TOPIC:

I struggle with the spinner bite. I do really well with other artificials, blade baits in the fall through early spring, jigging spoons and soft plastics at times, I really like fishing small 1/8-1/3oz Cleos during the summer lifting and dropping them off the bottom. But the spinner bite is hit or miss for me.

We did okay with them Thursday. I had the boat set at between .9 and 1.3 with the trolling motor. We were fishing in shallow water, 15-23ft. We were fishing two rods each, one with 3/8 and one with 1/4. I was casting one 90 degrees to to the drift/troll and letting it hit bottom then swing around to the back of the boat. That was working best pooping it a couple times every so often. But we were also getting hits just dragging them behind the boat. It seemed like there are a lot if suspended fish. We were tipping the spinners with baby roaches or small pieces of cooked shrimp soaked in the Dr juice soft shell. Both were getting bites, but the hook ups were better with the small pieces of shrimp. I think they were just nipping at the minnow. I think we'd have done better if we stopped when we got a few quick fish and then caster in the area. I'd like to hear more about how you guys that are successful with the spinners fish them.

In the past I've had a lot of trouble with the real soft shells. I think they go bad quick. And, I can't say for sure, but I'd venture to guess that a lot of what gets sold frozen was already dead before they freeze it. If I go that route anymore, I'm buying them alive, chopping them myself and then mixing them up with shrimp to stretch it out.

When the perch are on the alewives in the summer, I've had good luck with little Cleos, fishing them un tipped. I just toss a long cast and let it sink all the way to the bottom and lift and drop it back, I fish the lightest size I can feel bottom with. In cold water the same thing works with blade baits, some days it's a fast retrieve other days just barely moving it.

The other option that works that a lot of guys don't use is bobber fishing. I'll use baby roaches or alewives most of the time, but they'll hit shrimp too. Fishing live alewives is awesome if you take the time to catch a few. Usually bigger fish on the bobbers.