Multi-Jointed Swimbait Recommendations Requested...

[Crow Horse]

I've seen some videos of multi-jointed swimbaits and the fluid action looks enticing. Any recommendations that don't break the bank. I've seen some as high as $24 and I really can't see myself tossing a costly plug. The flip side is that what might look and swim good, might not be a "fish catcher". Many times they are just "fisherman catchers"...

[Bluebasser86]

As high as $24? I'd say the Bull Shad is probably the gold standard in that category and they go for twice that amount. I think the closest you might be able to get to a decent swimming, multi jointed bait in that price range would be a Spro BBZ 4" Shad or Sebile Magic Swimmer. 

[Crow Horse]

Thanks and wow! What makes these so much more expensive than a non-jointed plug?

[drew4779]

I don't see magic swimmers mentioned a ton on the forum, but I've had some great days on the water with those lures. 

[evilcatfish]

Triple Trout and Bull Shad are the best in the category as far as I'm concerned, though I think they are priced a little higher than you are looking for, perhaps maybe try a Spro BBZ?  

 

Consider though that 22nd Century (Triple Trout) and Bull Shad are both made in the USA small time operations owned by a couple of good dudes

[Big Swimbait]

I can't add anything to what has been said about multi-joint baits - the ones mentioned are proven. However don't give up on single joint baits like the Savage Gear Shine Glide and the River2Sea S-Waver. They fit your budget and are killer baits.

[BoatSquirrel]

You are correct, there are a fair number of baits out there that are fisherman catchers.  However, baits such as the River2Sea SWaver, BullShad, among others, are not in that category.  

Deciding to dabble in this area is a poor idea and will likely result in wasted money and dust growing on a lot of expensive lures.  Big swimbaits/glides require heavy, dedicated equipment and a commitment to throwing them in order to be successful.

[Crow Horse]

42 minutes ago, BoatSquirrel said:

Big swimbaits/glides require heavy, dedicated equipment and a commitment to throwing them in order to be successful.

How heavy are we talking? I currently use 20# braid on a medium 7' spinning rod/reel. Might this be too "light"?  When I'm out on the water (kayak), I'll fish hard for 5-7 hours, so one might consider me committed. Another item that might be a deal breaker is that I'm catch & release only and most often replace trebles with barbless single VMC hooks. I don't want to spend a load of loot on something that I can't modify to suit my needs..... Any ideas?

[Koz]

6 minutes ago, Crow Horse said:

How heavy are we talking? I currently use 20# braid on a medium 7' spinning rod/reel.

 

I decided too get into swimbait fishing this winter and bought an S-Waver 168 and at 1 5/8 ounces I definitely would not throw it on my 7' MH rod. I bought a cheap BPS 7' 6" heavy rod and put on an old Lew's low profile baitcasting reel and 50 pound braid. It works for now, but the reel isn't the best choice for bigger swimbaits.

 

I went this route because I have no idea if I want to fish swimbaits on a regular basis. The payoff can be huge, but it can get tiring throwing them and it's not like throwing a Senko where you can get a ton of strikes all day long.

 

If I do enjoy throwing it this spring I'll swap out the reel with an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur or something similar that can hold a lot more line and enable me to bomb more casts out there. If I want to start throwing bigger and heavier swimbaits I'll need to upgrade the rod as well as the $39 BPS rod I bought is only rated to two ounces, but that's all I need for now.

 

If you try and use a MH rod on even the 1.5-2oz baits the rod won't load up well when you cast, your casts won't be that far or accurate, and you may end up breaking the rod. You're also going to need more backbone to set the hook with a bigger swimbait.

 

I'm sure others here will chime in on better gear for swimbaits. Mine is the low budget option to throw bigger glide and swimbaits 2 ounces and under. But if you want to throw BIG swimbaits you'll need to invest in a good rod and reel. And that's before you get into the $60-$300 swimbaits.

 

If you want something jointed that you can probably throw on your existing rod the 5" Storm Live Kickin' Shad is only 7/8 oz and sells for under $6. I have one I purchased this winter but haven't tried it yet.

 

 

[BoatSquirrel]

51 minutes ago, Crow Horse said:

How heavy are we talking? I currently use 20# braid on a medium 7' spinning rod/reel. Might this be too "light"?  When I'm out on the water (kayak), I'll fish hard for 5-7 hours, so one might consider me committed. Another item that might be a deal breaker is that I'm catch & release only and most often replace trebles with barbless single VMC hooks. I don't want to spend a load of loot on something that I can't modify to suit my needs..... Any ideas?

Lets take for example, a 6” BullShad which weighs 2.5 oz.  This weight demands an 8’ H or XH rod with at least a 200 size baitcast reel.  65 lb braid with minimum 20lb leader.  Thats what I mean when I say commitment.  Its a totally different type of fishing.

[Crow Horse]

Thanks for all the replies! It looks like I'll have to pass on this type of pluggin'. I'd have to replace my rod & reel in order to do this correctly which isn't in the budget right now. It does look very interesting...

 

[Mr. Aquarium]

matts lures makes some incredible baits, he was a taxidermist so he brought that to making swimbaits. The meathead, strong series are awesome! Expensive though but  the realism, the action, durability and the detail are incomparable to other baits