What Exactly Is A Swimbait?

[toddwchandler]

I have seen the term Swimbait used a few times now but I am honestly not sure what a Swimbait is? Can somebody explain and maybe give me some examples of makes and models of lures I can look up that fall into the Swimbait category?

[Loop_Dad]

The baits which have swimming action of the fish. There are hard baits (they are big, heavy and expensive) and soft baits (hollow berry). Go to bass pro or *** and type swimbaits to see for yourself.

[BenBassmaster]

A Swimbait is a large lure that is used to imitate a bluegill, bream, sunfish, etc. they are heavy, large (some times small) they range from (the big ones) 6 in. to 18 in. ,maybe longer! There are smaller swimbaits that are 2 in. to 6 in. There is a category on the right side of Tackle Warehouse they have a ton of swimbaits to choose from and browse. Some people dedicate a rod and reel specially to Swimbaits.

Hope this helps,

Ben

[Grizzn N Bassin]

x2 check out tackle Warehouse..  or look up swim baits on Youtube there should be some good vids on there.

[bmlum415]

I say check out the tw swimbait section on tw and you will get an idea of that it is

[toddwchandler]

Ok, checked out the Tackle Warehouse page to get an idea of what these things look like and now have a grasp on the general look of these things.

 

Are these top water baits or do the swim under the surface?

 

I don't have any lures in this category in my tackle box.  Any suggestions on a few reasonably priced swimbaits that you all have found to be productive?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

. Some people dedicate a rod and reel specially to Swimbaits.

 

 

LOL, I wish it were only one.

 

To the OP's second question, "reasonably priced" is subjective. Cost per fish, IMO, hardbaits win. The initial startup cost seems steep but I've caught a TON of fish on my original Mattlures Hardgill I bought a few years ago.

 

For round numbers, say it's been 100 fish (seriously, conservative estimate). I think back then I paid $50 for the bait. That comes out to $.50 per fish. Compare that to the cost of a bag of senkos or some similar "premium" bag of plastics and it's apparent to me that the hardbait cost per fish is comparable to the soft plastic costs. If you compare it to the hollow belly swimbaits, there is no chance. Those get torn up fairly easily and a lot of times are rendered useless after one fish.

 

A lot of times it comes down to what you want to catch. Since picking up a swimbait stick many moons ago, my PB has been broken numerous times. My average fish size has increased. I've decided those are the fish I want to catch. It's not for everyone but you never know until you try.

 

Some quick examples of stuff that will catch you fish, using the low end of the cost spectrum:

 

Hardbait: River2Sea S-waver, 6" BBZ, Slammer

 

Soft bait: Any of the line-thru swimmers, 6" Hudd, 316 Mission Fish

[Dwight Hottle]

 

 

Soft bait: Any of the line-thru swimmers, 6" Hudd, 316 Mission Fish

 

Hey Speed which has the better hookup ratio between the two. I understand the mission fish slides up the line after hook up & reduces the weight leverage. Any pearls of wisdom?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Line thrus slide up the line as well but they are a moving bait and prone to short strikes on occasion.

 

To me, the Mission has a better hook up ratio as I fish it like a jig. The hudd also has a jig hook but also an internal harness, so the bait stays near the fish's mouth when hooked.

 

Just make sure to bend the hook point out on the Mission Fish. Dramatically improves the hook up ratio.

[vikingbear8]

Line thrus slide up the line as well but they are a moving bait and prone to short strikes on occasion.

 

To me, the Mission has a better hook up ratio as I fish it like a jig. The hudd also has a jig hook but also an internal harness, so the bait stays near the fish's mouth when hooked.

 

Just make sure to bend the hook point out on the Mission Fish. Dramatically improves the hook up ratio.

I would also suggest using owner beasts with the mission instead of the gammys that come with them.