Looking To Start Fishing Swimbaits

[chillson10]

I am looking to start fishing plastic swim baits now as I have never really tried them. I need advice as to what plastic swim baits, hooks/ jig heads, and line I should be using. I am targeting largemouth bass in MA so fish are a bit finicky and I want to find a good set up to catch them.    

[Ozark_Basser]

It's an awesome technique. I like the fact it can be completely weedless. I can't think of a better technique to cover ground in heavy cover in clear water. Easy bait to skip too. Also the belly weight on the hook shaft rather than at the eye allows you to throw lighter weights than your rod recommends. I throw 3/16 oz belly weighted hooks on a 7' mh with ease.

I generally use a 4/0 belly weighted hook with 4" -4.5" inch swimbaits. Any longer gets 5/0. Any shorter gets a 3/0. Brand is subjective. Find something that appeals to you and where you fish.

[Bluebasser86]

What size swimbaits are you wanting to fish? Do you mean the boot tails like a Shadalicious or something like the Huddlestons?

[pbizzle]

Since he said hooks/heads I assume he's talking about something like a Cane Thumper or Swimming Caffeine Shad. To the OP, I really like Big Bite Baits Cane Thumpers and R.I. Skinny Dippers (except I buy knockoffs from a local store called Soddy Custom Tackle). For a hollow body I like the Basstrix. The other category would be things like the Keitech Swing Impact, which I also really like. I usually buy keel weighted hooks from Soddy Custom also because they're cheaper, but I also like the Owner Twistlock. I use these in vegetation or heavy cover. I don't worry about heads too much. I just look for a good hook, and then head style. I like a standard swimbait head shape or a football head. Then just match the weight to your depth and retrieve speed. A jig head gets better hook ups, but is completely useless in anymore of cover (unless it has a weedgaurd).

[fisherrw]

It's an awesome technique. I like the fact it can be completely weedless. I can't think of a better technique to cover ground in heavy cover in clear water. Easy bait to skip too. Also the belly weight on the hook shaft rather than at the eye allows you to throw lighter weights than your rod recommends. I throw 3/16 oz belly weighted hooks on a 7' mh with ease.

I generally use a 4/0 belly weighted hook with 4" -4.5" inch swimbaits. Any longer gets 5/0. Any shorter gets a 3/0. Brand is subjective. Find something that appeals to you and where you fish.

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