Swim Baits

[GEO Industries]

Hey Guys,
I'm looking for some advice on how to adapt swimbaits to the lakes here in NC. I'm a "power fisherman" and I think they will suit me well....... So, where do I start?

[Steve Reed]

Hey Geo,

It kind of depends on what type of cover you are fishing.

Without any real knowledge of your area I'd say a 316 mission fish, baitsmith, Osprey Top Hook or a rago right now.

In the warmer months especially if you are working fish eating shad then I'd say a lunker punker, 316 wake jr, JSJ snacksize, and triple trout with a fluke tail.

There's a new bait that has been killing them all over and its triton mike's bullshad. I have yet to get one but people who have fished them LOVE them.

I've heard the bluegill and spawn in the southeast lakes can be real good for swimbaits.

[GEO Industries]

Hey Kid,
I am thinking of using them on a high pressured 14,000 acre lake. It's a damned river that has a maximum depth of 66' and about 200 miles of shoreline. She has little weeds, but ,lots of standing timber in varying depths and man made rip-rap.

Like I said, I have never thrown one. I checked out the 3:16 Lure Co and they have very nice looking baits. However, the only time I've thrown something an ounce or more is when cat fishing... LOL. Honestly, I don't think I have the equipment for that and can't picture how to fish it slow.

[RichThiel]

GEO,

Being your in NC, 200 miles of shore line (eqivalent to Berryessa) you have alot of water....Check the Baitfishcoloringand match I startby using the Triton Mikes Bull Shad, osprey Talon, and for Top water 316 Wake Jr. and the Lunker Punker.

With the above lures you cover all the different techniques or action of baits without kill'in the credit card.

Rod and Reel> Inexpensive way too go is with a Okuma 7'11 MH with a Shimano Cardiff 300. Use quality braid for top and at least 20# quality mono for sub-surface.

If you have an unlimited Credit Card than you can just go nuts on equipment by upgrading in Rod and reels. With standed Plastics you can use whatever you have. Atleast a 4 power rod. Type in I think Mike Bucca and it will take you too his web-site or check www.tackletour.com (Dennis Shew) and he gives you his evaluation of lures, equipment, etc.

www.blackdogbaits.com > Lunker Punker is a must have no matter where your at in the world.

Good Luck
Rich Thiel

[Melones_IS_Mine]

I'd go with a 3:16 Mission Fish. Especially since you have standing timber. Since it's weedless, you can do almost anything with that bait. Pitch, flip, cast, swim it, crawl it, hop it, drag it over branches and lay-downs, etc. And they are fair priced, so if you can't Hound Dog it, you're only out $15 or so.

I won't suggest rod/reel and line to buy, but I have gotten away with using a flippin' stick and either 65# Power Pro or 25# Big Game for a while.

[sker13]

Three I would recommend. Ok 5 or 6.....Big Hammer....Basstrix.....Hippo tackle....Money Minnow....Mission Fish....River 2 Sea Bottom Walker for the deeper stuff. You can throw all this stuff on regular tackle....Good Luck.

[revelation_04]

Being a transplant from Nebraska...I know about fishing swimbaits for smaller fish. I first started throwing swimbaits before most people in that part of the country knew about them. everyone thought i was crazy. I started out with the 3:16 mission fish 5 and 6" and their bluegill. I whacked the fish with those. Add to that the matt lures bluegills, jsj bluegill, and blackdog shell crackers. the new mini one should be killer. add a few shad styles like basstrix and the bull shad or triple trout and ur set. throw a couple topwaters as well...wake an ac minnow or work a lunker punker

[bassindon69]

Swimbaits and power fishing? You may locate them like that. If I use them power fishing I never would have done that well. Not with big ones anyway.

It's all still for sale........

[Oldschool]

GEO, before trying to decide what swimbait to but, think about;
What type of baitfish are the bass targeting and does the lake have a good population of big bass.
Northern LMB do not normally target bait fish over 6", unless the lake has a population of larger siz baitfish that tend to stay near cover like gizzard shad. If the lake has a population of off shore bait fish like threadfin shad or fresh water smelt and herring, than a 6" slender shape swmbait could work.
Unlike crank baits a swimbait should be presented as a natural swimmer to look like an easy meal.
Bass, like most animals, don't have the ability to know thier size compared to others, but they are condition to know what size prey is prefered from trail and error. The right size swimbait will look good to a larger population of big bass.
Colors; I would suggest matching the hatch is a good idea for a slow moving natural swimmer or a contrast color for off color water or low light presentations.
The 6" weedless Huddleston hasn't been mentioned and may be ideal for your area. The 6" Basstrix paddletail with Blade Runner's insert weight or Spintrix underspin head is another good choice.
Matt lures soft bluegill or crappie are good, as are most of the other swimbaits suggested.
I would focus my time where long points drop into the main lake river channel, good area in any lake that has roaming baitfish schools.
WRB

[GEO Industries]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me out..... The lakes I plan to target have an excellent shad population and a large big fish population (for here 5-10lb). So, I'm thinking of the 316 mission....... Now what presentations should I try for waters 45-55 degrees and then for waters at spawn temps and better?

[ash]

If you are throwing swimbaits you need to add a wake bait or topwater into the arsenal. My MS Slammer in the 6" I wouldnt leave home without, the 3:16 guys swear by the 3:16 wake bait as well.

I throw the slammer the same places I would throw a buzzbait, but even on the big chop days and over the deeper points. You can throw the 6" on a heavy action rod NP.

Big Hammer swimbaits - must have, An Osprey through the line or a 3:16 blue gill are also fish catchers.

[Steve Reed]

GEO make sure to check out Triton Mikes Bull Shad... sounds perfect for your area