- 1). Select a spinner bait. Those with a single Colorado blade tend to be best in rivers. Start with a spinner bait that weighs 3/8 ounce. Increase the weight if the current in the river is heavy. Choose translucent-colored baits if the river water is clear, and move to solid, darker colors if the water is murky or stained.
- 2). Locate likely bass-holding areas. Brush and fallen logs often hold bass, as does vegetation. Wing dams also can be good spots in rivers. Also check places off the main river, including tributaries and oxbow lakes. Boat docks also provide cover for bass in river systems.
- 3). Cast the spinner bait to likely areas. If possible, retrieve the spinner bait so it bumps into the cover and ricochets off it. Many times, the sudden change in movement will convince a bass to hit the bait. Vary your retrieval speed as you wind the lure back to the boat. Some days, bass will blast a spinner bait retrieved quickly just under the surface. Other days, they prefer a bait that moves slowly along the bottom.
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