14 NEBRASKAland • JULY 2018
Tuning
Buzzbaits and
Spinnerbaits
By Larry Kurrus
Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits can be
two of the most exciting and versatile
lures in your tacklebox. But when one
of these lures start to run crooked, or
turns sideways completely, they can
become extremely annoying to say the
least.
To get the most out of these lures,
they may need to be tuned so that
they run properly. Maybe one of the
following tricks may help.
First, the blade arm on both baits
should line up with the hook so that
when you look down the arm it should
be straight or in line with the point of
the hook. If not, bend the arm until it
lines up with the hook.
If that does not work, change your
skirt to a larger one, and add a trailer
hook if you like. If your bait is still not
acceptable, you can even add a worm
or one of the newer "creature baits"
that have become so popular lately.
But, if you like the creature bait idea,
you will probably have to remove the
trailer hook.
If those ideas fail and your lure is
still not running straight, you will
probably have
to change
the blades on your baits. For your
spinnerbaits, for example, if you have
a No. 5 blade, change it to a No. 4
or even a No. 3. You can also change
blade type. For instance, switch a
Colorado for a willowleaf because the
latter will have less resistance due to its
design.
For your buzzbaits, you can, with
some difficulty, change your blades to a
smaller size.
Lastly, if nothing seems to help, slow
down your retrieve a little. Some of
the gear ratios on the newer reels may
be too fast for some baits. Watch your
baits closely. They will tell you when
the speed is right.
Then, if absolutely nothing works, it
may be time for some new baits. ■
PHOTOS
BY
JEFF
KURRUS
If it continues to swim astray, you might
add a trailer to it, such as a creature bait.
Changing the blade type is also an option
for a spinnerbait not running straight.
If a spinnerbait
runs crooked,
first make sure
the blade arm lines
up with the hook.
