Swimbaits

[Chucktimmer88]

just recently got in to swimbait fishing..been throwing 8in hudds and s wavers at a local reservoir and have had a few followers but no bites yet. There are big wild trout deep in the lake and some pretty big spotted bass. Just wondering if the swimbaits are still as effective if the lake doesnt get stocked with trout..or if i should throw something a little smaller for the spots. Caught a few 6lbers up there. Thanks

[fisherrw]

Yea keep throwing them you should get some after a while.

[Crestliner2008]

That's the problem with swimbaits. You are either dedicated to getting that one big bite, or you fish other techniques that keep the action going. And it really doesn't matter if you have stocked trout or not. A big bass is an opportunistic feeder and if it looks alive, chances are good she'll take a swipe at it.

 

But again, you have to keep tossing it, all day long, day after day, to expect any kind of consistency to your results. At least that's been my experience. Which is why I don't fish them often any more. The 8" Hudd is a great looking bait in the water though.

[Dvigs16]

A lot of the swim baits "look" amazing in the water but very rarely do they bring in big numbers. It's one of those baits where you go jeez if I were a fish I'd eat that, but unfortunately it never works that way. I like to use swimbbaits as almost a backup bait so to say, when nothing else is working I'll throw one on to see it it intices anything into a follow.. Just my 2 cents of course..

[MIbassin]

If you put the time in you'll be rewarded. There are guys who can go out with 8 inch hudds and glide baits and catch 20+ fish a day at certain times of the year.

[everythingthatswims]

If I was going to fish for spots I would throw a 68 just because they have smaller mouths and I think they could eat a 68 a little easier. There is a lot more to it than just putting in the time chunking and winding with swimbaits if you want to get bit.

[WRB]

What type of prey fish does this lake have other than hold over trout? Bady bass color swimbaits are often over looked, white swimbaits are another good choice for Spotted bass and agree the ROF12 68 size Hudd is a good size, especailly if the bass are northern strain LMB. Also don't overlook bluegill and crappie profile/color swimbaits.

When you see a follower remember what direction the bass came from, then return about every 2 hours and try a different angle towards the direction the was located.

Tom

[Chucktimmer88]

Thanks a lot guys..yeah figured i have to commit and put the time in. My mind can definitely play tricks on me though. "Am i doin something wrong? Maybe a new color/different size?" Haha. Thanks though helps a lot

[gobig]

The idea that you are only fishing for one bite is BS. I have had several 20+ fish days and I am not talking about using hollow bodies. In the same token fishing swimbaits only and nothing else is one dimensional and this is why guys go 2 months with out a bite. There is a time and a place for everything and you have know when not to throw swimbaits. Some lakes just are not good swimbait lakes and with time you will start to figure it out. Just don't  assume its a bad lake.  Swimbaits are harder to fish than any other bait I have tried. They are a straight up challenge but the lessons are golden and apply to all techniques. Learning to use swimbaits will dramatically improve your fishing skill sets. It takes time on the water and a good pair of sun glasses to get good with them. You will need to learn to read the fish. Followers will tell you a lot. Like Tom mentioned you can come back to fish but you can also reposition them. Sometimes its timing. Consider your angles they are key. Bass like to pin there prey and the wrong angles can make for long days. The right angle can put 30lbs in the boat in a few casts. Most guys buy a big bait and throw it a few times put it down and claim they can't get bit on them or that they don't work in there area. I prefer it  this way. 

[rippin-lips]

I wouldn't call it one dimensional exactly. You further explained it in your last sentence. Only taking your swimbait combo makes you fish it and only it. That way after two dozen casts and no bites you can't put it down and reach for a senko. It forces you to keep throwing it and learning the bait you're using. Generally you are fishing only for a few bites. Yes, there are exceptions to this but most people will tell you that's usually how it goes for them. More days than not.

[Chucktimmer88]

Awesome! Thanks for taking the time guys..definitely in for the long haul and eager to learn as much as possible. Thanks for the help

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Absolutely man, keep,chucking them i only fish 2 spots that are stocked with trout. I,fish about 30 ponds and lakes which don't have any stocking program.I do very well

[hatrix]

Timing along with places that will hold the fish your looking for with the angle you fish it is the most important. As someone said some places just never do as well for me as others with big swimbaits. Some lakes and ponds are just better and always produce more bites. I think timing and angles are the most important and not being afraid to thow a bait in the gnarly stuff. If your throwing off of cover cause your worried about loosing it then your not giving your self the best opportunity. You can just huck baits out there to so so spots and grind away and catch fish but what are you really doing? Hit the places right on the first cast and make that one the most important one. Make it life or death if you don't get it right the first time. I never do as well just tossing it places then by the 4 cast I'm trying to brake it down and get all technical with what I'm going to do. Have a percise plan of attack right from the start and then vary it up afterwards.