Choosing the Right Spinnerbait for Smallmouth Bass
Spinnerbaits are one of the most effective tools for catching smallmouth bass, especially in the clear, baitfish-rich waters of Northern Michigan. While they may seem like a basic reaction bait, spinnerbaits come in a wide variety of weights, blade styles, skirt colors, and profiles that each serve a specific purpose. Knowing how to choose the right setup—and when to use it—can make all the difference between a slow day and a productive one.
This article breaks down how to choose the right spinnerbait for smallmouth bass fishing, focusing on gear, presentation, and conditions specific to lakes like Torch, Crystal, Elk, Glen, and others in the Traverse City region.
Why Spinnerbaits Work for Smallmouth
Smallmouth are aggressive, curious, and often roam open water chasing baitfish like smelt, alewives, shiners, and young perch. Unlike largemouth, which often relate tightly to cover, smallmouth often suspend off drop-offs, chase bait in open water, or stage on rocky flats and points. Spinnerbaits offer a perfect combination of flash and vibration to grab attention, cover water quickly, and trigger reaction bites when smallmouth are feeding or just cruising.
Spinnerbaits excel in moderate to windy conditions, during low light periods, and especially in fall when smallmouth are hunting schools of baitfish in deeper water.
Best Spinnerbait Weights for Smallmouth
Weight plays a major role in how deep and fast a spinnerbait can be fished. For smallmouth, you’ll want to match the spinnerbait weight to the depth and speed needed to reach fish that are often holding anywhere from 5 to 25 feet deep.
- 3/8 oz: The most versatile size for smallmouth; great for shallow to mid-depth (4–10 feet), especially in calm or lightly stained conditions.
- 1/2 oz: Ideal for deeper water, fishing ledges, or maintaining control in windy conditions; best all-around choice for clear, deep lakes.
- 3/4 oz: Use for slow-rolling deep ledges or when smallmouth are holding deep over structure; helpful in windy or fast-drift situations.
A 1/2 oz spinnerbait is the go-to in lakes like Torch Lake or Crystal Lake, where smallmouth often suspend along steep drop-offs or over deep flats.
Blade Style: Flash and Vibration
Blade type affects both visibility and vibration. Since smallmouth tend to favor visual presentations in clear water, the right blades are critical.
- Double Willow: This is the top choice for smallmouth in clear water. The long, narrow blades produce high flash and low vibration—ideal for mimicking baitfish like smelt or shiners. Use in Torch Lake, Grand Traverse Bay, Crystal Lake, and Glen Lake.
- Willow/Colorado Combo: A good middle ground with moderate flash and thump. This combo works well when the water has a slight stain or on overcast days.
- Double Colorado: Rarely used for smallmouth in clear water. Best reserved for stained water or in rivers with low visibility where vibration matters more than flash.
Blade color should also match conditions. Use silver blades in sunny, clear water. Gold blades excel in stained or low-light conditions. Painted blades are rarely needed for smallmouth unless you’re fishing after dark or in very muddy water.
Skirt Color: Keep it Natural
When choosing a spinnerbait skirt for smallmouth, lean toward natural colors that match local forage.
- White or White/Silver: Mimics smelt, alewives, or shiners; excellent all-around smallmouth choice.
- Smoke or Ghost Shad: Subtle and natural for ultra-clear water.
- Chartreuse/White: A good choice in stained water or on cloudy days.
- Perch Patterns: Great in fall when smallmouth are chasing juvenile perch.
Avoid overly bright or neon colors unless you’re in stained water or fishing fast-moving current where visibility is limited.
Compact vs. Full-Size Spinnerbaits
Smallmouth often key on smaller baitfish and can be more selective than largemouth. The profile of the spinnerbait matters.
- Compact Spinnerbaits: These are smaller-profile baits with shorter arms and smaller blades. They’re excellent for pressured fish, post-frontal conditions, or when bass are feeding on small bait.
- Standard Size: The typical full-size spinnerbait with a 3/8 or 1/2 oz head and willow blades. Great for covering water and triggering aggressive strikes when smallmouth are actively chasing.
Compact spinnerbaits are often overlooked, but they produce very well when the fish are neutral or when water temperatures drop into the low 50s.
Rod, Reel, and Line Setup
To get the most from a spinnerbait, your gear needs to balance power and finesse. Smallmouth often hit hard but also throw hooks easily due to their jumping and rolling. Your rod should allow for solid hooksets while maintaining enough flex to keep fish pinned.
- Rod: Medium or medium-heavy power, 6’10” to 7’2”, with a moderate-fast action. A rod that loads well but isn’t too soft is ideal.
- Reel: 6.4:1 to 7.1:1 gear ratio. You want enough speed to control blade action but not so fast that you outrun the bait.
- Line: Fluorocarbon in 10–14 lb test is best for Northern Michigan’s clear lakes. It provides invisibility, sensitivity, and just enough stretch to keep fish hooked. Avoid braid unless fishing around heavy vegetation or structure.
If you’re fishing ultra-clear lakes like Torch or Crystal, drop to 10 lb fluorocarbon for the most natural presentation.
Spinnerbait Retrieve Styles for Smallmouth
Smallmouth often follow baits before committing, so varying your retrieve can be key to triggering strikes.
- Slow Roll: Let the bait sink and retrieve it slowly just off bottom, ideal for fall or cold-water situations.
- Burn and Kill: Retrieve fast for a few seconds, then stop and let it fall. This sudden drop often triggers strikes from following fish.
- Steady Retrieve with Pops: Reel at a consistent pace and add quick rod twitches or stops to simulate an injured baitfish.
Retrieve speed should match the mood of the fish. Colder water typically calls for a slower presentation, while warmer temps and wind may allow for a faster retrieve.
When to Use Spinnerbaits for Smallmouth
Spinnerbaits aren’t just springtime tools. They work year-round but truly shine in these conditions:
- Windy days with broken surface conditions
- Overcast or low-light situations
- Fall, when smallmouth are chasing baitfish
- Post-frontal conditions when smallmouth are holding off structure
- Clear water where flash can pull fish from a distance
Spinnerbaits also serve as excellent search tools when trying to locate roaming smallmouth. Once you find them, you can slow down with tubes or drop shots—but a spinnerbait often helps you connect first.
Final Thoughts
Spinnerbaits remain one of the most reliable tools for catching smallmouth bass, especially in the clear, bait-rich waters of Northern Michigan. By selecting the right blade configuration, weight, and color—and pairing it with the correct gear—you can adapt to nearly any condition and catch fish consistently. Whether you’re slow-rolling breaks on Crystal Lake, burning across flats on Elk Lake, or hunting wolf packs in Torch, the right spinnerbait can cover water efficiently and trigger hard-hitting strikes from even the most selective smallmouth.
If you’re serious about fishing in the Traverse City area, don’t overlook spinnerbaits. Fished correctly, they’re one of the best ways to find and catch quality smallmouth bass throughout the open-water season.