How do you choose the right swimbait? *Video*

supermat · Post by **supermat** » Thu Oct 21, 2010 2:13 pm

Hey guys,
Has anyone noticed just how many swimbaits are on the market these days? Its crazy! With so many options how do you choose the right bait for you? I do everything I can to keep it SIMPLE. If your baits didn't make the cut, don't be offended. I'm sure they're great baits they just aren't amongst the baits I have the utmost confidence in at this time.
I hope you find this video helpful in choosing a swimbait for your next outing.
http://tacticalbassin.com/swimbait-choose/
Enjoy!

-Matt Allen

pigskin · Post by **pigskin** » Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:52 pm

I found it very informative....

Thank you

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:18 am

pigskin wrote:I found it very informative....

Thank you

+1

bassdaddy · Post by **bassdaddy** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:49 am

I don't disagree with anything Matt had to say, but I was expecting to hear him mention it is a MUST to own a Matt's HardGill in either the floating version or a slow-sink. I can't imagine there is any water in America where these baits would not be effective. He mentioned Matt's soft BG version, but somehow did not include the HardGill. You obviously can't dead-stick the slow-sink version as you can the floater, but it is deadly as a slow presentation wake bait.

supermat · Post by **supermat** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:06 pm

Bassdaddy,
I'm not one to to bash baits and I certainly don't disagree with your sentiments. The mattlures hardgills have been great producers for lots of people. I have several friends who swear by them for producing numbers of good fish. However, when it comes down to my personal preference, I stay away from bluegill shaped baits all together. The trouble with most bluegill baits is they aren't easy for a bass to engulf. Bluegill are naturally more difficult to eat than trout or other baitfish.
That being said, I LOVE bluegill colored baits. I have tons of different shad/hitch/trout/kokanee PROFILE baits that are painted to look like bluegills. The result is similar bites but with a higher hookup to land ratio. Again, I'm not knocking the baits. From what I have seen they work great, hold up well, and are made by a stand up individual, but they don't currently make the cut of baits I throw on a regular basis.

bassdaddy · Post by **bassdaddy** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:41 pm

Matt...I don't think you leaving Matt's HardGill off your list is bashing the bait one bit. I followed up your post because my experience with the bait is different than yours. I have two fish over 9 lbs. pounds...one being 12-6... with the slow-sink version and several other quality fish, so I thought it might make your list. I frequently am asked questions from guys wanting to "match the hatch" and my best answer is Matt's HardGill. I own more swim baits than anyone needs to, but if I could only keep five of them due to past results, I promise you a Matt's HardGill in slow-sink would be one of them.
I commend you on your site, your position and the information you are putting out. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to do it as there are very few SB guys who really know the game who are willing to share quality information.
Tree

supermat · Post by **supermat** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:02 pm

Bassdaddy,
FIrst off, congrats on a giant fish! A 12 on any bait is a fish of a lifetime.

I'd be proud of her and the bait she was caught on as well!
Second, thank you for the feedback. In fact, if you have time go to the website and leave a comment detailing your thoughts. I give my honest opinion/ideas but I love when other people chime in! Frankly, I don't mind if their opinion is that I'm dead wrong as long as its honest and they are willing to share why. See... I'd like to believe I'm pretty decent at a few techniques but there are some that I'm just flat terrible! (like anything that requires light line

) Instead of trying to fake it and then defending my point, I find experts in all aspects of fishing and let them weigh in with their 2 cents. Case in point would be Mike Rold talking about Chatterbaits. Mike makes me look like a child when it comes to fishing a chatterbait so why not let the rockstar do the talking.
http://tacticalbassin.com/chatterbait-techniques/
Whether it comes from me or from someone with an excellent grasp on a certain technique, the goal is honest teaching.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, I may have to give Matt's Hardgill another look.

-Matt