best 4" swimbait

[king fisher]

I'm planning on trying swim baits In eastern WA state the last week of May. Both small and large mouth in the river system. Water temps should be in the mid to high 60's,  rocky shoreline, with some weeds in bays. primary forage is crayfish, but there is a large bluegill, and carp population, would assume the bass eat them also. I have received good advice from readers  concerning crank baits and soft craws.  Would like to hear what readers favorite swimbaits are.  Would appreciate color and rigging suggestions.

[lakeannaangler]

I like the strike king swim n shiner or the Berkley havoc grass pig on a 1/8 or 1/4 oz swimbait head

[Hogsticker]

Well if you're talking soft body paddle tail, Keitech reins supreme. 

[king fisher]

Yes. I do mean the soft paddle tail type.  Have heard good reports on Keitech.  What about Strike king?  How do you like to rig them, (weighted  hook, ball jig head, T rig)?

[roadwarrior]

1 hour ago, Hogsticker said:

Well if you're talking soft body paddle tail, Keitech reins supreme. 

I agree, but when we are able to buy the new Rage Tail I think we will be crowning a new King!

 

[lakeannaangler]

  I like these for the strike king swim n shiner 

[BassThumb]

Keitech Swing Impact FAT are the best swimbait I've ever used in that size. On the other hand, they're not cheap and are arguably the least durable plastic bait I've used.

You'll catch fish, but you're looking a only getting 1-2 fish per bait, regardless of size. Maybe you can get 2-3 fish if you use Mend-It, but often, the tail gets torn off, and it won't fix that. 

[Gundog]

2 hours ago, lakeannaangler said:

  I like these for the strike king swim n shiner 

Agree. They are more expensive than just a ballhead jig but I like the heavier hook. It won't bend on you. 

[camman]

+1 for the Keitech Swimbaits...I only use the Keitech Fat Swing Impact baits...on the smaller sizes 3.8 and 4.3, I will put them on a jighead.  For the larger sizes 4.8 and 5.8 I fish them on a weighted swimbait hook

[Senko lover]

6 hours ago, lakeannaangler said:

  I like these for the strike king swim n shiner 

just curious, what kind of phone is that?

[lakeannaangler]

Samsung galaxy s3 

[Mike L]

Don't forget about the Skinny Dipper and the Big EZ!

Just saying

 

Mike

 

 

[Senko lover]

6 minutes ago, lakeannaangler said:

Samsung galaxy s3 

Cool, thanks

[ErikmonBillsfon]

Keitech with twist lock 4/0 hook works great for me. Bluegill flash, sun gill and male perch are my favorite colors. Will be trying strike king too in a couple months when they are availible. I can get 5-7 fish with a twist lock hook even pike. Keitech are frail but they have motion when retrieved super super super slow. I also like the sebile soft swimbait but that's not a paddle tail. Good luck and make a pattern you like.

[RyneB]

Gambler Little EZ

[crypt]

gambler Little EZ, also charlie brewers 4" slider grub,great little bait.

[OkobojiEagle]

Lunker City Swimming Ribster works pretty well for me at a fair price.

 

oe

[BassObsessed]

I use River 2 Sea 4'' rig walker swimbaits all the time. Have caught bass from half pound to 10 pounds on them. Pre-rigged and ready to go in 4 or 5 colors.  They even make a 4.75''

[NJSalt]

Keitechs for me.

 

MAJOR bonus points for me to a bait that comes in a clamshell package. It gets so old pulling a bag of Skinny Dippers out where 3/4 of the baits have kinked tails...

[roadwarrior]

I agree, clamshells are HUGE, but it strikes me as odd the GYCB soft plastics don't seem to have the same issues as other "bulk packaged" products.

 

[fishwizzard]

I like the Z-man minnows as they are as durable as all of their other stuff and still have plenty of action when retrieved slowly.  However, I have never found a really good way to rig them weedlessly, a VMC Rugby head jig works OK, as does the larger Owner Finesse jig, but both are either a bit too long or too short, depending on what size/weight you go with.  But, if you can fish them with an exposed hook then there are a ton of jigheads that will work and they will catch fish until you snag and loose them. 

I have been using Keitechs lately due to how easy they rig, but as a bank/kayak guy, the clamshells are a huge pain to deal with.  I think when my current stash runs out I will give the new SK ones a try and see if they survive living in a plano box better then the Keitechs. 

[avidone1]

I've been fishing for so many years that I tend not to get excited about the newest lure to end all lures.

But that doesn't mean I don't pay attention when something seems to have 'legs'.

Keitech baits seem to have reputation.

Please tell me what makes them so special as opposed to Yamamoto plastics, or zooms to name a few of my favorites.

Sorry,  tried to delete the post because I decided to start a new topic.  but I can't see how to delete it.

Mod help.............thanks

[etrout72]

I've done well with a 4 inch Zman paddlerz on a 1/16 oz weighted hook. They also make a 5 inch version and like all Zman stuff, they last forever.

[CarolinaBoy4Life]

Gambler EZ series swimbaits. Have caught some studs on em with a weighted twistlock hook and the garlic scent its on them all day during use. Even went back to use one a week later and still smelled strong like garlic

[king fisher]

Thanks to readers for the help.  Looks like I will buy a few packs of Keitech. by far the favorite.  Everyone seems to have a different way to rig them.  I'm already buying 1/8 and 1/4 oz ball head jigs for hula grubs, and tubes.  Was wondering if I really needed to buy different swim bait jig heads or weighted hooks?  Also, a friend recommends Strike King Caffeine shad but not one recommendation for them on this post.  Anyone have any luck with them?