Swimbaits, top picks

[rocknfish9001]

I purchased some poor boy's silly rabbits a little while ago, and was waiting to try them out this spring. I got out, and was a little disapointed with the action. It didn't seem really "fishy" However, the big bait caught several bass in one outing including a 13 inch bass, but one broke me off when i set the hook. I should have re-tied. I guess the action was appealing to the fish, and that is all that matters. My question is, how do these baits measure up to others like the berkley hollow belly, luke e strike bass magic, basstrix fat minnow, etc. What is your favorite swimbait?

[Big-O]

Mattlures are hard to beat. And hold up well too.

Big O

[Mattlures]

Thanks Big O!! I like your Rage tail baits to. Seriously the shad is my new buzzbait.

rocknfish9001You should never break off on a hook set. I am guessing you using way to light of line. Also most real swimbait rods are very stiff with a little softer tip so that shouldnt happen. I suggest you use heavier line and definatly retie. As for swimbaits, well I am obviously bias so I would suggest buying quality proven baits. You will shorten your learning curve and you will actualy save money in the long run. Its better to but 2-3 $20-$50 baits then it is to buy a boat full of junk baits that you wont use once you realize how much better the quality baits are.

[rocknfish9001]

The break off was completley my fault because I was casting to the shore and ended up tangling with some bushes and docks a few times. After I broke off, i felt the line and it was as if somebody ran over it with a sander. I should be more observative especially if im fishing for big fish. But I have always wanted to try one of those blugills. The baby bass look great too. I was curious if the swimbait with the hooks and weight molded (like the mattlures) in have a different action compared to the ones i listed, which have the tail action and a bit of a side to side wobble too.

[Raul]

Soft swimbaits:

Mattlures Baby Bass & Bluegill ( Haven 't tried the ultimate bluegill )

Castaic SBT 6"

Hard swimbaits:

Daiwa Dead or Alive

Fish Arrow Monster Jack and Monster Jack Junior

Imakatsu Magnum Buzzbill

Imakatsu Husky Hasuzzy

[rocknfish9001]

I havent tried any hard swimbaits before, when do they have an advantage over the soft swimbaits?

[Raul]

I havent tried any hard swimbaits before, when do they have an advantage over the soft swimbaits?

They don 't tear to pieces when a teethy toothy critter like a gar bites 'em.  

Kidding aside, it 's a matter of what depth you are planning to fish because there are many kinds of hard swimbaits ( floating, suspending, slow sinking, fast sinking, shallow runners, mid deep runners  ).

[bpm2000]

Top: 3:16 wakebaits (baby, JR) for wakes, lunker punker for walking

middle: huddleston deluxe 6" and 8" ROF12, Triple trout

bottom: mattlures ultimate bluegill, 3:16 mission fish

[smcentee]

Soft swimbaits: I've all but given up. I just never seem to get the hook positioned in the right place, and they don't last very long. It's just me.

Hard swimbaits:

Sebile Magic Swimmer

Jackall GIRON

I've caught many fish with these baits. In the hands of someone more experienced than I, they'd be a killer.