Small Lake Swimbait Question

[Big Swimbait]

Forgive the intro, but I think it will help in answering. I live on a private 150 +/- acre lake in Central Texas. The lake is managed properly with surveys, water quality tests and until recently, strictly catch & release. Recent surveys and club tournament history resulted in culling most of the small fish except during the spawning months. Stocking has been consistent with recent changes of forage only - crayfish & bluegills. I am now seeing more 5 pound plus fish in club tournaments.

 

The lake has produced verified 9 lb plus bass with reliable reports of several double digit catches. The lake has very little grass except some pond weed types on the shorelines. The lake is mostly smooth bottom (Old gravel pit), relatively shallow except one small area with some 20-25 foot water. The majority of the fish caught are by pounding the shorelines & various boat docks. Surprisingly (I know), most of the big fish come from areas very close to the deep water area. I am convinced that the big girls are so conditioned to the shallow water tactics that maybe trying a bigger bait in the deep area could work. Recently a 5 pounder washed up to my dock with a huge crappie stuck in his throat, giving me the idea. Plus, nobody else is doing it.

 

I look forward to your comments or additional ideas.

 

 

[Trailer]

Recently a 5 pounder washed up to my dock with a huge crappie stuck in his throat, giving me the idea.

 

Got a crappie swimbait?

[basshole8190]

Crappie eh? I suggest a blackdog shellcracker in crappie pattern.

[VolFan]

8 inch hudd... Pattern doesn't matter. Drag it across the deeper points or drop offs near that deep water. Hold on tight.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Get a Mattlures Hardgill. I actually believe the crappie pattern is in stock currently.

 

SS is very versatile.

[MarkH024]

Get a Mattlures Hardgill. I actually believe the crappie pattern is in stock currently.

 

SS is very versatile.

I finally managed to get a baby hardgill male, in SS. 

 

I agree with Speed, check this bait out.  Even the Mattlures U2 Gill would be a great choice and swim it slow on the bottom. 

[papajoe222]

All great suggestions if you decide that a swimbait is the way to go.  That's a big IF considering other options.  IF you're fishing for your own enjoyment and not in a tournament setting, I'd say go for it. It's a great way to build confidence in any presentation. IF, however, you are in a tournament I'd recommend holding off on them until you have your limit. Swimbaits will produce some big fish, but the downside can be spending a lot of time searching with them as they are, IMO, not a good search bait.

That area close to deep water would likely produce some nice fish on other presentations as well with the added plus of being able to cover water faster in your search for active fish. I'd definately keep one tied on, but hold off until I'd found active fish.

[Crestliner2008]

You can also compromise and use a less expensive hollow bellied swimbait. The SK Shadalicious is a tremendous tool. Cast it out. Let it sink to the bottom and slow roll it back, along that breakline you speak of. If there's a decent bass hanging there abouts, you'll get bit!

 

Here's my set up using a 7/16 oz., 6/0 weighted swimbait hook. This is on the 5.5" Shadalicious. Caught a lot of big LM & SM on it over the past two seasons. But as what's been said, it's not a high percentage bait; in that you will not necessarily catch a "lot" of fish. But the ones you will catch will definitely be decent. Good Luck!

 

 

PS: Please forgive the business card. The picture was taken to show a source for NON-lead swimbait hooks on a local forum.

[CDMeyer]

I would take your swim bait and work the edges of the drop off during the sprig and then the deeper points in the summer, this is what I have read to do so it is by no means my experience..... what is though is that swim baits are terrible search baits, so make sure you have fish in the live well (In a tournament) or see them on your Graph before you go that Method

[Bluebasser86]

Mattlures hardgill or ultimate bluegill would both be great options. I'd think a MS Slammer around the docks and shorelines would get them also. 

[WRB]

In Texas you can fish at night!

125 acres you can cover easily in 6 hours, fish the entire lake until you discover where the big girls are located. I would use a swimbait as suggested and also fish jigs and big worms, no reason to limit yourself.

Tom

[gobig]

All great suggestions if you decide that a swimbait is the way to go.  That's a big IF considering other options.  IF you're fishing for your own enjoyment and not in a tournament setting, I'd say go for it. It's a great way to build confidence in any presentation. IF, however, you are in a tournament I'd recommend holding off on them until you have your limit. Swimbaits will produce some big fish, but the downside can be spending a lot of time searching with them as they are, IMO, not a good search bait.

That area close to deep water would likely produce some nice fish on other presentations as well with the added plus of being able to cover water faster in your search for active fish. I'd definately keep one tied on, but hold off until I'd found active fish.

I don't mean to sound harsh but I have to disagree. Swimbaits are the ultimate search bait. With any level of water clarity they will reveal where the big girls live. This does not necessarily mean that you will catch that fish on a swimbait but now you know where she lives. There is no other bait that will reveal ten pounders like a swimbait.

The idea that they are not functional in a tournament setting is off base also. Many tournaments are won on swimbaits. If I followed the principal "you shouldn't pick one up until you have a limit" three of my top 5 bags would have never happened. There is a big misconception that you can't have 5+ fish days. In general most people never put the time in to learn how to throw them. They are just another tool.One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is that they burn down the bank throwing a swimbait at the bank. Key locations and proper angles are critical.