I live in Mass and fish northern New England quite a bit, so I don't use the monster swimbaits out there.

What are your favorite swimbaits to use in our waters throughout the northeast?  I favor the lucky craft real california in the 5" range, or strike kings king shad.  For soft swimbaits, I run Matt Lures.

Not sure if anyone has had luck with these, but would like to hear about your experiences, and your favorite swimbaits for our non california waters, thanks!

Matt Lures perch and Bass, Jerry Rago's oringinal jointed Rat. This year I'll be throwing the new Huddleston 6" hold over trout and bass patterns hoping for some monsters. Here's a few pic's w/ Matt's perch.

I've used them throughout RI and MA but want to try them at Cobbossee this year.

We're not here to talk live bait

i have never used a swimbait ever in my life but have just bought a few packs of them basstrix    cant wait to try them out

We're not here to talk live bait

lol...no joke!!  those things are crazy realistic!!!

We're not here to talk live bait

We're not here to catch dinks either.  ;D

I picked up a 6in Huddleston and am going to pick up a Mattlures perch in the coming weeks. If I only had one I'd definately want something in a yellow perch pattern here in New England.

Just ordered a MattLures male bluegill and a 6" perch.  Can't wait to try these babies out  ;D

Hey Bassectomy (or any other NEers) - what type of line do you use?  Braid?  And if so, do you use a leader?  What power/action/length rods?  I don't have any heavy duty rods, but next on my list is a swimbait rods.  Not the gigantic ones the Cali boys use, but at least a 7' H, maybe XH.

I'm looking to get into swimbaiting this year and wonder what line you use.  I know Fish Chris uses all braid with a leader.

Thanks!

I bought a few Storm jointed rubber swim baits at Dick's last week. They seem to have the right colors to "match the hatch" as they say, and the prices are good. Perch, bluegill, a couple of "minnow" type fish (blue/silver) all with treble hooks. Can't wait to use them!!

bassnajr

Hey Bassectomy (or any other NEers) - what type of line do you use? Braid? And if so, do you use a leader? What power/action/length rods? I don't have any heavy duty rods, but next on my list is a swimbait rods. Not the gigantic ones the Cali boys use, but at least a 7' H, maybe XH.

I'm looking to get into swimbaiting this year and wonder what line you use. I know Fish Chris uses all braid with a leader.

Thanks!

17lb Pline Halo no braid for me, just MPP yet I believe they recommend using 30 to 50lb braid, don't qoute me on that.No leader needed.

I've been throwing Matt's stuff on a Kistler LTA 7' heavy rated to 1oz. Which is not ideal and stresses the rod a bit when loading.

There is an avid swimbaiter who recommended this inexpensive set-up to me. I was trying to find a link on this site to order through but can't find this specific set-up , I guess it's TWH once again

Dedicated for Matt lures and the new 6" Huddleston. I WANT THE RI SMALLIE RECORD!

Shimano Cardiff A Series Casting Reel 300 Right gear ratio 5.8:1 weight 8.9 Bearings: 4+1Line Cap: 12/230, 14/180, 17/150 $99.99

Okuma Big Bait Rod 7'11" Med Hvy Lure Weight: 3/4-3oz Price: $109.99

I used to throw the bigger swimbaits yet it just got to darn tiering throwing around 5oz lures all day.

What color do you guys like in the new huddleston?

What color do you guys like in the new huddleston?

Hold over and bass for me

Cool, thanks for the info.

what color megabait charlie would you guys suggest?

what color megabait charlie would you guys suggest?

From what I've heard Megabait is out of business or was it they no longer make the Charlie? :-/.

I believe they don't make  Bass Grande Swimbaits any more...

I have found the charlie at many places...

Can anyone help me lol!!!

Anyone try strike kings king shad, or lucky crafts real california hardbaits, what do you think of them?

What about huddleston's new 6", any luck with them?

What conditions do you guys typically use these baits, area, time of day, weather, etc, thanks.

Basstrix and huddlestons have each caught me one bass this year.

I have the Lucky Craft Real California in the perch pattern and I have got some big girls on it but on tackletour.com they got a terrible review and they said they fall apart VERY easily. I have not had that trouble,  but I also have not thrown it that much.

The Strike King King shad is an excellent bait and I have one of those too. It works a lot better as a rip/jerk bait. I would barely classify that as a swimbait but then again most websites do. It is pretty small but good for the N.E.  I have a herring-type pattern and it has been excellent for lunker smallies and largemouth in all the herring-run fed ponds down here on the Cape.

The Luck E Strike Bass Magic Swimbaits are another bait I HIGHLY reccomend. They have them at Bass Pro in Foxboro and they are under 7$ for a pack of 5 in the 5.5" and 6 in the 4.5". They also make a 3.5" with 6 or 7 in a pack and a 6.5" with 4, i believe. They make some nice patterns. It's tough finding a hook to fit those bigger ones tho. Last time I was there they had Lake Fork Ultimate Swim Bait hooks that were perfect. I needed the 7/O for the 5.5".

I picked up a 6" Optimum, but haven't tossed it yet. Maybe when this jig bite slows down.....(maybe)  

Do you know anything about the smaller sizes b/c im ganna be fishing some ponds and i have the smaller size swimbaits like 3.5" do you have any recommendations or even heard anything about these smaller swimbaits?? thanks

Most swimbaits will work well...

I believe the smaller the size the more fish you will catch compared to the bigger 5" 6" and up.

3.5" should work well

What brand of swimbait do you have?

Castaic swimbait clip INSANE ACTION

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=4627036