Spinner Bait upkeep

[hooks4bass]

 
After reading an old post about cleaning spinner bait blades, and considering the amount of work and time involved, I would replace the bait altogether, I've always seen spinner baits as more of an expendable item. You can buy the components thru Janns Netcrafter, you get a newly sharp hook, and new blades and skirts. I have 20+ spinner baits, I'm just going to replace the lot of them and upgrade the skirts, from silicone to "lumaflex"(sold by a different source). Actually going to up the number to  30 baits (3 different weights, 10 each 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 oz) for less then $50. I'm also upgrading the skirts, from silicone to "lumaflex" and swapping out some nickel willow leaves for brass Colorado blades. IMHO, that might be the best route.

[Mike Cork]

Sounds like a plan. I'm with you in that spinnerbaits don't last forever. I've lost many fish before because the arm broke. So before I do that again I usually chunk them.

Using the Lumaflex just make sure that you dry them completely before storing them. This can be done quickly by waving your rod back and forth a couple times while its still tied to the line.

[Curt - RI]

Typically, the wire on the spinnerbait will get stressed out and will eventually break. This usually happens at the R bend.

Instead of chucking them in the trash, try to salvage some parts from them, such as the blades, swivels, etc. Keeping these spare parts in the boat is a good way to repair a spinnerbait on the water, if you're in a pinch.