I'm All About Swimbaits Now

[Smokinal]

My buddy and I took the yaks to a small, remote carry-in pond Sunday. I had heard it was very clear so I brought some natural colored baits. When I was loading up, I threw in some Keitech Fat 3.8 in Sexy Shad that I bought a few years ago because everyone raved about them, so naturally you have to buy them.  I usually fish pretty green water so I have never thrown them but I threw them in the box. Well, I caught 41 and he caught 49 in 4.5 hrs. Most of mine were on that swimbait, the others on a motor oil Powerbait worm. He fished a Pumpkinseed Senko all day.

I noticed that all but 1 came on the initial fall. I was fishing in 10-11 ft, grass bottom and if I didn't get bit on the first fall, I didn't get bit.

May I ask what you guys are using for hook/weight setup? I just TX rigged them on a 4/0 Gammy EWGW, pegged 3/16 weight at the nose.

Needless to say I have a new bait in my arsenal.

[long island basser]

I use the eagle claw laser sharp weighted swimbait hook.

It's a keel weighted hook which I like better then pegging.

I use the 4/0 in 1/8 and 3/16 oz for the 3.8

I fish the 4.3 and 4.8 more and use the 5/0 size hook in the same weights.

I dont have a lot of deep water in my area so I prefer these lighter weights which do work very well.

[MIbassyaker]

I've just gotten into keitech swimbaits this year too. I like them texas rigged with a little lighter weight, 1/8 or even 1/16. They're also pretty cool on a Sworming Hornet underspin.

[papajoe222]

I haven't really gotten on board using swimbaits for bass, but the pike and muskie really go for an 8in. hollow body rigged with a keel weighted 5/0 VMC and a 1/0 3X treble. I would imagine a smaller hook of the same design minus the treble trailer would be a good option for bass.  You won't get the same fall rate by weight as you did rigging with a worm weight, but you'll likely get more fish when you start swimming it.

[BaitMonkey1984]

At the beginning of this year I absolutely crushed them with a keitech ez shiner on a keel weighted hook. I found that the yum money minnow swimbait hooks worked awesome. They were the perfect size and are a good stout hook so once you set the hook you have almost 100% hookup ratio. The fish would hit this and not very similar looking baits, I think the strong squid scent was the difference maker.

 

I am not one of those guys that complains about durability of baits. If thats what your talking about than your catching fish, and thats my main objective. I use GYCB and keitech religiously, which are basically one fish bites in my opinion- so I am curious as to how many bags of bait you  went through. 

[Smokinal]

 I am curious as to how many bags of bait you  went through. 

I agree that the bait is made to get bit but at the same time I like a little durability to them. I would say I was able to get 4-5 fish per bait. Only had 1 pack with me and shed a tear when I rigged my last one. I'm headed to Dicks or Cabelas before my next trip for sure.

[Mike L]

I use either a RI Skinny dipper or a Big EZ depending on if I want a faster action tail or a more water displaying thumping action.

Either a 5/0, 1/4 oz. twist lock keel weighted hook...

Or a 1/8 oz, tungsten bullet weight pegged to a 4/0 twist lock hook.

Now for very stained water I rig a 1/8 oz. keel weighted 6/0 Gambler Duz-It rig with a #4 nickel spinner.

Mike