OK I asked  how to target larger fish on the Smallmouth forum and I was told to use larger baits. One suggestion was Swim Baits. I have never used a swim bait before and I don't know how to fish them. Does anybody have any suggestions for me. I know you throw it out and just real it in but do you let it sink real low or do you swim it right below the surface also do you guys ever jig them on the bottom? Real it fast or slow? Deep drop offs or shallow bay? Are they  a good bait during the prespawn? Thanks for any info you guys can give me. I plan on fishing one for and entire day nothing else no matter what! LOL

from my knowledge they are very versatile.

2 biggest issues-

Fish them slow

Fish them on the proper gear (stout rods/wide spool, round body reels)

There are also many types of swimbaits.

Wood or plastic body, usually with joints. These are the ones used most out west.

Soft bodied with internal weights. Mattlures makes some awesome ones.

Soft plastic ones, like the Lake Fork Tackle Live Magic Shad. These are the ones I use.

All three take different tackle.

Brad

Brad- got anything on sale that he could start with?  I was thinking the smaller baits would be easier to break into the game with like the lake fork tackle stuff.

I really like the action of the lake fork swimbaits. Still haven't caught any on them but I only used them one day before  i got laid up. They are definately going to get thrown alot more when i get back out.

The term swimbait, seems to have taken on a whole new meaning.

It used to mean BIG.

now it means - well just about anything.

Fishing with 6" or larger swimbaits requires patience more than anything else.

You really have to dedicate yourself to this type of fishing.

and don't expect to catch huge bass everytime.

I have caught several bass on the mattlures babyBass and several more on the 3:16 mission fish.  None of them reached 5 lbs on my boga grip scale - but if bigguns are out there swimbaits will get them.

good points Avid.

Where i plan to use this lure i can not keep the 2 1/2 pounders off my line. So I was told to use a bigger bait. There is rainbows in this lake lots of them so maybe i get can into a big fish bite.

Where i plan to use this lure i can not keep the 2 1/2 pounders off my line. So I was told to use a bigger bait. There is rainbows in this lake lots of them so maybe i get can into a big fish bite.

Man, what a problem to have. I wish I had that problem here in Indiana.

If you want to keep the 2 1/2 lb foish off your line, you'll probably be looking at some of the bigger hardbody baits.

swimbaitnation is a good website to look at for swimbait fishing.

Brad

Brad- got anything on sale that he could start with? I was thinking the smaller baits would be easier to break into the game with like the lake fork tackle stuff.

I try to keep the Lake Fork Tackle swimbaits in stock, but they sell out at lightning fast speed.

Just got some in this week though.

As always, 10% off to members.  

Brad

Ok I'll bite. LOL where do I go to order some? Do you have a rainbow pattern?