One of the most common and effective lures used in bass fishing is the spinnerbait.
Spinnerbaits are used by anglers of all experience levels.
They are relatively easy to fish with and they make it through just about all forms of cover without any worry of getting hung up.
They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and lure colors, but when it comes to spinnerbait blades, you will most commonly only see two; Colorado blades and willow leaf blades.
In this article, we will discuss differences and what to expect when fishing a spinnerbait with Colorado blades vs one with willow leaf blades.
Colorado Blades
Colorado blades tend to be more rounded and wider when compared to willow leaf blades.
This makes Colorado blades great for imitating fish with broader bodies (bluegill, gizzard shad, etc.).
They have a deep, cupped shape that creates a lot of vibration as they spin and move through the water.
When compared to willow leaf blades, the vibration produced by Colorado spinnerbait blades is easily felt by nearby fish making them a great option in low visibility settings (murky water, night time).
The deeper, cupped shape of the Colorado blades that makes them great for adding vibration also tends to keep spinnerbaits higher in the water column.
This is due to the amount of water they move which in turn causes lift.
This makes Colorado bladed spinnerbaits a go-to lure when wanting to present the fish with a slower retrieve.
One situation where a slow and controlled spinnerbait retrieve can pay off is when fishing aquatic vegetation just below the surface.
A Colorado bladed spinnerbait allows you to slow down and completely control your retrieve so you can focus on seeing and feeling the deflection of your spinnerbait off the tops of vegetation in hopes of getting a reaction strike from the bass.
As great as Colorado blades perform, one of their downsides is they tend to fall short in terms of casting distance when compared to willow leaf bladed spinnerbaits.
Overall, it's not a huge difference in casting distance but it is noticeable, especially of windy days.
TIP: It's very common for bass to hit spinnerbaits from all different angles making solid hook ups an issue. If you're missing a lot of bites when spinnerbait fishing consider using a trailer hook.
Willow Leaf Blades
Willow leaf blades tend to sport a more narrow profile when compared to Colorado blades.
This makes them a solid choice for imitating baitfish of similar shapes (blueback herring, threadfin shad, etc.).
The narrow shape of willow leaf blades allows them to spin quickly and smoothly through the water.
The slender shape allows for more flash due to quick rotations of the blades but as a downside will create less vibration than Colorado blades because of having a tighter spin pattern.
The long, narrow leaf-like shape of willow leaf blades is oftentimes a favorite among anglers when wanting to fish a smaller, less intimidating profile.
Also, if you're someone who likes to cover a lot of water, willow leaf blade spinnerbaits may be a great place to start.
The fast spinning action of willow leaf blades typically requires faster retrieval speeds to keep the bait swimming at desired depths.
As mentioned above, willow leaf blades tend to allow for longer casts when compared to Colorado bladed spinnerbaits.
This can largely be attributed to the slender, aerodynamic profile of the blades.
So, Which Spinnerbait Blade is the Best?
Just like anything else in fishing - that is for you to decide based on your unique fishing situation.
The below table will help to summarize some differences between the two.
Colorado Blade | Willow Leaf Blade |
Bigger, Wider Profile | Slender, Narrow Profile |
Imitates Broader Fish (bluegill, etc.) | Imitates Slender Fish (threadfin shad, etc.) |
More Vibration | Less Vibration |
Typically Retreived Slower | Typically Retrieved Faster |
Not As Aerodynamic, Leads To Shorter Cast | More Aerodynamic, Leads To Longer Cast |
If you are fishing rainy conditions or stained water, a spinnerbait with a Colorado blade may be more effective because it creates more vibration and can be felt by the fish even in low visibility conditions.
On the other hand, if you are fishing in clear water and the fish are more finicky, a spinnerbait with a willow leaf blade may be a better choice since creating less vibration and allowing for a more subtle presentation.
If you still can't decide on which one you think is right for you, rest assured in knowing there are also spinnerbaits on the market that include both a Colorado blade and a willow leaf blade.
Something worth mentioning when choosing a spinnerbait is to also consider the blade color.
The color of the blade will play a role in attracting fish and contribute to your overall lure presentation.
Both Colorado and willow leaf blades can come in a variety of colors, but you will mainly see either silver or gold.
As a general rule of thumb, choose a color that matches the baitfish in the area OR use a contrasting color to make the spinnerbait stand out more (e.g. when fishing stained water).
TIP: Not sure what color blade to chose? Think back to the last time you saw a baitfish flash it's side in the water. Was it more golden - like a perch or shiner? Or was it more silver - like a threadfin shad? This can help you determine what blade color is best for your fishery.
Time to go catch 'em!
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