Fishing with a spinnerbait is an awesome way to catch aggressive bass, especially in murky or stained water. Reaction baits like the spinnerbait can be a great option year-round and can really shine when bass are active.
A spinnerbait without a trailer is often times more than enough to trigger a bass into striking. However, there are certain times when adding a trailer will enhance your overall presentation and increase your chances of catching more fish.
In this article I share with you the best spinnerbait trailers that I’ve found work extremely well and the things you should consider when deciding when to add a spinnerbait trailer to your lure presentation.
Are Trailers Needed for Spinnerbaits?
When it comes to fishing with a spinnerbait one of the most common questions anglers ask is: do you put a trailer on a spinnerbait? The answer is absolutely. Most anglers will add a spinnerbait trailer when: fishing slow, in cold water or when they want to add some more bulk or action to their overall lure presentation.
On the other hand, in clear water situations many anglers prefer a smaller profile and tend to shy away from using a spinnerbait trailer or they stick with a smaller more finesse swimbait trailer.
When to Add a Spinnerbait Trailer
Although some anglers prefer to throw a spinnerbait without a trailer there are some situations when adding a trailer can make a huge difference in your success.
Here are some general guidelines to help you decide when adding a spinnerbait trailer may make sense.
When to Add a Spinnerbait Trailer
- Cold water
- Need a bigger profile
- Fishing slow or deep
- Need more action/water displacement
When to Not Add a Spinnerbait Trailer
- Clear water
- Finesse situations
- When you are fishing fast
- When using a trailer hook
Keep in mind these are only general rules and should be used as a starting point.
Make sure to check out My Recommended Bass Fishing Gear and Tackle Guide to ensure you have the right gear for your next fishing adventure.
The 5 Best Spinnerbait Trailers
Keitech Swing Impact Swimbait
The Keitech Swing Impact and FAT Swing Impact are deadly spinnerbait trailers and ones that I find myself using the most. This bait flat out gets it done.
The distinct swinging action is what really makes this paddle tail bait stand out. It’s well balanced and runs great at any speed, making it a great option when paired with a spinnerbait.
I’ve found the 3.8” works the best when paired with smaller spinnerbaits and the 4.3” is a great option when throwing larger spinnerbaits.
Adding the Keitech Swing Impact Swimbait will not only give your spinnerbait some unique secondary action but will also provide a target for them to strike when the flash and vibration of your spinnerbait draws them in.
The unique action and squid like scent of this soft plastic bait makes it difficult for any nearby bass to resist. If you haven’t already I would definitely recommend pairing your spinnerbait with a Keitech swimbait trailer.
Fluke
Another great trailer option that you should consider adding to your spinnerbaits is a Zoom Fluke. This classic bait has been a proven fish catcher for years and pairs well with a spinnerbait.
This soft plastic bait doesn’t put out as much action as others on this list which makes it a great option for when you are fishing in cold water.
The Zoom Fluke is also available in a variety of different colors so that you can easily match the hatch on you home waters and pair it with just about any spinnerbait.
If you are looking to add a trailer to your spinnerbait and you plan on fishing in the early spring or fall, then the Zoom Fluke is a must add to your spinnerbait trailer collection.
Z-Man Slim Swimz Swimbait
The Slim Swimz Swimbait by Z-Man is a killer finesse spinnerbait trailer that is both durable and effective. If you haven’t already I would definitely recommend giving this small swimbait a try.
The Z Man Slilm Swimz is a scaled-down paddle tail swimbait that perfectly matches small baitfish and will drive bass crazy especially in finesse fishing situations.
This spinnerbait trailer works especially well for smallmouth and spotted bass. They simply can’t resist the subtle action of this finesses swimbait when matched up with the right spinnerbait.
This bait also come in a variety of colors and is made with Elaztech plastic making it durable and long lasting.
Tip: Do not mix these baits with other soft plastics the ElaZtech material will melt and cause issues. It’s best to keep these in their original packaging and separated for other baits.
Zako Swimbait
The Zako Swimbait is one of my all-time favorite chatterbait trailers but it also works extremely well when matched up with a spinnerbait.
This bait was designed specifically as a trailer for spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs. It has a tight flickering action on the tail and won’t wobble as much as the Keitech paddle tails.
As far as the bait itself it has a large belly and a baitfish profile making it ideal for mimicking small bait fish like blue gill and shad.
The Zako Swimbait is also available in all of the Yamamoto’s signature colors giving you a ton of options to match the hatch.
If you are looking to add a quality soft plastic bait to your spinnerbait presentation than the Zako Swimbait is a great option.
Grub
The grub is another classic bass fishing soft plastic bait that works extremely well when paired with a spinnerbait.
I like to use both a single and double tail grub and will match the size of the grub with the size of the spinnerbait that I am throwing.
There are a ton of different soft plastic grub options out there but In my opinion you can’t go wrong a Yamamoto Double Tail Grub.
They make excellent spinner bait trailers and will allow you to slow down your retrieve and get more bites. They also come in a wide variety of colors and are proven fish catchers.
Another great grub option is the Big Bite Baits Finesse Grub it comes in both a single tail and double tail version.
Adding the right grub can be an excellent way to add some bulk to your spinnerbait and trigger more bass into striking. The grub should be a staple in any bass fishing anglers tackle box.
Spinnerbait FAQ
Do you put trailers on spinnerbaits? Yes, spinnerbait trailers can enhance your chances of getting more bites and help you hook more fish. However, spinnerbaits can also be fished without using a trailer and are often times preferred in clear water conditions. For more information about the importance of a spinnerbait trailer check out this article on bassmaster.com
What is the best spinnerbait? Nowadays there are plenty of great spinnerbaits out on the market but there are some that stand out above all the others. For me the best spinnerbaits are the River2Sea Bling, Revenge Deep Runner and the War Eagle Screamin’ Eagle
What line should I use with a spinnerbait? The best line choice for spinnerbaits is typically going to be 10-16lb fluorocarbon. However, line choice often comes down to personal preference and the type of structure and water clarity you are fishing in.
Final Thoughts
Adding a trailer to your spinnerbait presentation can be a great way to catch some more bass in cold and dirty water situations.
The right trailer will add secondary action and provide a bass with a target to strike making it easier for them to locate your lure and for you to connect with more fish.
If you haven’t already considering adding a spinnerbait trailer in these situations, you’ll be glad you did.
Tight Lines