Entry 153-2
Denny Brauer on November Bassing
Why Fish Spinner Baits Now
Editor’s Note: Denny Brauer has been fishing in professional bass tournaments since 1980. A twelve-time winner in Bassmasters tournaments, Brauer was named Angler of the Year in 1987 and holds the money winnings record on the Bassmasters’ circuit. Brauer also won the FLW Tour Angler of the Year in 1998 and is the first angler to be featured on the Wheaties cereal box.
Question: Why do you suggest using spinner baits in November to catch bass?
Brauer: The buzzbait and the spinner bait are your one, two punches for fall bass fishing. Once the sun comes up in the morning, bass won’t hit a buzzbait. Instead, try fishing a spinner bait in the same areas you were fishing the buzzbait. If the day is windy or overcast, the bass may bite a buzzbait all day. If the bass don’t bite the buzzbait, then re-fish the same spots using a spinner bait. First, scatter the shad. Next, fish the spinner bait around any isolated wood you locate in the backs of pockets or mud flats. Fish shad colors on your spinner bait and pull it by the isolated wood. If the water is muddy, you can use either chartreuse or orange colors.
Question: How fast is your retrieve?
Brauer: I fish the spinner bait similar to how I fish a buzzbait. I don’t want the bass to get a good look at the spinner bait, so I retrieve it quickly. Quickly, I drag the spinner bait past the bass to get a reaction strike. If the water is muddy, I slow down my retrieve. If the water is clear, I use a white spinner bait with nickel blades. In muddy water, I like to use chartreuse-and-white or orange-and-white with a nickel-indigo blade.
Question: Do you use a trailer hook?
Brauer: I use a trailer hook 100% of the time. I believe the hook is more important to use in the fall than at any other time of year, to catch bass. If I’m moving the bait fast, and the bass are short-striking, I need the trailer hook to catch them.
Question: What type of skirt do you use on your spinner bait?
Brauer: I use the new Strike King Perfect Skirt. This new skirt has longer strands that trail behind the bait, giving the lure tremendous action and hiding the trailer hook behind the bait. These new skirts really camouflage the trailer hook very well. I’ve definitely enhanced my spinner bait fishing by using Strike King’s Perfect Skirt.
Question: What pound test line do you use?
Brauer: I use 20-pound-test line, unless I’m fishing clear water. If I fish the spinner bait in clear water, I use 15- to 17-pound-test line.
Contents:
- Part 1: How to Catch Bass in November with Denny Brauer
- Part 2: Why Fish Spinner Baits Now
- Part 3: How Brauer Fishes Spit-N-King This Month
- Part 4: Why November is a Prime Month for Jig Fishing
- Part 5: Yes, I’m Cranking
