Greg Hackney caught his first bass on a spinnerbait, and the Louisiana-based pro hasn’t put them down since that original childhood outing. As Hackney states, “they just bite it.” Hackney discusses topics ranging from selecting the right spinnerbait based on water clarity, forage, weather, and how to fish them for maximum success. While he discusses a range of baits and blade styles, he focuses the conversation around the newer multi-blade spinnerbait category and why they’ve become his go-to option when targeting bass in clear water.
FEATURED TACKLE
• MULTI-BLADE SPINNERBAITS: https://wired2.fish/MultiBladeSpinnerbaits
• CONVENTIONAL SPINNERBAITS: https://wired2.fish/StrikeKingSpinnerbaits
ROD SETUP
• ROD – Lew’s Hack Attack Freshwater Casting Rod: http://wired2.fish/LewsHackAttackCastingRod-AS
• REEL – Lew’s BB1 Pro Casting Reel, 6.4:1: http://wired2.fish/LewsBB1Pro-CastingReel
• LINE – Strike King Tour Grade Fluorocarbon: https://wired2.fish/SK-TourGradeFluorocarbon
Here are Hackney’s 8 timeless spinnerbait tips:
1. Cover water. A spinnerbait is among the most effective subsurface moving baits for covering water and triggering bites. While its popularity has ebbed and flowed, it’s back with a vengeance on tour and with weekend warriors alike.
2. Match the skirt color to forage. Hues of white perform well if shad are the primary forage, but Hackney stresses going with mixed natural colors to imitate a mixed bag of forage, such as bluegills, perch, or various minnows. Color can be essential in clear water, where bass feed heavily based on eyesight.
3. Use multi-bladed spinnerbaits in clear water. Akin to the school-imitating qualities of an Alabama Rig, multi-bladed spinnerbaits emit extra flash and vibration that bass rarely pass on. These baits have become a clear water mainstay for Hackney, who’s confident the extra flash consistently leads to more bites.
4. Target windblown sides of cover or structure. Spinnerbaits shine where the water is churned up thanks to a combination of reduced visibility and an activated food chain. Focus your efforts on the windward side of areas like grass beds, points, and windblown shorelines.
5. Use a faster retrieve speed in clear water. Again, bass in clear waters are accustomed to feeding with sight. Speed is a trigger in these environments and reduces the chances of bass inspecting and determining your bait for a hoax.
6. Use a slower retrieve with tandem or single-bladed spinnerbaits in dirty water. A slower cadence and hard thump provide bass the opportunity to feel and find the lure with its lateral line. Hackney thinks that the visual impact of a multi-bladed spinnerbait is less critical when bass can’t see it as well.
7. Deflect the spinnerbait throughout the retrieve by contacting cover and/or rod tip manipulation (popping, pulling, varying retrieve speed). Changes are a key way to trigger bass bites.
8. Choose a 6.4:1 gear ratio casting reel most of the time. According to Hackney, a 6.4:1 reel (or in that range) is the optimal blend of speed and power. He will step up to a 7.4:1 on a limited basis when burning spinnerbaits.
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Why can’t I find this spinner bait anywhere? I know they make the Booyah super shad but I’m wanting the hack attack select with the four blades that he’s talking about I didn’t know another company made them so I’m guessing booyah copied hack attack
I don't fish for a living, but I personally can't see the need for a reel with a super fast retrieve ratio. It's simply overkill in my opinion. Anything over 6:1 is unnecessary to my way of thinking. I always find it easier to speed up my retrieve with a 5.6 : 1 or even 5.3:1 gear ratio than it is to slow down a lure enough with a higher speed reel. The larger spool diameter of a round body reel, like an Ambassadeur 5500, will also take in more line per turn of the reel handle than any of the super compact body styles.
I looove spinner bait fishing. Caught my PB smallmouth on one by matching the color of baitfish to spinnerbait color. Great video!
Great stuff
So much knowledge. Great video Greg.
The striking even make this spinnerbait
Gotta love a good blade bite!
I love the single blade spinnerbaits that make tons of vibration on the muddy Savannah river. When I start seeing those little shad popping I will throw those silver multiple blade spinnerbaits that have the smaller blades.
Burning a spinnerbait in clear water for spotted bass is some of the most fun you’ll have.
Spinnerbait is my #1 confidence bait. I throw a 3/8oz – 3oz white/chart double willowleaf blade spinnerbait all year long for largies, smallies, pike,and musky. It's my favorite bait to throw.
I can throw it all day and keep feeling like it's going to work and it does.
The only change I make is adding a trailer hook.
😍😍
👍👍
Hack Attack is a legend! It’s almost weird seeing him not fishing in a tourney.
War Eagle makes a killer gold shiner spinnerbait and replacement skirt. Mouse is a great color too.
Thanks for the info, Greg! Definitely going to put our spinnerbait to good use this season
My favorite fisherman of all time!!! He fishes the way I like to fish, only soooooo much better, HAHAhA!!! I would love to be able to fish with him, two LOUISIANA boys working'em over!!! Thanks Greg!!!
That man has 4 blades on his spinnerbait🤤😱
Excellent
Spot on! I’m a spinnerbait kinda guy.. buzzbait shhshh yo mouth.;
Greg looks like he lost a lot of weight
I've been on a spinnerbait bite for the past few days. 10+ within 3 or 4 hours
He's not lying, I haven't thrown a spinnerbait in ten years. Looks like it's time to pick one up.
Good information 👍
This is good stuff. Thank you Gregg
I fish a spinner all year long. It never disappoints.