beat against the rock baits you have in the
bottom of your box. But what do baits cost
these days? I have mine repainted custom and
better than new again by Grub Custom Baits.
So you like Dip N’ Dye on your plastics? What
about spraying them with scent? A better
modification is FishSticks Scents. This thick
scent stick is like a larger than life tube of lip
balm, and it doesn’t wash away after 2 casts.
Although it is intended as a soft plastic scent,
I apply it to my crawfish crank baits and jerk
baits. It is a modification I use on every outing.
My next crank bait tip relates back to the
markers and red hook. LureLuster has
created a waterproof sticker application that
can be added to the sides of your crank bait,
spinner bait blades, or anywhere else you
want to put them. They have eyes that can
accent any bait, bringing to life a hurt image
bait for an easy meal from a preying bass.
Love fishing spinner baits, but know bass
have seen every one under the sun. You know
that skirt just gives it a natural appeal. Each
and every one of those tentacles moving and
twitching with the lightest movement of the
rod? Well now you can fish that spinner bait
on your crank bait. ZipTailz have designed a
skirt for your crank baits. They have more
movement that a feather hook. I love putting
the Ziptailz on my top waters.
Spinnerbait Modifications
Why do fish feed on a spinner bait? Is it the
look of a shad swimming? The look of a bait ball
of fish swimming together for an easy meal? Is
it the sound of the blade on the bass’ lateral
line telling it to inhale that bait because it is
injured? All the above are the right answers.
But you throw a spinner bait 100 times to the
same stick up where you know a bass lives and
nothing, right? You know that bass has seen
every variety of color and blade combination
out there. Here is where Dutch Fork Blades
come in. Developing custom painted blades is
one thing, but doing it on high impact polymer
makes all the difference. Bigger blades and
lighter spinner baits entice bass to instantly
react and strike. It is a different sound from
the polymer that the bass “hear” and react
to something they have never seen before.
In addition, it allows you to slow down your
bait, at well over half the speed of slow rolling
a normal spinner bait, or burn it and displace
more water, driving bass crazy for the ultimate
reaction strike. Durable and inexpensive,
Dutch Fork custom paints every blade.
Another great spinner bait blade modification
comes from Advantage Tackle Co. These
custom made blades are etched, therefore
reflecting light from multiple angles. Built
with Advantage’s patented Extreme Flash
Technology, the Advantage Bait Replacement
Willow Blades create a 3D holographic
pattern of light that calls bass in from a
distance. Advantage Bait Replacement
Willow Blades are a great way to breathe life
back into damaged lures, or add a new twist
to your favorites. Can you imagine putting
these on your favorite umbrella rig?
And the last spinner bait modification is a
simple one. A red trailer hook. It is the same
aspect as adding a red treble hook to your
crank bait. That same injured look that every
angler wants to portray. I have even taken
this one step further, and use a treble hook
with an additional Ziptailz on it.
Fishhound Mag | Page 8