Must have swimbaits

[Adam Markley]

Hello guys I just got my first big swimbait rod, a dobyns 806. Wondering which baits are considered “must-haves” or “go-tos” trying to get a couple quality baits to start out and not break the bank. 

[JediAmoeba]

Huddleston 68 and 8 inch.  Arashi  glide. Spro Bbz-1 rat, and a bull gill 4×4

Also an s waver 168 and 200

Thar selection can hit all sections of the water column.

[WRB]

Looking at the northern strain of largemouth bass population where you fish in PA capable of eating large size bait fish as a regular prey source is the 1st step in making lure selection.

PA state record is 11 lbs 3 oz caught in 1983 or 37 years ago. The possibility of catching LMB over 10 lbs is very low, 7 lbs to 8 lbs is higher possibility and a good target goal. 

Based on the size of bass and predominate prey type should influence the size of lures.

Dobyns 806 Swimbait rod works good for lures up to 4 1/2 oz like 8" Huddleston Deluxe ROF 12 swimbaits. 68 Hudd is a better choice based the size of your bass. Shad profile type of swimbaits to 7" should work. Bluegill and crappie swimbaits to 6" and wake baits like multi jointed MS Slammers to 8" and BB1 rats should work.

Tom

[Adam Markley]

Thanks guys 

[Derek1]

Great post I’m interested in the 806 as well. 

[GreenPig]

Bull Herring. If I lost mine today I'd order a replacement tonight.

[camman]

Hudd 68 and a Triple Trout

[ATA]

if you want only one must have I recommend S water 168 light trout color.

[Hammer 4]

I would add a Spro BBZ 1 4" shad, in Killer Gill.

[Bluebasser86]

MS Slammer, Shine Glide, Bull Shad, FishLab Bio Gill wake, Savage Gear Pulse Tail shiner.

[Angry John]

Swaivers for the price and action cannot be beat

bbz rat is another for the price cannot be touched

Mattlures hard gills or if you can find them the strong shad

(i have never caught a huddleston trout fish)

 

[Primus]

One of the real over looked gems for guys that want to get their feet wet with swimbaits in my opinion is the Evergreen ES Flat. That bait has been money since I've had it and weighs about 2 ounces so it doesn't take a real specialized rod to throw it. 6TH sense offers a similar looking lure but I like the action of the ES Flat better. I usually use a slow retrieve combined with quick 1/2 turns of the reel and sometimes light twitches of the rod. This bait gets a lot of bites and will quickly help you gain confidence in this style of fishing.