Swimbaits

[T Dot]

There will be a bunch of us getting on the swimbait craze.

Right now there are about 6+ of us, and we are looking for more people who would like to join in. Swimbaits are totally new to us, so everything learned would be trial and error. Though we know of a few people with more knowledge and experience that will help us along the way.

We are looking for a few with a good level of commitment. To get things starting, we will be starting up next month and fishing swimbaits for the majority of next year. We mainly fish on Saturday, and we hardly skip a beat.

Swimbaits will take a toll on ones body, which is why we will have a decent sized group. One can only throw this bait for short periods of time. It is rare we reach a body of water, without having a plan of attack. We have improved leaps and bounds in comparision to last years results. Swimbaits are just the next level.

We know there will be days and maybe even weeks without catching a thing, but all we are after is one big bite.

Please note swimbait fishing is probably the most expensive part of bass fishing, besides the boat. Some swimbaits will break the budget.

If there is a chance that this interests you, please let us know.

:king:

Thanks

[Kevin K]

T Dot, I'm definitely interested. I started fishing large swimbaits this year with the Spro BBZ-1. While I don't have much experience yet, I plan on fishing the bait a lot in the next year. However, my work schedule varies greatly, so I cannot guarantee that I will always be available. Let me know though when you all go. If no one objects, I would like to join you when I can.

[T Dot]

T Dot, I'm definitely interested. I started fishing large swimbaits this year with the Spro BBZ-1. While I don't have much experience yet, I plan on fishing the bait a lot in the next year. However, my work schedule varies greatly, so I cannot guarantee that I will always be available. Let me know though when you all go. If no one objects, I would like to join you when I can.

kevin k

looks like you are at the same level of experience as the most of us. a few of us have them already, and a select few have thrown them. i myself am gearing up, and will be purchasing a swimbait outfit later this month or next.

the guys have graduated from smaller baits, and this year was all about big baits. it has caught on pretty fast, and we would like to step it up a little more.

some of our schedules vary, but we have found that saturdays works well for most people. there will be occassions where we do fish during the week, or even on sundays. the majority of the fishing is main done on saturdays.

we are going to start off with a small group and see where that takes, us. do you have a fishing partner?

:king:

thanks

[fishnislife]

I have been throwing swimbaits for years now and they are honestly not that hard to throw. With a quality rod and reel you won't get tired or fatigued. I wouldn't commit a whole season to just swimbaits. Pick and choose the right time and place to throw them. Let me know what you guys are thinking about getting. I have tossed just about everything out there and have narrowed my choices down a lot. Commiting to throwing a swimbait all day or everytime you go out is going to be a tough thing to do. I have had plenty of friends with the same intentions as you guys get very discouraged and turn away from swimbaits all together. You will have days and weeks and even months when you won't even get a strike, but I will admit that when you do pull one in she will be big and it will all be worth it. Also, what lakes are you considering throwing these at? That will help to find the right swimbait by matching the forage fish for each. I'd be happy to steer you guys in the right direction if you want the help.


fishnislife

[cavdad45]

fishnislife,

What models of swimbaits would you recommend for the Northwest? Have you had much success here on the west side? What are the best seasons for swimbaits? What kind of water tells you its time to throw one? What type of rod and reel combo do you recommend and what type and size line do you use?

I am intrigued with swimbaits, but haven't tried anything larger than about 4". I am thinking about getting a 10" Rainbow Trout swimbait for next spring when I fish Selmac. Looking for Oregon's record.

thanks....CAV

[T Dot]

I have been throwing swimbaits for years now and they are honestly not that hard to throw. With a quality rod and reel you won't get tired or fatigued. I wouldn't commit a whole season to just swimbaits. Pick and choose the right time and place to throw them. Let me know what you guys are thinking about getting. I have tossed just about everything out there and have narrowed my choices down a lot. Commiting to throwing a swimbait all day or everytime you go out is going to be a tough thing to do. I have had plenty of friends with the same intentions as you guys get very discouraged and turn away from swimbaits all together. You will have days and weeks and even months when you won't even get a strike, but I will admit that when you do pull one in she will be big and it will all be worth it. Also, what lakes are you considering throwing these at? That will help to find the right swimbait by matching the forage fish for each. I'd be happy to steer you guys in the right direction if you want the help.


fishnislife

you are correct, with the right equipment it does make it easier. some of the people i fish with play sports, such as baseball. most of our injuries stem from playing sports, and fishing only aggrivates them.

:king:

dont get me wrong, we wont be throwing them all the time, day in and day out. like you said we will be selective on when and where to throw them. we have a few places in mind where we have done particularly well, and will be throwing swimbaits in those locations. we have sought out big fish this year, but we know there are larger ones we couldnt get to bite.

we may pick your brain once in a while about your swimbait selection.

we only started throwing swimbaits very recently. once we broke them out of the box, some of us quickly got discouraged. i kept on insisting... all we are after is one bite. we kept on pushing, and finally we got that one enourmous bite. since then... well you know how it goes.

:king:

we would be more than happy if you shared a few tips along the way. we will try to post up our progess every so often.

there are a few lakes we will be targeting this year, and next year. we have found a set of lakes where our average fish was around 4+ lbs, and the smallest being a 3+ lbs. we will be doing more research on what forage is in what lakes. we also will be doing research on what forage do, in terms on spawning, daily movement, etc.

[T Dot]

fishnislife,

What models of swimbaits would you recommend for the Northwest? Have you had much success here on the west side? What are the best seasons for swimbaits? What kind of water tells you its time to throw one? What type of rod and reel combo do you recommend and what type and size line do you use?

I am intrigued with swimbaits, but haven't tried anything larger than about 4". I am thinking about getting a 10" Rainbow Trout swimbait for next spring when I fish Selmac. Looking for Oregon's record.

thanks....CAV

though i lack the experience let me try to take a shot at this one

:king:

i would say trout and kokanee would be the better swimbaits in the northwest. trout being the most popular. correct me if im mistaken, but trout should be in all bodies of water here.

people throw swimbaits year round. big fish have to eat to survive, and they do eat year round. finding them is another task.

in most cases rod and reel combos are a personal preference. all my gear is shimano. the only tip i would have hear, is if you dont fish tournies, get the longest rod you can afford.

from what ive read so far, people who throw mono use 25#. those who use braided and throw larger bait, use 50# +.

[fishnislife]

Because Don Payne lays it out perfectly for anyone thinking about or throwing swimbaits, I won't even try to explain or answer your questions. Just read this article.
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/swimbaits.html

My favorite swimbait is obviously the Huddleston Deluxe. I throw a ROF 5 rigged with a trap hook on top. Depending on the depth of the lakes you are fishing you may consider a ROF12 or 16. I have been thinking about getting a ROF12 recently because of some of the lakes I fish.
I also like the 3:16 Mission Fish (weedless), Mattlures and the SBT 4" by Castaic. There are a bunch that I would have confidence in throwing around here but those are a few to start with. Really, nothing beats a Hudd. If you are going to become a swimbait angler you have to check out this site:
http://www.swimbaitnation.com
Read and study everything on the site. These guys know what they are doing and I would listen to them before anyone else.
I can't wait to hear how you guys do. I am glad to see others around here are throwing these baits. You wouldn't believe the amount of looks and crap I get for tossing them. I actually had a guy tell me while walking by "that is so cruel to catch a fish and toss it around like that". And he was angry at me. He picked up and left 5 min. later. I think he realized it was a lure and felt emmbarresed.
I'll post more later so that I don't overwhelm anyone. Starting with those sites I think anyone could have a good start at become a swimbaiter.


fishnislife

[fishnislife]

T Dot, I just noticed you found Swimbait Nation a couple of days ago. Good question. Looks like those guys are giving you the same info. I'm saying. That is a good place to start. Glad you found that site, your headed in the right direction toward the dark side.


fishnislife

[CK14]

most swimbaits are just to pricy for me, and i'd probably never use them anyway i'd much rather throw a spinnerbait.
i'd rather spend $15 on a lucky craft crank that i'll use then on a swimbait that'll collect dust...although i do have a 4" castaic that looks good (and it wasn't that expensive).

[danielt]

Swimbaits are just another thing to have on the deck. You dont need a 12" swim bait and you dont need to toss it for 8 hours to get a fish. Throw 4-6" whenever you want in rotation with the rest of your lures and you will catch fish.

CK I was using those 4" castatic trout ones on Potholes this weekend and caught some good smallies.

[cavdad45]

Thanks for the links fishnislife. I will definitely be using them.

I agree with danielt, they are just another weapon in an arsenal. Like many others they have specific times and applications instead of just making an off the water decision to throw them exclusively for 8-10 hours. I wouldn't recommend that with any lure. A great bass angler needs to adjust to changing fishing conditions as the day progresses.

[CK14]

CK I was using those 4" castatic trout ones on Potholes this weekend and caught some good smallies.

hmm interesting. did you put a stinger treble hook on it?

[danielt]

CK I was using those 4" castatic trout ones on Potholes this weekend and caught some good smallies.

hmm interesting. did you put a stinger treble hook on it?

Yep. A smaller red one. The guy I fished with has never used swimbaits so I was showing him how to put the stinger hook on then later in the day accidentally stuck him in the hand with it (ops!). I also color the upper hook black with a sharpie. Im not sure that it matters that much but I saw a pro do it a while back so Ive just always been doing it.

[SPARKY101]

i caught this bass about a year ago this was the trout that was in its throat just the tail was sticking out down deep

[T Dot]

T Dot, I just noticed you found Swimbait Nation a couple of days ago. Good question. Looks like those guys are giving you the same info. I'm saying. That is a good place to start. Glad you found that site, your headed in the right direction toward the dark side.


fishnislife

yea ive been reading that site for about a year now, as well as a few others. ive never really posted there until now.

:king:

im reading everything i can get my hands on.

its seems like you have alot of experience. have you ever experienced a fish peel your drag? ive never experienced this myself, ive only had fish yank at the drag, but never peel it. my buddy hooked into one that totally peeled his drag. the fish never came to the boat, so we can only imagine how large the fish was.

[T Dot]

most swimbaits are just to pricy for me, and i'd probably never use them anyway i'd much rather throw a spinnerbait.
i'd rather spend $15 on a lucky craft crank that i'll use then on a swimbait that'll collect dust...although i do have a 4" castaic that looks good (and it wasn't that expensive).

im pretty much the same way right now... a spinnerbait is my lure of choice

:king:

though they tell me all it takes is one fish. we have hooked into a monster, but have yet to bring it to the boat... and already ive got the itch.

[T Dot]

Swimbaits are just another thing to have on the deck. You dont need a 12" swim bait and you dont need to toss it for 8 hours to get a fish. Throw 4-6" whenever you want in rotation with the rest of your lures and you will catch fish.

CK I was using those 4" castatic trout ones on Potholes this weekend and caught some good smallies.

i hear what you are saying

:king:

though there will be 2 - 4 hour periods where we will strictly target big fish.

[T Dot]

i caught this bass about a year ago this was the trout that was in its throat just the tail was sticking out down deep

very interesting

:king:

they will still bite after they have been feeding on smaller fish.

[Kevin K]

kevin k

looks like you are at the same level of experience as the most of us. a few of us have them already, and a select few have thrown them. i myself am gearing up, and will be purchasing a swimbait outfit later this month or next...

do you have a fishing partner?

T Dot, sorry it took me a while to reply. I have occassional fishing partners, but no one on a consistent basis. Always looking to head out with pretty much anyone though.