Let's talk about Swimbaits shall we?

[AbuGarcia-4-Life]

Ok I have never really fished swimbaits at all and I'm goin to order some of the 4" Huddleston Weedless Shad for my tournament on the 9th of April. I was planning on using my Flippin' Stick and 65# Braid. But I was wondering could I get by on a 7' MH Fast or M X-Fast Vendetta with 30# Braid?

I want to know what is the best way to fish these baits? Best area? Best time of year? Etc.

I basically want to know everything I NEED to know. BTW next weekend (April 2nd) We are gonna Pre-Fish so... If that helps,

Thanks

[Bluebasser86]

Ok I have never really fished swimbaits at all and I'm goin to order some of the 4" Huddleston Weedless Shad for my tournament on the 9th of April. I was planning on using my Flippin' Stick and 65# Braid. But I was wondering could I get by on a 7' MH Fast or M X-Fast Vendetta with 30# Braid?

I want to know what is the best way to fish these baits? Best area? Best time of year? Etc.

I basically want to know everything I NEED to know. BTW next weekend (April 2nd) We are gonna Pre-Fish so... If that helps,

Thanks

Best way is the way the fish want it. Best area is where the fish are at. Best time of year is when you are fishing. If you're prefishing just give them a try. Swimbaits can be used so many different ways it's almost impossible to labels "bests." Some days they're best burned like a spinnerbait under the surface, next day cranked mid depth like a crankbait, and next day crawled along bottom like a jig. I'd say if you're prefishing just give them a try and see how the fish respond. Fish the same areas you would fish and try a few different retrieves.

As for the rod, if the lure is within the rating of the rod it should be good, as should the 30lb braid. I'd guess that with a 4 inch swimbait it should do what you need it too! 

[Raul]

My man, if I were to fish a tornament the last bait I woud try is the one I 've never fished with.

[Alpster]

My man, if I were to fish a tornament the last bait I woud try is the one I 've never fished with.

That's the truth!!!

Ronnie

[webertime]

Your MH should be fine a 4" Hudd isn't that big.  Slow roll it, make it seem like it's out for a stroll, no need to be jerky of make it look like it's spazzing out.

[AbuGarcia-4-Life]

My man, if I were to fish a tornament the last bait I woud try is the one I 've never fished with.

Thts why I am going to use them during Pre-Fish

[Raul]

My man, if I were to fish a tornament the last bait I woud try is the one I 've never fished with.

Thts why I am going to use them during Pre-Fish

Maybe I see the tournament thing with different eyes than yours, for me prefishing is to locate the fish and what baits and techniques are working best, not to learn to fish a lure I 've never fished with, there 's plenty of time to learn to fish a lure in another ocassion (s).

[AbuGarcia-4-Life]

HmH..... This makes since. I Will take this into Consideration.

[deep]

Your MH should be fine a 4" Hudd isn't that big.

According to the huddleston website, that bait is 1.5 oz. With a regular MH bass rod (not MH swimbait rod), he might not have the hooksetting power.

[AbuGarcia-4-Life]

Yea that's why I asked.

[Hammer 4]

IMHO, it depend greatly on the rod, as some are under, and over rated for weights re: lures.

I have a Clarus 7'MH/F that I can throw a 6" freestyle, and a my 6" weedless hudd on, although the hudd does tend to load the rod up a tad more than I'd like, it does work, just don't try and zing the bait a mile out there.. ;D

Normally I'd use my shimano Callcutta inshore rod 7'6" MH/F, which is rated up to 2oz's.

[bigbill]

I have the yum swimbaits and i have only use them topwater reeling them slow enough so there tail paddles and looks real.  I have had many strikes that way but not many hookups for some reason.  Bill

[Hammer 4]

Rats, I forgot to add, that in most cases, I like retrieving baits very slow, and or bottom bouncing them. As to where to fish em, welp, anywhere they won't get hung up, that's one reason why I like the weedless hudd's.

For bottom bouncing, try this, cast out, let the bait sit for a good 60 secs. Then give the rod an upward twitch, which makes the bait look like it's feeding on the bottom, i do this with a 3:16 missionfish also.

I fish swimbaits, although larger ones..all year long.

Never had much luck with a fast retrieve, that's not to say it won't work. Try mixing up the retrieve, the fish will tell ya what's up..

[AbuGarcia-4-Life]

Ok, thank you guys for all your help, I will put in my order on Monday or Tuesday probably so this should work out pretty good.