Blade Baits are one of the oldest baits known to bass fisherman everywhere. We have fishing lure makers such as James Heddon to thank for such ingenious creations. Heddon, who can be credited with making the first artificial lure in 1894. Heddon was also known to have created the most productive lures in history. Some of which are still widely used to this day such as the Heddon Zara Spook.
In 1959 Heddon created the first blade bait known as the “Sonar”. This simple lure consisted nothing more of a thin piece of metal with strategically placed lead. Sending off a vibration and flash this uncomplicated bait is sure to be found irresistible to fish. Along offering “bling” to a bass this bait is quite versatile. This lure is only limited to your imagination, when it comes to the many ways you can fish it. With a Blade Bait you can crank them, rip them, slow-roll them, or even jig them. With the flash of the blade and the vibrations sent out, you are sure to attract a fish triggering a reaction strike.
The obvious bait this lure is imitating would a “shad”. There are a few different ways to actually fish this lure. You can look for balls of shad and try imitating a dying shad by letting the lure sink to the bottom then slow-rolling it. You can fish it like you would a jig by letting it sink to the bottom and bump it along the lake floor. This form would work great on rocky or sandy bottoms. You can also fish it as you would a spoon and rip it through various depths. Let your imagine run wild with this bait and venture out into new territory for yourself. Another way to fish this bait would be to simply fish as you would a drop shot, but taking it to a whole new level. Let the lure sink to the bottom and raise your pole up at a high speed 2 to 3 feet approximately. Let it sink back down and repeat again and again. With the lead head on the front of this lure, it creates a vibration along with a shiny eye-catching flash.
When it comes to bass fishing a good deal of us are guilty of throwing the same baits over and over again. We become “comfortable” with only certain things and stick to them with loyalty. This can actually be our downfall as it keeps us from “changing things up”. The Blade Bait not only has a unique look about it, but is quite versatile and is hardly ever used. How can it not catch fish? The way I see it is if the majority of the bass fisherman are all using the same thing and only a handful are using a Blade Bait…..I’m going with the Blade Bait. With today’s lake pressure and bass becoming used to seeing the same old lures day after day you have to change your way of thinking, even if this means using a piece of history to create your future in fishing. Stand out, be different, change it up, think about what the other guys “are not” doing and go for it.
I do believe it is safe to say that history does in fact repeat itself.
Stay safe and see you on the water!
Daryl