Big swimbaits how big is too big

[Craigholland]

I have a slight swimbaits fettish and bought 6 of them. Bought 6 8 inch Savage Gear swimbaits specifically gonna throw for one big bite. Think I should have went 6 instead or ok with the 8s? I live in Ohio and a few trips to Tennessee and fl but throwing mostly Ohio. 

[soflabasser]

Big northern strain largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are known to hit muskie lures so you should be ok with the lures you mentioned. Might want to put a wire leader to avoid cutoffs if you fishing in waters muskie and pike are present.

[primetime]

I tried the bigger swimbait thing for a bit here in Florida and it wasn't for me as I guess I lack the patience and never noticed catches of much bigger fish personally, just less strikes and less confidence especially with heavy line and it just seemed like other baits would get the job done for me better.

 

For me, 6" is as big as I go and that is for Soft swimbaits, 6" Hollow belly I consider big...I consider the Gambler Big EZ a big swimbait, I tried the new 8" Gambler swimbaits and just felt they were too big and heavy and hard go set the hook etc.

 

I do use the Spro BBZ in mid size, I think they are 4-5". I use it as a wake bait and like it, The savage gear and River 2 Sea S wavers that I have used are not all that big, but I simply prefer a 4-5" bait and kind of keeps the action going and big fish will hit it.

 

Hope that makes sense. I do use 7" Senkos and 12" worms without an issue so I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder. The regular Zara Spook and Cordell Red Fin are big baits so I guess it just depends on results. 

 

8" Swimbait I consider big for some reason even though I know it really isnt in reality. 6" feels more natural to me.

 

[drew4779]

Fellow buckeye here... You can catch them with 8" swimbaits here, but don't expect tons of bites.  Keep the mentality of looking for one bite (easier said than done... at least for me). If I plan on using the big swimbaits, I now start the day with a confidence bait, get the skunk out of the way, then I'm able to focus on that one bite. However, I seem to catch a surprising amount 8" to 10" fish on the 8" to 10" swimbaits.  

[Bluebasser86]

I'm in Kansas and have caught them on 9" swimbaits that were barely bigger than the bait. I've had 4 pound fish choke an 8" Hudd. Stick to it and you'll have no problem catching fish. IMO, 7-8 inches is the sweet spot for swimbaits in the midwest for largemouth, especially if you have gizzard shad. 

[Craigholland]

Thanks

[FCPhil]

In my limited experience you need to go out from the beginning with the mindset that you might not catch anything and that’s alright. But you might also catch some quality fish too. 

 

If you fish from the bank I’d recommend standing back a bit so you don’t spook the likely followers as your lure gets close to the bank. When a swimbait gets to the bank it forces the bass to decide and that can be what triggers the strike if they don’t see you first. 

[Mr. Aquarium]

I've caught 1 and 2lbs bass on  9 and 10 inch swimbaits.  I've had a few hits on my 15 inch bait.  Your numbers may go down but the quality will go up. I LLLLLOOOOVVEVVEEEEE the 9 inch slammer. I catch a lot of bass on it. from 1lbs fish to my PB of 7.8. 

[A-Jay]

On ‎3‎/‎16‎/‎2019 at 3:18 PM, Craigholland said:

I have a slight swimbaits fettish and bought 6 of them. Bought 6 8 inch Savage Gear swimbaits specifically gonna throw for one big bite. Think I should have went 6 instead or ok with the 8s? I live in Ohio and a few trips to Tennessee and fl but throwing mostly Ohio. 

2

The answer is right there in the BR reports forum.

Simply skim through the past several years of most excellent trips, days & big fish catches, and check out how many 'killer days' these thousands of skilled & experienced BR members had throwing 6- 8 inch swimbaits.

Might be a little lower number than you'd hope to see.

If you want to conquer & catch a few big bass on a big swimbait in Ohio, you most certainly can; and it will be awesome.  If you're hoping to catch several big bass a trip on big swimbaits in Ohio, history indicates, the place that you 'could' do that, has yet to be located by anyone on these forums - at least not yet.

Good Luck

A-Jay