Hello. I'd like to ask for some help about spinnerbaiting. After competing in my first tournament, I realized that I need a better selection of spinnerbaits as they are great search lures and the fish at my lake always seem to eat spinnerbaits consistenly during the season. But I first need to get a specific combo and bait selection. First of, what's the best reel ratio? I have a nice low-pro reel form Plfeuger with a 6.3:1 gear ratio but it seems to only be of use when the fish are in the top 5 feet of the water column. I want something that can keep a steady retrieve going but can also be a fair reel for burning a bait on top. What ratio?
Next would be the rod. Are the Loomis spinnerbait rods good? I'm building my own rod with a standard blank, so I'm thinking a med. acton should be good, with a length of 6'6"(I do a lot of accuracy casting at moderate ranges0 . I probably won't end up throwing anything more than 1/2oz. Any help would be great on this part.
Finally(and most importantly!), what are some good spinnerbaits out there? Note that the local lake I fish has been described to me as "Mini Clear Lake", meaning lots of tules, stunps, docks and all that good stuff. So I don't have enough money to consistently buy $7 or $8 baits for replacement. What are some good companies in this price range?

Bass + Fisherman= BAASS ADDICTT!!!

Revenge makes a really nice spinner bait in the $7-8 range. They also have 2 versions of each spinner. Standard and deep runner. I like the deep runners because you can slow roll them and kepp them where you want them. Also Nichols makes some really good blades too, but they can be a little pricey depending where you go. Lot's of different color and blade combos.

I would also say to try a reel with a 5:1 gear ratio to aid you in keeping the blade down and slowing it down. I have not used a Loomis spinner bait rod but I use my CBR847 for 1/2 ounce blades and I like it. So good luck!!

If you have questions about blade combos and what to use in what conditions there is a good article on www.bassdozer.com talking about what blades do what and how certain ones work with each other. Good article I recommend it!

I like the Terminator spinnerbaits,white skirt gold and siler willow leaf blades is my fav. another one is the booyaa spinnerbaits(my fav. booyaa has a red hook/white tuxedo skirt and the blades are the same) good baits availbale @ wally world for only 4-/+ bucks.As for reels i fish the reel that works at the time,it seems to me blades work well with most anyreels unless your burning them across the top in which case go for the higher gear ratio,i dont have th eluxury of buying reels for specific tasks as im the dad of 3 great kids,but lets face it my days of buying expensive gear are on hold for a while.
tight lines, Brian