Soft plastic swim bait starter kit

[DN3]

Looking to add soft plastic swim baits to the arsenal this year….what would you guys recommend for a “kit” …what size baits? What size hooks? Etc? 

[EWREX]

hard to beat 3.8" keitech swing impact fats and keitech easy shiners. throw them on a ball head (weight depending on depth you're fishing) or an underspin

[DinkDreams]

I would say weighted swimbait hooks with screw locks, and your choice of swimbait jig head as far as terminal tackle goes. Maybe some trebles if you want to get into the line thru stuff. 
 

“Swimbait” is a broad category ranging from little 2 inch keitechs to 10-12-16 inch baits, but I’m going to assume you want to be somewhere around the 3.5-4.5 inch range.

 

First, determine what kind you want to fish. A lot of people swear by Keitech Swing Impacts but I’ve always been a Rage Swimmer guy myself. Regardless, pick your brand and length and then go get some 1/8oz weighted hooks and 3/8 jig heads to start, that will cover you at least to begin with. 
 

So all told you’ll need:

Swimbaits of your choice

1/8 oz weighted swimbait hooks (I like the Gamakatsu ones but to each their own)

3/8 swimbait jig head (I use the SK Squadron heads, but they are a bit on the pricey side. Any ball head or darter head style will work)

 

Welcome to the rabbit hole. Before you know it you’ll be buying 10/0 beast hooks and throwing an 8 inch piece of plastic hahaha.

[softwateronly]

19 hours ago, DN3 said:

Looking to add soft plastic swim baits to the arsenal this year….what would you guys recommend for a “kit” …what size baits? What size hooks? Etc? 

 

If you think the bass in your lake eat panfish, I'd recommend also adding a 3/8-1/2oz swim jig w/ one of the paddle tails that both @EWREX and @DinkDreams are suggesting.  It's a nice compromise between the better hook up ratio and weedless - ness between the ball head and Gammy screw lock.  I personally feel comfortable with dirty jigs swim jig in alabama bream or crappie as an all rounder.  Warmer water, gambler EZ is also a tough bait to beat for action, price, durability.

 

scott