Huddleston Baits

[roadwarrior]

I throw the 68's as well.  They weigh a bit over the 2 oz rating on the carbonlite, but I will tell you that it will work.  Start with that since you already have it and see how deep you want to get into the swimbait addiction.  Oh, I mean these bait don't work. 

 

Jeff

 

Well, I piggy-backed with Jeff on his last order of the heavier version and have one

of his lighter versions that I borrowed several months ago. I have fished the Hudds

approximately 6 hours, two of which were during a strong bite (DD22 & swim jigs).

I have yet to get a single strike.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Well, I piggy-backed with Jeff on his last order of the heavier version and have one

of his lighter versions that I borrowed several months ago. I have fished the Hudds

approximately 6 hours, two of which were during a strong bite (DD22 & swim jigs).

I have yet to get a single strike.

 

If you were fishing the Hudd as fast as a DD22 or swim jig, I think you might be doing it wrong.

[roadwarrior]

Okay...So I need to slowly drag the Hudd on the bottom?

[BaconStealer303]

Do you think these big swimbaits would be effective in N. IL waters? Thinking about trying one out

Thanks

[J Francho]

Do you think these big swimbaits would be effective in N. IL waters? Thinking about trying one out

Thanks

 

No, they only work in CA, PA, and NY waters, lol.

 

I say have at it!  Stay dedicated....look at Speed's results.

[BaconStealer303]

Thanks for the quick reply haha. Well i might just have to try it out. Sounds fun

[Primus]

Do you think these big swimbaits would be effective in N. IL waters? Thinking about trying one out

Thanks

 

Absolutely, I catch fish on these baits in Michigan it can't be much different. I've caught bass as small as 2-1/2 lbs on an 8" Hudd but the fish are usually at least 3 lbs plus based on my experience with the potential for the  fish of a lifetime. 

[RoachDad]

Does anyone here use an Huddleston swimbait's? Was thinking about getting the 6in. version to fish here in North Carolina just wanting some feedback on how you like them and how you rig them? Thank's guys!

Dude, how big is that fish in your profile picture?  It looks enormous.

[CarolinaBoy4Life]

Honestly didnt have a scale but it was every bit of 9lbs. Caught in Brown's Summit, NC out of a farm pond. It may have been double digit's but I try to stick with the lower end when guessing haha.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Okay...So I need to slowly drag the Hudd on the bottom?

 

I know you are good with a jig. Like I said, think of it that way.

 

If the bass are feeding "down" then dragging with a heavier bait is better. If they are feeding "up" then you should employ a slower sinking bait. Again, these come with the caveat of "typically."

 

6 hours total and two hours during a hot bite are not enough. How much time have you spent throwing jerkbaits and dragging a splitshot rig with a shiner? Comparatively more I'm sure.

 

It's just another tool in the box although it is a rather difficult one to get accustomed to.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Also, they are not hollow belly swimbaits.

 

I liken those to spinnerbaits in the manner and location in which I would fish them.

[J Francho]

Guys, Wayne is spilling the beans here....pay attention!

[Crestliner2008]

My 2c.....large, Hudd-type baits produce. However, the time you have to invest into presenting them is disproportionate to the your success ratio. I've tossed 8" Hudds for 8 hours - most times only about 6 hours. I've caught two bass on these. One 4.5 pounds and one that measured 6.1 pounds. I've tossed several other makes of quality swimbaits for long periods of time as well. In my opinion, if a bait cannot produce at least one quality bite in a day of fishing, then I have serious doubts as to it's deserving of a spot in my arsenal.

 

I give a lot of credit to those aficionados that can maintain a level of confidence to continually toss these large baits. I have no doubt that they are responsible for the largest bites in any fisherman's career. However....is that the level of "fun" you deserve? If it is, more power to you. For me, I'll fish my jigs, crankbaits, stickbaits and topwaters. And I'll have "fun" doing it.

[MarkH024]

My 2c.....large, Hudd-type baits produce. However, the time you have to invest into presenting them is disproportionate to the your success ratio. I've tossed 8" Hudds for 8 hours - most times only about 6 hours. I've caught two bass on these. One 4.5 pounds and one that measured 6.1 pounds. I've tossed several other makes of quality swimbaits for long periods of time as well. In my opinion, if a bait cannot produce at least one quality bite in a day of fishing, then I have serious doubts as to it's deserving of a spot in my arsenal.

 

I give a lot of credit to those aficionados that can maintain a level of confidence to continually toss these large baits. I have no doubt that they are responsible for the largest bites in any fisherman's career. However....is that the level of "fun" you deserve? If it is, more power to you. For me, I'll fish my jigs, crankbaits, stickbaits and topwaters. And I'll have "fun" doing it.

I think that is a very fair and respectable view of the topic Crestliner. I think of the large swimbaits for bass to be just like fishing for trophy musky. You're not going to get bit every hour...or day perhaps..sometimes weeks. But when you do, it is very rewarding as big baits do attract big fish. So just as you said, if you enjoy it...go for it. If a person rather catch numbers then perhaps this isn't the technique best suited for that fishermen.  Great discussion so far, and great information!

[00 mod]

I caught this one on my 1st cast. 

 

 

 

 

Then the very next morning caught this one.

 

 

 

That being said, they were the only 2 fish caught so far on Hudds.  I have chunked them quite a bit since then as well.  Both were caught on a 68 slow crawling it on the bottom!  I'm putting in the time looking for that monster again!

 

Jeff

[roadwarrior]

I'm going to fish the Hudd until I catch a fish. I'll keep a general account of time spent

and then we'll see how big the fish is that's caught. Don't think I'm discouraged, maybe

the real issue is not knowing how to fish the darn thing!

 

p.s. I have caught a lot of fish on Mattlures Baby Bass. However, none have been close

to a PB, so the time/ reward trade-off just did not seem worth it to me. I have been through

5 or six of the lures and still have one left. Maybe I will try spending a little more time with

that lure, too.

[CarolinaBoy4Life]

Wow man those are some  nice hog's! Just placed an order for an Okuma Guide Series Swimbait rod. Hopefully I'll catch some hog's off it!

[gr8outdoorz]

I'm going to fish the Hudd until I catch a fish. I'll keep a general account of time spent

and then we'll see how big the fish is that's caught. Don't think I'm discouraged, maybe

the real issue is not knowing how to fish the darn thing!

 

p.s. I have caught a lot of fish on Mattlures Baby Bass. However, none have been close

to a PB, so the time/ reward trade-off just did not seem worth it to me. I have been through

5 or six of the lures and still have one left. Maybe I will try spending a little more time with

that lure, too.

RW, 

Throw them out at the civic center. Go to the back corner next to the small bridge. Throw it as far as you can into the deep area and let it sink to the bottom. Then SLOWLY reel it back up that small ledge while hugging the bottom. I have caught 4 good bass out there with Hudds doing that exact retrieve. If you would like, I'll meet you out there Sunday morning & fish them with you.

 

Carlton

[1234567]

Jeff stuck some pigs on the 68 for sure!

 

The 68 is a small bait but still garners the attention of bigger bass.  I throw mine with a Curado 200 E5 and a 7 foot heavy rod and have 0 problems.  I guess I'm saying is that you don't need an expensive big rod and big reel for these baits.  

[GoneFishi'n]

Jeff stuck some pigs on the 68 for sure!

The 68 is a small bait but still garners the attention of bigger bass. I throw mine with a Curado 200 E5 and a 7 foot heavy rod and have 0 problems. I guess I'm saying is that you don't need an expensive big rod and big reel for these baits.

For the 6" no, but the 8" yes you do need a powerful reel with gears made for big baits and a big rod. The 6" is a small bait in the swimbait department. I throw a 6" on a duckett heavy action and it performs well with it.

[WRB]

I agree the 68 ROF 12 is a excellent choice in the smaller pure swimbaits. The 68 isn't easy to come by, the price is in the $20 range. I also would not fool around modifying the 68 or 6" Hudd, it is small enough for 4# + bass to get inside their mouth, as bass usually strike a swimbait by the head.

Every swimbait angler I know start out fishing them too fast. Make a short cast and watch the swimbait closely, it glides through the water with a natural tail swimming action, slow is better than even a moderate retrieve.....slow swimmer catch bigger bass, and that is why you should be fishing a swimbait.

Casting retrieving a swimbait for hours takes a lot of dedication, you may not get any strikes the first few trips.

Fish high % big bass locations; major points, under water islands or humps, larger bait migration routes.

Don't waste your time pounding the bank and hoping to find a big bass.

Swimbait fishing is like worm and jig fishing, slow down.

When you do get a strike, don't panic and rip the rod back too fast, instead reel faster to load up the rod before hook setting. This gives the bass a moment to turn with the swimbait and get a good hold of the head into it's mouth where the hook can make contact into mouth tissue .

The standard 6" ROF 12'is a good swimbait and you fish it exactly the same....slowly, it's not a crankbait!

Your tackle should be OK, a little too fast action, a good swimbait rod will be easier to cast for hours. 20 lb mono like Big Game or similar line cast very well and works good for then 6" or 68 Hudds. Don't over look Little Cripper 6" Trash Fish.

Good luck.

Tom

[Mattlures]

One more thing to add. Lube your baits. It will increase your hook ups and it will help your baits tare less

[roadwarrior]

RW, 

Throw them out at the civic center. Go to the back corner next to the small bridge. Throw it as far as you can into the deep area and let it sink to the bottom. Then SLOWLY reel it back up that small ledge while hugging the bottom. I have caught 4 good bass out there with Hudds doing that exact retrieve. If you would like, I'll meet you out there Sunday morning & fish them with you.

 

Carlton

 

I will be there!

 

-Kent

[Crestliner2008]

I'm going to fish the Hudd until I catch a fish. I'll keep a general account of time spent

and then we'll see how big the fish is that's caught. Don't think I'm discouraged, maybe

the real issue is not knowing how to fish the darn thing!

 

p.s. I have caught a lot of fish on Mattlures Baby Bass. However, none have been close

to a PB, so the time/ reward trade-off just did not seem worth it to me. I have been through

5 or six of the lures and still have one left. Maybe I will try spending a little more time with

that lure, too.

Byron Velvick has a great swimbait article in this month's (July/Aug) issue of Bassmaster Magazine. A worthwhile read.

[roadwarrior]

Fished the Hudd exclusively for nearly three hours Sunday morning.

The fish won again, not a touch.