That pre-fishing weekend proved to be one of the most productive, fun days I have had. I went on to finish 2nd in the 3 day national tournament. Since that season, I have refined the technique for optimal results under the correct conditions. Key components are equipment. Being able to rip the spinnerbait, almost to the point it wakes across the water, a fast retrieve reel is the primary ingredient. I like a Wright & McGill Victory with at least 6 to 1 ratio, choosing a 7 to 1 for optimal speed without the fatique. When I say 7 to 1, I'm referring to 1 rotation of the reel handle retrieves about 26 inches of line. A feature that makes a difference at days end.The second key ingredient is the spinnerbait. I use a 3/8 oz. Hawg Caller triple spin spinnerbait. The smaller size is easier to retrieve and gives of a smaller profile, while the 3 blades give off more flash. To keep the blades from running out of the water, weight is added to the hook shaft. I take a 1 ounce core sinker, remove the rubber core, cut it in halves, then crimp one half on the shaft. This is important because it gives the bait weight, but keeps the smaller profile. This in return, allows one to reel the spinnerbait faster and cast further. I do not recommend a plastic trailer or grub because this will make the bait ride up. I do always use a stinger hook to land those short strikes.Success requires covering alot of water, with long cast. Once you key on a pattern, such as rip rap, rock or pea gravel, points, then you can concentrate more on that key structure. The pattern works best when the water temps are falling, a condition found in the fall of the year. And the wind can be your friend. Believe me, under the right conditions, it will work. "Ripping a Blade" will work as long as the water temps do not go below 50 degrees. So this fall, when the wind blows too hard to climb into that tree stand, go rip a blade instead !When the leaves begin to fall, along with air temps, so does the water temperature. This will trigger the fish to move to the banks. Shad begin their migration. Falling water temps trigger bass to go on the feed in prepreation for the upcoming winter months.This condition tells me to put away that deep diving crankbait I have been catching them on during the dog days of summer, and tie on a trusted friend; a spinnerbait.One of my favorite methods and pattern to fish a spinnerbait occurs when the water temps begin to fall. I call it "ripping a blade" because that is what I'm doing. This technique was discovered on a cloudy, windy day at Kerr Lake while pre-fishing for an upcoming tournament. Just about every traditional seasonal methods I tried failed. I decided to try something different, perhaps drawing a reaction strike. What I found that day was a pattern that under the correct conditions anywhere, can produce big stringers, during the fall of year.It centers around a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait and a fast retrieve, I mean fast. I began casting the spinnerbait along wind blown banks, points with some type of cover; laydowns, timber, rip rap, rock or gravel. I immediately began getting explosive strikes, similar to strikes experienced by smallmouth on the Great Lakes. Bass seemed to come out of nowhere to crash the rapid moving blades, almost taking the rod out of my hands. The faster I reeled the spinnerbait, the more determined the bass were to hit it. Even to the point sometimes coming out of the water. 
