A little more about swimbaits

cassidyta · 12-02-10, 04:54 PM

I had posted some info on swim baits earlier in the year. In the referenced article, I discussed types of baits and rate of fall.
http://www.bassfishin.com/bassfishingforums/showthread.php?t=22900

Based on several of the recent questions, I figured that I would repost it and add a some more info.
As far as rods go, I like an 8’ rod. As I have said before, the Dobyn’s champion swim bait rod. My reason for a heavy 8’ is simply that I throw big baits. I have several 12-13” baits that I will toss with this rig. Some of these baits will weigh in excess of 8Oz. I need to be able to make a long cast, and an 8” rod does the trick for me. This is a heavy rod weighing close to 10Oz, but it has a great balance point on it so it does not feel so heavy.

I like to use a Shimano Calcutta 400 as my reel. Again this is a heavy reel. As I stated in another post, this reel is over 9 Oz. The thing that I like about them is their line capacity. I can spool up a little over 150 yards of 20 lbs mono on it. I also like the 5:0:1 gear ratio. I have no desire to swim my 5 oz bait fast. I believe that a common mistake is to swim the bait too fast, bringing it out of the strike zone.
As far as line goes, I have used just about everything over the years and FOR ME, 20 lbs mono has become the best solution. I stress for me, because I know plenty of folks who use fluoro, poly, and even braid. For me I like the added stretch that I get from the mono. I have a little more confidence that I won’t pull the bait out of the fish’s mouth as quickly with the mono. I know many folks who use a smaller diameter line as well, but I like the confidence in knowing that I can free my pricey lure from the weeds with the 20 lbs test. My brand choice has been Andes line. The only real reason is that I used it and it worked well for me. It does have some memory issues, but being that I am throwing big baits, the memory is not that big of a deal.

I seldom perform an overhand cast when I am tossing the big baits. I find that I can make a decent cast using a modified sidearm. My friends call it a slow pitch softball swing, but it has worked for me over the years. While the bait is heavy, the large profile means that the wind will affect it greatly. My lower profile cast will often keep the bait out of the wind. The second advantage for me is that I can use my hips more than just my shoulders. (If I am tossing an 8 oz bait then I am really trying to lug just shy of 3 lbs with each cast) No matter how I cast, it is important to me to wait before I ever reel in the bait. I have had many strikes occur 5-10 seconds after the cast while the bait is dead sticked on the bottom.

The hook set is the key to landing a swim bait fish. Do not swing for the fences when trying to hook into the fish. Most everyone will tell you to just keep reeling. The theory is that it is because this is what a real fish would do. It would try to swim away. Personally, I do like to use a hook set, but it is a light pull to the side. Similar to how I would do a crank bait. The second big mistake that I see is that folks will try to muscle in a fish. I know that this is the key to all fishing, but it is amplified with a big bait.

The last thing that I cannot stress enough is to retie constantly. For me, I do this after every fish or after 20 minutes casting without a fish. These heavy baits put quite a strain on your knots. No one wants to watch a monster fish get lost with a $50 lure in its mouth.

bassinbob · 12-02-10, 07:46 PM

Very good advice I'll put to use next season.

BigBassin144 · 12-02-10, 09:34 PM

Good info Cass. I'm definitely going to be throwing swimbaits more next year. I'll keep this in mind!

BB

Jrob78 · 12-02-10, 11:35 PM

Good post, thanks for sharing!

boloson · 12-16-10, 05:53 PM

good to know. now...what can u do about bringing that SD weather to MA?

lilmule · 12-16-10, 07:39 PM

Agree with the retieing often as gar here swipe at them,as for 50 dollar baits dont own any h20,born to fish and strike king king shad,all under 10 bucks,with some under 5.
Fish dont seem to care,so why should I,still dont like losing them so use 20pd braid generally.
Did wonder why if they loaded the line up wasnt a missed strike as was more or less already on,think you hit it right on the head for mised strikes and a less agressive hookset.
For soft ones Mr money is hard to beat but prefer unweighted myself,in the larger sizes.
Your area is more liking to say larger realistic swimbaits(Castaic trout),with fish large enough to take them as well.

LSLURES · 12-17-10, 10:18 AM

I have a question about swimbaits. I honestly have never had any success with any types of swimbaits. Ive thrown the strike king hollow body in every level of water, ive thrown the sebile soft shad and hard shad, and last year i bought a $20 swimbait. It was a rago byron velvick swimbait with the line through treble at the belly. I cannot catch a fish on it or any swimbait and I know for a fact there are many bass ranging from 5-7 lbs on my lake i fish. I have tried slow rolling, yo yo technique, burning it, i just cant catch a fish. I went out last summer and spend 3 days in a row dedicated to figuring the swimbait out and I just cant seem to find out what to do. Any tips on how to improve my numbers and how to catch some fish on it>? No one, and i mean no one uses these on my lake and if i could figure it out i think i could be tough to beat. Any advice would be awesome!

CamG · 12-17-10, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilmule

Agree with the retieing often as gar here swipe at them,as for 50 dollar baits dont own any h20,born to fish and strike king king shad,all under 10 bucks,with some under 5.
Fish dont seem to care,so why should I,still dont like losing them so use 20pd braid generally.
Did wonder why if they loaded the line up wasnt a missed strike as was more or less already on,think you hit it right on the head for mised strikes and a less agressive hookset.
For soft ones Mr money is hard to beat but prefer unweighted myself,in the larger sizes.
Your area is more liking to say larger realistic swimbaits(Castaic trout),with fish large enough to take them as well.

I caught two Smallies this year, both weighing under a pound - on an 8" BBZ1.

And, use whatever you have confidence in. If you have confidence in a $4 swimbait, use it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSLURES

I have a question about swimbaits. I honestly have never had any success with any types of swimbaits. Ive thrown the strike king hollow body in every level of water, ive thrown the sebile soft shad and hard shad, and last year i bought a $20 swimbait. It was a rago byron velvick swimbait with the line through treble at the belly. I cannot catch a fish on it or any swimbait and I know for a fact there are many bass ranging from 5-7 lbs on my lake i fish. I have tried slow rolling, yo yo technique, burning it, i just cant catch a fish. I went out last summer and spend 3 days in a row dedicated to figuring the swimbait out and I just cant seem to find out what to do. Any tips on how to improve my numbers and how to catch some fish on it>? No one, and i mean no one uses these on my lake and if i could figure it out i think i could be tough to beat. Any advice would be awesome!

http://www.bassfishin.com/store/big-bass-zone/

Texan4Liberty · 12-17-10, 10:42 AM

good info, thanks for sharing.

12-02-10, 04:54 PM	#1
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	A little more about swimbaits I had posted some info on swim baits earlier in the year. In the referenced article, I discussed types of baits and rate of fall. http://www.bassfishin.com/bassfishingforums/showthread.php?t=22900 Based on several of the recent questions, I figured that I would repost it and add a some more info. As far as rods go, I like an 8’ rod. As I have said before, the Dobyn’s champion swim bait rod. My reason for a heavy 8’ is simply that I throw big baits. I have several 12-13” baits that I will toss with this rig. Some of these baits will weigh in excess of 8Oz. I need to be able to make a long cast, and an 8” rod does the trick for me. This is a heavy rod weighing close to 10Oz, but it has a great balance point on it so it does not feel so heavy. I like to use a Shimano Calcutta 400 as my reel. Again this is a heavy reel. As I stated in another post, this reel is over 9 Oz. The thing that I like about them is their line capacity. I can spool up a little over 150 yards of 20 lbs mono on it. I also like the 5:0:1 gear ratio. I have no desire to swim my 5 oz bait fast. I believe that a common mistake is to swim the bait too fast, bringing it out of the strike zone. As far as line goes, I have used just about everything over the years and FOR ME, 20 lbs mono has become the best solution. I stress for me, because I know plenty of folks who use fluoro, poly, and even braid. For me I like the added stretch that I get from the mono. I have a little more confidence that I won’t pull the bait out of the fish’s mouth as quickly with the mono. I know many folks who use a smaller diameter line as well, but I like the confidence in knowing that I can free my pricey lure from the weeds with the 20 lbs test. My brand choice has been Andes line. The only real reason is that I used it and it worked well for me. It does have some memory issues, but being that I am throwing big baits, the memory is not that big of a deal. I seldom perform an overhand cast when I am tossing the big baits. I find that I can make a decent cast using a modified sidearm. My friends call it a slow pitch softball swing, but it has worked for me over the years. While the bait is heavy, the large profile means that the wind will affect it greatly. My lower profile cast will often keep the bait out of the wind. The second advantage for me is that I can use my hips more than just my shoulders. (If I am tossing an 8 oz bait then I am really trying to lug just shy of 3 lbs with each cast) No matter how I cast, it is important to me to wait before I ever reel in the bait. I have had many strikes occur 5-10 seconds after the cast while the bait is dead sticked on the bottom. The hook set is the key to landing a swim bait fish. Do not swing for the fences when trying to hook into the fish. Most everyone will tell you to just keep reeling. The theory is that it is because this is what a real fish would do. It would try to swim away. Personally, I do like to use a hook set, but it is a light pull to the side. Similar to how I would do a crank bait. The second big mistake that I see is that folks will try to muscle in a fish. I know that this is the key to all fishing, but it is amplified with a big bait. The last thing that I cannot stress enough is to retie constantly. For me, I do this after every fish or after 20 minutes casting without a fish. These heavy baits put quite a strain on your knots. No one wants to watch a monster fish get lost with a $50 lure in its mouth. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes. Last edited by cassidyta; 12-03-10 at 01:10 AM.

12-02-10, 07:46 PM	#2
bassinbob BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pitts. Pa. Posts: 3,801	Very good advice I'll put to use next season. __________________ you can have my fishin rod when ya take it from my cold dead hands

12-02-10, 09:34 PM	#3
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Good info Cass. I'm definitely going to be throwing swimbaits more next year. I'll keep this in mind! BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

12-02-10, 11:35 PM	#4
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	Good post, thanks for sharing! __________________ There are 3 kinds of people in the world…those who can count and those who can’t. HRN4L

12-16-10, 05:53 PM	#5
boloson BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 303	good to know. now...what can u do about bringing that SD weather to MA?

12-16-10, 07:39 PM	#6
lilmule BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buchanan,Tn Posts: 2,685	Agree with the retieing often as gar here swipe at them,as for 50 dollar baits dont own any h20,born to fish and strike king king shad,all under 10 bucks,with some under 5. Fish dont seem to care,so why should I,still dont like losing them so use 20pd braid generally. Did wonder why if they loaded the line up wasnt a missed strike as was more or less already on,think you hit it right on the head for mised strikes and a less agressive hookset. For soft ones Mr money is hard to beat but prefer unweighted myself,in the larger sizes. Your area is more liking to say larger realistic swimbaits(Castaic trout),with fish large enough to take them as well.

12-17-10, 10:18 AM	#7
LSLURES BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Leesburg, Ohio Posts: 32	I have a question about swimbaits. I honestly have never had any success with any types of swimbaits. Ive thrown the strike king hollow body in every level of water, ive thrown the sebile soft shad and hard shad, and last year i bought a $20 swimbait. It was a rago byron velvick swimbait with the line through treble at the belly. I cannot catch a fish on it or any swimbait and I know for a fact there are many bass ranging from 5-7 lbs on my lake i fish. I have tried slow rolling, yo yo technique, burning it, i just cant catch a fish. I went out last summer and spend 3 days in a row dedicated to figuring the swimbait out and I just cant seem to find out what to do. Any tips on how to improve my numbers and how to catch some fish on it>? No one, and i mean no one uses these on my lake and if i could figure it out i think i could be tough to beat. Any advice would be awesome!

12-17-10, 10:42 AM	#9
Texan4Liberty BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 7	good info, thanks for sharing.

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