Big Swimbait

This lake is still on a roll - a 12+ and a 15.4 today - both caught by Josh Jones who caught the 13+ earlier this week.

I got my Bull Shad swimbait rod in about 10 days from the weekend day that I ordered it.

O.H. Ivie Reservoir has kicked out 5 over 14 lbs including a 16+ in the last week. If it was closer to a major city you could probably walk from boat to boat this weekend...

Great baits. Swim it on the bottom. Stop and fish it like a jig for a few. Then start swimming again. Some days they want it only like a jig. I like the 3/4 to keep it on the bottom when swimming it. I found I do have to touch up the hook point every few fish. For the price I would prefer a higher quality hook.

You are correct about the cover I am fishing, but not always. A grass line can be just as productive as the rough stuff. But my experience has repeated itself too many times that big fish will hit that bait. I understand the odds are against me but I am fishing for bites that I might not get at all and just want to give myself a better chance.

I was thinking 1/16. I have a couple of spinning rigs dedicated to the technique, but when I go to Fork or Rayburn I've had my butt handed to me a few too many times. Just looking for something with a little more power and control.

Could this reel be used on a light action rod to throw Ned rig stuff?

I can't argue with any of the baits already mentioned but I have to add the Dark Sleeper. That bait has been my limit finder.

Keitech on a jig head or swimbait hook, the LFT Magic Shad on a bladed jig.

I was playing around with some 1/2 oz GP punch weights I think I got from OMG. Used a Boss skirt in the Bream pattern, a GP Rage Menace rigged vertical on a TK130 4/0 hook. It was money pre and during the spawn because with the punch weight, it would dive down and the Menace tail is going crazy,

Totally agree with Tom on the hair jigs. My PB came on a white bucktail jig with a 6" grub trailer in about 7' of water on Lake Fork. I caught it where an old road bed crossed a tree line along a creek channel. As you can see from my name, I love throwing big baits and they have produced big fish. But a hair jig is something that most anglers don't throw today - could be the difference that gets that big bite. You also need to determine the predominant forage in your lake. If there are a lot of bluegill, then a bluegill swimbait might be the trick. And don't forget a carp colored swimbait. I've caught big bass on the 6" Dream Smasher carp all over the US. Good luck!

Med action rod with 10-12 lb mono since it has small trebles. You will need a little stretch to keep them pinned. My best luck has been a burn-pause-burn-pause retrieve.

Yes you are. Deadly combo on ledge fish.

You don't need to spend a fortune to get started. The iRod Gen III is $150, the Daiwa DX is $100. Both will get you in the game.

My board name gives me away but I love throwing big baits. It is true that some of the time you're fishing for one or two bites a day. But that could be the fish of a lifetime. But the more I use them and learn how to impart different actions for different baits, I have had many days with 20+ fish - not giants but as the pics in this thread show bass are predators. The little guys will hit a big bait too. The Cardif/iRod combo was my first and it is a great start. I am 100% braid to leader. I had never heard of the Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo line until I read Tom recommending it. It is all I use now for my leaders. More stretch than fluro but less than regular mono for good hooksets but still forgiving for treble hook baits. I highly recommend the 6" Bull Shad, the S-Waver 168, the weedless Hudd 68 and for numbers a rat ! Good luck!

My most productive combo for a couple of years is a GP jig with a Sapphire Blue trailer.

As bill stated, the Skinny Bear is very close.

Does it come with both tails? The description didn't mention the prop. Or is it 2 separate baits?

30# leader to 65# Smackdown braid for my big swimbaits. 6# leader to 20# Smackdown braid for finesse apps. As a side note, I like to match diameters of braid and leader. My knots just seem to work better and are much easier to tie.

I have not tried a Ned Rig but I have definitely used a 1/8 oz finesse jig. Best results were when I used a craw as the DS bait on a 12" drop. As stated above I broke off a lot as this rig will get a few doubles. So now I throw it on straight 20# braid or not at all.

Former FLW winner, legendary Lake Fork guide and the owner/designer of M-Pack lures lost his battle with COVID this morning. Mark was not only a great angler but an incredible person. RIP Mark.

I use the snap with the Hog Farmer Spunk Shad as a trailer.

Bullshad and a Spro rat won't break the bank. For a real bargain get you the 7" Ima Glide-Fluke (sinking). It's on sale at TW right now for $13.

San Diego Jam on up to 3/4 oz baits. Double SDJ for anything over.

Very good rods. I am always on the lookout for the original All Star WR1s & WR2s.