Spinnerbaits In the Bays?

What weight spinnerbaits fish well in the bays?
3/8oz, 1/2oz?

D all of the above. After fishing them for sometime now I would fish 1/2oz or heavier.

Not sure about the bay, but I used to play it using Carolina rig, 1oz, in the surf, or from the boats (1/8oz for near surface and 3/4oz for deep). Why not bring both the 3/8, 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 since you have to deal with variables, such as currents, surface enticement, or deep searching.

TheAsianGuy wrote:Not sure about the bay, but I used to play it using Carolina rig, 1oz, in the surf, or from the boats (1/8oz for near surface and 3/4oz for deep). Why not bring both the 3/8, 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 since you have to deal with variables, such as currents, surface enticement, or deep searching.

Question, how and why would you use a Carolina rig on a spinnerbaits?
What were you fishing for in the surf?

Also, 1/4oz is too light for in the bay when it comes to spinnerbait

Miller, for quick retrieval, but want the spinner to just be under the surf without the surf causing line tangle, while creating disturbance enough to create a noticeable bait on the run. It's down in San Diego, near the jetties. I tossed the spinners down, but the surf tend to flip the light spinners all over the place, creating entanglement. Thus, a quick methodical rig. I tried Texas, as well as dropshot method. Not as successful as the Carolina. Leader was 12". Fished with my brother who stationed at the naval base for a short time before he moved to Hawaii.

Forgot, my bro and I had no specifics on what we can hookset. Just aim for anything that may be around the jetties, and hoping to land a huge hali.

I like to use 1/2oz to 1oz spinners in the bays. It depends on conditions on what size to use....fast tidal currents means 1oz baits.

sonarbp wrote:I like to use 1/2oz to 1oz spinners in the bays. It depends on conditions on what size to use....fast tidal currents means 1oz baits.

Exactly, let the conditions determine what weight. Less current means less weight. Basically, you want to use as little weight as you can to stay on the bottom.

itchybass wrote:

sonarbp wrote:I like to use 1/2oz to 1oz spinners in the bays. It depends on conditions on what size to use....fast tidal currents means 1oz baits.

Exactly, let the conditions determine what weight. Less current means less weight. Basically, you want to use as little weight as you can to stay on the bottom.

Threw spinners last night in a pretty light tidal movement and all were under 1/2oz and far too light imho to stay on the bottom with any retrieval speed. Crawled on the bottom ok though with super slow retrieve.

@Asianguy, I think (just me)the C rig is one of the most successful rigs for surf fishing in general. T rig? Eh, not so much same with spinner baits. I would rather throw a crank or a spoon of some kind. Drop shot? Again it does work for some guys but in the surf I really think its a KISS situation. I can see an egg sinker on the line sliding and helping to keep a spinner down. But...again for me too much trouble. I'd rather find the fish where they are holding up and fish that C rig or throw a crank.

Just my .02

Thanks guys!
This gives me an idea on what to looks for, or better yet, get the ambition to make some!

IN2DEEP wrote:Thanks guys!
This gives me an idea on what to looks for, or better yet, get the ambition to make some!

If your making or buying I would start with a 3/4oz.

BTW, a white spinnerbait in at least 1/2oz, double willow ripped over eel grass produces fish, sometimes spotties, other times sandies, worth a try though when the water warms up a tad..

Hammer 4 wrote:BTW, a white spinnerbait in at least 1/2oz, double willow ripped over eel grass produces fish, sometimes spotties, other times sandies, worth a try though when the water warms up a tad..

What Hammer said is true! I like white with a splash of chartruese.

Yep, white is usually the way to go.

itchybass wrote:Yep, white is usually the way to go.

I like white as a general all around color in most artificials. I would have to agree as well. Awesome in a spinnerbait.

I had a lot of luck last year with a 1oz wht/Chart spinner bait.
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I should have mentioned, just in case there are those out there that aren't familiar with spinner baits, especially a double willow leaf, is that while those blades don't "thump" as much as a Colorado, or Indiana blade, they do cause the bait to rise faster. So if you need to keep it just off the bottom while burning it, then you need to go up in weight.

OTH, if your in 6' water, as there are eel grass spots closer to shore in some bays, then a 1/2 oz. should do the trick. And obviously if your slow rollin, or bottom bouncing them, a 3/8 or 1/2 oz will work. IMHO, it's best to have a couple in each size, and color, as sometimes an all white won't trigger a bite, yet if it has some chartreuse, it may get ya a fish or 3..

Great info. Hammer!

Good info guys!
I guess spinnerbaits in the SW differs from the lakes as far as the weight?
Need to fish them closer to the bottom in the salt?
For FW, someone was recommending that I get get 3/8 and 1/2oz

Hammer 4 wrote:I should have mentioned, just in case there are those out there that aren't familiar with spinner baits, especially a double willow leaf, is that while those blades don't "thump" as much as a Colorado, or Indiana blade, they do cause the bait to rise faster. So if you need to keep it just off the bottom while burning it, then you need to go up in weight.

OTH, if your in 6' water, as there are eel grass spots closer to shore in some bays, then a 1/2 oz. should do the trick. And obviously if your slow rollin, or bottom bouncing them, a 3/8 or 1/2 oz will work. IMHO, it's best to have a couple in each size, and color, as sometimes an all white won't trigger a bite, yet if it has some chartreuse, it may get ya a fish or 3..

x2 great info!

IN2DEEP wrote:Good info guys!
I guess spinnerbaits in the SW differs from the lakes as far as the weight?
Need to fish them closer to the bottom in the salt?
For FW, someone was recommending that I get get 3/8 and 1/2oz

Dang, I just wrote out a nice long reply, but it disappeared..wtf..?

I'll try again..

Sort of, fishing for sandies requires us to get near the bottom, not so much for spotties, although it can work. Do you never bounce a spinner bait off the bottom in fw, or fish it like a jig..? That fluttering action of a spinner bait can drive a bass crazy given the right conditions..

As for the salt, you could use a 3/8 if there is little to no current, I would go heavier, and you can add a trailer, such as a big hammer, ect, and a trailer hook to help get the spinner bait down. I would save the 3/8 for fresh, and grab some 1/2 and 3/4 oz baits. Also try to get good quality baits, as the cheap ones have that a rubber band that holds the skirt on, and it rots pretty quick, even if you rinse them off, hand tied ones rule.

Thanks Hammer!
I pour my own leadheads and was considering pouring some spinnerbaits but don't have much experience building or fishing them.
I see that they can be very effective so I want to learn what I can about them.
I'll probably be using a Do-it Ultra Minnow mold to make the body and try to figure out the other hardware requirements.
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IIRC, there's some info on the interwebs re: making your own spinner baits. The componets are pretty important to the overall function of the bait, so get the best materials possible. I'll see if I can dig up some info. for ya.

I found a place to learn to build baits, but I can't post a link, cuz I haven't been here long enough..

Found this site
Haven't looked it over yet, but it looks like a good read
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I have a few spinner baits that need new blades and skirts. Your welcome to them if you want.

Sounds good!
I don't have any of the hardware yet, but when I do, we can refurb those up!