boot tail swimbaits

[jimmyjoe]

  This year I got into boot tails. I used these. https://j-maclures.com/slimswimbait.aspx

   I used a ballhead jig, and got snagged up too much for my liking. I tried nose hooked and got nothing. I used the hook that came with the packet, and I got bit ... but I never got a fish. The swimbait was pulled down the hook every time, as if they were hitting the tail instead of the head. I've never had that happen with other long lures, including the 10" Anaconda ribbontail worm, which is a lot longer than these swimbaits.

   Does anyone have any advice for me, or any insight into the situation?    Thnx.    jj

[papajoe222]

I fell in love with paddle/boot tail soft plastics last year and the competed with a jig this season as my top producer. 
I use jig heads 75% of the time, mostly ball head and half of that time on a swim jig as a trailer. 
my first advice is to NOT use braid unless the cover calls for it. Some give or stretch in your line seems to be an advantage when swimming these. 
Another thing I found that really increased my hook ups was to keep the rid tip at 10:00 or 11:00 when swimming them. Then set the hook by dropping the rod tip, reeling up the slack and popping that hook home. Kind of like setting the hook on a jig. 
hope that helps. 

[primetime]

I used to struggle with fishing swimbaits missing fish when I first started throwing them...I still miss too many fish at times from not having the rod in right place and putting tension on them to fast.

 

I fish most paddle tails on a light texas rig or weighted swimbait hook, or back of a swim jig since I am always in weeds for most part. I would compare it to fishing a frog. You have to give them time to get the bait, then set the hook, but Its easier said than...Its much easier when buzzing a paddle tail on the surface cause you can see the strike.

 

As mentioned above...Rod position and giving the fish a few seconds is key. Especially on the bigger swimbaits in the 5" range, you can fish the smaller ones on open hook almost like a grub and simply just apply tension and a sweep if using a line that stretches....Just like fishing a frog, you will miss some fish, but its all about giving them some time without pulling the bait away....The size of hook matters as well. I like to go big as possible for extra weight and better sets.

[jimmyjoe]

 

3 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

set the hook by dropping the rod tip,

 

1 hour ago, primetime said:

Rod position and giving the fish a few seconds is key. Especially on the bigger swimbaits in the 5" range,

I can do these things. Thanks!     jj

[zell_pop1]

Its usually the small ones that just grab the tail but you definitely need to wait a sec to set the hook.

[Big Rick]

I use the lightest heads possible to reach the depth I want to so I can SLOW DOWN on the presentation. That has been my biggest challenge fishing boot tails, fishing too fast.  

 

Also, certain swimbaits work better with certain hook types, whether it be jig heads, belly weighted weedless, or under spins. You'll have to experiment a bit. But, that's part of the fun. 

 

And don't be afraid to go big or really small. A 2.8 keitech is deadly on a 1/0 Dirty Jigs Matt Stefan Guppy Head.  On the other end of the spectrum the 5-7 inch versions will catch 2 pounders as well as big ones. 

 

 

[jimmyjoe]

51 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

I use the lightest heads possible to reach the depth I want to so I can SLOW DOWN on the presentation.

   I tried this. Know what I got? No tail action, that's what I got. I have to go a certain speed to get the tail to activate. And that's with light weights or heavy weights.

   Of course, this might be the property of these particular swimbaits, too. What's your opinion as to the boot tail that can be retrieved SLOWEST and still have good action?  I mean, of the bigger ones, like 4" or more?   jj

[Catt]

Owner Flashy Swimmer

3/8 oz with an 6/0 hook!

 

And yes I slow roll it near the bottom & I burn it under the surface.

 

 

Edited October 14, 2019 by Catt
Excuse me I listed the wrong lure!

[jimmyjoe]

15 minutes ago, Catt said:

Owner Beast Flashy Swimmer

3/8 oz with an 8/0 hook!

 

And yes I slow roll it near the bottom & I burn it under the surface.

 

 

  I think I figured out why they hit too far back: THE HOOK'S TOO SMALL!   Thanks, (as always), @Catt   jj

[Catt]

21 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

  I think I figured out why they hit too far back: THE HOOK'S TOO SMALL!   Thanks, (as always), @Catt   jj

 

I miss quoted it's not the Beast but the regular size Flashy Swimmer. It does however have a 6/0 hook which is still bigger than most.

 

The molded weight keels soft plastic perfectly at fast or slow retrieves.

[PhishLI]

I went through a number of different hook types trying to get the Norries 5" Spoon Tail Shad to run the way I wanted it to. I found the answer in the pictured Owner TwistLOK Light Weighted 6/0 3/32oz. Rigged with this hook I'm able to run it slowly high in the water column. A bonus feature is that it has an unusually long shank. This takes care of short strikers nicely. As it turns out, this hook works very nicely in other torpedo shaped baits like the Berkley HD The Champ Swimmer 4.5. My hookup percentage is awesome even though the hook isn't an EWG. 5$ at TW for a 3 pack.

[jimmyjoe]

14 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

. My hookup percentage is awesome even though the hook isn't an EWG.

   EWG is great for some things, and highly overrated for others.  If I just knew which hook is best for which lure before I bought them, I'd really be money ahead!      jj 

[KCFinesse]

Watch the action of boottails. Good baits do two things- they shimmy side to side in addition to 'paddling' and they paddle with the lightest weight possible. I've been going swing impact fats and rage swimmers but admittedly I mostly throw 4.3s and smaller. I do think the ball head helps the side to side shimmy action, and I'd rather drop weight than switch to a swim bait hook if at all possible. I like jig heads with small collars to avoid splitting heads open. The owner ball heads are awesome but I also pour my own.  Don't go too long on the hook shank or it negatively impact that side to side shimmy as well. Super glue is your best friend when it comes to anchoring baits.

 

Also the high rod tip trick is great advice, shallow largemouth to deep open water smallmouth...

 

-Jared

[Hower08]

Here's what I have learned about swim baits. I learned it from underspins and transferred it to my regular swimbait fishing. Theirs typically two hits before the fish has it and I'm convinced the first one is always the fish trying to disable the bait then eating it. When I started waiting for that second hit my hook up ration went up to probably 90%. I also started using a med heavy mod rod instead of a med heavy fast. That slower action really helps from pulling your bait away from the fish 

[Glenn]

Lot's of information packed into this video.  Hope it helps!

 

 

[Big Rick]

23 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   I tried this. Know what I got? No tail action, that's what I got. I have to go a certain speed to get the tail to activate. And that's with light weights or heavy weights.

   Of course, this might be the property of these particular swimbaits, too. What's your opinion as to the boot tail that can be retrieved SLOWEST and still have good action?  I mean, of the bigger ones, like 4" or more?   jj

Definitely Keitechs. They are so soft they move with the slightest movement. Bass Pro Shops Speed Shad are very good as well at a lesser costs. I just tried some of the new Churro swim baits from 13 fishing and was please with their fish catching action. Caught quite a few on them. But, my confidence swim baits are the first two I listed.