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Secret Weapons for Cold Blooded Bass
February 2007
 If you’re a spinnerbait lover it’s awful hard to put one down when the weather is warm and bite is on. But during this time of the year even hardcore spinnerbait anglers’ minds seem to change when the water temperatures plunge to the 47 to 55 degree range. I must admit in times past I was one of those. I caught bass occasionally on spinner baits during the winter, but truthfully I became frustrated because of the lack of performance with the baits I was using.
I wanted a spinnerbait that I could fish extremely slowly but yet the blades would continually turn with the slightest lift of my rod tip. I wanted a bait where the blades would turn and I could feel the thump as it fell. I wanted a spinnerbait that resembled a baitfish with the color selection of crankbaits. I guess I always felt that a spinnerbait with these qualities would make a great difference in catching or not catching bass in cold water. It wasn’t until Mr. Rick McFerrin, owner of Tennessee Bass Guides introduced me to Mr. Joe Haubenreich, president of the Secret Weapon Lure Company, that my search came to an end.
As a tournament angler, occasional outdoor writer, guide, seminar speaker, and fishing instructor, I want to share with you some tips that I have discovered while fishing a Secret Weapon Spinnerbait. I’m confident that Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits can help the beginner and the Pro-level angler improve their cold water spinnerbait success.
Slow Down for Lethargic Bass
One important fact to remember when fishing in water less than 55 degrees: bass, especially largemouth, can become very lethargic during this time. In summer months bass may go on a feeding spree multiple times during the day, and because of the warmer water temperature they can digest their meals very quickly. But in the winter it’s different. The colder water doesn’t allow their digestive systems to function nearly as quickly; their metabolism slows and so do their feeding habits. They still feed but the time between feeding is longer. That is why I am convinced that it is absolutely imperative to use a bait that will stay in the strike zone for as long a time as possible. Using a slow methodical presentation, keeping the bait right in front of their nose makes a world of difference. This is why, if you’re a true spinnerbait lover that Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits will give you that extra edge in cold water.
Why Secret Weapon?
Let’s begin with design. The last thing you want to do when fish are lethargic is to over fish your spinnerbait. I can hear people right now say, “What are you talking about, Tim?” Let me give you an example. With many of the old spinnerbaits I used, you had to constantly pick up speed just to keep the blades rotating. And when that happened it shortened the length of time the bait stayed in the strike zone. Folks, this is very important and a key difference between Secret Weapon and other baits: it doesn’t matter if you’re fishing a Secret Weapon in a vertical presentation for suspended bass over humps, bluffs or ledges or in a horizontal presentation over flats — these blades are going to turn at the slightest pull and continue to turn almost as slow as you want to crank.
You see Secret Weapon gives you the best of both worlds. You can have the performance and characteristics of a short arm and a long arm spinnerbait all in one package with all of their strengths and none of the weaknesses. And with the quick change system, I can take my three favorite sizes (3/16-, 5/16-, and 9/16-ounce) and have dozens of configurations.
That is “why Secret Weapon?”This is what sets Secret Weapon apart from the competition. More vibration, less roll over rotation at slower speeds, interchangeable blade attachments without tools, hook point aligned for maximum hook sets, heavy gauge stainless steel frame, rock hard powder coat base, minnow shaped heads, blood spot, 3-D eyes, keeper barb for rattle collar or plastic trailer and Mustad Ultra Point Long Shaft Hooks for easy penetration and durability.
Cold Weather Spinnerbaiting Equipment Recommendations
My all-round favorite size is 5/16-ounce. However the 3/16-ounce with double Colorado blades is deadly when the fish move shallow as the water begins to warm up and their spawning instincts begin to kick in. The 5/16-ounce with Colorado blade is my #1 choice when I’m targeting suspended fish and covering a lot of water. I like to throw a single willowleaf around rocks in less than 8 feet of water. The 9/16-ounce is my “upgrade”choice when I need a larger bait because of strong current, wind or keeping constant contact with the bottom.
I fish these baits on what I consider to be the best spinnerbait rod made -- the All Pro (www.allprorods.com) APX APX7MHCA7’. This 7-foot medium-heavy power casting rod is ultra sensitive and extremely powerful. When you combine the thump of a Secret Weapon blade and the feel of the APX, it’s unbelievable. My reel choice is a 5:2:1 ratio with 17-pound test line.
My favorite wintertime colors are. Rock Craw (#308), White Shiner (#103), Threadfin Shad (#107), Smallmouth Special (#308) and Chartreuse Shiner (#208), but you can never go wrong with the many colors that are available in the Secret Weapon Line.
Closing Thoughts
I sincerely hope that these tips will help you on your next cold water spinnerbait outing. When you weigh in that 5- or 6-pound bass at the scales and someone asks you what you caught it on, just tell them a Secret Weapon!
I invite everyone to continue to visit Secret Weapon Lures and Tennessee Bass Guides for great up-to-date fishing reports and information that you can use.
Don’t forget to put God first, think safety, respect others, snatch hard and God bless.
Tim Mason
Tim Mason lives in Hopkinsville, Kentucky near Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake where he guides twelve months a year. Read his weekly fishing reports at TennesseeBassGuides.com. To book a guided bass fishing trip, contact Rick McFerrin at Tennessee Bass Guides, P.O. Box 352, Woodbury TN 37190. Phone 615-765-7303 (office) or 615-308-9936 (cell) or e-mail McFerrin.
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