Whether you are just getting into catching bass or have been doing it for years, it is important to keep up to date on all the techniques and equipment to make sure you are getting the most out of your fishing time. Understanding underspin lures and techniques can help bass fishermen in the United States catch more bass. If you are new to underspins, then here is the information you will need to become familiar enough with them to start using them.
What are Underspin Lures?
An underspin reel is a kind of lightweight reel that incorporates the latest technology and years of research. They are easy to use which makes them popular for children and beginners, but even experienced fishermen can use them to add some challenge to their fishing time.
Underspin reels may also be called trigger spin reels. They combine elements from spinning and spin cast reels and change under the standard spinning rods just as the spinning reels do. Unlike a regular spinning reel, they add a trigger that helps make casting easier.
Underspin lures started off as small chenille and marabou lures that were usually only used by crappie fishers. They were generally only used in clear water or heavily pressured bass, but they were generally not used for people wanting to catch bigger gamefish.
This kind of thinking changed when Casey Ashley won the Bassmaster Classic in 2015 using an underspin. After that, people began to pay a lot more attention to the underspin lure. Because of the attention, underspin lures have started to evolve as demand increases.
Now, underspin lures have a realistic fish head made to look like a baitfish and a high-quality hook to catch and land bigger fish. Most models also come with a ball-bearing swivel so the blade will spin with small movements of the jig.
Best Underspin Lure Setup
You will want to make sure you look for a sturdy hook when choosing an underspin lure. You should also pay attention to the ball-bearing swivel to make sure it will spin easily and constantly.
They also come in different sizes that you will have to choose between. The ⅜-ounce version is the best if you are doing shore fishing and looking for something versatile. It is also a great option for people just getting started. This model should have a 3.5 blade which is a good compliment to the lure size.
The next best option is the ¼-ounce that works best in water under 6-8 feet deep. This smaller lure needs a smaller blade, so you should find one with a number 3 blade. Bigger blades on smaller lures will cause a torque on the head.
Most underspin lures have a nickel-silver-colored blade which is the most common because it works in most conditions. There are other options like brass or chartreuse blades that are good when the water is murky. You may want to have a couple of different options to change out at different times of the year.
Underspin lures work best when you have the right equipment. Using a 7-foot rod is typically the best option. You also want the casting rod to be medium-heavy. You should also get a casting reel that is 6.3:1. A 10-pound fluorocarbon line will also work best.
How to Fish Underspin Lures
Bass usually rely heavily on their ears to find food by sensing nearby vibrations. Because underspins are more of a sight-oriented technique, that means that clear water is an ideal situation to use them in. There are situations in which you can have success in muddier water (like schooling situations), but generally, you will have more success in clear water.
Understanding bass behavior will help you be a more effective fisherman. Bass tend to look upward when they are suspended. This helps them to keep an eye out for airborne predators to dodge, and it also helps them find more fish to eat. Because of this, it is important that you keep the lure above the bass to help you get more bites.
Underspins are the perfect choice for fish suspended in 10-20 feet of water. You can keep distant enough from the fish so you don’t scare it away, but you will also be able to cover more water. Steadily winding in the underspin will probably get you a bass if you keep at it all day, but there are other techniques to help you catch more.
You want to get the bass to react to the movement of the lure, so creating more movement will help you do that. If you work in pauses and small jerks while you are retrieving, you will have more luck. Bass are wary of lures, so these jerks and pauses will help trigger their predatory instincts to help them overcome the suspicions they have about the lure. The small pauses and jerks also help mirror the behavior of the small fish which will draw in the bass.
You also want to make sure you set the hook correctly. An aggressive hookset may be your first instinct, but it will cause you to lose most of the fish that bite when you use an underspin. When you first get a bite, don’t pull back. They may have missed at first, so keep reeling steadily until the rod begins to load. When there is a solid bend in your rod, keep good tension and keep reeling. Don’t jerk or pull or jump the rod, just keep pulling slowly and steadily.
When to Use Underspin Lures
Anywhere there is cover or structure holding the fish is great to use this setup. You can fish in laydowns, grass, points, rock piles, flooded timber, or docks. The baits are sturdy enough to go in and come out of anywhere without you having to worry about it.
As we stated previously, clear water is going to work best for this type of lure. Clear water where the sun can catch the blade and make it more appealing to the bass is going to attract more fish.
Fishing for bass can happen at any time of the year, but you will likely get more luck in the spring or the fall. Bass are cold-blooded so they will be sluggish in the winter and it will be harder to catch anything. Bass fishing in the spring is ideal because they start to move towards shallow areas and are eating more after slowing down in the winter.
Best Underspin Lure Guide
While there are many different kinds and varieties of underspin lures, it may seem overwhelming at first to narrow down your choices and know which one will work the best. Here are our top 5 recommended underspin lures to help you get started.
- Coolbaits Lure Company Down Under Underspin – This lure helps to deliver a flash and lifelike presentation. It has textured gill plates and 3-D eyes to make it more realistic. There is a ball-bearing swivel molded in the head so the blade can move unrestricted.
- XFISHMAN Underspin Jig Heads – The spinner blade attached to the weight helps to deliver more flash to attract bass to your lure. It also helps to hook the fish so you can retrieve it quickly.
- Harmony Fishing Razor Series Underspin Swimbait Hook – This lure has a screw-lock bait keeper and baits pegs to keep your bait attached to your hook. The spinning blade draws in fish that may be further away.
- GUYOUKE Weighted Underspin Swimbait Hooks – This lure has a screw-lock, a super sharp hood, and a weighted lead. It also has a barrel swivel with a willow leaf blade. A spring pin will help to keep the bait in place and a twist-lock helps soft lures not slide. The hook is a big crank hook with an extra-wide gap to accommodate all kinds of lures. The spinning blade flashes and vibrates to help attract more fish.
- HETH Weighted Swimbait Hooks with Silver Underspin – This lure comes in a variety of sizes to help you adapt to different fishing techniques and environments. The black hook helps to conceal it from the fish and it is made of carbon steel for strength, flexibility, and anti-corrosive properties. The counterweight and screw lock will make the swimming posture natural and attract more fish.
Whether you are a long-time bass fisherman or are just looking to get started, adding underspin lures to your tackle box can go a long way towards helping you catch even more fish than before. While it may seem a little complicated at first, it won’t take you long to get the hang of using this type of lure. The best thing you can do is jump in and give it a try and you will be surprised at how quickly you can pick it up. Pairing a variety of lures with the techniques described above will help you get the most out of your time on the lake or stream and help you come away happy and with lots of fish.
