The best trailer for a spinnerbait is the one that precisely matches the prevailing water clarity, target species, and the retrieve speed you intend to employ. While no single trailer reigns supreme, a curly tail grub offering versatile action and profile often serves as an excellent starting point, adaptable to various situations.
Understanding Spinnerbait Trailers: A Deep Dive
Spinnerbaits are incredibly versatile lures, but their effectiveness can be significantly enhanced by using the right trailer. The trailer adds bulk, profile, action, and even color, creating a more enticing presentation for predatory fish. Choosing the optimal trailer involves understanding how each type interacts with the water and the spinnerbait itself. This comprehensive guide explores the nuances of spinnerbait trailers, helping you unlock their full potential.
The Key Considerations for Choosing a Trailer
Selecting the ideal trailer involves a strategic assessment of several crucial factors:
- Water Clarity: Murky water calls for trailers with increased visibility and vibration, while clear water demands more subtle presentations.
- Target Species: Bass, pike, and other predatory fish have different preferences regarding size, profile, and action.
- Retrieve Speed: Faster retrieves require trailers that can withstand the speed and maintain a lifelike action, while slower retrieves benefit from trailers with inherent movement.
- Spinnerbait Size and Blade Configuration: A larger spinnerbait with willow leaf blades might call for a different trailer than a smaller spinnerbait with Colorado blades.
- Presentation Style: Are you fishing shallow, deep, or around cover? The trailer should complement your chosen technique.
Common Trailer Types and Their Applications
Several trailer types are available, each possessing unique characteristics that make them suitable for specific scenarios. Let’s examine some of the most popular options:
1. Curly Tail Grubs
Curly tail grubs are arguably the most versatile spinnerbait trailer. Their iconic curly tail provides a tantalizing swimming action that attracts fish in various conditions. They are readily available in a vast array of colors, sizes, and profiles, making them easily adaptable to different situations.
- Advantages: Versatile, readily available, wide range of colors and sizes, creates excellent swimming action.
- Disadvantages: May not be the best choice for extremely heavy cover.
2. Paddle Tail Swimbaits
Paddle tail swimbaits offer a realistic profile and a powerful swimming action that mimics baitfish. They are particularly effective in clear water and when targeting larger fish.
- Advantages: Realistic profile, strong swimming action, excellent for targeting larger fish.
- Disadvantages: Can be too aggressive in murky water or during pressured fishing conditions.
3. Split Tail Trailers
Split tail trailers, such as the Yamamoto Hula Grub, provide a subtle action and a more compact profile. They are ideal for clear water and when targeting fish that are wary or pressured.
- Advantages: Subtle action, compact profile, excellent for clear water and pressured fish.
- Disadvantages: May not generate enough vibration in murky water.
4. Chunk Trailers
Chunk trailers, often made of soft plastic or pork rind, add bulk and a distinctive profile to the spinnerbait. They are particularly effective when fishing around heavy cover.
- Advantages: Adds bulk, distinctive profile, excellent for fishing around heavy cover, durable.
- Disadvantages: Can sometimes dampen the spinnerbait’s action.
5. Trailers with Flashing Additives
These specialized trailers incorporate features like embedded glitter or holographic finishes to maximize light reflection and visibility in the water. They can be particularly effective in low-light conditions or stained water.
- Advantages: Highly visible, attracts attention in low-light or stained water.
- Disadvantages: Can sometimes be too flashy in clear water.
6. No Trailer: The “Naked” Approach
Believe it or not, sometimes the best trailer is no trailer at all. Stripping the skirt off the spinnerbait completely can create a more streamlined profile, increasing vibration and flash. This technique is often employed in clear water or when fish are keyed in on smaller prey.
- Advantages: Streamlined profile, increased vibration and flash (with blade movement).
- Disadvantages: May not offer enough bulk in certain situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Spinnerbait Trailers
Here are some common questions anglers have about spinnerbait trailers:
FAQ 1: What color trailer should I use?
A: Trailer color should generally match the prevalent baitfish in your area or complement the skirt color of your spinnerbait. In clear water, natural colors like greens, browns, and silvers are effective. In murky water, brighter colors like white, chartreuse, and orange can increase visibility. Consider using contrasting colors to create a more distinct presentation.
FAQ 2: Should I always use a trailer hook?
A: A trailer hook can increase your hook-up ratio, particularly when fish are striking short. However, it can also snag more easily in heavy cover. Consider using a trailer hook in open water or when targeting fish that are known to nip at the spinnerbait. Use smaller trailer hooks to avoid affecting the spinnerbait’s action.
FAQ 3: How do I rig a spinnerbait trailer?
A: The most common method is to thread the trailer onto the spinnerbait hook, ensuring it is securely positioned and aligned with the spinnerbait’s body. For paddle tails, make sure the paddle tail is free to move and generate action. For split tail trailers, ensure the split tails are separated and not sticking together.
FAQ 4: Does trailer size matter?
A: Yes, trailer size significantly impacts the overall presentation. Larger trailers add bulk and profile, which can be advantageous when targeting larger fish or fishing in murky water. Smaller trailers offer a more subtle presentation, suitable for clear water or pressured fish. Match the trailer size to the size of the spinnerbait and the prevalent baitfish.
FAQ 5: Can I use two trailers at once?
A: While not common, using two trailers can create a unique and attention-grabbing presentation. For example, you could combine a curly tail grub with a paddle tail swimbait. Experimentation is key, but be mindful of the overall balance and action of the spinnerbait.
FAQ 6: What is the best trailer for slow-rolling spinnerbaits?
A: For slow-rolling spinnerbaits, a trailer with inherent action, even at slow speeds, is ideal. Curly tail grubs and paddle tail swimbaits are excellent choices. Consider using a heavier trailer to help the spinnerbait stay deeper in the water column.
FAQ 7: How does blade type affect my trailer choice?
A: The blade type influences the overall vibration and flash of the spinnerbait. Colorado blades produce the most vibration and are well-suited for murky water. Willow leaf blades produce less vibration and more flash, making them ideal for clear water. Indiana blades offer a balance between vibration and flash. Your trailer choice should complement the blade type; for example, a trailer with added vibration may be unnecessary with Colorado blades.
FAQ 8: What is the best trailer for fishing around weeds?
A: When fishing around weeds, a trailer with a streamlined profile that resists snagging is essential. Consider using a soft plastic trailer or even trimming the skirt of the spinnerbait to reduce its bulk. A trailer hook with a weed guard can also be helpful.
FAQ 9: Should I use a trailer keeper?
A: A trailer keeper, a small barb or wire attached to the spinnerbait hook, helps to secure the trailer and prevent it from sliding down the hook. This is particularly useful when using soft plastic trailers that can tear easily.
FAQ 10: Can I scent my spinnerbait trailer?
A: Yes, adding scent to your spinnerbait trailer can increase its effectiveness, especially in murky water or when targeting finicky fish. Use a scent that complements the trailer color and the natural forage in the area.
FAQ 11: What are the best brands for spinnerbait trailers?
A: Several reputable brands offer high-quality spinnerbait trailers, including Yamamoto, Zoom, Strike King, and Berkley. Experiment with different brands to find the trailers that you prefer and that perform best in your local waters.
FAQ 12: Should I change my trailer depending on the time of year?
A: Yes, the ideal trailer can change depending on the time of year and the behavior of the fish. During the spring spawning season, larger, more aggressive trailers may be effective. In the heat of summer, smaller, more subtle trailers may be more appealing. Pay attention to the prevailing conditions and adjust your trailer accordingly.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Spinnerbait Trailer Selection
Choosing the best trailer for your spinnerbait is an ongoing process of experimentation and refinement. By understanding the factors that influence trailer performance and the characteristics of different trailer types, you can dramatically improve your angling success. Remember to consider water clarity, target species, retrieve speed, spinnerbait characteristics, and presentation style when making your selection. Embrace the journey of discovery, and you’ll unlock the full potential of this incredibly versatile lure.