Blade Your Way to Mid Summer Eyes


The most successful fisherman have become adept at applying all of the aforementioned techniques. While all methods can produce all year long; they’re not always the most productive method for that particular moment. Being able to read the conditions and adjusting your presentation can keep you on the fish.

Good “bladders” have learned that one of the most consistent producers across the country has been a spinner and live bait combination. Spinners are designed to add flash and vibration to live bait like crawlers, leeches, and minnows. Flash and vibration is delivered by a revolving blade at the front of the bait. Different blade shapes and sizes can vary the amount of vibration produced and they can also add a splash of color. Northland Tackle’s new Rock’n Rainbow Spinner comes with a new level of vibration and has an erratic and kind of crazy action that can drive walleyes nuts and is something they haven’t seen before. It’s available in some great colors and comes with a one or two hook harness.

The standard spinner comes tied with a pre-determined leader length, and can restrict its use. The Rock’n Rainbow has a short length of leader that holds the main body of the bait together and has no extended leader. Leader length is determined by the user which allows you the flexibility to adjust the length for each set of conditions.

One of the most common uses for a spinner employs the use of a bottom bouncer and a three or four foot snell. Popularized on the western reservoirs; bottom bouncers have allowed anglers to troll spinners through some pretty tough neighborhoods including rock, timber, and certain weeds. The wire tip of a bouncer keeps the bait elevated in the “zone” and out of the junk when used properly. The proper use includes keeping the bouncer as straight up and down as possible. If you get past a 45 degree angle on the line you have out to stay with the bottom the bouncer is going to lay down and lose all of it’s snag resistant properties. If you need the speed to trigger the fish you’re after it’s best to go up in bouncer size to keep it all under control and might mean using one as heavy as three or four ounces. The depth and speed you are trolling will determine the size bouncer that is required and the key is to go as light as you can while keeping the line as straight up and down as possible.


Hanging on to a trolling rod all day can be tough on the body and a set of rod holders can make the chore much easier, but don’t get lazy. Good fishermen like to keep a rod in their hands for a couple of reasons; the first being the feel. If you’re hanging on you can tell if you’re getting hit and missed and know it right a way, which allows for quick bait replacement. It also allows you to set the hooks on the strike which can increase your strike to fish landed ratio. The second reason is the ability to add some extra

