Swim Baits? Help?

[missouribigbass]

I've been fishing hats for 20yrs and I've never fished a swim bait. I would like to give it a go and I'm looking for advice on what to get and where to start. Retrieve, depth,size? Any and all help appreciated. Can you catch large numbers of fish or just looking for the big strike with the swim bait?

[Bluebasser86]

Get a couple proven baits, don't buy cheap crap, then fish them. You can't expect to get out there and get immediate results. Can it happen? sure, but don't count on it. Look into some baits like a 7" Slammer, 6 3/4" S Waver, 6" Bull Shad, Mattlures Hardgill, 6" Hudd or 68 Hudd, Black Dog Shellcracker, or a 6-7 Jerry Rago. They certainly can catch numbers at times. The 7" Slammer has been the best numbers bait for me. It moves a ton of fish too, which helps keep your confidence up and keeps you fishing it. There's been days I've literally moved entire schools of 20-30 fish off a piece of cover. 

 

I've kind of felt a transformation since I've started fishing them. At first I couldn't stick with them very long. I'd see all the good looking stuff that I was fishing and not getting bit and just think of all the fish I might be able to catch on normal techniques. I've stuck with it though and caught some good fish. Now that feeling of "It's going to happen on this cast" keeps me chucking them even on the days where they aren't on them really well without much thought of what I might be catching on normal gear. 

[missouribigbass]

Do you believe in the idea that swim baits catch big fish?

[WRB]

You can't catch big bass if they aren't in the lake you fish.

I take from your name you are from Missouri, what lakes do you plan to fish swimbaits at?

The name swimbait has been hijacked to mean different things from 3" boot tail swimmers to 14" hard jointed swimbaits. You need special tackle for swimbaits that weigh over 2 oz., are you planning to purchase the needed rod and reel?

Catching big bass consistently requires that you have some knowledge about where these big bass are located seasonally, what type of big baitfish they are feeding on or if they are feeding on larger baitfish that a swimbait represents.there is more to swimbaits then chucking, winding and hoping to get strikes.

To answer your question, yes swimbaits catch big bass, not a number lures.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

Do you believe in the idea that swim baits catch big fish?

Yes, but they'll catch little fish too. Yesterday I was fishing a 9" MS Slammer and my only bite was a 13" largemouth. 

[katmandew]

How/where/when do you fish the 6" and larger swim baits?  I fish the 3-5" paddle tail baits on medium/MH tackle all the time, but I'm interested if I should even try the bigger baits where I fish.  Deep clear highland reservoirs mostly.  There are some 8-10 pounders where I fish, but we don't have the numbers of larger fish that they do out in TX or CA, where I think this technique may be more popular.  But still, I think I might like to experiment a little on my home lake and was looking for tips on structure to fish, when is the best time of the year to fish it, etc.  I assume you fish deep and slow like you do the smaller swim baits?  But where and when?

[Bluebasser86]

How/where/when do you fish the 6" and larger swim baits?  I fish the 3-5" paddle tail baits on medium/MH tackle all the time, but I'm interested if I should even try the bigger baits where I fish.  Deep clear highland reservoirs mostly.  There are some 8-10 pounders where I fish, but we don't have the numbers of larger fish that they do out in TX or CA, where I think this technique may be more popular.  But still, I think I might like to experiment a little on my home lake and was looking for tips on structure to fish, when is the best time of the year to fish it, etc.  I assume you fish deep and slow like you do the smaller swim baits?  But where and when?

Absolutely in those kinds of lakes. I'm fishing in KS, which is so well known for it's trophy bass   I've never caught one over 8 let alone 10 in my home state. My favorite in lakes like you're describing are big wake baits like rats or slammers (slammers are great on Table Rock so I know they'll work in the type of lakes you're describing). On Table Rock I like to fish them along docks, points, through and over the top of standing trees. Regular big plastic swimmers will work too. The same places you fish the smaller baits, points, rock piles, ledges, docks, all good places to try. Normally low and slow is the way to go. The plastic swimmers tend to be best in colder water, then switch to the hard baits as it warms up. 

 

Like I said, it doesn't take a big fish to attack a big bait. 9" Slammer, 13" largemouth.

[katmandew]

What about the 8" trout huddelstons?  

http://www.***.com/Huddleston_Deluxe_8_Trout/descpage-HD8T.html#multiview

 

Lots of rainbows in the lake i fish.  I'm just not sure where to fish it or what season is best?  is it used much in late spring/summer?  Should I fish the steep channel bluffs with it?

[WRB]

Lakes with northern strain LMB I would suggest 68 Hudd ROF 12. High percentage location is any major point targeting the 12' to 18' depth zones. Swimbaits work best in light wind, bright sun casting into the wind and retrieving up and over points.

Tom

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Save your money.

 

Swimbaits don't work.

[frogflogger]

check out southern trout eaters dvd

[gobig]

Here is the deal. Swimbaits are one of the tougher things to learn. Once you get it you can apply the same principals to the other baits you throw. You will become a better fisherman. People say they are not a numbers bait. I disagree. I have had many 20 plus fish days and its nice when they are all over 5 lbs. Most people have no clue the power swimbaits have. They give up way to soon. Google Bill Siemantle and Mike Long. These guys will put you on the fast track.

Bluebasser gave some excellent advise. Don't buy crap. Spend the money and get proven baits. It is also cheaper to buy quality baits used. There are some good baits under $30 new. I would start out with baits that are in the 4-7in range. They will get bit more frequently and will build your confidence faster. I caution you, swimbaits are addictive and it gets expensive real fast.

You asked where to throw them? Points, humps, ridges, creek channels and flats. They will also suspend over deep water on things like house boats, docks, buoys, floating crappers and such. These are some of the sweetest spots because no one fishes them. If you throw swimbaits in low percentage areas, its going to make for long days.

Your question about speed and depth is a question with an answer that changes day to day, hour to hour. Generally slower is better but there are times you can't reel fast enough. Every bait is capable of certain things. You need to become intimate with your baits and know all there limitations. Most of my big fish have come in 10ft of water or less. Don't misunderstand what I am saying here. I may throw the bait into 50ft of water but they commit in 10ft or less 90% of the time.

Fish up hill, pull your bait into structure and cover. Bass pin prey. Your bait coming with in inches of a small stick up can be the difference between getting bit and not. Wait until you have a fish beach itself trying to get your bait. You want to get good with swimbaits learn to convert followers. The key is to sell the illusion that your bait has compromised itself, is now vulnerable and trying to escape. Direction and speed changes are critical. Hope this helps I got to shove off to work.