Smallmouth swim baits.

[wisturkeyhunter]

I fish a lake that is crystal clear and has some very large smallies in it. Be a fair bet to say the state record is swimming in there. Caught a smallie last year that was 8.7 pounds on the digi scale and (state record is 9) through that fish back too she swam off unharmed. That fish was caught on a 5 inch blue/black senko. I've seen 2 other fish that I'm pretty sure were bigger. Sometimes hard to tell size because lake is very deer and alot of the shoreline drops off very quickly so bigger ones are rarely seen in the few shallow places the lake has deep clear water through you off. My question is what swim baits would be good ones to try on these fish? I would like ones that aren't huge like the guys in cali use and 1 ounce or less too. Alot of blue gills and stocked trout in this lake. I've already been looking at a huddlebug and may purchase a couple to try. I'm not a rookie to bass fishing I've caught alot of smallie over 6 pounds but I want to take it to the next level and fish the biggest bass this trophy lake has to offer. Thanks in advanced.

[mrmacwvu1]

only ones that i have fished is the Northland Mimic minnows they catch fish in Erie and that is all i can say

[brushcutter]

for the price you can't beat the storm wild eye series swimbaits. they have a 5" size that comes in blue/silver, black/silver, and rainbow trout.

[wisturkeyhunter]

Thanks guys. I've used both the baits you guys said and they are very good for catching smallies but I want something a little more realistic for these really picky pig smallies.

p.s Northland slurpies shad and shiner are also very good when fished like the mimic minnow and wildeye series of baits. Just not what I'm looking for here.

[A-Jay]

wisturkeyhuntet

This is from a previous thread by Fish Chris

I can't argue with these kind of results - I've never seen anything like it - This man seems to have a pretty plan . . . . .

A-Jay

I have some buddies who were afraid of increasing the pressure on our trophy Smallmouth Lk..... But whether they think so or not, I believe they are pretty much done spawning now anyway... at least the bigger ones.

Didn't get a new PB this year, but got some darn nice Smallies :-)

I got my first good Smallie this year, a beautful 6.2 lb'er on a Huddlebug, pre-spawn, just blind fishing an area that I know to be good. All the rest were sight fished.... But not like "easy to see, sitting right on top, fishing in an aquarium" sight fishing..... More like... find em' when its calm, and they spook away... mark the bed (or use land marks) come back later when its breezy and choppy (which it almost always is) and blind fish the bed fish, which you hope is still there.... with your boat swinging all over the place, and your anchor rope breaking free.... Urgggg. Pretty frustrating really.... but when you stick Smallies like these, it makes it all worth it :-)

Interestingly, all of the Northern Strain Largemouth's were caught on the Hud. They are almost impossible to sight fish in this lake ? But what the heck. You guys know me.... I don't care if I sight fish em', catch em' on a swimbait, or fricking nightcrawler ! As long as I get em' in the boat for photos and weighing, and then the release, it's all good :-)

Anyway, this was a beautiful 7.50 lb'er.... which might have been a male..... I still haven't found much info on the male / female size comparisons of Smallies, but I think they might be much closer than with Largemouths {BTW, this fish might have been the mate of my 8.50 PB from last year.... same spot.... plus, I hate to report, but I also hooked a HUGE, fat Smallie on this spot, fought it for like 3 solid minutes, and 4 big runs, when it simply came unbuttoned :-( :-( :-( Their goes my 9 plus Smallie :-(

This was sure a nicely built 7.60 lb'er :-) Not very thick across the back, but so tall, and long (for a Smallie) When it jumped, it had 9 lbs written all over it ! Still, I guess a 7.60 Smallie is a good one anywhere in the country :-)

And this one "WAS" 9 lbs+.......... the week before I caught her :-( She had a huge frame..... bigger than my 8.5 PB from last year for sure.... unfortunately, she was spawned completly out. Her belly was hollow, and narrow, plus her vent was slightly swollen and reddish. Anyway, even spawned out, she went 8.1 lbs.

And hey, I know this is the Smallie sections, but I caught these nice Northern Strain Bass on the same trips I caught the Smallies....

8.6 lbs..... Not a bad fish for the first cast of the trip :-)

9.0.... Not a bad way to end a great trip, with the last cast :-) BTW, this thing had a "wide" fat belly, it was just so firm, it didn't really sag.

And I caught my new my PB Northern this year :-).... 10.4 lbs. I swear this isn't a replica ! :-) Is she just almost too perfect to be real ? Not a scale missing. Not the tiniest split in her fins. And I'm telling you guys, she was 3/4's as wide as she was tall ! Looked like she was on steroids ! And she fought like it too ! Blasted a Hud, then did a complete summersault on the first jump ! Whooo Hooo ! :-)

So anyway, even besides my 17.10 lb'er, it's been a pretty great vacation :-) Took my last day off to rest.... and to go look at new trucks :-)

Great fishing to you guys,

Peace,

Fish

PS, I think all of these fish were caught on 3 consequtive trips. I made a few more trips, but just caught ho-hum 5 lb Smallies ;-)

[mixmasterg]

Go get some Berkley 5" swim shads(blue pearl or herring)they are saltwater baits,rig them on a 1/2 or 3/4 oz bulet head(owner)then toss em!!! great baits I also landed a bonus 8 lb walleye on them a week ago!! Good luck!!

[smallieking]

i caught a few this year on the 4inch basstrix    

[SissySticks]

I'm experimenting this season with the Lake Fork Magic Shad swimbaits.  The 4.5 and 5.5 inch are big, bulky baits and have a really neat swimming action.  I throw them on jigheads in the 1/2 ounce range as well.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_103201?cm_mmc=froogle-_-100-7-10-_--1-_-38-250-086-01&hvarAID=froogle&mr:trackingCode=254A691A-1521-DD11-98CA-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA

[bpm2000]

6" hudds

mattlures trout

3:16 baby wake.

no reason u cant go full size on any of these baits either.