Preytorien Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 I'm not yet ready to shell out a lot of money for a swimbait style bait, so I was wondering if these lures are decent to try? Any experience with them? The Bass Pro XPS Z9R http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Z9R-Perch-Swimbaits/product/10210240/ Quote
Fisher-O-men Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Looks pretty cheesy. The Savage Gear 3D line-through models are pretty reasonable. Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted February 2, 2015 Super User Posted February 2, 2015 I'm not yet ready to shell out a lot of money for a swimbait style bait, so I was wondering if these lures are decent to try? Any experience with them? The Bass Pro XPS Z9R http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Z9R-Perch-Swimbaits/product/10210240/ I have the Green Perch one, I haven't caught anything yet or used it much (4 times) but I haven't gotten into swimbaits yet. It seemed to have decent action though. Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted February 2, 2015 Super User Posted February 2, 2015 Another option to try would be the Storm swimbaits. They sell em really cheap at Gander Mt near me.. I thought about getting one as a gag gift lol! Quote
Super User Senko lover Posted February 2, 2015 Super User Posted February 2, 2015 I'd go with the Academy route. I foresee several of these in my future. They look a lot better than the BPS ones. People say they're actually decent little baits and they have VMC trebles, which you could obviously switch out if you wanted. http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-jointed-sunfish-3-1-2-swimbait/pid-22566?color=Bluegill&N=297679222&Ntt=h20+swimbait&Ntk=All http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-jointed-shad-3-1-2-swimbait/pid-22556?color=Baby+Bass&N=297679222&Ntt=h20+swimbait&Ntk=All Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted February 2, 2015 Super User Posted February 2, 2015 I'd go with the Academy route. I foresee several of these in my future. They look a lot better than the BPS ones. People say they're actually decent little baits and they have VMC trebles, which you could obviously switch out if you wanted. http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-jointed-sunfish-3-1-2-swimbait/pid-22566?color=Bluegill&N=297679222&Ntt=h20+swimbait&Ntk=All http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-jointed-shad-3-1-2-swimbait/pid-22556?color=Baby+Bass&N=297679222&Ntt=h20+swimbait&Ntk=All The prices much better. Too bad no Academy where I live. Quote
Super User Senko lover Posted February 2, 2015 Super User Posted February 2, 2015 You can order from online! Quote
hawghunters Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 I bought the green perch when it was on sale a few years ago and have caught several fish on it. It's action is pretty good. I think of it kinda like one of those wooden segmented snake toys. If you twitch your rod tip on a semi slack line it can have a pretty decent swimming action. I've only really used it fishing ponds though. Quote
MIbassin Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 i would save up until you can buy some quality proven baits Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted February 3, 2015 Super User Posted February 3, 2015 You can order from online! The shipping cost would be too much unfortunately for Canadian Residents. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 3, 2015 Global Moderator Posted February 3, 2015 The Academy baits are good little starter swimbaits. That said, you're better off saving up a little and popping for a couple quality, proven baits. A Jackall Giron or Black Dog Shellcracker would both be much better options and not that expensive. Or you can just go off the deep end and buy a Mattlures Hardgill jr or Deps Bullshooter jr like I did 1 Quote
Preytorien Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 The Academy baits are good little starter swimbaits. That said, you're better off saving up a little and popping for a couple quality, proven baits. A Jackall Giron or Black Dog Shellcracker would both be much better options and not that expensive. Or you can just go off the deep end and buy a Mattlures Hardgill jr or Deps Bullshooter jr like I did I was thinking of the MattLures U2 Clayton.....it's not that much more. I'm just not excited about dropping $50+ for something I'm not confident in yet. What's your take on whether to get the sinking/floating or straight/boot tail? I'm looking for direction here on these guys, they look great. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 3, 2015 Global Moderator Posted February 3, 2015 I was thinking of the MattLures U2 Clayton.....it's not that much more. I'm just not excited about dropping $50+ for something I'm not confident in yet. What's your take on whether to get the sinking/floating or straight/boot tail? I'm looking for direction here on these guys, they look great. I tried one of the U2 sinking boot tails. Really liked the bait, but the second fish I caught with it destroyed it so I never really got to give it a good trial. I've had a few of those Academy swimbaits and did pretty well with them. Quote
AllTerrainAngler Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 academy sells h2o swimbaits for like $3-5 and theyre not half bad. Also check out kanan lures and reflexion swimbaits. Another great swimbait i have several of are the river2sea S-Wavers Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted February 4, 2015 Super User Posted February 4, 2015 http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-jointed-shad-3-1-2-swimbait/pid-22556?color=Baby+Bass&N=4294963690+10001+297679222 I've got one of these. Great action, nice slow sink rate. Looks like a champion. Unfortunately, I haven't caught anything on it but bluegills. I won't say it isn't user error, but I tried it many times and never got a bass bite. Quote
gobig Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 I have no knowledge of the academy baits. We dont have them out here. I do however agree with purchasing quality baits. If for some reason you decide you dont like throwing swimbaits you can get your money back out of the good ones if you wanted to get rid of them. Quote
DTack Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 What are you trying to imitate? I don't mean to be rude but I wouldn't spend anything on that bait. For that size I think there are a lot better options in baits period. Where are you trying to throw it around? I would be happy to give some other personal suggestions. Quote
hatrix Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 The Academy baits are good little starter swimbaits. That said, you're better off saving up a little and popping for a couple quality, proven baits. A Jackall Giron or Black Dog Shellcracker would both be much better options and not that expensive. Or you can just go off the deep end and buy a Mattlures Hardgill jr or Deps Bullshooter jr like I did Don't sleep on the S-Song. I probably caught more fish on that bait then anything last year. It just gets bit everywhere and is the perfect size for small and big fish. Quote
primetime Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 Cabela's and Academy have swimbait versions that are less expensive and the Cabela's brands are actually really nice and for the price I was looking at the $5 Spro Knock off and it is pretty good only I don't know about Matzuo hooks, but I have a friend who tells me Matzuo Hooks are legit and as good as VMC trebles, but I just ordered some of the Cabela's hardbaits when they were on sale..They have a sebile Magic swimmer Knock off or same bait, I can't tell, hooks different and rings, but for $5 it is good for using in areas you may lose it, the Spro BBZ is great, but they have a knock off that is such a good knock off it weighs the same, swims the same, and only has different hooks, but I would doubt Spro would let them copy it direct, so I still think $5 can't be as good as the one's I pay $20 plus for. I know with the Sebile's, the action when they sink is the key, they shake very subtle, but the Rad swimmer has stiffer Joints, I have only seen the Cabelas Spro version being reeled so I can't tell how it falls. They make a Live Image version of the Bass Pro..same Oem at least I am 90% certain, kind of like how Reaction Strike uses the same OEM and copies everyone's baits and lures, and for $5 they swim great and look awesome, I have only seen them on a day when comparing lures when nothing was hitting. I tried the Academy swimbaits and the bluegill bait is pretty good, problem is the baits with one small hook need a much larger ring and hook and quality baits come with a large Owner treble stinger 41 which is an expensive hook..... I would order the bass pro but other House brands are on par and half the price, plus you can find Sebiles on line right now for under $10, I can't imagine the bass pro version being better than the Magic swimmer, or better than the Spro and 3:16 versions all low in price right now. Reaction Strike makes the Revolution shad that is $2.99 for 3" and $4 for 4" and if you are chucking and winding and don't mind adding a much larger hook, they are not bad..great wake bait for sure, but Reaction Strike makes more than half the baits we buy anyhow so their own stuff never sells since they do not advertise it...The LV revolution lipless cranks are tungsten weighted in front and have a unique sound, terrible hooks which are expected but sizes and action that no other lipless can re-produce at least from the 30 I have tried. Still another 100 out there. Quote
primetime Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 http://cdn6.bigcommerce.com/s-79ugru/products/322/images/508/4-res-2__51598.1411577901.900.900.jpg?c=2 Quote
primetime Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 I forget the website but someone on the West Coast did a review of all hard swimbaits from $2 versions to the Roman mades...And he did such a good job he had owner's of many companies fighting in the comment section, but google...Reaction Strike is the OEM for what brands of swimbaits or lures....you will find that they do a ton, or are made in same factory and look similar to Japanese baits "Assembled in Japan". I have never cared if a bait is made in China and is expensive. This is America, and Japanese Cars were once considered inferior and maybe they were, but I think many people would agree that Toyota, Nissan etc. have done a good job of changing that image. I realize that some companies regardless if Japanese, American, or selling a lure for $50, need to use China in order to make the bait affordable. Just because something is built in China does not make it junk, because if it did, we would all be struggling to find gear, even JDM gear would be tough to find.... R&D is legit, when a company spends thousands upon thousands of dollars to design a lure and bring it to market, I could care less if they outsource the job to a company overseas if it helps an owner make more money, average consumers have the ability to buy it, and just keep it real on the packaging. I could care less if my Daiwa reels are made in China (Not saying they are, I think Taiwan or Korea) because I trust that Daiwa, Abu, Lew's, Okuma, and all reputable companies have tough and strict quality standards that every item they bring to market must meet. If the experts at doing this are in a certain country, or OEM, I am cool with a company using 3 OEM's to make my reel, swimbait etc... My point is Reaction Strike is always accused of simply copying other's baits and then selling them cheap, but if you do some research you find that the companies complaining (or used to a few years ago) were killing Reaction Strike, but then were using them to build their lures, and it is common to find that most swimbaits of quality are made in the same few factories overseas, it does not mean they are all equal. I know some companies that sell $50 swimbaits actually use 2-3 OEM's to build there baits in order to keep secrets, and because some engineers are better at building certain parts or using materials better than other's. When you see a $200 swim bait, that lure has probably been in the hands of dozens of the best lure designers in the world and the reason it costs so much is most likely the R & D and extra testing to make sure they are putting their name on Top notch baits..I know Lunker Punker went overseas for some baits, but it helped the company from what I have been told, and I have heard the baits are still awesome, so when buying swim baits, it is a wild market place if you start breaking down what is what...I guess that is the point of my ramble...but if felt good. Quote
primetime Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 The prices much better. Too bad no Academy where I live. Make sure you call them when ordering online, they have glitches on the site, have for years, but they just sent me an order that was only $45 overnight free shipping and 2 boxes 2 different days as they must have not had 2 lures until the following day....Make sure to buy a slush daddy for spring...$3.99 it is a killer topwater in green sunfish over spawning flats..swimbaits are good as well, I just up the hooks, but paint is awesome. Quote
gobig Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Reaction Strike is complete crap. There soft baits dont swim straight at all with out modifying them. The hard baits fall apart and maybe one in 10 swim right. There is nothing like hooking a fish and having the bait fall apart at the hinge. I gave all of mine away. Quote
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