I love spinneybaits. They are just so versatile. When the fish are active, it is almost a sure bet that they will eat spinnerbaits. When they aren't active, you aren't going to hit them on any sort of reaction bait. But, unlike other reaction baits, such as jerkbaits, topwater etc, that active fish will only hit under certain conditions, the spinnerbait is a very reliable catcher. I have caught schooling fish (both green bass and some stripers and hybrids) chasing schooling shad in open water with it, caught fish staging in the bottom in 12 or so feet, and not real active, and in just about everything in between.
You can get spinnerbaits around cover easily, as they won't snag up, can get them around docks easily, can cast to the edge of a school of shad being attacked (my personal favorite - they hit that HARD), can slow roll on the bottom etc.
I don't usually use a trailer hook, but I have found that a local guy makes some spinnerbaits with the hook 1/2 inch longer than most, and sells in one local tackle shop, and have definitely noticed a decrease in short strikes with that.