No, not a meat grinder! A weed grinder! With all the new raves about 10 foot pool cues and hucking 3lb baits with blades so big, they could take down the rain forest, sometimes a guy forgets where his roots are. Well, my muskie roots belong to the weeds, where it all began. That is, grinding up weeds!
The art of “grinding” was pioneered by the great Dick Pearson. A muskie great who spent not countless hours, but countless days on the water. Grinding is running a spinnerbait “through” the weeds. Not over the top, but through them. Keeping the rod tip pointed towards the baits and letting the spinnerbait pull/push its way on through. Thus, making a “weedless” presentation. When the fishing pressure is high and the fish have been pounded senseless after seeing a bazillion baits over a long weekend, a guy has to change it up and get those fish something a bit different. Why a spinnerbait? Because your typical bucktail, crank, or jerkbait is not going to make it 2 cranks in this jungle. The spinnerbait is able to slide through. (thanks Bass guys for inventing this for us!)
Last night, the moon still had some juice left and we had a front coming in. As soon as I got out of the truck at the ramp, I looked at Joe and said: “it’s heavy”. Heavy meaning it was muggy out. Not so much hot, just muggy. I love fishing heavy days! So, off we went. Primary focus was to hit heavy weed to rock transitions that had deep water access. Looking for breaks where the weedline dropped into 20-30fow was the focus. Casting our spinnerbaits right on top of the milfoil, rolling and grinding through it, and then bringing that bait right out of the “wall of weeds” into the deep open water led to not only this pig, but a couple of short strikes/unbuttoned fish and 4 VERY respectable pike.
Congrats on your personal best Joe! What a hoot!!! If you are not grinding the weeds, you just might be missing out on some HOT muskie action!
How effective is grinding?
VERY EFFECTIVE!!!!!
These two fish were picked up within 20 minutes of each other in the same general location, when a jerk bait wouldn’t raise a fish on pressure waters.
Thanks alot Gary
I couldn’t have done it with out you
I deffinately look forward to doing it again
Nice fish guys.
Nice fish guys!
Nice work guys!!
I have been able to nail a couple via topwater, but it looks like I need to start ginding. 
I know this is old, but how heavy of spinners were you using, or like to use? I see they sell them from 1oz. up to 5oz. but dont know what weight to get. I see alot of similar baits like this from different companies are between 1 and 2oz. so i was thinking of just ordering a 2oz. bump and grind.
Many different types/weights of spinnerbaits out there.
Primarily, on this type of presentation, you want a “thumping” blade and to more/less “slow roll it”.
2oz-3oz is a standard.
However, most of it applies on the depth/thickness of the weeds and how fast the fish want this presentation. Note this is not a turn/burn presentation. It is more of a finesse. But speed still is a factor. I find most of the time, I’m cranking too fast and have to slow down. Don’t be afraid to really “crawl” this presentation. Thus the reason for a good spinnerbait to have the flash/thump as a slow retrieved pace.
I will note too, that not all spinnerbaits perform the same. Some blades really put out the flash and thump that the fish want. The Pearson brand is good, and so is the M/G Spinnerbait, and the Llungen is also a good one!
Good question red and good feedback Gary!!! I really like the Pearson grinder in the three oz. Great vibration to really shake those weeds off. I know one of the other guys in the shop loves the nutbuster from Llungen. I know llungen makes a mag, but I think that my buddy is fishing the regular size.
Mark