rocks
and stump fields.
The Sebile Vibrato is a hard-throbbing blade
with a center-positioned eye. Its sideways
shudder presents a fresh and different look
to the fish. The Vibrato has a wavy, almost 3D
finish that gives off added flash, too.
If smaller blades and spinning tackle are your
choice, consider the