One of the easiest and most enjoyable methods of fishing is through the use of spinners. The way they grab the attention of any fish in the area makes your job so much simpler. Once you cast the spinner out, simply stick to your preferred method of fishing and the spinner will create extra motion, drawing the fish to you.
One of the best spinners available is the classic Rooster Tail spinner. This is the preferred spinner by many amateur anglers as it makes the most out of its features and will draw in any Bass in the area. Many pros have turned their sights towards the more advanced lure and have dropped the Rooster Tail, but there’s no shame in returning to the basics! But before you do, it’s useful to know how they work and how to make the most out of your Rooster Tail.
How Does a Rooster Tail Work?
A Rooster Tail is a type of spinner that slightly resembles that of a rooster’s tail – hence the name. They work with the speed and flow of the water below the surface in order to spin & dance and catch the attention of any fish in the area. Once a Rooster Tail is on, the water will do the work and the playful tail-like end will wave, causing an array of motion for the fish to be drawn into. Rooster Tails are designed with every feature focusing on grabbing the attention of the Bass.
Rooster Tails tend to come in a wide variety of color options to match your fishing needs. Sometimes, the feather-like tail of the lure isn’t enough to grab the attention of the Bass. The Rooster Tail also comes in wild colors to better draw them in. Most Rooster Tails include a shining metal piece to help reflect the sun towards the fish to better appeal to their senses. Every aspect of this spinner is designed to draw the fish in and hook it without much hassle.
Even this type of lure is best associated with simple fishing techniques. Spinners are a fantastic way to draw in fish without having to do much on the surface. Simply let the water run its course, avoid twisting the line, and eventually something should hook on your line. The Rooster Tail is one of the best lures for any anglers looking to take a step back and relax out on the water. Get back to the basics and enjoy your time fishing.
Best Setup for Your Line
This is a simple spinner so you won’t need too complex of a line to match it. Most often you’ll find that any reel and rod combo works with the Rooster Tail. The thing you’ll want to worry about would be the Bass you’re fishing. You’ll want to ensure you have the strength to withstand their feist. Most anglers use a test monofilament line rated from 6 to 10 lbs for proper Bass fishing. The location of your fishing spot will affect your setup as well.
The deeper you are, the longer your line, the heavier your lead. If you’re fishing in shallower waters like ponds and streams, you’ll want a lighter Rooster Tail which will need a lighter line. The best line setup is one that properly accommodates your spinner and the area in which you’re fishing. Most rod and reel combos should work fine with your Rooster Tail, but if you’re going to be fishing for Bass – large, small, spotted, etc. – you’ll want to focus your setup on what best suits them.
The Rooster Tail can be a pretty powerful spinner which is fantastic for bringing in Bass of all sizes. However, the issue with spinners is they can easily tangle your line and damage the reel. The best way to prevent that twisting is through a swivel. Many anglers have issues with swivels as they can obstruct the action of the line, but if placed and weighted properly with respect to your spinner, you should encounter no issues with the swivel.
Best Rooster Tail Fishing Tactics for Bass
There are three main methods of fishing that are best suited for a Rooster Tail spinner. By utilizing these methods with this spinner, you’re making the most out of the tools you have available. Trolling, jigging, and the cast and retrieve method are the best three tactics which will each make the best use of your Rooster Tail spinner. It’s also important to consider what will best draw in a Bass besides the flashy nature of your spinner.
Trolling
This is one of the most common and effective methods of catching a Bass. Most Bass tend to locate themselves lower in the waters they inhabit and will need to be lured up. With trolling, you can skim the surrounding waters at a slow pace, bringing the attention of any Bass in the area. Trolling is done by leaving your line 30-feet behind your boat and moving slowly so that your line trolls the waters in a wide sweep.
It’s better to troll slowly in the cold as the fish might not be as active as those in warmer temperatures. When preparing your trip, make note of the temperature and ensure that you’re employing the best tactics for the time and location you’re fishing at.
Jigging
This method is one of the best suited specifically for Rooster Tails. Most spinners with ornate features will work well with the jigging method. The whole purpose of this method of fishing is to make your bait and lure look alive and active. The more movement you have, the more likely the fish are to make inquiries about what is happening.
To jig your spinner, you need to slowly lower it a few feet at a time, and then quickly raise it back up. This helps the rooster-like tail flow in the water and create a dart-like motion. The more movement you can stir up, the more likely you are to attract the attention of any Bass. Once you feel the movement of your line is restricted, quickly draw the line in and hook whatever is on it.
Cast and Retrieve
One of the most effective methods of Rooster Tail fishing is also one of the classics. The cast and retrieve method is simple and makes great use of the attention grabbing features of the Rooster Tail. It’s as simple as casting out your line to a location where you know the fish you’re looking for are located and slowly drawing it back in. This will cause any fish in the area to see the surface skimming spinner and swim towards it in hopes of catching an easy meal.
The cast and retrieve method allows the spinner to create a decent amount of movement on the surface where it catches the most light and makes the biggest splash. If the fish are in deeper water where a surface skimming spinner won’t grab their attention, it might be best to add a weighted lead so that it can reach nearer the bottom.
Stick Close to Structures
With Bass in particular, you’ll need to cater your methods towards their desires. This means fishing in a location you know they will be present in. For Bass, this means finding any underwater structures like wrecks, piers, or reefs. The closer to a structure you locate your spinner, the more likely you are to grab the attention of any Bass. Lakes and rivers are some of the best freshwater sources of any type of Bass.
Selecting the Best Rooster Tail
Rooster Tail spinners are noted for their colors and ability to catch the attention of any fish in the area. With that, there are plenty of different color and design combos available for you to make the most out of. There are a couple of options you can choose from when selecting your Rooster Tail color — do you want it to blend in with your surroundings or not?
Both options have benefits as well as drawbacks. If you choose a color that blends in with the environment, you’re selecting a bait that will better mimic any local bait fish that the Bass might go after. If your Rooster Tail is a brighter color, it will catch the attention of the fish better and be more likely to draw them in. You’ll also want to make note of the tail that comes with your spinner — the brighter the colors, the more likely the Bass are to notice it. The duller, the more likely they are to associate it with a local bait fish.
Using a Rooster Tail lure brings you back to the days of fishing as a child. Rooster Tails relieve you of the stress and strain of more intricate and advanced lures and line setups. With a Rooster Tail, all you have to do is tie it on, let it loose, and wait for the Bass to come to you. Don’t let the fun of classic, simple fishing slip away. Draw in your Bass and bring back the ease of fishing with a Rooster Tail.
