Spy Baits... Let's talk about em!

[Steve81]

Years ago when spy baits first became all the rage, I bought a few but I never did bring myself to throw them. I actually ended up selling them, which is probably for the best because I lived in North Dakota at the time and I'm sure some toothy critter would have stole them had I actually tried using them.

Regardless, I have decided to give them a try again. I picked up a couple over Christmas and I even bought a rod/reel combo to compliment. My reasoning is that when I have found times where the fish just seemed in a neutral mood and the wind was calm, sun was bright, a spy bait seems like it should do well. From everything I have read, those are the exact conditions you would want when using a lure of that type.

Have any of you dabbled with the spy bait? Had any luck? Got any tips?

[FlatsNBay]

Steve, I posted about this recently. Let's see if this link will work.
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?url=http%3A%2F%2Fultimatebass%2Ecom%2Fbass-fishing-forum%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D155851%2E0&share_tid=155851&share_fid=24712&share_type=t&link_source=app

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[Pat Dilling]

I have used spybaits with some success.  They work well on suspended fish.  The water needs to be clear.  I would say 6-7 feet+ of visibility.  Light line helps, I use a long, 12-15' leader of 6# fluorocarbon ahead of 15# braid.  Figure out what depth fish and bait are holding and count it down to that depth.  Long casts help too.  I use a slow steady retrieve with just an occasional quick flick of the reel handle.  Because of the light hooks, a soft rod helps you land more fish.  But, fish do get off more than you like them to.  Tactical Bassin' has a couple pretty good videos on spybaits.

[Steve81]

Flats, I couldn't get your link to work.

Pat, what rod are you using?

[Pat Dilling]

Flats, I couldn't get your link to work.

Pat, what rod are you using?

Steve, I have been using my dropshot rod.  It's a Dobyns Sierra series 702SF.  Before that I was using a Kistler ML Helium 6'6".  Both are very forgiving rods for small hooks.  Basically I have been using what I have.  I went to the Dobyns rod to get longer casts.

[TNDiver]

I always thought of a spy bait as a spinnerbait or chatterbait or hard body swim bait that you can move fast but tends to have a higher strike rate/reaction strike.  Think I first heard about it from KVD.  Not to say he started it, but just where I heard it. 

[coldfront]

I always thought of a spy bait as a spinnerbait or chatterbait or hard body swim bait that you can move fast but tends to have a higher strike rate/reaction strike.  Think I first heard about it from KVD.  Not to say he started it, but just where I heard it.

not the way I understand/use them.  they're a subtle bait that puts out low 'pulses' and on the fall has a bit of a shimmy (talking specifically about the megabass versions, correction duo realis...).
the fish I catch are typically in very clear water... the bites are very subtle... they seem to most often swim up on the bait from behind and just 'engulf' it... the rod just 'loads'.
over here, I see guys using these in our highland lakes chasing spots primarily...  not seeing how these get a lot of use in current situations.  the blades aren't there for flash and 'buzz'...  it's a very subtle bait.
there is a 3/8 ounce bait that's a bit bigger for guys who want to toss on baitcasters...slightly heavier lines. 


personally, when I want 'more subtle' I find moving from a keitech swing impact to the easy shiner is usually pretty effective.  in rivers/current, that fish has to make a split second decision to eat or go hungry. 

I do need to experiment a bit with this bait on ledges.  but most often that seems to be a reaction bite (preacher jigs, cranks, big worms)...

for a subtle minnow bait, the one that has my attention right now is the OSP High Cut...

[TNDiver]

Good info Coldfront.  Yeah I don't think it would work here on Old Hickory which is quite muddy/dirty

[coldfront]

Good info Coldfront.  Yeah I don't think it would work here on Old Hickory which is quite muddy/dirty

where i've seen the bass master guys use these baits is up north on clear smallmouth lakes.  Aaron Martens (RIP) used to use them.  long casts to relatively skinny water fish.  relatively.
here in a few highland lakes, we have 6 - 10 foot visibility at times.  from times I've been on Center Hill, not sure I'd use them there much.  Tims Ford perhaps at times.  Dale Hollow.  Cherokee, from what I've seen of it...
then again, you know these folks who 'tightline' all through winter months.  that's a VERY effective method... along with the old float n fly...

[bigjim5589]

I recall that one of the lure companies had one many years ago, and I think it was maybe made of lead, so not like they're making them now. It had props fore & aft, and I did fish with the one I had, but don't recall ever catching anything with it and I'm sure I didn't give it a lot of attention. I have no idea what ever happened to it.

Whenever I used a prop bait, and actually caught some fish on it. it was a surface lure, like Tiny Torpedo. I'll give anything a try, so that may be something I need to look into.  I have two that I bought a few months ago, Live Target I think they are, and they're big & fairly lures, likely more suited to Pike than bass, but I plan to try them.

[Smallie_Stalker]

I have used spybaits with some success.  They work well on suspended fish.  The water needs to be clear.  I would say 6-7 feet+ of visibility.  Light line helps, I use a long, 12-15' leader of 6# fluorocarbon ahead of 15# braid.  Figure out what depth fish and bait are holding and count it down to that depth.  Long casts help too.  I use a slow steady retrieve with just an occasional quick flick of the reel handle.  Because of the light hooks, a soft rod helps you land more fish.  But, fish do get off more than you like them to.  Tactical Bassin' has a couple pretty good videos on spybaits.

X2 on what Pat said.

My favorite spybaits are the Duo Realis Spybait 80.  Some companies call them Spinbaits (which I think can be confusing to a newbie).

[Steve81]

What about the retrieve? I'm assuming slow and steady but do you add any twitches to it?

[coldfront]

What about the retrieve? I'm assuming slow and steady but do you add any twitches to it?

do a quick google search for david swenseid spybait.  you'll find a wealth of info... 

[FlatsNBay]

Sorry that my spybait link wouldn't work. I'll just talk about what I figured out.  I went ahead and took the plunge and bought a few spybaits to learn about the technique. I tried some of the Duo Reallis baits. My first impression was that they were heavy! I head out to one of my small clear lakes to give them a test. They have a ton of side to side wobble at both a sink and at a slow retrieve. I caught several on the initial sink and saw my line jump. The other fish came on a slow retrieve and they crushed it. I also caught a couple holding my rod tip up high to keep the lure out of the hydrilla. A steady retrieve is the key because it has so much action with the spinners and wobble.

The two colors that worked good for me were CL Dace and AM Hasu as they matched the hatch in my lake and looked like minnows. I also bought a bluegill color that I haven't tried yet.

I had a blast and look forward to fishing them some more in clear water.

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[Pat Dilling]

Here is a good feature from Tactical Bassin':  https://www.tacticalbassin.com/blog/how-to-catch-bass-with-spybaits