gobig

I don't subscribe to the bring one bait idea unless you can cover the whole water column with it.

If your having trouble on hooksets I would look to your gear. What are you throwing them on? Some times fish just don't eat a bait right either.

You need to find out where the largest fish around you live. I know this is repetitive but If your fishing ponds that don't hold big fish then you will never get one. Catching big fish is more about location, boat position, and presentation then it is about the bait in my opinion. My fish over 10 have come on various baits, crankbait, dropshot, spinnerbait, texas rig, swimbaits. With that said I feel my chances throwing a swimbait are the best. A-Jay suggested a great book. I would also recommend the BBZ book and google Bill Siemantle, Mike Long and Butch Brown. Watch anything available from these guys.

Mix on part smelly jelly and one part sunscreen then apply

I agree that you should start with 1000 and see how it goes. I would start with 1000 if you don't have much experience its easy to cut to deep. I used 800 on my salt water boat in a few spots just to cut it faster but stay back from hard lines if you do this. Work through each grit up to the 1500 and then use a good polishing compound. Get the 3m pads for finishing, you will be glad you did.

Anyone who has followed Mike Long knows the man is a beast when it comes to big fish. He has a ton of knowledge that he has been sharing for the past few years. He also has a tournament record that validates his ability. With out the proper validation of a lake record I don't feel his name should be at the top of the list on that body of water. Do you guys realize how many pros and bait makers take pictures with other peoples fish or catch a fish and stick a bait in the mouth for promotional reasons? How is this any different then the picture of a big mac compared to the actual burger? I don't know about any of you but I have never had a mob of women run me down after using axe body wash. Where is the lynch mob? Do I think he made a mistake? Yes. It was a bad decision to use someone else's fish in a published photo. Now people will question him because he was taken out of context or he had to satisfy his ego. Either way the element for issues it there. I however will not stop following Mike. There is to much good information there and a lot to be learned. The man has been working on some stuff that should be ground breaking in the near future. For what its worth here is a copy of Mikes public statement, Facebook friends, in recents months I have had to deal with something we all hate in life and that is people talking trash about you behind your back. Anyone can brainwash you with words and even a few pictures taken out of context, but one question I ask is why? I know we all get jealous from time to time, but to slander someone is really cowardly... A grown man will tell you too your face anything and a friend is there no matter what happens…This picking teams, or what shirt manufacture your associated with in the fishing world is almost like a gang mentality calling and asking people to hate someone and be on their team is pathetic, what kind of people do that?? not grown men that's for sure..I have learned over the years that by putting my pictures of big fish, or bragging about catches is not what I want to be a part of anymore, and yes I have done plenty of it, but putting material things in front of human beings is not winning in the game of life. It took me awhile to clearly see this and over the last few years I have worked hard on my website writing articles, and product reviews to help people catch bigger bass where they live and to help give them some insight on various lures before they buy them. Yes people are always more important than material things!! and I have tried to respond everyday to every email I get with a question about fishing, and have donated my time towards Kids fishing derbies for well over 15 years and these things really make you feel good. These attacks on me and my family are personal and I guess it's time too see the lawyer, something I have tried hard to avoid. but apparently there are some people out there that need to learn the hard way. Sorry for my negative rant!!.Mike

Color is one of the last things on my mind. It does have a role at times though.

The smallest I generally use is 1/16 oz spro phat fly. The largest I have thrown is a 13 in Mattlures dead twitch. Most of the time I don't throw many swimbaits over 10 inches.

Ive managed 6 since I started specifically targeting bass about 5 years ago. I have been fishing my whole life though.

My best day happened on Clearlake last year. We had 47.83 (7 fish) in a team tournament. I don't know exactly how many fish we caught but I would guess some where around 30 that were over 5 lbs.

That's awesome man, good for you

Top water during the day does not work, the same way trout swimbaits don't work in waters that have not trout.

I like the Trokar best. Stupid sharp.

Matt is 110% right on. Contrary to popular myth not all lakes in California are gin clear with trout roaming around like feeder fish. The Delta and Clearlake both get pretty dirty and Clearlake especially is an epic swimbait lake.

Here is the deal. Swimbaits are one of the tougher things to learn. Once you get it you can apply the same principals to the other baits you throw. You will become a better fisherman. People say they are not a numbers bait. I disagree. I have had many 20 plus fish days and its nice when they are all over 5 lbs. Most people have no clue the power swimbaits have. They give up way to soon. Google Bill Siemantle and Mike Long. These guys will put you on the fast track. Bluebasser gave some excellent advise. Don't buy crap. Spend the money and get proven baits. It is also cheaper to buy quality baits used. There are some good baits under $30 new. I would start out with baits that are in the 4-7in range. They will get bit more frequently and will build your confidence faster. I caution you, swimbaits are addictive and it gets expensive real fast. You asked where to throw them? Points, humps, ridges, creek channels and flats. They will also suspend over deep water on things like house boats, docks, buoys, floating crappers and such. These are some of the sweetest spots because no one fishes them. If you throw swimbaits in low percentage areas, its going to make for long days. Your question about speed and depth is a question with an answer that changes day to day, hour to hour. Generally slower is better but there are times you can't reel fast enough. Every bait is capable of certain things. You need to become intimate with your baits and know all there limitations. Most of my big fish have come in 10ft of water or less. Don't misunderstand what I am saying here. I may throw the bait into 50ft of water but they commit in 10ft or less 90% of the time. Fish up hill, pull your bait into structure and cover. Bass pin prey. Your bait coming with in inches of a small stick up can be the difference between getting bit and not. Wait until you have a fish beach itself trying to get your bait. You want to get good with swimbaits learn to convert followers. The key is to sell the illusion that your bait has compromised itself, is now vulnerable and trying to escape. Direction and speed changes are critical. Hope this helps I got to shove off to work.

I prefer the gorilla gel myself. The lock tight is not bad either.

I guess it all depends on what you mean by wakebait. 8in plus wakebaits work all year but tend to work best from the spawn through the fall. Wakebaits work great at night, early/late hrs of the day and when there is wind or cloud cover. Fact of the matter is I always have one tied up and ready to go.

I have to agree with Tom that followers are or will soon be catchable in many cases. One thing people tend to over look is the direction or angle. Pulling your bait into ambush point rather than away makes a huge difference. Bass pin prey and attack when the prey is in a compromised position. Good boat position and the proper cast are far more important the color of your lure. Increasing the speed, pausing/stopping or making directional changes on the retrieve will all trigger strikes. You have to play around to see what will work on a given day. There is no magic bullet that will work every time.

Your best bet with what you have would be to attach a mono or floro leader to the braid with an Alberto knot. Trout have softer mouths and ideally a medium rod with good parabolic action coupled with mono or floro would be best.

I fish a chatter bait on braid also.

I have to disagree that there are not similarities. Anatomically fish may be different but things like structure, cover, tidal movement, water temp, depth, current, speed, cadence etc... all play a critical role whether your chasing from Salmon, Tuna, Bass or any other species. I have chased saltwater fish most of my life and the transition to Bass fishing has been fairly seamless. The bottom line is fish are fish like stated above. We have a knack of making things seem more complicated than they are.

I have to agree with not putting time constraints on a particular bait. There is not really way to gauge how long you should throw a bait other then through experience. Learn to rely on your intuition.

The storms may catch some fish but it is going to be a pretty slighted view of swimbaits. They lack the characteristics that good baits have. You would be better off getting a few decent baits that you could sell and recover most of your money if not all of it. I will be one of the first to tell you that you don't need to spend $100 on a swimbait for it to be good. Ill try and give you some insight on the different baits that are out there in a few but I got go eat at the moment.

I hope everyone keeps believing that swimbait fishing is a painstaking process where your fishing for one big bite.

I use 15lb braid with a floro leader. I use an Alberto knot to connect the two. Never had an issue with line twist and braid.