My Favorite Blade Baits

[@TridentDriver]

Ive done well with the Cabelas mean eye blade bait. But i upgrade trebles and snap

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check it out!

[@spintowinstradic6067]

Great video Matt! I really appreciate the thoughtful breakdown of the baits and why you like each. I think that this is the most informative YT bass fishing channel by far.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I appreciate that!

[@juniorstandafer5279]

Just used the new “slice” blade bait from 6thsense, I like them them! Got good wobble and like all there lures the hooks and split rings are great! No need to change them

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check them out

[@weshunter1796]

I second the vote for the Steel Shad. I seem to use those pretty much exclusively these days when I want a blade, throughout the year fishing mostly Lake Hartwell. Interesting to hear they also work well up north. I do usually replace the hooks on them, even experimenting with single inline hooks instead of the trebles which seems to work OK. I'll even use them as a search bait just trolling out the back of my kayak as I move from place to place (thus the single hooks -- if I hook up one one rod, the other blade can settle to the bottom and easily get hung up). Thanks for all the great content in your videos. You pack a ton of information into each clip.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching!

[@steveshima1]

My favourite is Cicada by Reef Runner Fishing Lures. It's a go to lure on a slow day.

[@MattStefanFishing]

my dad catches a ton on them as well. thats his favorite

[@johnrayner5599]

Great info on the blades you use, thanks for sharing and I will check them out.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@travisbruno1988]

I agree with your picks, my favorite is damiki vault with my hooks tied with braided line (seth fieder) nailed the braid instead of split rings it helps keep the smallies on 75%more

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep i did a video on soft split rings a long time ago. it helps a lot.

[@hookempescadosaustin4111]

I'm a big fan of your channel, especially being an architect and appreciating how you break down baits in such detail, really getting down to their design.... materials, shape, weight, color and then the hooks (selected to best complement the bait design). The smaller custom design companies (many times local) produce some awesome products but the Japanese manufacturers (Megabass, Jackal, Lucky Craft) seem to mass-produce awesome bait products that work almost anywhere, although usually more expensive. Is this something you could address in a video? Keep cranking out your great videos and thanks for keeping me educated/entertained!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for the support! Ill put it on my list of video ideas thank you!

[@edpelkey7798]

I love the feel of a blade bait zzzz. My favorite is the Damiki Vault, I swap the hooks out with Owner ST-36BC upsizing the hooks by 1 size. Thanks for the great info 👏

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@stevencaldwell838]

I throw one blade and tailspin only! Damiki Vaults. I was fishing in Tennessee last January and caught 90% of my smallmouth, spots and largemouth on em in 10-25’ of water. I’ll be heading back out there this February. My line up; Damiki Vault blades and tailspins, jerkbait, Dark Sleepers, 3.3-3.8 white pearl Keiteck and a couple of BIG 8-10” swim and glide baits… ya never know 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds like a good lineup to me!

[@boogiekush9391]

Never thrown a blade bait but I just bought 4 damiki vualts , very excited to try them out and learn to fish a blade

[@stevencaldwell838]

Boogie Kush It’s pretty simple. Make a long cast typically past your desired target, let the blade hit bottom and slowly hop it back with subtle lifts of your rod tip similar to a jig or a Texas rig. You’ll feel the vibration, then let it drop back to bottom. This will catch bass when nothing, I mean nothing else is working! Best in 10-30’+ of water. Go get em👍

[@slimetime4668]

Yeah vault is fire…I picked up some megabass blades and they are trash you hve to fish them so much faster to get the right vibration the vault you can just hardly pump it and you still feel it vibrating hard

[@slimetime4668]

@@MattStefanFishing gotta get in the vault man it’s a shame not to see it in this video

[@shannonkirby9295]

Very interesting, Matt. Loved it

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome, thank you!

[@tommywalker741]

Thanks Matt I appreciate your advice 🙏

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching

[@tylergensmer8376]

Definitely going to give these a try!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Please do!

[@pequenioedgarito3067]

Matt. Normally you show how to add wight to a bait. Could you remove wieght from a blade bait to slow down the fall, like for winter fishing?

[@MattStefanFishing]

you can but you need to make sure it is very even on both sides otherwise the blade bait wont run right

[@TN-Vols-Fan]

I didn't throw blade baits very often, but when I do I go old school. All I have and use are Silver Buddies.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@seriousmechanicing]

With as creative and handy as you are I'm surprised you've not made your own with some lead, epoxy, and sheetmetal. Great video, I like the Jackall Keyburn because I don't get the hooks fouled on my line as often and don't get snagged on the bottom as much.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I really like the old silver buddies the best. ive made a few with friends and havent come close to liking them.

[@guyb5333]

Matt, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season. 🎅🇺🇸🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks you too!

[@Smallmouthnation]

Binsky is a solid blade bait. Blading although discontinued, Ali baba got pretty good copies for those snaggy lakes

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check them out

[@cclawman]

Blade thickness almost a thin as Silver Buddy

[@jefferyswisher6975]

I make my own blade baits and paint them shad colors, chartreuse and then silver and gold. The Silver Buddy has a stainless blank which is thin to increase vibration. You can also increase vibration on most stock baits by adding split rings to the hooks of bait. The vibration is important, but the speed that the bait drops should not be overlooked. By changing line size you can adjust the drop rate.

[@MattStefanFishing]

agreed

[@stoneysdead689]

Here's another technique I'm severely inexperienced with. I've caught a few largemouth retrieving one like a silent lipless- burning it with pauses, but that's it. I've got a box full, of course- I guess I thought I had to have a box full of about everything when I started so- I have them, just haven't fished them much. But I hear they shine in cold water so- I guess it's a good time to try and figure them out. I've been fishing glides all winter- I caught one glide bait fish right at the beginning of winter- my first- and was instantly hooked. Catching them on big baits is really fun. Really hard- I haven't got another one yet but, really satisfying when you do. But I need to get back to fishing some other stuff to- I miss getting bit.

[@MattStefanFishing]

give it a try!

[@law1831]

Great cold water smallmouth bait! I fish the hell out of the megabass dyna response and the jackall keeburn

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check them out

[@edschmidtfishing]

I've had good luck on Wolf's Big Dude Blade Baits. My best day was burning it past docks in 44 degree water temp.

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check them out

[@Grimey_Fishing]

I like the Johnson Thin Fisher. It thumps right away and it's inexpensive so I don't feel like crying if I get one hung up. I use silver, gold, and I have a pink UV blade that I haven't used yet. I'll try that one through the ice (if we ever get any ice).

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check them out

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Thank you for mentioning Northern tannic water clarity. How do you estimate clarity/visibility? Is there a particular color of lure you like to lower until it disappears? I'm fascinated by color choice, and started using more purple and junebug colors in "green" PA waters...they have produced 1 or 2 when others on the same day hated the guy in the kayak telling them they should adjust their color selection for water clarity...lol, yea I really know how to make friends. Props to your partner Randy B. for the shallow water color advice.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing. randy is really good with color. Always analyzing! I dont have a bait i lower in its just the tint to the water im looking at. is it tannic, green, blue, etc.

[@edwardcowan7012]

Bullet was a good one but I think the guy that made them passed on years ago. The Do-It mold is good and I usually pore them in Tin

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@Choffa09]

Matt - I have had great success with the Binsky

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check it out

[@Choffa09]

@@MattStefanFishing I think you’ll be pleased! I have had good success on Champlain this past November.

[@roberts.2413]

@@Choffa09 the Binsky is a good one

[@jessspencer6830]

Been use interface a Heddon Sonar for years.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@robertcook8187]

That's my primary bait that I am still catching small mouth on a inland lake in Michigan right now but won't be long till I can't get my boat in the water I'm hoping I will have a couple more weeks I use the Damiki Vault and the heddon alot

[@MattStefanFishing]

Im jealous!

[@kouvang590]

You don’t ice fish? Love what u doing. Keep up the great work out there and good luck on your tournament brother.

[@MattStefanFishing]

not really

[@kouvang590]

U missing out brother

[@chadjackson4786]

I bought an old Mann's Little George in Hammered Chrome off ebay. Gunna try it out next year and see if its any good. Also gunna have a look at that new carbon blade thats coming out.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good luck!

[@SpookyRedz]

Nice video , no lie your schooling me again , thanks for sharing the action on these baits , I’ve seen em but never knew they vibrate , to me I thought they were a do nothing bait

[@MattStefanFishing]

basically a metal lipless crankbait

[@dong8307]

What’ll test do you normally use? Thanks for the info.

[@MattStefanFishing]

10 lb fluorocarbon

[@stephanelavoie2258]

What kind of reel and rod you are using for that technic ? 🙏🏻

[@MattStefanFishing]

a 7'3" MH fast action with abu garcia revo MGX 7.3

[@michaelvice6805]

The ledge hog blade bait is also a good one.

[@MattStefanFishing]

it is and a big dude

[@roberts.2413]

just looked them up, very interesting

[@jamesbarron1202]

Have you ever used the giant 2 oz. Big Gamefish Series Silver Buddy? It's a $20 bait and I found one new for $3. I haven't been able to use it with my boat broke down at the moment.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep ive got a few but i havent done any good on them.

[@juleswinnfield826]

Good vid on blades, 17.5k on subs, nice, thanks for the vid.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for your support!

[@pequenioedgarito3067]

Matt. In the end, you can only cast a blade bait vertically (e.g. like under a boat)? This bait wont work for shore fishing other than from a dock or a bridge?

[@MattStefanFishing]

thats not true at all a small light blade bait can work from shore. Ill fish blade baits casting to the bank and working it down to the boat in 10ft of water. you just have to realize from the bank you will get snagged if there is and wood or chunk rock on the bottom

[@rorimarston3385]

Matt Very educational . I’ve never fished one or seen anyone fish them. I’m in South Texas near Houston my impression is this is a clear water bait is that a correct assumption? Thank you Rori

[@MattStefanFishing]

smashes them on sam rayburn and toledo bend. give it a try

[@caseyhepler2806]

Norisada, bass pro / cabela blade , rapala rvb

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check it out

[@cclawman]

My Silver Buddies are .01 to .02 thickness, both 3/4 oz and 1. oz. How thick is the metal of the original Silver Buddies?

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill have to check

[@williamknight5142]

Like the that you show several brands of baits most other videos of this type show only their sponsors baits.

[@MattStefanFishing]

im trying to help others catch fish rather than sell product

[@troyseal9877]

The strike king is a manns blade dancer copy.

[@MattStefanFishing]

ok

[@jenlvjim]

Will these work in muddy water for largemouth?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I dont think they are as good in muddy water

[@rodlinvon-hugenstine5142]

What’s your take on using a caster vs spinner

[@rodlinvon-hugenstine5142]

Caster or spinner when running a blade

[@MattStefanFishing]

i use a bait caster but you can use either.

[@wolverinex4243]

For me, it's not so much about the pros, but the cons in this deoartment. Let me explain. Most of these tend to do the same thing. Some will hang up on itself. That's annoying and unproductive, uneffiecient. This includes especially the Steel Shad. Some like the 10,000 Fish brand is off on the lead or profile that it swims to one side. The Cabela's runs straight and kick really hard. I mean hard for a tiny blade.....that's bad if you fish with light or low-power rods. I love that heavy kick with that pulsating drag. The Strike King may be a design off these international DIY videos. There are really nice, and when I say nice, I mean realistic ones in the ice fishing departments...and even trout. For me, I love JDM blades for the colors, profile, length, realism, and the prismatic sides. This is kinda off topic, but I just wanna say I hate the Johnson spoon. Swims terrible by itself. I don't know why the pros keep endorsing that thing. I don't see it. Yes, I do know how to fish. Yes, I can fish weeds without that thing. Between the Johnson and it's cheaper clones, the clone that has that welded hook runs truer and doesn't malfunction nor twist. Perhaps with a curlytail trailer, the Johnson might swim better. IDK. Never bother to give it a second chance. It's lures like these that make me hate lure companies so much. You'd expect a perfect running lure everytime you open a package, but you don't get that. It just becomes a piece of junk and thrown into the junk bin. Your money just disappear into thin air. That's the equilavent of a scam. You pay for a thing you were promised, but get an object that is useless. With that said, YT icons are like YT fitness icons and CrossFitters. Eh, but who the heck am I?

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing

[@johncoopes1056]

What’s your setup when using these?

[@MattStefanFishing]

a 7'3" MH fast action with abu garcia revo MGX 7.3

[@johncoopes1056]

@@MattStefanFishing thanks

[@christophercurtis2550]

Do you make your own those type of dealership

[@MattStefanFishing]

nope

[@markcohen7344]

What about anodized blades instead of painted ones?

[@MattStefanFishing]

i like annodized ones as they dont have the potential of being over painted which limits vibration

[@garywest2250]

this is how I wreck walleyes/saugers/smallies up on pool 4

[@MattStefanFishing]

walters love them as well

[@garywest2250]

checkout ---- Taylor's Jigs "Zonars" out of Genoa, WI. Exellent colors and cheap as hell. They make excellent jigheads as well.

[@MattStefanFishing]

illcheck them out

[@johnnyweaver1300]

Doesn't Berkley make a blade bait? I've always used a silver buddy!

[@MattStefanFishing]

i believe they recently came out with one but i have yet to try it

[@fishingmaster99]

What is the blade bait in the thumbnail? Geecrack?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Megabass

[@bobcruse624]

Please tell the thickness of the old silver buddy

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill have to go measure it

[@mikeeller557]

I never used them here.

[@MattStefanFishing]

give them a try

[@genem9725]

Silver Buddy hooks are not very good. A big fish can spread them apart as they're not welded together.

[@MattStefanFishing]

if you horse them with heavy line. but im fishing with 10 lb and taking my time with them. caught lots of 6-7 lb smallies on them

[@genem9725]

@@MattStefanFishing I understand, but I think welded hooks might help you land that once in a lifetime smallie. I live in New England. My biggest smallie is 6.5 pounds. Biggest LM is 9 lbs.

[@edwardcowan7012]

Bullet was a good one but I think the guy that made them passed on years ago. The Do-It mold is good and I usually pore them in Tin

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!