I headed out to my honey hole this evening for about 2 hours.  We didn't catch any hawgs but managed about 15 fish.  

I was throwing a MattLures baby bass swim bait.  This was my 1st time using this bait and had been waiting all week to try it out.  I was using it on my 7'5" Loomis flipping stick with a Calcutta 250.  The reel was spooled with #15 Yozuri, which was way too light.  

I was throwing the bait in about 20' of water and reeling it in steady at some what of a slow pace.  The 1st hit caught me off guard but I still managed to hook her and get'er in.  She was about 3.5 pounds but I didn't weigh her.  I was so stoked, even though the fish was small.  Yeeehawwww!  My 1st swim bait fish.  

I checked my knot and noticed a tear in the bait.  Uh Oh!!!!  I took it off and tied on a crank bait.  I was going to not use the swim bait until I could fix the tear.  These boogers aren't cheap.   After about 2 minutes, I was like, screw this and tied the swim bait back on.  Holy heck batman, 2 more fish about 3 pounds.  And then I got one that weighed just over 4 pounds.  

All I can say to yall is, GO BUY THIS BAIT!!!  Buy 2 or 3 though, they are soft and rip like a senko.  Or should I say stanko.HAHAHA...

About 3.5

Just over 4 pounds.

My damaged bait.

Nice man, a little duct tape oughtta fix that right up  

I still have no confidence in those baits, but I haven't fished them much...definitely on the list.

How big is the baby bass?

another testimonial for the swimbaits.  great trip doug.  rock on bro.

Nice man, a little duct tape oughtta fix that right up

I still have no confidence in those baits, but I haven't fished them much...definitely on the list.

How big is the baby bass?

I believe it's 4 inches and weighs a couple ounces.  I had zero confidence in swim baits until I started reading posts from a few guys on here who consistently catch lunkers on them.  

What really got me thinking about them was when I was using my U/L.  I caught a bass about 8 inches long and as I got it about 5 feet from the surface, I seen a MONSTER bass following it in trying to eat it.

I'm in no way near mastering these baits but I believe a big part in their success is being in the right frame of mind.  I went out today with the intentions of using this bait until I got a hit, even if it took the whole trip to do it.  The conditions were calling for so many other type baits and techniques but I stuck it out with the swim bait.  I painted a picture in my mind of this bait being gulped up by a lunker that I felt as though I was daydreaming, and probably was.  I had to force myself to give it a 110% chance and it paid off.  Not exactly on any lunkers but by building confidence for the next trip.

I am very bad at fishing swim baits. Any hints for me??? :-?

I am very bad at fishing swim baits. Any hints for me??? :-?

I'm just learning myself so I'm the wrong person to ask.  I do know this though- use heavy gear!  

Nice fish, great report and that bait looks awesome! Congrats on doing so well. Thanks for sharing.  

Did you lube it up with megastrike?

The Baby Bass is 5" long, weighs 1.3 oz and can be fished on a MH or H Power baitcaster, it does not require special equipment. The retrieve is steady, it's location that counts. Lube the bait with MegaStrike and buy some worm repair product, there are several brands to choose from.

I'm fishing the Baby Bass on a St. Croix EC70MHF/ Shimano Calais 200 and original Yo-Zuri Hybrid #15. The key to landing bass, per Mattlures, is to move the fish to you, NOW!. You do not play the fish. Since adopting Matt's suggestion, I have not lost a fish.

http://www.mattlures.com/babybass.htm

8-)

Mend-It Glue F_T_W!

Great day!!  Still waiting on my first swimbait fish.  It will probably be on a Mission Fish or a Mattlures Baby Bass when it happens.  I can't put down the cranks or the jigs long enough.