Looking to step up my Blade Bait game..help.

I’m looking to step up my blade bait game this fall. Any tips or tricks that you have learned that have helped you master this technique?

Do a search here on ido for blades. Dean, myself, and a few other have basicly written the how to book. It’s all there including sketches

Found a link I saved

Go here and bookmark, then look at the 4th post down. From there, I have 6 or 7 different discussions on blades
https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/ftlgeneral_1322968/#Post1322984

Thank you…I many be slow but I can’t seem to find the search function for this site. I see a search button in the upper right side of the screen but it seems to search the web and the forum. I’m going to check out your bookmark. Thanks again.

I guess I should have stated where and when I was intending to use blade baits. I fish the Columbia River during the fall/ winter. No ICE here. Water can be extremely clear and fish can be found in 30-100 ft.

Scott Estes wrote:

I guess I should have stated where and when I was intending to use blade baits. I fish the Columbia River during the fall/ winter. No ICE here. Water can be extremely clear and fish can be found in 30-100 ft.

I use them year round regardless of open water, hard top water, stained water, clear, moving, or just about any other condition. Once you get the hang of blade presentations, you don’t need much more

I put blades in the same category as jiggin raps and rippin raps. Whenever I use them I donate them to the river. Guys that get the hang of them out big fish in the boat though. I’m going to read these posts and try to get more effective at using them.

After reading Randys and Deans post you will find is most people work bladebaits way to fast, and rod makes a huge difference having that medium extra fast tip for me is important I fish Bladea all year long many times I will be pitching a Bladebait before a jig.

Less is more , less is more, did I mention less is more ? :]

I encourage you to always have one at the ready in the boat, and make it part of your rotation every pitching spot you fish. Dont expect it to be a one trick pony, but fall,is a great time to start !!!

You guys prefer fast or xf tips for rods?

Articles have preferences but maybe they got refined

nhamm wrote:

You guys prefer fast or xf tips for rods?

Articles have preferences but maybe they got refined

great question, however just because a rod has a label that says it is a fast or xfast tip really doent mean that is what it is.

1/4 oz and less weight blades casting, the 6’9″ mlxf st croix action equivelent is my favorite.

For the 1/2 oz stuff deeper water is a different animal. Generally, any quality 6’6 or 7ft’ med fastworks well. I personally like the the 6’8’mxf is solid.

Good to know thanks.

If I could ask one more…. with a blade seeming to be more of a reaction type bait, do you feel changing colors often gives a better chance of hooking up similar to jig/plastic combos? Or it’s not as much finding the flavor of the day/hour as just being in the right spot when they move through?

My buddy told me once, “choose a technique and master it.” I’m going to try and perfect my blade bait game this fall/winter. That’s my goal! Time to get rigged up.

nhamm wrote:

Good to know thanks.

If I could ask one more…. with a blade seeming to be more of a reaction type bait, do you feel changing colors often gives a better chance of hooking up similar to jig/plastic combos? Or it’s not as much finding the flavor of the day/hour as just being in the right spot when they move through?

My guess on this would be generally no unless the water is really clear. I have a buddy that just buys the unpainted blanks and adds hooks and he does really well in all conditions.

Matt Moen wrote:

My guess

I could guess on alot of stuff too but usually don’t.
Deleted due to crabby pattys

Dean Marshall wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>nhamm wrote:</div>
You guys prefer fast or xf tips for rods?

Articles have preferences but maybe they got refined

great question, however just because a rod has a label that says it is a fast or xfast tip really doent mean that is what it is.

1/4 oz and less weight blades casting, the 6’9″ mlxf st croix action equivelent is my favorite.

For the 1/2 oz stuff deeper water is a different animal. Generally, any quality 6’6 or 7ft’ med fastworks well. I personally like the the 6’8’mxf is solid.

So very true!

Additionally, use braid. Dirty/stained water I go straight braid to a snap. For super clear water, I like braid to a barrel, a 24″ of mono, then a snap

Lots of stuff on You Tube also. Let us know how it goes for you.

nhamm wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
My guess

I could guess on alot of stuff too but usually don’t.
Deleted due to crabby pattys

My new guess is that you need a hug. Come on over and get one.

Generous offer Matt but I just really need some fatties to hold.

nhamm wrote:

Good to know thanks.

If I could ask one more…. with a blade seeming to be more of a reaction type bait, do you feel changing colors often gives a better chance of hooking up similar to jig/plastic combos? Or it’s not as much finding the flavor of the day/hour as just being in the right spot when they move through?

Color
I answer this specifically to Pool4 and NOT lakes in general.And yes, there is a preference day to day in my experience.

3 colors
something dark
something bright
Gold

Dean Marshall wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>nhamm wrote:</div>
Good to know thanks.

If I could ask one more…. with a blade seeming to be more of a reaction type bait, do you feel changing colors often gives a better chance of hooking up similar to jig/plastic combos? Or it’s not as much finding the flavor of the day/hour as just being in the right spot when they move through?

Color
I answer this specifically to Pool4 and NOT lakes in general.And yes, there is a preference day to day in my experience.

3 colors
something dark
something bright
Gold

Much thanks.

Now to find that trumar guy onlin e…

Dean Marshall wrote:

Color
I answer this specifically to Pool4 and NOT lakes in general.And yes, there is a preference day to day in my experience.

3 colors
something dark
something bright
Gold

Just my opinion….and it mirrors Dean’s

And yes, there is a preference day to day – hour to hour – and can still change
something dark = purple or black
something bright = Hot pink/blaze orange, white….
Gold = I prefer gold /in a two tone gold/blue or gold /green

Probably the most different preference that Dean & I have is size. Dean uses a crap load of 1/4oz, I use a ton of 1/2oz. I have days where the larger or the smaller profile makes a huge difference. For me, most often the larger size produces better. Obviously Dean catches more on the smaller profile.

One other notable thing. I run all Gamakatsu hooks on my blades. I like the #10 round bend on the small profile and the #6 EWG on the 1/2 & 3/4oz. Keep them off the bottom and learn how to read your electronics.

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Deans info is spot on and can testify to the blade style I sell.

See post below !

Dean Marshall wrote:

Color
I answer this specifically to Pool 4 and NOT lakes in general.And yes, there is a preference day to day in my experience.

3 colors
something dark
something bright
Gold

http://www.skeeterboatcenter.com 763-450-0571
Reply

@nhamm..you still have time to get this deal..To celebrate our 200th like on Face Book we are running a sale on blades.

Hurry before sale ends!!

https://trutiedtacklellc.com/shop?olsPage=t%2Fblade-baits-1-per-pack

nhamm wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
My guess

I could guess on alot of stuff too but usually don’t.
Deleted due to crabby pattys

No idea how a “Brannigan” can surface from a discussion about blade baits?

Meanwhile…last time I used a blade bait was the big 8″ Shumway Fuzzy Duzzit 30 years ago for muskie on deep clear Presque Isle lake in Vilas Cty. WI. (See below)

So…I’m taking your offer on the Tru-Tied blade baits Jeff. Nice little discount, having learned some things about them from this thread…think I’ll try some this winter.

Placing order now.

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Not to step on anyone’s toes selling blades on the site but here is another great option for some great blades and some great colors. I’ve seen them work but I haven’t practiced enough yet to catch as many as some the guys that use them.

Curt’s Custom Blades

@ 85lund, If we all drove Chevy’s I most likely never would have been a mechanic for the past 36 years…God bless the other brands !

trumar wrote:

@ 85lund, If we all drove Chevy’s I most likely never would have been a mechanic for the past 36 years…God bless the other brands !

Yes…the other brands, other than a Chevy. This is what I drove in high school…

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This info is amazing!!!!! And you all have been a great help. Thank you. Next Question…Trebles on split rings? or the trebles/doubles that spread apart to install?

Scott Estes wrote:

This info is amazing!!!!! And you all have been a great help. Thank you. Next Question…Trebles on split rings? or the trebles/doubles that spread apart to install?

Trebles that spread apart work much better less problem with the trebles fowling on the line or bait itself.

Now I have a question for all the years I have fished Blades has anyone found a situation where the bite was better using any of the line tie holes besides the center one? I have played with this a bit and always come back to the center hole.

Tom P. wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Scott Estes wrote:</div>
This info is amazing!!!!! And you all have been a great help. Thank you. Next Question…Trebles on split rings? or the trebles/doubles that spread apart to install?

Trebles that spread apart work much better less problem with the trebles fowling on the line or bait itself.

Now I have a question for all the years I have fished Blades has anyone found a situation where the bite was better using any of the line tie holes besides the center one? I have played with this a bit and always come back to the center hole.

DEFINITELY USE SPLIT SHANK TREBLE HOOKS,making sure the split is NOT spread apart when done with install of the hook.. a very light squeeze with pliers will work to close gap if necessary..

As far as which line/clip hole I am no help for my blades only have one line/clip hole, but always heard the center hole is best for action …