Swimbaits for Smallies

[Crestliner2008]

After viewing "Fishing University" a few weeks ago, featuring Bill S.(sp?) and the BBZ-1, I ordered a couple of the 6" swimbaits. Will be getting the floater in perch and fast sink in rainbow trout.

I plan on using the floater on a Carolina rig to dig out big smallies (my target is for 6# this year!) on deep, open water structures with this set-up. The reservoir I fish supports a large population of white and yellow perch, as well as smelt. I figured that by dragging this beast along the bottom, I should be able to entice one of the bigger smallies to take a serious interest.

If that doesn't work, I'll probably use the fast sink to target suspended smallies prowling around the large baitfish schools.

Has anyone tried these big baits on smallies? What do you think of my strategy?

[bass crazy]

I have not used any swimbaits myself. I saw that show also. Will be interesting how you make out. good luck please keep us posted.

[roadwarrior]

Sounds like a great idea to me!

8-)

[J Francho]

I have caught smallies using the 3/4 oz. Sebile Magic Swimmer Slow sink in early spring.  I didn't use it like a "swimming bait," though.  I used a series of twitches and a pause, just like a suspending jerkbait.

[A-Jay]

I have a couple of the 4" Spro BBZ-1 Shad Swimbaits and have thrown they for smallies a few times with limited results. With the single treble, although high quality, the bait does not have the best hook-up to strike ratio for smb. I've done much better with soft swimbait on a jighead for a down deep "big bait" bite. I'll be interested in how you apply them and the results. Good Luck.

A-Jay

[SPEEDBEAD.]

3:16 Baby wake and 6" or 8" Triple Trout have produced great smallmouths for me.

The 6" BBZ seems like a perfect size for smallmouth, although I have not tried one yet.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I've only gotten smallies with a soft swimbait. I didn't get my Sexy Swimmer until very late in the season, so I only used it in my canal for largemouth.

I'll be trying the Sexy Swimmer in the Spring, at a few of my smallie haunts.

Falcon

[Crestliner2008]

The watershed I'm targeting doesn't open (for fishing) until April 17th., so it'll be awhile before I'm able to try out these big baits, but I'm kind of psyched about it.

I'm not going to go nuts over them, however, and toss them all day long the way some folks do - just for the sake of being a purist or something like that! Either they work after a few hours or I go to some other presentations that I know will work; i.e.: drop shot, hard jerks, tubes, etc.. My goal is to catch (and release) fish, not a casting marathon! But I do know there are some big girls down there (6# - 7#) and I figure these large baits just might get me into one of them.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

The watershed I'm targeting doesn't open (for fishing) until April 17th., so it'll be awhile before I'm able to try out these big baits, but I'm kind of psyched about it.

I'm not going to go nuts over them, however, and toss them all day long the way some folks do - just for the sake of being a purist or something like that! Either they work after a few hours or I go to some other presentations that I know will work; i.e.: drop shot, hard jerks, tubes, etc.. My goal is to catch (and release) fish, not a casting marathon! But I do know there are some big girls down there (6# - 7#) and I figure these large baits just might get me into one of them.

As with any other new type of fishing technique, it would behoove you to put in a good bit of time on the water with swimbaits and leave the other rods at home.

It won't make you a purist.....Check out some of the guys on here that throw swimbaits; far from purist.   ;D

There are times when they will be more likely to work and times when they won't.  I will guarantee that if the bite is slow initially with the swimbaits, you will have a very quick urge to pick up something more typical for you (jerkbait, jig, etc.)  If you dont have the options of other rods, you will be forced to alter your technique and find out how they want the bigger bait.  Your learning curve will shorten considerably if you focus solely on fishing them.

I understand where you are coming from.  I thought the same way.  It's tough not to pick up a jig rod in an area where you know you can catch a fish, but you won't learn to fish a swimbait by fishing a jig either.

Good luck with your quest.