I have enjoyed reading reports on casting blade baits. Having only fished blades vertically adding casting blades as a option seems like big fun to learn.
Pre-planning is always a key to fishing success, my question is what rod type and weight do you prefer? Spinning or baitcasting get the nod?
Professor,
I will take a shot at your question.Most folks will use a 6’6′-7′ med action spinning,and no reason that a baitcaster wont work….but when trying to get the most out of your rod inventory,you probably wouldnt use that baitcaster for anything else,ie pitching a 1/8th oz hairjig.
With that being said,I am probably in the minority…..I really firmly believe that a med-light action and at least a 6’6″ works best,at least in the St Croix and Loomis line-up.Remember, not all manufactures actions are the same.Why? At least for myself,I am casting 1/4oz or less on 6-8 # hardline with no stretch.I believe alot of folks overfish there blades because of the action of the heavier weight rods.The med-light IMHO allows you to fish casted blades with much more finesse and accuracy.I also feel that the lighter action will help you land a bigger fish with less chance of the hooks pulling out because of the lighter rod being a softer shock-absorber so to speak.
Good Luck and have fun!
Sounds like a good old Avid will do the trick! Sweet!
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Walleyes do not eat flat pieces of steel or plastic worms. Dean just says they work because he sells really, really, bad minnows.
Ain’t that the truth! 
Honestly, one of the people best qualified to give advice about blades has chimed in here (Dean). I’ll just amplify his suggestions about using a slightly longer, more limber spinning rod than you might otherwise think, coupled with a superline. I started pitching blades in earnest this fall, and I have yet to work out all the kinks, but I’m sure that these tips helped me to successfully negotiate the learning curve. The superline especially will give you confidence that the blade actually IS vibrating on a gentle lift of the rod tip, and it will help you detect those bites that occur as the blade falls.
Dean the trickster! I guess I might as well get the minnow bucket out and go Yo-Yo angling with everyone else!
I fish braided line on Pool 2, it does provide that necessary feel when pitching jigs. I can see why it would work with blades, what I am picking up is the importance of feel as well as being suptle in the lift and drop. It seems like a really fun way to fish. Though not a jig experts, their is something to be said about the hit of a fish when casting jigs. It is an art form and way fun! Seem like the same basic principle with blades. Fishing is all about fun and am excited to give it a go.
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their is something to be said about the hit of a fish when casting jigs. It is an art form and way fun!
I couldnt agree more Professor,but if you like the hit on a jig,wait to you feel it on a good blade bite!Bottom line,they are just one more tool to go into the box. 
Just to add a different perspective…I fished blade baits for the first time this past Friday on P4. I used a 6’8″ St Croix with mono line. I had a hard time detecting the vibration on the longer casts and the line stretch resulted in a lot more poorer hooksets.
My partner, Drewsdad, was using a similar rod but he had the braided superline and had much better feel and more positive hooksets than I. As a result, he boated more fish than me.
Just my 2-cents worth.
Dean had said use braid and so I did. And I could tell immediately if the blade was running right or not. I also was experimenting with the hole position on the blade. Front hole didn’t seem to vibrate enough and the back hole seemed to foul up too much with the line on the casts. Middle hole seemed to work best for me last friday.
dd
What is the real reason for the three holes, it seems the center is the favorite so what are the other uses for the front and the back hole?? (keep it clean guys 
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What type of retrieve do you guys use with bladebaits?
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What is the real reason for the three holes, it seems the center is the favorite so what are the other uses for the front and the back hole?? (keep it clean guys
It gives you different vibration and if vertical,how wide a area it travels.I almost always use the middle.
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What type of retrieve do you guys use with bladebaits?
The majority of the time a very slow lift and drop,as slow as the bait alows…..hence the lighter 1/4 oz falls slower than the big ole 3/4 that people vertical with.It is no different than jigging,sometimes agressive and sometimes….less is more.Experiment and let the fish tell you!
Good Luck!
Well I couldn’t say it much better than dean. I will also agree with him on using super line a must. The rods I choose are a 6’6 and 6’9 med. light spinning rod. The avids work very well in the 6’6 med light also. There is plenty of ways to retrieve them. One being the lift then free fall back to the bottom, the lift and fall with a semi tight line, and also the lift and pause then fall. All presentations have there time and place. Mostly depending on current and fish mood. Try all 3 and different colors and let the fish tell you what they want.
Any other questions just hollar
Do you tie derectly to bladebait or use a snap
Jack
You’ve got to use a snap!
Is this a seasonal bait or is it rather effective year round? Dumb question I know, but it is another bait I don’t have in the box.
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Is this a seasonal bait or is it rather effective year round? Dumb question I know, but it is another bait I don’t have in the box.
Actually, I think that is an excellent question!
I must admit I usually don’t start chucking blades as much until we get closer to spring river conditions. Just can’t get enough of that plastics smell! You can bet I’ll be grabbing my blade rod more often after seeing the latest reports.
I’m nowhere near the blade fisherman these guys are but I tend to agree on the rod choices. I like the extra ‘bounce’ you get with slightly lighter rods. What an awesome point Dean made about getting the most out of your rod collection. As such, I use my blade rod for casting cranks also, both with fireline. Probably a better rod out there for the cranks but it works for me.
One thing I like about blades is their ability to be retrieved upstream in slightly heavier current. They really seem to slice, or blade through heavier flow than an equal weight jig. I’ve caught fish year round on blades but usually end up spending more time with other techniques during warmer water periods. I remember hanging out on the Alma fishing float back in the 80’s when “sonars” and “Walleye Killer” jigs were practically all we used! Along with spoons, spinners etc, I do use blades alot either cast, trolled, or jigged for lake trout in the BWCA on early summer and fall canoe trips.
Chris
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You’ve got to use a snap!
Does it matter what size snap you use?
Mike, I’m not really sure. I only have one size of cross-lock snap in my collection. I use them interchangably for cranks, blades, etc. I would describe them as medium sized.
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You’ve got to use a snap!
Does it matter what size snap you use?
A #2 Duo-lock for most situations.Be carefull though, the sizes can vary from different vendors,even though they say #2.
I do use blades all year long….but would say they are most effective from Sept through April here on Pool #4.They have also been great up in Canada in the summertime as well.Good Luck!
Thanks for the input Dean & Jason.
Thank you everyone for the responses.
Jack
As far as year round bait, I would answer yes. They are being snapped on pools 8 and 9 through the ice now that we have had some good cold weather to fish the walls at the dams. Jig N Raps are also good this time of year when the ice conditions allow walleye/sauger even pike waters to be fished!
I’ve used jigging raps during the summer with some success. This blade thing really has my interest. Thank all you guys for the good information.
As some others have said already, Blades can be fished year round and will catch fish year round. With that said there are better times and worse times to use them. Like others have mentioned already the fall and spring times are the best and most noted times to use them.
As for the snaps, I would definatly recommend using the Duo-Lok snaps in size 2. I have tried some of the other snaps and have had some to most of them straighten out will trying to pull out of a snag. If you look in any tackle mag. usally they will have a true size chart in the back of the book.
Hope this helps and just hollar with any other questions that you have.
TTT
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