Glide Baits: Floating or Slow Sink?

[kevinmyfsu]

Could any more experienced folks help me out on the wisdom of floating glide baits vs slow sinking glide baits? I've used a fair number of both, but I always feel like the floaters are more difficult to keep at my target depth. They normally end up with their backs out of the water - is this a good thing? Or rather, is it something that would spook fish? I've fished the Gantarel in the full size and Junior versions, and it's the closest thing to a floating glide bait that I enjoy throwing and can keep at the appropriate depth. For most of my floating glide baits, like the 6th Sense Draw, I just use suspending strips to make them slow sink, and that works pretty well. I have some glides made by smaller manufacturers, however, and one in particular that floats no matter how many strips I put on it, so I'm going to have to learn to use it the way it was intended, I suppose. Any opinions or info is greatly appreciated!

[WRB]

Glide that floats is a wake bait imo.

Tom

[softwateronly]

I agree with Tom. Slow sink or Med sink work better for me. I have better luck with swimmers that float more than glides. 
 

scott

[PhishLI]

44 minutes ago, kevinmyfsu said:

Could any more experienced folks help me out on the wisdom of floating glide baits vs slow sinking glide baits?

Well, if you have weed beds a foot under the surface, a typical slow sinking bait may be nearly useless unless it's burned. Floaters present a profile that may be what they want. If all you get is followers, at least you'll know that fish are in the zone.

 

Keep adding strips and wrap the hooks on the Draw with lead wire until you can affect a super slow sink. Every bite I got on my first 2 trips this year came on a BBZ1 Shad Floater carefully weighted and fished in 2' of water in February. Nothing else got a sniff. Depth is easily regulated with rod tip position and very slight, incremental handle turns. It's a presentation that has just enough movement to look alive, and something that's easily ambushed which is ideal for fish in very cold NY water. Cold water isn't your problem, but cold fronts may put Florida bass in a mood where they won't chase, but this presentation dropped close by might be irresistible.

[Bankc]

Slow sink for me.  Almost a suspending action, but not quite.  I frequently fish them around 3-6' below the surface.   

[JediAmoeba]

Suspending to a super super slow sink.

[kevinmyfsu]

4 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Well, if you have weed beds a foot under the surface, a typical slow sinking bait may be nearly useless unless it's burned. Floaters present a profile that may be what they want. If all you get is followers, at least you'll know that fish are in the zone.

 

Keep adding strips and wrap the hooks on the Draw with lead wire until you can affect a super slow sink. Every bite I got on my first 2 trips this year came on a BBZ1 Shad Floater carefully weighted and fished in 2' of water in February. Nothing else got a sniff. Depth is easily regulated with rod tip position and very slight, incremental handle turns. It's a presentation that has just enough movement to look alive, and something that's easily ambushed which is ideal for fish in very cold NY water. Cold water isn't your problem, but cold fronts may put Florida bass in a mood where they won't chase, but this presentation dropped close by might be irresistible.

 

True, I do fish places like that. In fact most of the places I fish have vegetation just a foot or less below the surface, so there's actually not a whole lot of room for presentation. You have to have your retrieve dialed in right to not get caught on the muck of the bottom or vegetation. I mean I now have a floating glide bait, so I'm definitely going to use it. In terms of the Draw, I've managed to get that one weighted just right so that it sinks evenly. I don't like the hooks, however - they're enormous and I think I'd be better off with a lighter wire.

[Hammer 4]

I dunno, I use slow sinks, and keeping them above the weeds doesn't require "burning" them. Maybe it's the maker of the baits ?

[VolFan]

‘Slow Sink’ is like ‘MH’ in that some are slower and some are sinker, depending on the manufacturer with no real standard. Floaters usually float pretty good but I’ve never had trouble getting one to slowly sink. With the conditions you describe, I’d use heaviest hooks, suspend strips, and tungsten wire to dial in an extra slow sink 

[webertime]

Floating with weight boards added to fine tune.

[kevinmyfsu]

13 hours ago, VolFan said:

‘Slow Sink’ is like ‘MH’ in that some are slower and some are sinker, depending on the manufacturer with no real standard. Floaters usually float pretty good but I’ve never had trouble getting one to slowly sink. With the conditions you describe, I’d use heaviest hooks, suspend strips, and tungsten wire to dial in an extra slow sink 

Man, ain't that the truth. Especially when you start talking about stuff like the Baitsanity super slow sink, I start to wonder whether these categories really make sense.

[WRB]

Slow sink is Totally a subjective topic.

Even some of the Floater have run depths to 3’-5’.

Cold water is higher density then warmer water affecting ROF.

Tune your lures to your needs.

Tom

[JediAmoeba]

10 minutes ago, WRB said:

Slow sink is Totally a subjective topic.

Even some of the Floater have run depths to 3’-5’.

Cold water is higher density then warmer water affecting ROF.

Tune your lures to your needs.

Tom

This is the truth. When fishing gliders in the early spring o have 2 rods - 1 with copoly and 1 with fluoro just because the glide depth changes as the water warms up.

[Deleted account]

The slow sinker gets the majority of the love, but sometimes you need something to stay up and out of the salad and goop.

[Larkn]

Floating glide baits are the most versatile baits imo. You can make it float, suspend, slow sink, medium sink, or fast sink In cold or warm water to fish any depth of the water column just by adding some lead wire or strips to the bait. If you know you're never gonna fish it super shallow than you could start with a slow sink but I like the options. 

[Mr. Aquarium]

Someone say floating glides??? I LOVE FLOATING GLIDES!!!! Years ago I kept thinking about them. Finally got one. Had the best season I’ve ever had with them. I caught an 8-2, 7-5, 7-1 and many fish under 7 on this bait in the first month of fishing it.  For me it’s one of those baits that will work all year.  They are so versatile. Add heavier hooks to make it sink.  I love them when the suspend or extra extra slow sink. You can fish these where other baits get hung up.  I fish these in shallow water especially in the spring and winter. Super slow!  Slow reel bumps 

 

The floating glide I love is a DS customs glide. He makes 6.5 8 and 10 inch baits. I really love the 8 inch bait. He can make you any color combo you want. I now have 6 glides. Plus his other baits 

[Mr. Aquarium]

These are Massachusetts fish! I’ve had so many followers , nips and bites on this thing. This single bait blew open my glide bait game! I’ve tried other glides like Swaver, shine glide stuff like that never liked it until I bought one of the DS floating glides.  I fish it shallow over weeds!  I haven’t really fished summer time in a few years. So I’m not sure how this bait will do but I’m sure it’ll be fire. I love this bait in fall, winter, ice out, pre spawn bite! 

[Jitch the angler]

On 1/10/2024 at 8:25 PM, Mr. Aquarium said:

These are Massachusetts fish! I’ve had so many followers , nips and bites on this thing. This single bait blew open my glide bait game! I’ve tried other glides like Swaver, shine glide stuff like that never liked it until I bought one of the DS floating glides.  I fish it shallow over weeds!  I haven’t really fished summer time in a few years. So I’m not sure how this bait will do but I’m sure it’ll be fire. I love this bait in fall, winter, ice out, pre spawn bite! 

Dude where in mass are u catching 7-8 pound bass. Down the cape?? Trout stocked lakes w a herring spawn??? Unbelievable

[king fisher]

I recommend high floating glide baits, and it is a good idea to paint them bright orange, and chartreuse.  The reason being, when I get a grade 10 A professional over run on my reel and cast one into the next  county, I will hopefully be able to find it floating on the surface.  If it sinks, then I can only watch as I try to think of a way to tell my wife I traded the car for a handful of magic baits.

      If it doesn't catch bass, all the better.  It is impossible to loose a lure I don't tie on the line.  I will then be forced to fish with lures that don't cost more than my rod and reel.  

[Mr. Aquarium]

5 hours ago, Jitch the angler said:

Dude where in mass are u catching 7-8 pound bass. Down the cape?? Trout stocked lakes w a herring spawn??? Unbelievable

Yes sir! Cape trout herring waters! I’ve caught so many fish on this bait. I got a 7.5 in a bog pond, no herring or trout in early March on this bait! It just flat out catches fish! Some other local studs are catching giants on this to! 

[GreenPig]

I fish SS and floating baits. The floaters give you the ability to make a SDESS Super Duper Extra Slow Sink to fish very shallow very slow or just show the fish something different. Our fish have seen a gazillion standard slow sinking baits.

Floating 6" Bull Shad that's weighted to sink very slow.

[PhishLI]

3 hours ago, GreenPig said:

The floaters give you the ability to make a SDESS Super Duper Extra Slow Sink to fish very shallow very slow or just show the fish something different.

Word. Amen.

[PhishLI]

Here's a little more encouragement on the subject that just popped up and I screenshotted from one of our local bass pages.