Blade Baits

Are these things tough to fish or is it me? I seem to struggle with them, maybe over working them in order to feel vibration. I use a 7’1″ Croix tourn. Legend mlxf.

I have left a couple dozen of these things stuck in the bottom of Pool 2, and I’ve never caught a fish on one. I stand in awe of anyone who can successfully use a Blade Bait.

S.R.

belletaine wrote:

Are these things tough to fish or is it me? I seem to struggle with them, maybe over working them in order to feel vibration. I use a 7’1″ Croix tourn. Legend mf.

I suggest you do a search for past threads on this subject. Randy and several others have typed a wealth of knowledge concerning this. I have went back myself and reviewed this information, wish I could just give you the link. (don’t have it)

I think if Dean and I partnered up and ran a clinic we could retire early

Start here —))) https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/ftlgeneral_1322968/#Post1322984

Blade Link to more links

I put blades, jigging raps, and ripping raps in the same category. It’s easier just to throw them in the bottom of the river because that’s where they end up anyways.

Some guys swear by them….look for threads by Randy and Dean Marshall with great info.

They are also great for snagging carp and fooling you into thinking you have a monster walleye. Evil little lures if you ask me.

Thanks Randy!
It’s kinda become like chasing the girl you don’t have a chance with!

Easiest way to get confidence pitching blades is to fish them beside plastics. Generally, when I am pitching, I have least 4 rods rigged up. 1) ringworm 2) hairjig 3) another plastic 4) blade bait. You have to see what the fish want that day, pitching blades is just another preference. I do not leave an area until I pitched thru my progression. Over time, your confidence will build. There are lots of good blades on the market- for pitching shallow I’d recommend http://www.curtscustombladebaits.com. His blades are true 1/8th oz blades and that is CRUCIAL for pitching shallow (hint, use the back hole while pitching 1/8 oz blades- center hole for 1/4oz and above). Also, don’t over-rip the blade- walleyes are not too keen to the buzz saw approach in cold water. If pitching a deeper current seam, I bump it up to a quarter oz. trutiedtacklellc.com is another great source for blades, plus he makes the BEST hair jigs.
Good luck and keep pitching! There are times you’ll find a blade will work when nothing else will.

belletaine, do you believe in unicorns?

belletaine wrote:

Thanks Randy!
It’s kinda become like chasing the girl you don’t have a chance with!

I don’t know what that is like.

Everything eats blades

Attachments:

1. 

   DSCN5955-1024x819.jpg
   

2. 

   DSCN5218-1024x768.jpg
   

3. 

   DSCN4341.jpg
   

Everything eats blades

[/quote]That’s why I refuse to give up!

You’re probably over working the bait. I’ll jump on the bandwagon, once you read their threads and get the feel for them, the fish will turn on. Rinse, repeat.

I use a Mojo Bass 6′ 10″ MLXF for blades and it works excellent.

I’m not a drifter, almost ever.
So the drift rip jig blade baits thing I wouldn’t recommend, though that is most commonly seen… It isn’t that it doesn’t work, it just doesn’t work nearly as good.

I pitch blades like I do plastics. Except I pitch them right before it is time to switch to plastics and right after it is time to quit pitching plastics.
40-50° there isn’t a better lure IMO

I have minimum 150 blades in the boat.

By far, blade bait time is my favorite time to catch walleyes and that is also when I catch the absolute most per hour.

I think if Dean and I partnered up and ran a clinic we could retire early jester jester

LOL.. do they work Randy ??? :]

My best advice guys is ….”less is more” most folks overfish blades. The right weight is far more important than color.

Beletaine, are you using mono or braid?

Randy Wieland wrote:

Beletaine, are you using mono or braid?

braid w/a flouro leader.

Maybe too stiff?

Perfect.

Next time out, try this.
Lower to bottom and close reel. Reel up slack line to the point of your rod tip is touching the water and your taunt to your blade (no bow in the line)

Now you have a ref. point of where your blade is at in relationship to the bottom – If your rod tip touches water, you ON the bottom – If your rod tip is 3 feet above the water, your blade is 3 feet off the bottom —Should make sense—-

Now, lift very slowly did you feel vibration – Yes? go slower No?? go just a bit quicker. You want to develop a feel for the speed or velocity you need to just get that blade to to wiggle a little bit. At the point you feel a vibration _STOP AND PAUSE Ideally your rod tip is about 16-24″ above the water or maybe a little less. If 3 to 5 feet WAY TOO HIGH, your out of THE zone.

You do NOT lay that blade on the bottom on every drop. I do every once in a while to adjust “Where the bottom actually is”. My goal on the drop is follow it down—-))NEVER SLACK LINE— and pause it 5 or 6 inches above the bottom. Bottom = SNAGS Stay off the bottom.

Probably 75% of the fish I catch on blades hit in 2 spots. 1. just as I pause it on the lift 2. just as I pause it above the bottom. Super aggressive fish will just crush it no matter what. But the majority will be the curiosity of the motion of the lift or fall and thump it on the pause.

So, that was a more vertical presentation. I would start wiht that to better develop a feel and confidence of that feel. Then start pitching structure and utilize that “feel” to know where the blade is always at.

If that doesn’t work, sign over the boat, truck, first born child and hop in my boat

Thanks Randy! & everyone else for the input and links!

I’m anxious for the river to get out of psycho mode and get after it!

New mantra=”be the blade”

Success or not, I’d still enjoy a day in your boat Randy!

belletaine wrote:

, I’d still enjoy a day in your boat Randy!

Be very careful of what you ask for. I tend to be just a little determined and intense…thus 16.. 18…20 hour days

When I try blades it goes like this:

Lower to bottom and close reel.
You are now stuck on the bottom.
Pull furiously.
Say bad words.
Tie on new bait.

S.R.

Steve, I think your beyond help

Randy Wieland wrote:

Steve, I think your beyond help

Randy my friend, you’re not the first one to come to that conclusion

Steve Root wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Randy Wieland wrote:</div>
Steve, I think your beyond help

Randy my friend, you’re not the first one to come to that conclusion

I don’t think they’re meant for fly rods…

Steve Root wrote:

When I try blades it goes like this:

Lower to bottom and close reel.
You are now stuck on the bottom.
Pull furiously.
Say bad words.
Tie on new bait.

S.R.

The BEST advise I can give any one on using blades is practice the cadence of using blades on sand bars first and most importantly KNOW the terrain you are fishing ..
I was taught this way and I have only lost a few blades since (maybe 15 year ago)and always use the lightest blade you can !

Choosing the right style blade is crucial also, some are easier to use than others !

I learned how to work blades on Pool 4 many years ago from Dean Marshall and Steve Vick…
I have C/P/R ed many , many eyes and Sauger over those years…Randy is right on on the vertical technique…Dean is a master of “pitching” smaller blades and working them with the current.
I now prefer a 7’6″ St Croix LES76MLXF for pitchin and a AVS70MF for vertical work with 1/2 or 5/8oz blades…

BTW…the Brown trout was one of many Randy and I caught out of Milwaukee Harbor…yes they hit blades very well

Attachments:

1. 

   IMG_0521.jpg
   

2. 

   DSCN3520.jpg
   

3. 

   DSC00548.jpg
   

Randy Wieland wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>belletaine wrote:</div>
, I’d still enjoy a day in your boat Randy!

Be very careful of what you ask for. I tend to be just a little determined and intense…thus 16.. 18…20 hour days

I cannot believe you cut fishing days short, you must be getting old like me.

Tom P. wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Randy Wieland wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>belletaine wrote:</div>
, I’d still enjoy a day in your boat Randy!

Be very careful of what you ask for. I tend to be just a little determined and intense…thus 16.. 18…20 hour days

I cannot believe you cut fishing days short, you must be getting old like me.

After 23 years of constant interruptions, I’m enjoying “Empty Nester Lifestyle”. Need to get back home for an hour or two