Nothing buttons the mouth of a bass like the days following the spawn. For inexperienced anglers, it can seem like the bass have all but disappeared from the lake. For others, it may seem like the only lure that’s going to grab a cagey bass is a wacky worm, or other finesse rigged plastic. No question those can be some of the most effective rigs during this time of year, but don’t be so hasty as to pass up a spinnerbait. Slow-rolled with a size and color to match the hatch of the lake being fished, a spinnerbait can ward off a slough of 12 inch bass, while ringing the dinner bell for the monsters bass anglers dream about.

Using a medium action rod, throw a 1/4oz to 3/8oz spinnerbait. By using a medium action rod, bass will almost hook themselves before they know there is something not quite right with their tasty treat; let the load of the rod hook the fish. Downsizing your lure will help you match the size of the early-season forage in the lake. Of course, as the year progresses so should the size of your spinnerbait selection, but for now keep it small.

This time of year bass will move off of their shallow nests, but they won’t go too far. If their nest was in 3’ of water over gravel, look for the nearby stump or weed cropping-up in 5’ of water. Points are also fantastic spots to locate post spawn bass, especially if at the mouth of a creek or channel. Cast your spinnerbait into these target areas, and slow-roll it back to the boat.

To effectively slow-roll a spinnerbait, cast out and retrieve your lure just fast enough to get the blades spinning. Any faster is too much. Slow-rolling gives a worn-out post spawn bass plenty of time to think about committing to a strike. In addition, the slow speed keeps your spinnerbait in constant contact with structure. Deflections off stumps, rocks, weeds, and bottom are sure to generate reaction strikes out of ornery hawgs, much in the same way they’ll spike a struggling bluegill or perch – the hot menu item of the moment – into oblivion.

Color patterns matching that hot menu item may not be a bad idea either. Yellows, greens, blues, and whites can be the hot ticket depending upon the dominant food source in your lake during the post spawn period. If you’re unsure of what color to use, or what the bass are feeding on, you can’t go wrong with white. If the water is dingy, a few braids of chartreuse in your spinnerbait skirt will get your lure noticed. Likewise, a Colorado blade will give your lure fish attracting thump in stained water. For clear water applications, multiple silver blades can give the illusion of bulk – or a school of baitfish – in the water, enticing even more strikes.

Match-the-hatch, and slow-roll…a spinnerbait may not be your first choice for post spawn fishing, but it should still be a choice, and a good one at that. If you’re looking for numbers, tie on a worm. If you’re looking for monsters, a post-spawn spinnerbait may be the lure to get you there.

Bob Wood