OF THE MYRIAD lure companies that make spinnerbaits, relatively few of them offer models that weigh more than 1/2 ounce. Although 1/2-ounce and lighter spinnerbaits handle most situations, there are times when heavier sizes sack more and bigger bass.
During the late ’80s and early ’90s, heavy spinnerbaits were more in vogue. Veteran Bassmaster Elite Series pro Mark Menendez of Kentucky made good use of them then, and he continues to do so today.
“It seems like in the early ’90s we were fishing dingy water most of the time,” Menendez said. “Our reservoirs have cleared up as they’ve gotten older. Fishing a spinnerbait has gotten a lot more tactical because of that.”
By tactical, Menendez means he reserves spinnerbaits of all sizes for conditions that limit visibility for the bass. That includes dingy to muddy water, low light and windy weather that roils the surface.
Spring
Since stained to muddy water is common in springtime, Menendez puts
