KentuckyDave Posted January 26, 2014 Posted January 26, 2014 What would be a good hard swimbait to start out with? I cannot afford those swimbaits that are well over $100. I probably could afford $50 and under. Any suggestions would be wonderful. Thanks in advance! Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted January 26, 2014 Super User Posted January 26, 2014 Mattlures Hardgill, Got em Coach Gill, or a Spro Bbz1 6". 2 Quote
basshole8190 Posted January 26, 2014 Posted January 26, 2014 Cl8 clacker swimbait or a hudd 68 weedless or two or the bbz are a few good starter lures or a 7-9" ms slammer will get your feet wet in the swimbait game 3 Quote
CPBassFishing Posted January 26, 2014 Posted January 26, 2014 For your budget, I would skip the cheap chinese injected plastic baits like the bbz1 and go for any of the following- 7" or 9" MS Slammer Hardgill 8" Huddleston Huddleston 68 special If you want to splurge a little go for an 8" triple trout. 1 Quote
Super User WRB Posted January 26, 2014 Super User Posted January 26, 2014 Depends on what you think a big swimbait is? 8" to 12" swimbaits weighing 2 to 5 oz would fall into the big bait category. Very few quality hard swimmers are on the market under $50. You also need a rod/reel combo to cast the big swimmers. What type of tackle do you plan on using? Tom Quote
KentuckyDave Posted January 26, 2014 Author Posted January 26, 2014 I am sorry I didn't specify what I thought was big... I'm just looking for a 5-7" bait not any of the gigantic ones sorry for the confusion Quote
Super User WRB Posted January 26, 2014 Super User Posted January 26, 2014 I am sorry I didn't specify what I thought was big... I'm just looking for a 5-7" bait not any of the gigantic ones sorry for the confusionNo problem, just trying to recommend a lure that you can cast and retrieve with the rod/reel you have??Tom Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted January 26, 2014 Posted January 26, 2014 get a couple cheap and nice baits. why? nothing worse than backlasing an expensive swimbait and watching it sail off into the sunset. think of it for more of a casting learning curve than catching fish. use the cheap ones to learn now to cast heavy lures. the bass will still hit them. with heavier baits (2 oz and up takes most bass anglers out of their comfort zone; catfish experience obviously will help here) you really have to dial in ur drag and pay attention to ur casting strenghts/weaknesses (casting into wind and back handed casts usually aren't most guys strengths). braid cuts like butter during a back lash so using co-poly or mono as ur mainline and/or as a very long leader helps a lot as a backlash shock absorber 1 Quote
kanasbassfisher08 Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 hudd 68 specials are mentioned alot because they are as good as everyone says they are i throw them in ks lol but also look at the bull shads they are a hard bait and are amazing just cus they way the swim slow and fast or on the pause. the hudd 8 inch and the 68 specials have the same size tale but as they sink it looks like they are swimming to the bottom any other baits cant say that and thats why i have them. Quote
mnbassman23 Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Lots of good recommendations so far. Couple other baits would be R2S S-waver, Bull Shad, Decoy Hydra tail, Savage gear glide swimmer, and Black Dog g2 shellcracker. The BD g2 shellcracker is only 4" but is a good bluegill profile wake bait if you fish lakes were bluegill are prevalent. Those baits range from 12-50 $. 1 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted January 27, 2014 Global Moderator Posted January 27, 2014 S waver, the 6 3/4" version 7" MS Slammer 5 or 6 inch Bull Shad slow sink or floater Hardgill The BBZ is a popular bait and effective for some but I had very lackluster results after lots of hours on the water with it. 1 Quote
gobig Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 For your budget, I would skip the cheap chinese injected plastic baits like the bbz1 and go for any of the following- 7" or 9" MS Slammer Hardgill 8" Huddleston Huddleston 68 special If you want to splurge a little go for an 8" triple trout. Don't get caught up into the hype that you have to spend $100 or more on a bait for it to be good. That's the biggest load of crap there is. There are plenty of inexpensive baits that are excellent and some of those are made in china. I have to say that the BBZ's are fish catchers. Another amazing bait made in china is the s-waiver. Now to try to answer the original question I'll just give a list of hard baits under $60 I can't see myself without. MS slammer, s-waiver, shell cracker (wood floater), punker (wood), 8in Triple trout, 8in BBZ floater, 6in BBZ slow sink, Matt lures hard gill slow sink. 3 Quote
Primus Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Don't get caught up into the hype that you have to spend $100 or more on a bait for it to be good. That's the biggest load of crap there is. There are plenty of inexpensive baits that are excellent and some of those are made in china. I have to say that the BBZ's are fish catchers. Another amazing bait made in china is the s-waiver. Now to try to answer the original question I'll just give a list of hard baits under $60 I can't see myself without. MS slammer, s-waiver, shell cracker (wood floater), punker (wood), 8in Triple trout, 8in BBZ floater, 6in BBZ slow sink, Matt lures hard gill slow sink. Good post, there are a lot of good swimbaits that are affordable and produce well. Quote
Super User SPEEDBEAD. Posted January 27, 2014 Super User Posted January 27, 2014 For 55 bucks, buy a Mattlures Hardgill and start catching fish. I'll respectfully disagree on the "Bullshad is best" assessment. 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 27, 2014 Super User Posted January 27, 2014 I saw this thread, and had a WWWD moment, lol. 1 Quote
VolFan Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 If I were you (and I'm not), I would pick up an MS Slammer and a Hudd 68 (ROF 12, weedless if you'd like). Mini Slammer will get more bites, but go bigger if you're feeling froggy. Those would cover the entire water column, and catch you some nice fish. If you look around a little, you should be able to get both for under your $50 total. Bullshads are just there...there is really no good or bad. Quote
basshole8190 Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 If I were you (and I'm not), I would pick up an MS Slammer and a Hudd 68 (ROF 12, weedless if you'd like). Mini Slammer will get more bites, but go bigger if you're feeling froggy. Those woould cover the entire water column, and catch you some nice fish. If you look around a little, you should be able to get both for under your $50 total. Bullshads are just there...there is really no good or bad. the 9" slammer flat out gets bit! 2Lbers to 7lbers hit mine regularly. the hudd 68 weedless is quickly be coming one of my favorite baits. i find myself throwing it when i used to throw a jig. they excell for me in cooler water temps fished SLOW. Although there is a lot of drama arounnd Mike Bucca and his company my 6" bullshads are a very good producer for me. i have yet to get bit on my 9" but i have confidence it will get bit. 1 Quote
MacP Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Savage Gear Line Thru and 3D Real Trouts look quality. I've not fished them yet but I've got several now waiting. It's too cold out! Quote
Super User gulfcaptain Posted February 22, 2014 Super User Posted February 22, 2014 I started with the Kopper's bluegill wakebaits, they are about 4" and weigh just over an ounce. The MS Mini Slammer would be a step up from there. I know everyone is saying the 68 hudd, but you want hard baits. Savage Gear is making some affordable swimbaits, check them out on TW. But beware, it's addictive as I'm sure you have read on many posts. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 22, 2014 Super User Posted February 22, 2014 Here's my list of starters, and you really don't need any special tackle to throw them. Mini Slammer G2 Shellcracker 6" BBZ-1 Floating baits will quickly show you the calling power of big baits, and when you build confidence, then you're ready for a rod and reel for bigger stuff: Hard Gill High Power Herring Hudd 68 It's also time to start fishing sinking baits. Quote
CTGalloway21 Posted February 22, 2014 Posted February 22, 2014 For 55 bucks, buy a Mattlures Hardgill and start catching fish. I'll respectfully disagree on the "Bullshad is best" assessment. i guess it depends on location. we are shad dominant. You are probably bluegill dominant. Quote
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