BBZ 1 Shad Slow Sink

[oprcsr]

I picked one of these up a few weeks ago and haven't had any luck so far. One question I have is about the retreive. I keep reading about going slow with swimbaits and I think its one thing I need to work on, however I'm wondering if I should be throwing in the occasional jig or twitch like I am currently.

I'm sure the bait has some fish in it, I just need to figure out how to get em out:)

[EastTexasBassin]

I fished mine quite a few times before I caught a fish on it.  I've only had one good day with it.  The only way I've caught fish with it is on a fast retrieve, using it as a wake bait.  I spent some time fishing it slow, no hits.

Many people will agree that it doesn't catch fish the way you would think that it should.  It looks very nice, just not to the fish.

I don't know why, but I've had a lot more success with the strike king sexy swimmer.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I fished mine quite a few times before I caught a fish on it. I've only had one good day with it. The only way I've caught fish with it is on a fast retrieve, using it as a wake bait. I spent some time fishing it slow, no hits.

Many people will agree that it doesn't catch fish the way you would think that it should. It looks very nice, just not to the fish.

I don't know why, but I've had a lot more success with the strike king sexy swimmer.

+1

I couldn't tell you the best way to use it either.I've never caught a cold with it.

[oprcsr]

Thanks guys. I'll keep throwing it out there for a bit before I banish it to my backup tackle box:)

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I know people who can catch fish with them, however I am not one of those people.   ;D

I have had two of them since they were available and have yet to catch a fish on it.   :-[

[hmongkidBee]

go with the sebile magic swimmer or the strike king sexy swimmer.  They produce better than the spro bbz to me at least

[Primus]

I've done well with the SK King Shad but have not used the Spro enough to have an opinion, it does look great in the water but I have not caught anything on it yet. The River to Sea V joint wake minnow has done very well for me and is available at an affordable price.

[gobig]

http://thebbz.com/video/fish_university4inch.html

Any one who thinks the only way to fish a swimbait is slow rolling it is flat wrong. These are very versatile baits and they do catch fish. The cadence, speed and action you add to the bait is only one part of the equation. If your not fishing in key locations or the right part of the water column you will have limited success.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

http://thebbz.com/video/fish_university4inch.html

Any one who thinks the only way to fish a swimbait is slow rolling it is flat wrong. These are very versatile baits and they do catch fish. The cadence, speed and action you add to the bait is only one part of the equation. If your not fishing in key locations or the right part of the water column you will have limited success.

Cha! But it still doesn't explain why no one catches fish with THIS bait.

[EastTexasBassin]

http://thebbz.com/video/fish_university4inch.html

Any one who thinks the only way to fish a swimbait is slow rolling it is flat wrong. These are very versatile baits and they do catch fish. The cadence, speed and action you add to the bait is only one part of the equation. If your not fishing in key locations or the right part of the water column you will have limited success.

My success with other swimbaits is far from limited.  I've caught fish with various retrieves, around many types of cover and structure, and in many different conditions with similar swimbaits...just not with the BBZ1 Shad.

Usually I would say that its just me, except that I hear the same from so many anglers.  There's nothing wrong with the bait, I just think that there are many better choices.

[etommy28]

the fast sink is better according to my sources. they just give them a nice slow retrieve.

[gobig]

My success with other swimbaits is far from limited. I've caught fish with various retrieves, around many types of cover and structure, and in many different conditions with similar swimbaits...just not with the BBZ1 Shad.

Usually I would say that its just me, except that I hear the same from so many anglers. There's nothing wrong with the bait, I just think that there are many better choices.

I was not saying this bait is the end all be all of swimbaits. I am not saying its my favorite bait. I am not sponsored by... nor do I have anything to gain by saying this bait catches fish. I was simplely stating that the proper presentation, applied to the right technique, in a key location is critical. I have learned the difference between getting bit or not can be as simple as a cast landing a foot or two in the wrong direction. A lot of people want to blame the bait, the sun, the moon, the stars or what ever it may be when they don't catch fish. We all have our preferences and baits that we have confidence in. This does not mean a particular bait does not work or is ineffective. Either the time has not been taken to learn how it works or its the wrong place, wrong time.

In most cases I rarely throw a swimbait that is smaller than 6in. I prefer the drawing power of a larger bait. But I will not hesitate to downsize if that is what I suspect the fish want. In the spring and summer fish it where smaller bluegill can be found in around brush and docks. This is where I have had my best success with a slow roll. Adding directional changes when the bait comes in contact with the structure or cover (you will feel your line start to tighten up. That's when you give it a good pop). Burning this bait over the weeds can be explosive and you can't crank it too fast. My most productive time with this bait is in the fall and into the winter when the bait fish are schooled up. Using it like a rip bait or letting it sink to the bottom and stroking it like a jig (rip it off the bottom and let it sink back down count to 30 and repeat). The slow roll can work well here to. This is not just a chuck and wind bait. Mix it up. If you don't give up on it you may be surprised.

[Skinnyh2ofishin]

Like others who've had any luck with the bbz shad it took a few outings to start catching anything with it.  Most of my luck with mine has been waking it over hydrilla on overcast days, but on those same days I have similar luck burning a spinnerbait and often throw that more because the bbz is so much harder to cast (wind resistance).  I'll throw the shad as an alternative if I've already caught a few fish out of a spot on a spinnerbait. 

I've also had luck using the slow sink sight casting to bass in shallow water.  This is when I'll use very small twitches (barely tightening the line) and pauses to get the bass to strike.  This only works as well when I can see the bass though, and I haven't had similar results blind casting with the same retrieves. 

In the end, like every bait, it has it's place but I'd definitely put it in the novelty category of baits.  Some days the bass will crush 'em, but there seems to be many days in between when I'd rather be throwing something else. 

Since you already plunked down the money on it and are just starting to use it, just keep at it.  You'll figure out when and how it will work for you.

[JKarbo214]

I haven't had any success with this lure yet either.  I've fished it a wide variety of ways, fast as a wake bait, as slow as I possibly can, and with sudden jerks and suspension like a jerkbait, and haven't had a bite as of yet.  It does look very real in the water, maybe too real...?

[DINK WHISPERER]

Just like all other lures, it's not a magic bait that will work at any given time! I have had great success with the floater and slow sink when fish are active. I have also had amazing success when they are busting and won't hit any other lure. A medium retrieve with pause/twitch has proven best for me.