I'm looking into swimbaits more and more. The real looking trout, sunfish, perch etc. Do you guys have a lot of success with these? I just purchased three Matt lures. I have tossed some 9" castiac trout lures but found them harder to cast even with light saltwater setups. I think I'll stay with the 3" to 6" swimsuits. Do you guys or gals have any tips about which swimbaits you like or what's the best presentations?

To me it's time to throw the yum money minnow but I may toss some swimbaits too. The fall to me is when the bass want that big meal too. Maybe some 10" or 12" worms may work too?

Swimbaits mimick real prey so the size, shape and color schemes should be similar to what the bass are keying on where you fish. There always will be exceptions and a trout swimmer works occasionally were no rainbow are present. You are better off using size and colors that are what the bass recognize.

5" to 8" are reasonable size swimbaits where you fish. Big worms can work everywhere.

Tom

For the size range you're looking at I'd be looking at baits like the Huddleston weedless shad and 6" Hudd, Mattlures trout or tournament series baits, or Decoy Hydratail. Most all of them work well with a slow, steady retrieve but the weedless shad is great to pull through vertical weeds. 

I'd suggest the 6" huddleston. Great action and can be casted on regular gear.

For the size range you're looking at I'd be looking at baits like the Huddleston weedless shad and 6" Hudd, Mattlures trout or tournament series baits, or Decoy Hydratail. Most all of them work well with a slow, steady retrieve but the weedless shad is great to pull through vertical weeds. 

 

I've been looking for something like the Huddleston weedless shad just ordered a few from TW... thanks for that info

The 68 Hudd ROF 12, is a very good swimbait, about $20. You may need to go to the Huddleston site and get on a wait list.

Tom

The 68 Hudd ROF 12, is a very good swimbait, about $20. You may need to go to the Huddleston site and get on a wait list.

Tom

Awesome bait, there is no waiting list though.  You have to join the Huddleston mailing list and they will send you an email when they open sales for the 68.  They've been doing it once every 2 or 3 months here lately.  They just had a 68 sale a couple of days ago, so it might be awhile before they do it again.

  What rod/line/reel gear ratio do u guys suggest?

  What rod/line/reel gear ratio do u guys suggest?

Depends a lot on what size bait you're fishing and where you're going to fish it. I fish swimbaits on everything from a 7' M/F with a 7.1 reel and 15lb fluoro to a 7' 10" H/F with 25lb copolymer with a 6.2 reel. 

What rod/line/reel gear ratio do u guys suggest?

I use two setups

7' 6" MH, 7.1:1 reel, 10lb fluoro- this is used for the smaller soft plastic swimbaits and swim jigs. Mattlures U2 gill and Huddleston weedless shad for example

7' 11" XH, 6.5:1 reel, 20lb mono- used for the big baits! Anything over 2oz and 6" long- examples- 8" Triple Trout, 8" Huddleston, hopefully a Deps 250 next paycheck