With so many varieties of swimbaits on the market and even more types of hooks, it can be tough deciding which one to use. According to Bassmaster Elite Series pro Josh Bertrand, it comes down to the cover you are fishing and the action you are looking for.
Testing Hooks for the Swimbait Right Action
Bertrand is a big proponent of testing different hooks on swimbaits to get the right action. He will test baits in a swimming pool or by dragging it along side of the boat to get just the right action.
“Little subtle differences make a big difference with swimbaits,” said Bertrand. “Making changes can really affect how they swim, so test them before you start fishing them to make sure the action is what you are looking for.”
Jighead vs. Swimbait Hooks for Plastic Swimbaits
Just about any swimbait can be fished on the back of a jighead. Fishing it this way is a great way to get down deep and catch bass, but there are times when a weighted or non-weighted hook is a better option.
“Any time you are fishing around grass or other cover, the weedless design of a swimbait hook is the way to go,” he said. “These hooks can also give it a more natural swim.”
His hook of choice is the Berkley Fusion19 Swimbait Hooks, in various sizes and weights depending on the bait he is using. The screw lock that comes on these hooks help keep the bait secure and allow for keeping the baits from sliding down the hook or disturbing the action.
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Here is how Bertrand rigs three of his favorite swimbaits:
Berkley Havoc Skeet's Sick Fish Swimbait
The Sick Fish is a bulkier bait and Bertrand feels that a weighted swimbait hook is the way to go.
“The weight helps ‘keel’ the bait allows it to run straight. It has a subtle tail kick and that weight helps to keep it swimming just right,” he said.
For the larger 5.5” version, he prefers the 7/0 size hook that is 3/8 oz. When downsizing to match the forage, the 4” version on a 5/0 and ¼ oz. weight is his go-to.
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Berkley Grass Pig
This swimbait can be fished either with a weighted or non-weighted hook.
“It’s very versatile and I will switch between standard and weighted hooks depending on how the fish are acting,” he began. When the fish are looking up for a meal, he will go without a weight and when fishing deeper water he will go with the weighted hook.
“Sometimes I will fish it just under the surface, only a few inches below,” he said. “When the fish are in clear, open water this will draw them up to the bait.”
He will use either a 4/O or 5/O size on these baits.
Berkley Powerbait Rib Shad
This 4.5" swimbait is another versatile bait that can be rigged a number of ways. While many would fish it on a jighead, Bertrand also likes to mix it up sometimes and fish it with a swimbait hook.
“It has a good action no matter how you rig it,” said the Arizona pro. “I like to fish it different ways because each of them give it such a different action and some days fish want one or the other.”
He will rig it on either a 4/O or 5/O Fusion19 swimbait hook.
How you decide to rig your swimbait can have a big impact on how it will act, how it will look and also where you can fish it. By following Bertrand’s advice of experimenting with different hooks and jigheads, you can make sure you have the correct action for that day on the water.
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