Wanting to try out swimbaits

[sas4ou]

I don't have a dedicated rod and will most likely be using a rod I generally use for something else. Probably a worm rod?

My question would be what particular type of swimbait you'd start with. Soft? Hard? Hollow body? Solid body? Keel weight? Nose weight? Size?

I'm sure I'll eventually try many types, but I guess I need the best launching point. Just wondered what you guys would suggest.

I have discussed this with a forum member and we've kind of decided on a 4-5" hollow body. Just wanted to get some more feedback before I start shelling out some green. Even the soft ones aren't cheap.

[NoCAL]

I would start out with hollow bodies in about the 5" range. You can throw them on a md heavy rod. I like the Basstrix but they can get torn up pretty quick. I've been having good luck with the Berkley ones too, when I can keep the darn stripers off them. Get you some Mend-It to fix them when they get torn up. I use either a 1/4 oz weighted hook or just run a 1/4 oz Strike King Flats jig head through. Yeah it has 2 sets of eyes that way but the fish don't seem to mind. These inner weights work really good too if you don't need a weedless presentation.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com....html

NoCAL

[sas4ou]

Thanks for the feedback.

I was waiting to comment for a few more posts, but I don't think they're coming

[Klinger N Ok]

I like the 4.5" Luck E Strike swimbaits- they are the cheapest, and they flat out catch fish. They can be thrown on any decent MH to H rod pretty well. Until I got a dedicated swimbait rod I was using them effectively on a MH 7' rod (Shikari 704 custom). I like rigging them on a 5/0 Lake Fork Tackle weighted swimbait hook. Throw them anywhere you would throw a spinnerbait. In open water along breaklines or specific pieces of cover they are deadly slowrolled.

[cmclairday2]

Ive done ok on the LuckE Strikes myself. I'm still doing a lot of experimenting with them though.

[SONNN]

This is how I look at swimbaits (which is mainly all I use):

It all depends on what your trying to accomplish. If you want numbers, do the smaller hard and soft swims, but if you want bigger fish, but less fish of course, then bigger 8"+ swims will do you better.

Now a problem with starting with smaller swims that I see. You will do good on them for sure, but when you get into the bigger ones(its addicting, trust me) you wont get the same results, which is where I see alot of people stop throwing cuz of lack of fish.

Basically what Im getting at is dont start too small, unless your goals are to catch numbers. Sure smaller ones will get some pigs, but of course it will prob be a smaller chance then if you threw bigger ones. I look at smaller swims(sub 6") as kinda like glorified crankbaits( i know they arent the same, hahaha), regardless if its billed, paddletail, yadda yadda, typically numbers baits.

Remember, if you get into bigger ones, you will need new gear, actually more than likely a whole new setup. Dont buy cheaper rods n reels for sake of saving cash either, you will just end up makin your arm sore and buying a new reel much sooner than you have to.

I hope that made some sense and someone doesnt yell at me for saying glorified cranks, LOL.

Good luck with the swims!!

[SONNN]

Oh ya, I would start with some 6" baits

R2S Bossymark, 316 Mission Fish, 6" Hudds, maybe some Matt Lures soft baits

[HuntingCreekKing]

go for basstrix, out of the 3 hollow body type swimbaits Ive tried they're the best, im not a fan of luck'e strike or the shadalicious (sp? whatever the strike-kings are called). For the hooks, I use genesis, I like them better than the others ive tried, the davis ones arent too bad either, however I cant stand the gamakatsu swimbait hooks. One more thing you might want to try with them is some spike-it for the tail.

[sas4ou]

I think to get going I'm leaning toward a small hard bait and some soft also.

Hard: either the tru-tungsten 4" or the sebile magic swimmer

Soft: I'm still reading comments from you guys on the brand of bait and type of hooks.

[SONNN]

For paddletails I use Owner EWGs with the Lunker City belly weights or Owner Oversize worm hooks, depending on the size of paddletail.

Basstrix are def the best I think, but the Berkeley are good too. Ive heard good things about the Roboworm ones also, but Ive never used them.

[zx200driver]

Shoot me an email. I will hook you up with some from Basscraft, cheap.
Thanks

[whittler]

I use a lot of swimbaits but I make my own hard swimbaits. Most of the soft swimbaits I have tried are difficult to get perfectly straight on the hook and make swim straight. Mattlures soft baits are very good and his hard baits are one of the best out there. The MS Slammer baits will catch fish but way overpriced, there is an alternative to the Slammer however that is half the price. Go to any musky tackle site and look for a Mouldy's Hawg Wobbler, it will do anything the MS will do for a whole lot less money.

The Sebile magic swimmer would be a great $1.50 bait but at $15 its not so hot. I bought a couple this year to try and they both swim like a #2 pencil or a sharp stick. Have not found the "Magic" yet. Beautiful bait hanging on the wall but in the water no action at all.

[DTS]

i like the tru tungsten 4 inch size and the lucky strike in the 4.5 inch size

[SlamBait]

storm swimbaits on big lake (michigan)

[JeffA]

i got into the big swimbait thing, got the rod, the reel, all the big$$$ swimbaits....
its all gone now...lol

[dchance]

I really like Lake Fork Tackle's Live Magic Shad. I think the action is better than the paddletail type swimbaits and they make all sizes up to 8". Great action and better price.

[sas4ou]

"i got into the big swimbait thing, got the rod, the reel, all the big$$$ swimbaits....
its all gone now...lol"

That's why I'd like to start with a rod and reel combo I already have and just spend some on lures for the moment.