Northwest Fishing Reports

I know there has already been a lot of talk about swimbaits, but I'm thinking about using them this year and I wanted to know everybody's opinon on them and which one is their favorite to use in this state. There is so many to choose from. Before I go spend a bunch of cash, I wanted to know which swimbaits work best here in Washington.

Great question !!! I am in the process of finding out myself, but I already spent all the cash lol. Smart guy you are.

Sorry to hear that you already spent the cash ChrisB hopefully you got some that will work for ya.

skimpy wrote:Sorry to hear that you already spent the cash ChrisB hopefully you got some that will work for ya.

I'm sure I have, I did alot of research. Just need some decent weather to warm things up. So lets hear if folks.

skimpy wrote:I know there has already been a lot of talk about swimbaits, but I'm thinking about using them this year and I wanted to know everybody's opinon on them and which one is their favorite to use in this state. There is so many to choose from. Before I go spend a bunch of cash, I wanted to know which swimbaits work best here in Washington.

seriously all of them will work, period.

1st question you should ask yourself, is how much are you willing to spend. it can go from affordable - insane really quick. are you willing to throw big dollar baits?

2nd question you should ask, is what style of fishing do you prefer, slow, fast and where in the water column do you fish.

if you answer those questions you will really narrow the selection down.

i for one use to have a special spot in my tackle box for all the pretty lures. those never touched the water, as they were too precious for me to throw. well i have lost that mentality, and now throw everything i have.

:joker:

i would also suggest investing in a lure retriever.

on that note, i know someone who has purchased a few, and I WILL BE BUGGIN YOU ALL YEAR LONG - yahurdmeh

Yea what t-dot said.

Its a matter of water depth, clarity, temp, weather, time of year and so on. Just like any other bass bait no one is going to solve all your answers. They do all work but all at different times and places. Make educated decisions based on fishing conditions and you cant go wrong.

danielt wrote:Yea what t-dot said.

Its a matter of water depth, clarity, temp, weather, time of year and so on. Just like any other bass bait no one is going to solve all your answers. They do all work but all at different times and places. Make educated decisions based on fishing conditions and you cant go wrong.

Yup just like any other bait. There are 99cent spinnerbaits and there are 30 dollar spinnerbaits.

Do your research, then pick your poison.

bpm2000 wrote:

danielt wrote:Yea what t-dot said.

Its a matter of water depth, clarity, temp, weather, time of year and so on. Just like any other bass bait no one is going to solve all your answers. They do all work but all at different times and places. Make educated decisions based on fishing conditions and you cant go wrong.

Yup just like any other bait. There are 99cent spinnerbaits and there are 30 dollar spinnerbaits.

Do your research, then pick your poison.

I've caught fish on those 99cent wal-mart specials...

skimpy wrote: I've caught fish on those 99cent wal-mart specials...

i too started out with dollar baits.

compare the quality, hook point to others with a higher price point.

now, take a look at that same lure after 1 month, tell us how that is doing.

after 1 month, rip the bait as fast as you can, and tell me what you see.


for those that want to know:
- the snaps and swivels will rust, even after 1st use
- the hook point is not as sharp as you would think
- the lure will spin with quick retrieves

as you go up the ladder you will eliminate most of those, if not all of them.

all things being equal, that lure must have a 40% markup. so in actuality its worth 0.60. you cant stretch 0.60 too far and the get quality you deserve. something has got to give.

T Dot you are 100% correct.They do rust after 1st or 2nd use and they really do spin with quick retrieves. As far as spinnerbaits go, I usually buy the $5 to $6 spinnerss. You can really tell the difference.

Now, away from $1 spinner baits (I make my own from quality components for less than a dollar anyway, and they don't rust and the hooks are sharp:-" )

I suggest that water clarity, size of bass, fishing pressure, and the equipment you use all play into this.

First, swim baits are all but useless in muddy water, and less than ideal in stained water. If you go with one, stick to the ones that have some rattle to help with the vibration the tails produce. In clear water, swimbaits are/can be excellent.

Next, consider the size of the bass you have available. I have fished a lot with the 8" and 10" versions for Tiger Muskie and large Pike, in water that had 5 to 8 pound bass, and never even touched a bass. The tigers and pike like them, but the plastic usually won't last but one or two fish.

On the other hand, I have used some of the narrower versions of 6" swim baits for some time, and I find that they will do well on bass from 3# up. My Washington State best is a little over 8 # on a 6" swim bait, but my best in this state was still caught on a spinner bait (my own) and it topped the scales at a little over 9 #, just before it was safely released.

I have, on the other hand, had days where the 6" did nothing other than give me strong arms, where a smaller bait worked well. I love a lot of the patterns, and colors, but a 6" rainbow trout does not look like the adult trout that the swim baits are painted up to match. If you find one with par markings and true young rainbow, straight out of the hatchery colors, PM me - I want three.

Equipment is critical. Look at the weight of some of those monster swim baits. It truly takes a muskie rod to through them. Are you willing to go that heavy of a rod, and line, and cast them all day long. On the Delta in California, I was, but I was after that fish of a lifetime. I am not willing to throw 8 or 10 inchers in Washington for days, just in the hope that I might get luck and find the state record.

I won't go to the brand argument here. I am trying any I can afford when I can get my hands on them. And for now, I only throw them in clear water, more heavily fished water, and I only throw swimbaits that are more realistic looking.

Now, good luck, and go for it.

From what i have been told by a few guys that can afford these baits and use them in other states beside wash. that the effective swimbaits that actualy catch fish . These baits are difficult to find , via internet local stores etc : There is a guy in my club that owns a tackle box with nothing but swimbaits , and he owns atleast one of all the good one's (over 5k in worth) and after listing to a presentation he did i quickly realized that swimbaits are hobby form in there own right . Meaning that it's a bait that you "must" commit too in order to accomplish success .. Hat's off to the guys here doing it i dont choose to give the time it needs ..BBD

Bigbass Dez wrote: There is a guy in my club that owns a tackle box with nothing but swimbaits , and he owns atleast one of all the good one's (over 5k in worth) BBD

$5K?? That adds up to about six lures, right?:-"

For soft baits check out the Huddleston, the Baitsmith, or Mattlures. For the hard/ jointed baits look at the Triple Trout or the Castaic Rock Hard Platinum. For the weedless paddle tail tubes try Basstrix or one of the knock offs that's more available.
I just started swimbait fishing so my knowledge is limited but I've tested all of these in the water and they all swim nicely.
I'll give you guys an update when I actually catch a fish on one:cyclops:

platinumroof wrote:For the hard/ jointed baits look at the... Castaic Rock Hard Platinum.

havent had any durability problems with yours?

platinumroof wrote:For soft baits check out the Huddleston, the Baitsmith, or Mattlures. For the hard/ jointed baits look at the Triple Trout or the Castaic Rock Hard Platinum. For the weedless paddle tail tubes try Basstrix or one of the knock offs that's more available.
I just started swimbait fishing so my knowledge is limited but I've tested all of these in the water and they all swim nicely.
I'll give you guys an update when I actually catch a fish on one:cyclops:

You forgot to mention the Spro BBZ. Great bait for the money. But as it sounds like from the guys on this board, it won't work around here. Save your money.



fishnislife

T Dot wrote:
i would also suggest investing in a lure retriever.

I've been wanting a lure retriever but have not seen any in the local sporting goods stores. Did you order yours online?

HillbillyGeek wrote:I've been wanting a lure retriever but have not seen any in the local sporting goods stores. Did you order yours online?

ours is the cabelas brand, but we got it in store during one of our trips. it was < $20, but has paid for itself many times over.

i would also suggest looking @ golf ball retrievers.

No durability problems so far but with zero fish and only a little practice I'd say they haven't been tested yet. About the Rock Hard Platinum: all I can say about it is that it looks super slinky in the water, it's 1/2 to 1/3 the price of a Triple Trout (e-bay prices) and it is available in 6" (medium) and 4" (tiny) sizes from Bass Pro.
Auburn Sports and Marine has lure retriever/ knockers in stock.
I almost forgot: if you do go to Auburn Sports and Marine check out the picture of Tag holding an 11lb and an 8lb largemouth that he caught two weeks ago on a True Tungsten Bluegill.