The Basics of Fishing Tail Spinners for Bass

Tail spinners are one of the most overlooked yet effective lures for targeting bass—especially when the bite gets tough, or the fish are keyed in on small baitfish. These compact, flashy baits excel in both warm and cold water, and they have a knack for triggering reaction strikes from largemouth, smallmouth, and white bass alike. Whether fished vertically in deep water or retrieved horizontally across points and flats, a tail spinner’s tight vibration and flash can imitate shad, minnows, or young-of-the-year bait perfectly.

Below we’ll break down how to fish tail spinners effectively, what gear to use, and when these little metal baits can outperform anything else in your box.

What Is a Tail Spinner?

A tail spinner is a compact metal lure—usually with a lead or tungsten body and a small spinner blade (often a Colorado or willow leaf) attached to the tail via a swivel. The body often mimics a small baitfish, and the spinning blade adds flash and vibration. Unlike spoons or spinnerbaits, tail spinners are dense and aerodynamic, allowing for long casts and fast fall rates. This makes them perfect for deep or schooling fish.

When and Where to Use Tail Spinners

Tail spinners shine whenever bass are feeding on small, tightly grouped baitfish—especially in clear or open water conditions. Some of the best scenarios include:

• Late Fall and Winter: When bass are chasing shad in open water or suspended over deep humps.
• Summer Schooling: White bass and smallmouth blitzing on bait balls on points or main-lake flats.
• Post-Front Conditions: When fish are holding deep and unwilling to chase moving baits near the surface.
• Reservoirs and Highland Lakes: Where vertical fishing over deep structure is common.

Because of their compact profile and weight, tail spinners can be fished from just below the surface to 40+ feet deep with ease.

Recommended Rod, Reel, and Line Setup

Tail spinners require a balanced setup that allows for good casting distance, sensitive feel, and strong hooksets. Since these baits are small and often fished deep, rod choice is critical.

Rod Length and Action

• Length: 6'6" to 7'2"
• Action: Medium or Medium-Fast
• Power: Medium-Light to Medium

A medium-fast spinning rod is ideal when using lighter tail spinners (¼ oz and below), especially for white bass and smallmouth in open water. For heavier models (⅜–½ oz), a medium power baitcasting rod gives better casting control and hook-setting power.

A fast tip helps detect subtle bites during vertical presentations, while enough backbone ensures you can drive the small treble hook home.

Reel Choice

• Spinning Reel: 2500–3000 size, with smooth drag for finesse applications.
• Baitcasting Reel: 6.3:1 to 7.1:1 gear ratio.

You don’t need blazing-fast reels—tail spinners are usually fished at a moderate or slow pace. A mid-range gear ratio provides good control whether you’re letting the bait yo-yo or slow-rolling it along the bottom.

If you’re fishing vertically or in cold water, precision is key—a quality reel with consistent drag helps keep pressure steady during hooksets and fights.

Line Selection

• Fluorocarbon: 8–12 lb test for most applications.
• Braid + Fluoro Leader: 10–15 lb braid mainline with a 6–8 lb fluorocarbon leader (for spinning gear).
• Mono: Optional for shallow-water or topwater situations, as it floats more than fluoro.

Fluorocarbon is preferred because of its sensitivity and low stretch—perfect for feeling those subtle “tick” bites when the lure is falling. It also sinks, which complements the tail spinner’s natural descent. For deeper presentations or clear water, braid with a fluorocarbon leader gives maximum sensitivity without losing stealth.

Techniques for Fishing Tail Spinners

Tail spinners can be deadly in a variety of presentations. Here are the most effective techniques for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as white bass.

1. Vertical Jigging

This is the classic method for tail spinners—especially when you’ve marked fish on electronics.

1. Drop the lure straight down to the depth where fish are suspended.
2. Let it fall to the bottom or just above the fish.
3. Lift the rod tip 1–3 feet with a sharp snap, then let the lure flutter back down.

Most bites occur on the fall as the blade flashes and flutters. Keep tension on the line to detect those quick “ticks.”

2. Yo-Yo Retrieve

Cast out, let the bait sink to the desired depth, then lift the rod tip to make the lure jump and flutter back down. Repeat this “yo-yo” motion on the retrieve.
This imitates a dying shad—perfect for cold-water bass or schooling white bass around structure.

3. Slow-Rolling

Retrieve the tail spinner slowly and steadily just above the bottom, maintaining contact with structure. This is effective when fish are relating to ledges, channel swings, or points.
The tight vibration from the blade mimics a small baitfish cruising by, and the steady retrieve helps cover water efficiently.

4. Burn and Kill

Cast long, reel fast for a few turns, then stop and let it fall. This sudden change of speed often triggers reaction strikes from aggressive smallmouth or schooling bass.
This technique works best with heavier models (½ oz or more) where you can maintain depth control during the burn.

5. Bladed Drop-Shot (Hybrid)

Some anglers rig a small tail spinner on a drop-shot leader for a unique finesse flash presentation. It’s deadly for suspended smallmouth in ultra-clear water.

Best Situations and Seasonal Breakdown

Common Brand Name Tail Spinners

Final Thoughts

Tail spinners might look simple, but they’re one of the most efficient “search-and-react” lures ever made. They combine the flash of a spoon, the vibration of a spinnerbait, and the compactness of a jigging bait—all in one package. From cold-water smallmouth on northern lakes to schooling white bass in southern reservoirs, a tail spinner can save the day when other lures fail.

Keep one tied on when the water cools or when baitfish are small—you’ll be surprised how often these little metal rockets outfish everything else in your box.