Swimbaits...which Do You Use, How Do You Rig?

[shootermcbob]

Thanks for the post A-Jay.

I have had success this last year fishing the white live magic shad simply rigged on a 1/4 ounce roundball jighead with the hook exposed.

I have tried many different sizes/colors/rigging options and for some unknown reason...this particular setup just catches them...at least on my home lake.

I fish them much the same way as A-Jay mentions above. I try to fish them so they are just above or barely bouncing of the rip rap and/rocks. Not much grass on my home lake, so can't comment on that.

With the exposed hook, you will lose some baits if you fish from the bank as I do, but the rig is fairly inexpensive.

I have tried fishing the live magic shad at Roadwarrior's suggestion on a swarming hornet, but I didn't purchase any till pretty late in the year and have not given it a fair chance to evaluate yet.

Thanks again to all who posted.

[WRB]

There are basically 2 groups of swimbaits; those that are under an 1 1/2 and larger or heavier swimbait the exceed 1 1/2 up to 7 oz or more. The smaller or lighter swimbaits that are used as fish head jig trailers can be fished standard med/hvvy to heavy jig rods. This category work well for adult size bass generally between 4 to 6 lbs with an occasional bigger bass. Technically this are soft swimbaits or swimming jigs.

The other group include trophy bass swimbits, they are too heavy for standard bass tackle and require specific swimbait rods and reels that larger diameter spools with line capacity of 200+ yards of 20 lb monofilament line. The larger lures appeal to the biggest bass in the lake.

So really depends on what your goal is; catching good size bass or catching trophy size bass.

Tom

[shootermcbob]

I am mainly throwing stuff in the under 1 1/2 ounce category. I am interested in trying some the other types of swimbaits....hudds, Rago, etc, but will wait till I have a boat for that . The thought of hanging up and losing a 25 dollar swimbait already makes me nauseous...and I don't even own any...yet.

[SirSnookalot]

I guess everyone has their own thoughts. I'm not a trophy hunter and the chances of me catching a 15# bass is slim, however I have caught many 8#+. I'm doing just fine using lighter plastic swimbaits, not only am I not spending $20, 30 or more on a lure, I don't have to use a heavy rod for an 8# fish, which suits my fishing style.

[shootermcbob]

Good points Snook. I am not ready to make the committment to the heavier type swimbaits....living in Ohio a 5-6 lb. largemouth is a really, really good bass, and I have caught a few in that 4-5 lb category.

However, as I get older, I am looking forward to a move to a warmer climate...where the chances to land a 10 lb plus fish are much greater.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

The one in my avatar was caught in Pennsylvania last year on a 10 inch, 3.5 oz bait.

Don't let geographic location dictate how big a fish will eat a swimbait. Bass have large mouths (lol, hence their name) and even the 2-3lb fish will easily eat a full sized swimbait. In the end, they will help up your chances of catching larger than average fish.

[shootermcbob]

The one in my avatar was caught in Pennsylvania last year on a 10 inch, 3.5 oz bait.

Don't let geographic location dictate how big a fish will eat a swimbait. Bass have large mouths (lol, hence their name) and even the 2-3lb fish will easily eat a full sized swimbait. In the end, they will help up your chances of catching larger than average fish.

Good point... and nice fish!

[SirSnookalot]

The one in my avatar was caught in Pennsylvania last year on a 10 inch, 3.5 oz bait.

Don't let geographic location dictate how big a fish will eat a swimbait. Bass have large mouths (lol, hence their name) and even the 2-3lb fish will easily eat a full sized swimbait. In the end, they will help up your chances of catching larger than average fish.

Not that the fish in the avatar isn't a beauty, but this only amplifies my opinion of not wanting to use a rod heavy enough to handle a 3.5 oz lure for a fish that size.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Not that the fish in the avatar isn't a beauty, but this only amplifies my opinion of not wanting to use a rod heavy enough to handle a 3.5 oz lure for a fish that size.

Well, once age catches up to me I may see it the same way.  Until then, I'll swing the big stick. Thanks.

[SirSnookalot]

I was only saying I wouldn't use a big stick for a little guy that, but if you need it......go for it.

Take a whole 30-40 seconds to land it, that's impressive.

When ages catches up to and you can catch a Cobia like this on a little rod, that's graduation time.

[gobig]

I understand the thrill of light tackle and I am not trying to convince anyone to change. I just want to clarify a few things, there seem to be some misconceptions out there. Throwing a 3.5oz bait with the right gear and technique is no more labor intensive than throwing a crankbait all day. Secondly over the course of time I spend far less on swimbaits then I do on plastics. I have quite a few baits that I have had since I started actively throwing swimbaits 4 years ago. For instance one of them is an MS Slammer. I payed about 30 bucks for it. I spent far more than that on sweet beavers over the last year alone.

[shootermcbob]

Guys, I didn't want this to end up a contest between what is right, who fishes what, etc. I am simply trying to expand my arsenal, learn from what other's have already learned, and engage in some enlighting discussion so that I ...and others...can learn from the many fine fishermen and women on this board. We all know there are many ways to "skin a cat". Let's keep things moving forward, please.

 

Any others have swimbait secrets, rigging tips, potions, or any other ideas/suggestions to share?

[Goose21]

If I had to choose only one swimbait setup in my arsenal right now I would go with the Basstrix paddle tail swimbait rigged on a 1/8 oz 4/0 keel weighted owner twist-lock hook. I texpose and fish a variety of colors but chartreuse shad is my favorite.

[deep]

Any others have swimbait secrets, rigging tips, potions, or any other ideas/suggestions to share?

 

I have a suggestion. Choose a couple of *proven* baits (one is even better), learn where the big fish hang out (skip this step if you already know it), and then fish the said bait(s) slow until you stick a big fish, or your arms fall off, or you get tired of it.

 

Happy New Year to the BR family.

[J Francho]

Guys, I didn't want this to end up a contest between what is right, who fishes what, etc. I am simply trying to expand my arsenal, learn from what other's have already learned, and engage in some enlighting discussion so that I ...and others...can learn from the many fine fishermen and women on this board. We all know there are many ways to "skin a cat". Let's keep things moving forward, please.

 

Any others have swimbait secrets, rigging tips, potions, or any other ideas/suggestions to share?

Yep, this thread is for those that WANT to try swimbaits, not whether you think they're effective or for you.  Any debate along that line is irrelevant.

 

Secret tips?  Smear your swimbaits with Megastrike.  Use good Hooks.  I like Owner Stinger ST-41 with the Cutting Point.  Contrary to most methods, start slow, and stay slow.  Sometimes speed is the key, but often it's lack of speed.

[shootermcbob]

And which ones are you guys using? Brands, sizes, colors????

 

deep, JFrancho, others?

 

So far, my swimbait arsenal consists of hollow body swimbaits, lake fork live magic shad, and the storm swimshads.

 

I am not yet equipped to throw 2-5 ounce swimbaits, but have a real fascination with them. I am not sure this is not a case of the lure catching the fisherman, but they are very intriguing to me.

 

Thanks for all the tips and ideas guys.

[deep]

And which ones are you guys using? Brands, sizes, colors????

 

deep

 

8" huddleston ROF5 in rainbow trout modified butch brown rigged, Mattlures Gen2 Hardgill slow-sink in albino are the two I have the most confidence in. Pick up other colors if you think they might work better for you!

There are very many good/ proven baits out there, and at least an equal number of junks, but these two would be a good starting point (in my opinion of course).

The hardgill- the way I fish it anyway- has turned out to be a good numbers bait while still giving me a shot at a big fish, and may be more suitable for folks who like catching over fishing (who doesn't lol)

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/108349-the-dinks-and-the-skunk/

 

The huddleston is 4.2 ozs and will need specialized swimbait gear, the hardgill at only 1.75 ozs may not.

[J Francho]

6" Hudds, Hudd 68, Matlures Hard Gill, MS Mini Slammer, American Trash Fish, and a custom built High Power Herring are my rotating staples.

[Diggy]

I love the Storm Wild Eye Shad series. They have a nice small 3" version and a bigger 5".

Those storm shad always swim on their side for me...am I doing something wrong? Others never do.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Some good replies there from a couple fellas that can catch BASS.

[shootermcbob]

Those storm shad always swim on their side for me...am I doing something wrong? Others never do.

No, I don't think so. You can try maybe slowing down your retrieve, but I think it is somewhat hit, or miss with these baits. I buy a couple packs, and usually 1 out of 3 doesn't swim right.

 

I have had a little luck bending the hook eye (like tuning a crankbait), but it has only worked on maybe 2 outta 5 lures??? maybe.

[J Francho]

Try boiling some water, and dipping the tail, briefly, to correct a bent bait.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Here's another suggestion to try if you enjoy fishing the upper water column. It will swim, pop and do all kinds of little tricks. Not so heavy that you need specialized gear either. Smallmouth love 'em.

 

 

 

http://www.316lurecompany.com/baits/booger.html

[roadwarrior]

Small swimbaits for smallmouth?

 

http://www.bassmaster.com/news/hite-hits-new-high-eighth-win

 

"Every fish he weighed in was caught on a berkley Hollow Belly"

[J Francho]

6" Spro Trout has accounted for a few smallies up here...