Last year, I was determined to become proficient with jigs, and now it is a confidence bait for me. This year I plan on delving into the swimbait.

As far as gear, I'm leaning towards the Dobyns Champion 795, with a Cardiff 200a. I have been reading some excellent posts and articles here regarding swimbaits and techniques, and have some ideas as to what swimbaits to look for. The question that I have is, does the color of it make the bait, or is the profile and action what works most? Some of the recommended lures are either very hard to find, or only have certain colors left. Any help would be great, thanks.

They are both equally as important.  A lot of it would depend on the forage your lakes have.  I would make a note of your gear, consider going to the Cardiff 300. You'll want more line capacity than what the 200 offers with line sizes up around 17# or bigger.  Just my .02 

 

If you're referring to small swimbaits like a Keitech or Shadalicous, then what you were getting  is fine.  My comments above are for the 5"+ / 2oz and bigger type of swimbaits. Hard and soft.

I want to mic it up. I have dabbled with the hollow bodies, but want to get into the Bigboy swimbait a.

Well big boy swimbaits, you're gonna need a bigger reel.  The Cardiff 300 would be a good start.  If you want to throw the bigger baits, well it's hard to have a rod that will throw 3-4oz baits and then want to use it to throw a 1/2oz hollow belly.  What you were asking about color/profile, well I know here in S, Cal we try to match the hatch fishing the rainbow trout colors but also use bass colored swimbaits as well as the bluegill hardbaits.  I believe it's a bit of both profile as well as color, but you are going to have to find out what patterns will work aroud you.  Seeing you are from Ohio, I would probably match the bigger baits with the yellow perch color in the 6" baits such as the Huddleston.   As for the smaller hollow bellies, I don't believe color is as important as it is in the bigger baits.