Spinner Baits and Trialers

[TEFNKY]

I was wondering if anyone had any comments on when and when not to use trailers on spinner baits. Also, weather to use split tail straight, curly, craw, single curly, ect. I tend to use trailers most all the time when throwing spinners. I also try to match the trailer to the color of the skirts. Am I overdoing it or am I on the right track? Any lessons learned would be great. Thanks!!

[RoadToad]

I don't know a whole lot about spinnerbaits, but I think Kevin VanDam does. I was watching a "Bass Pros" show the other day and he was talking about spinnerbaits, and he said he always uses a trailer hook. And the Strike King Kevin VanDam brand spinnerbait comes pre-rigged with one. I have a few Booyah spinnerbaits I've used a few times, and I have caught exactly one bass on one. But a couple time I've thought I got "short hits." Thanks for the post. Now I'm gonna have to go get me some Gamakatsu hooks to use for trailers

[DJD]

I don't throw spinnerbaits with plastic trailers that often because I use trailer hooks all the time and that can get kinda messy. It can work with both but I don't like it. The skirts are so much better now compared to years ago that I'm ok with it. If I'm throwing around alot of wood and stumps and laydowns then I will remove the trailer hook and put a plastic twin tail trailer on, usually white with red tips. JMO

[MsgMills]

I'll add a trailer to my spinner bait, if I want it to fall a little slower down to the depth I'm fishing it at. I've used a big 6' worm as a trailer before while fishing in about 18' of water and letting the bait fall to around 10 to 12 feet. then slow roll it back to the boat...Caught some really nice fish doing this. But mostly i don't use a trailer, but will use a trailer hook if I start getting bit short.

[mhall]

I almost never throw one without a trailer. I use white with red tips mainly. Lucky Strike and Strike King both make good ones. If I'm using real small spinnerbaits then I won't use them as sometimes they will cause you spinnerbug to roll and not track right.

[TEE]

I usually don't use a trailer until the water temps get above 70.
It gives a more compact profile and I think the bait at spawn time is not as big as later in the year.
When I do use a trailer...it's either a grub or 4" worm pinched off. And any color is good as long as it's white.
You will ALWAYS find one rod on my boat year round when chasing smallies but, spring and nite time is when they really shine.
Another key is always fish the shaded banks after spawn...day or nite

[Cobra190]

Very seldom do I use a trailer, but I always use a trailer hook. If I do use a trailer, I use a single tail grub and thread it onto the trailer hook itself with the curl down.

[kylakenitro]

I use a split tail in white or pearl. When i'm throwing one for nighttime smallies i us a Blk/Blue pork chunk. JMO!!!

[SmallmouthChaserGLX]

Depends on the time of year/day and type of bass. Prespawn i use a twin tail plastic trailer for largemouth looking to get some energy for the bedding season to come... bigger meal bigger fish. Post-spawn i go without to be able to burn the bait more easily. Smallmouth I generally dont use one because of the tenancy to short strike unless it is at night which I always use one in pork to slow the bait and add scent. Varying the shape seems very important at different times of year to get the right profile/fall/action. Just vary shapes and colors until you find what the fish want.

[Bass Bandit]

Well you know what I use "T",but after joining here and looking around I may just be up fer a change LOL