Small SwimBaits and Streams

[Birdman2136]

Hey ppl pretty new to bass fishing and am planning a few trips to wadeable streams and rivers next summer (ice soon in WI) I’ve been reading about smallmouth loving these small SwimBaits such as the Jackall Rhythm Wave 2.8 and the Lunker City Grubster 2.75. Anyone with experience using small SwimBaits like this for smallmouth and whether they’d be productive in small streams/rivers? 

[TnRiver46]

They work great for any fish in any situation. Smallmouth shred through a bag of them really fast, I get mine hand poured at 2.5 inches 

[Steveo-1969]

Wading a river for smallmouth is my favorite way to fish, and what I do exclusively from early spring to fall.  Small paddletail swimbaits on a jighead are one of my "go-tos" and I use baits from 3" to 4" in length.  I have yet to find a paddletail this size that WON'T catch smallies.  If you made me choose just one it would be a Keitech Swing Impact FAT 3.3".

 

Others I've used:

 

Berkley Powerbait Ripple Shad - 3", 3.5", 4"

Keitech Swing Impact FAT - 3.3", 3.8"

Keitech Swing Impact - 3.5", 4"

Keitech Easy Shiner - 4"

BPS Speed Shad - 3"

Reaction Innovations Little Dipper - 3.5"

[Birdman2136]

29 minutes ago, Steveo-1969 said:

Wading a river for smallmouth is my favorite way to fish, and what I do exclusively from early spring to fall.  Small paddletail swimbaits on a jighead are one of my "go-tos" and I use baits from 3" to 4" in length.  I have yet to find a paddletail this size that WON'T catch smallies.  If you made me choose just one it would be a Keitech Swing Impact FAT 3.3".

 

Others I've used:

 

Berkley Powerbait Ripple Shad - 3", 3.5", 4"

Keitech Swing Impact FAT - 3.3", 3.8"

Keitech Swing Impact - 3.5", 4"

Keitech Easy Shiner - 4"

BPS Speed Shad - 3"

Reaction Innovations Little Dipper - 3.5"

Awesome! I recently watch a YouTube video of a guy stream fishing for SMB and it absolutely captured my interest and imagination. I have used the Fat Swing Impacts in the 3.8 size with success on both lakes and rivers. 

 

I will add the 3.3 size Fat Impacts to that list of baits I plan on bringing along. Do you typically use a ball head jig and any color preferences for mainly clear with a tan hue streams?

[HookRz]

Some one mentioned Smallmouth tear up small swimbaits quick, and they weren't kidding. The small creeks I wade are often good for 15-25 fish per hour on a good day. I've gone through $20 worth of keitechs and switched to something else after a few hours. Now I use Zman Slim Swimz made from elastech. Usually I lose one to a snag before it needs replaced. Amazing stuff. 

[Birdman2136]

41 minutes ago, HookRz said:

Some one mentioned Smallmouth tear up small swimbaits quick, and they weren't kidding. The small creeks I wade are often good for 15-25 fish per hour on a good day. I've gone through $20 worth of keitechs and switched to something else after a few hours. Now I use Zman Slim Swimz made from elastech. Usually I lose one to a snag before it needs replaced. Amazing stuff. 

The Grubster and Rhythm Wave baits are much more friendly on the wallet compared to Keitech. The only Z Man product I have ever used is the TRDs. I'll keep these in mind. What type of jig do you use with these?

[HookRz]

Usually a Keitech round head with a 1/16 to 1/8 with the #4 or #2 Katsuechi hook. Super glue the baits on. Really any head will do. 

[IndianaOutdoors]

I save the keitech for days when they're more finicky.  On the days when the smallmouth are tearing it up I use some cheap Zoom Fat Albert's or havoc/powerbait paddle tails.

[Steveo-1969]

 

16 hours ago, Birdman2136 said:

Awesome! I recently watch a YouTube video of a guy stream fishing for SMB and it absolutely captured my interest and imagination. I have used the Fat Swing Impacts in the 3.8 size with success on both lakes and rivers. 

 

I will add the 3.3 size Fat Impacts to that list of baits I plan on bringing along. Do you typically use a ball head jig and any color preferences for mainly clear with a tan hue streams?

I use a plain lead ball head jig, 3/16 to 1/4 ounce with a 2/0 or 3/0 hook.  I've caught smallies on all different color baits and I don't think color really matters, unless it matters. (don't you hate that answer?) Ayu, Bluegill Flash, Electric Shad, Gold Flash Minnow, Perch, Male Perch and of course Smallmouth Magic! 

 

I've tried supergluing the bait to the jig head with mixed results. I've also tried running a toothpick through the bait in front of the hook bend with mixed results. I just know if I use a Keitech it's gonna get tore up.

[Munkin]

Zoom swimming fluke Jr with a Owner weighted twistlock hook.

 

Allen

[Birdman2136]

3 hours ago, Steveo-1969 said:

 

I use a plain lead ball head jig, 3/16 to 1/4 ounce with a 2/0 or 3/0 hook.  I've caught smallies on all different color baits and I don't think color really matters, unless it matters. (don't you hate that answer?) Ayu, Bluegill Flash, Electric Shad, Gold Flash Minnow, Perch, Male Perch and of course Smallmouth Magic! 

 

I've tried supergluing the bait to the jig head with mixed results. I've also tried running a toothpick through the bait in front of the hook bend with mixed results. I just know if I use a Keitech it's gonna get tore up.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to invest in the smaller versions of both the Fat Impact and Rhythm Waves this summer and see which one I prefer. Now if I can only fast forward to spring in WI! I almost think a trip south is in store for me this winter.

[TnRiver46]

43 minutes ago, Birdman2136 said:

Thanks for the info. I'm going to invest in the smaller versions of both the Fat Impact and Rhythm Waves this summer and see which one I prefer. Now if I can only fast forward to spring in WI! I almost think a trip south is in store for me this winter.

They will eat up those little swimbaits all winter long down here! We don't have sunny beaches but we have hungry bass 

[Birdman2136]

Tennessee is a place I’d love to come fish someday. ??

[clayton86]

I like the keitech 2.8 fat impacts on a buckeye G-man finesse swimbait head. The pill shaped head I find to deflect off rocks or even when in the rocks gets hung up much less. I’ve had days of 15+ smallies on one keitech since switching to these heads. As long as I don’t get short strikes on the tail it will last.

[bowhunter63]

I have used them all year with great success.Baby Rage swimmer and Bass pro shops brand.I use a any where from 1/8 to 1/4 ounce ball heads depending on current speed and depth.

[gall]

I've been wanting to ask the same thing someone beat me to the punch. Not trying to hijack just curious is ball head better then swimbait jig heads for moving water? I saw the outkast goldeneye and really like them. 

[Steveo-1969]

I use ball head jigs because of lower cost and multiple uses for the same head. I use them for swimbaits, grubs, finesse worms, etc. Really any plastic I want to fish with an open hook jig head. What changes is weight and hook size for different baits and conditions.

 

I have used actual swimbait heads and also darter heads for paddletail swimbaits, but I never found an advantage over a ball head jig.