Matt Lures??

[bigbill]

Does anyone use the Matt Lures? Bluegills? Swimbaits?

I'm looking for a decent looking plastic bluegill swim bait any ideas?

[GoneFishi'n]

I haven't personally used the soft gills, but they're awesome. I was fishing with my friend Kyle and he hooked into a 9-10lb class fish. Matt's hardgills on the other hand are amazing. They flat out catch fish. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

They catch fish. Period.

 

If you've got fish relating to the bottom, fish it like a jig with short hops, drags, etc. If you have fish relating to an outside weed edge or suspended off the bottom and they won't eat the hard bluegill, the Mattlures original bluegill will actually "swim" better than the second version.

 

When you get one, here are the directions for boiling the tails on the baits (on his website). Do it right out of the package. The clamshells that hold the baits are flat on the cardboard side. This causes the tails to bend off center.

 

 

Another common problem with soft Swimbaits is they tend to get warped or twisted when they are not stored properly. It is usually very easy and quick to straighten them out. Soft plastic will return to its original shape if you put it in boiling water. It is not a good idea to submerge the glue on eyes in the boiling water because they could become clouded or fall off, but the rest of the bait will be fine. Dip the body of the bait in the water for about 1-3 minutes and then suspend it in cold water until the bait is completely cooled. This should bring it back to its original shape. Now maybe you will get more fish per bait

 

 

I boil the back half of EVERY bait, regardless if it appears to be off or not. This goes for Matt's gills, Hudds or any other soft bait with a boot or double boot tail.

 

I've said it a million times before but the Hardgill, bar NONE, is the most versatile and effective swimbait across the country day in and day out. There isn't a person anywhere that is capable of convincing me otherwise. There are other baits that may work better in certain situations but overall, the Hardgill gets it done.

[AK-Jax86]

I actually ordered 3 of these last week. I've seen that YouTube video of Russ and that's what made me a believer.

[deaknh03]

Does anyone use the Matt Lures? Bluegills? Swimbaits? I'm looking for a decent looking plastic bluegill swim bait any ideas?

BigBill, these cost more than your reel, you sure your interested? 

[Brian6428]

I have the male U2 bluegill. Its incredibly realistic. No fish on it yet, however. Dont fish it much due to snags, though.

[WRB]

Good quality products and they catch bass. I have higher strike ratios with his crappie year around, bluegill in the spring. Crappie are a softer and easier meal for bass to eat than bluegill, bluegill are more popular.

Tom

[Mattlures]

Thanks fellas! Speed I have to disagree with you. The original bluegill does not swim better then the CURRENT ultimate bluegill. The original did however, swim better then the first version of the ultimate. That's why I revised it. The current version has been out for about 2 years now. I point this out because I assume you experience is with the first version of the ultimate vs the original. If I am wrong then we just disagree and I am ok with that to

[mnbassman23]

Nothing like Russ's fish, but I have done well with the U2 gill up here in MN. FIshing it slow on weedlines or dragging it like a jig has both produced for me. I was also really impressed by how well they skip, great for shallow water. Now I need to get me a hardgill.

 

 

[MarkH024]

Ditto on the hardgill Branden. If anyone gets a heads up on a new batch of production I'd be much obliged. Can't wait to put those U2 gills to work come spring time.

[Bluebasser86]

I've got a hardgill and hardbass, both of them look like they'd swim away when you put them in the water. 

[bigbill]

BigBill, these cost more than your reel, you sure your interested? 

BigBill, these cost more than your reel, you sure your interested? 

I ordered one to try it. Yes it did cost more than my $1.40 Chinese bait caster reel with out the shipping. Right now those reels are between $29 to $70. Since then I purchased us reel baitcasters, quantum red code baitcasters, and some lews rods too. I've moved up a tad equipment wise. I figured out I can't take my $$ with me when I leave this earth and why leave it for someone else to spend. I'm spending some now. The lews rods are really nice too.

I'm not cheap when it comes to lures that's were my money goes. I enjoy throwing lures.

[Primus]

If anyone is one fence on whether to get a Matt's hardgill, take the leap. I agree with speedbead that if you were to buy only one premium swimbait this would be the one to have. I also like the Baby Hardgill, the hooks on that are little small so I swap them out for # 4 KVD short shanks.

[Bluebasser86]

If anyone is one fence on whether to get a Matt's hardgill, take the leap. I agree with speedbead that if you were to buy only one premium swimbait this would be the one to have. I also like the Baby Hardgill, the hooks on that are little small so I swap them out for # 4 KVD short shanks.

You run those on the front and back on the Baby Hardgill? I swapped for just 1 large hook on the belly but I've missed some fish that I think just hit the back of the bait but I haven't found a hook I liked that didn't foul on the cast. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Thanks fellas! Speed I have to disagree with you. The original bluegill does not swim better then the CURRENT ultimate bluegill. The original did however, swim better then the first version of the ultimate. That's why I revised it. The current version has been out for about 2 years now. I point this out because I assume you experience is with the first version of the ultimate vs the original. If I am wrong then we just disagree and I am ok with that to

 

You are correct, my comparison was the original vs 1st Gen.

 

I believe I have one of the new Ultimates but it is still in the package. Perhaps it's time to get that out on the water.

 

I've tied or set my PB 4 times with the hardgill since I started throwing it. Seriously, IMO, the best bluegill bait and maybe the best swimbait on the market. Couple Hardgill fish from this year.

 

 

[Primus]

You run those on the front and back on the Baby Hardgill? I swapped for just 1 large hook on the belly but I've missed some fish that I think just hit the back of the bait but I haven't found a hook I liked that didn't foul on the cast. 

 Bluebasser86 I run them on both the front and back, I was getting plenty of bites on the Baby Hardgill but it seemed like I had a high % that came unbuttoned. The KVD hooks have increased my landing percentage, that said I fish the regular size hardgill more often. Nice fish posted by SPEEDBEAD.

[Primus]

If anyone is one fence on whether to get a Matt's hardgill, take the leap. I agree with speedbead that if you were to buy only one premium swimbait this would be the one to have. I also like the Baby Hardgill, the hooks on that are little small so I swap them out for # 4 KVD short shanks.

 

Guys I messed up, memory let me down.I looked at the baits this morning to see what I actually did and I actually have a #2 KVD on the front hook and a # 2 owner 5121 regular shank on the back because the back hook hanger sits up higher. I apologize Bluebasser86 for the confusion.

[bigbill]

I received my first mattlure pumpkinseed and it looks great. I just may purchase more after this one gets a dunk.