[Lard Almighty]

It can be hard to figure out spinnerbaits as there are a nearly infinite combination of skirt colors and blade colors/sizes to choose from. Whenever I fish spinnerbaits, I always ask myself a few questions:

1. What do I want to imitate? Choose skirt color based on the predominant forage of a lake or river. If you see schools of shad, use a skirt that is mostly white. For bluegill, use a skirt with green and blue mixed in. For perch, use a skirt with yellow and orange in it.

2. What is the water like? If the water is clear, use a natural-looking bait. If the water is muddy, use bolder colors like chartreuse, firetiger, or black and blue. In murky water, use Colorado blades that throw off a lot of vibration. In clear or chilly water, switch to quieter willow blades.

3. What time of day am I fishing? For low-light fishing (before dawn, after dusk, night, or cloudy days) use dark colors with large Colorado blades so the fish can hone in on the vibration. For bright days with high sun, use light colors and willow blades for a more subdued presentation.

4. What time of year is it? Sometimes a spinnerbait just isn't the best choice, no matter how savvy you are. In spring and fall they can be lights out. In winter and the dog days of summer, a different lure may be a better option.

5. How big should I go? Try to match the size of the spinnerbait to the forage. If you see a lot of 2-3 inch fish in the shallows, don't start throwing a giant 1 oz. bait around. Even big fish may not go after a big lure if it looks out of place. You can catch huge fish on a 1/8 oz. bait just as easily as a 1.5 oz. bait.

The best (and worst) thing about spinnerbaits is that they are infinitely customizable. Many factors can change the effectiveness of a spinnerbait, including blade size, blade color, skirt length, skirt density, or the addition of a trailer or trailer hook. Just remember that these lures are proven fish-catchers. Don't lose faith, and keep playing around with them, and you will eventually find success.