Swimbait questions

[Swimbaitspence]

You always hear about a vortex tail for trout eaters what about a big boot tail for a trout/Kokanee eaters in a clear water reservoir with water fluctuations…..

Also, do you think 6-7 inch swimbaits will get bit in harder months of the year not typically “swimbait season” like November-June. Are baitfish typically smaller in July-October?

Simply does big bait big fish really matter with a lake with smaller baitfish as a main forage? A lot to unfold here.

[Dave Brabec]

Year round

[WRB]

Good questions that time on the water will answer.
1. Bass don’t know their size compared to any prey size, it’s a trail and error process.
2. Bigger lures displace more water that a bass can feel via the lateral line sensors and may come to check out the lure from a greater distance. If the lure triggers a strike response because it appears to be like the prey they are hunting you tied in the right lure at the right time and place.
3. The DFW plants hatchery rainbow trout when the water column is 60 degrees or less and prime time for trout swimbaits.
4. Cast a swimbait near a active feeding bass anytime of the year it could trigger a strike. Tail shape determines how the lure moves at various speeds, slower speed is usually better with
swimbaits, depth is a critical factor.
Tom

[Kelly Ripa]

Year round for me... but the windows are smaller in the colder months. I used to slay big fish at Cachuma when the wind blew in the afternoons right now in the dead of summer. I could be found fishing the windiest stretches of shear bluff walls with a 9 inch M.S. Slammer dark rainbow. You fished them away from the bank in clear water but the fish you were catching were further out and away from the bank just watching for a dying stocker black trout barely on it's last legs to come between them and the bank. I also fished the edges of windblown weed beds along sharp drop offs with a 8" Huddelston. Most of those fish would eat the bait when you killed the retrieve after a long slow cruise along the shady side of the grass. The big baits have a big silhouette and can handle the big winds. If you don't have that much wind reduce the size of the baits. I have caught small ( 9 inch) fish on those big baits. Another over looked spot for the trout eaters on Cachuma was under the log booms and buoy lines that can be found around the lake. In the summer they sit in the shade of those logs and buoy lines from about 9:00 am on. Remember the angle of the sun may put the shade off to one side or another so get the angle right and they could be 20 feet to one side and down another 30 sitting in that little sliver of shade. In the short hour summer time tournaments I always went for a big fish right in front of the marina's buoy line at Cachuma. Yes it's 100 or more feet right under the trolling motor but they are there. I cut many big fish checks fishing that pattern in the closing seconds it was always exciting. If you are new to swimbaits just take your time,play your hunches and the odds and you will develop something that works for you.

[El Jefe]

Check the F&G website for trout plants.... from the time they plant for the next 48 hours throw an 8" hud within 250 yards of the ramp

[Swimbaitspence]

All great advice and great knowledge. Thank you! I should just shut up and throw these damn things!

[Swimbaitspence]

Would I sound crazy if I chucked an 8 inch bait or bigger no matter the season…. I’m about to commit… I love my jigs and spinnerbaits but getting bored sometimes. Can’t help it.

[Kelly Ripa]

There are evolution's in fishing or at least there were for me. I wanted to catch a fish. Then I wanted to catch five. Then I wanted to catch big fish. Then as a Guide I wanted to put unskilled fishermen on fish and the skilled on my best. Now at 66 I just bang around junk fishing doing what I want to do when I want to do it. The way I fish now I try to work over every nook and cranny without moving around on the big motor. I just change what's in my hand to match what's in front of me as I just keep moving along. You don't want to get bored so do what is right for YOU on your water.

Rip

[milehi]

For me, up in the socal mountains, the colder months with low 40s water temp is way better. Pretty much throw an 8" hudd 12 or a bluegill bait Can get them in the warmer months but not the same. When I'm not throwing a big bait mostly old school flipping a jig, again best in colder water

[Dave Brabec]

For me it’s more a low light thing Water is 82 here. Swimbait bite better than jig bite. But only for a couple hours

[WRB]

Today it’s more difficult to define what a swimbait is and what the OP is referring to.
The tail question indicates a soft swimbait but not the size ( length & weight) so we guess.
The earliest soft swimbaits were salt lures like Worm Kings from 4”anchovy to 16” trout.
Ken Huddleston patent on the “boot tail” design so we assume the swimbait relates to Hudd 6”, 68, 8” and 10 soft lures.
We now have wake baits in fish and rat styles, single joint glides, multiple jointed and a variety of soft swimmers with line thru or top hook from Berkley, Savage Gear etc.
Not sure what advice the OP is looking and what lure? More details will get you more detailed replies.
Tom

[Dave Brabec]

I’ll take a Trash Fish over a Huddleston any day. But I pretty much only fish Clearlake.

[Swimbaitspence]

Will a 2 pound small baitfish eating spotted bass smash an 8 inch hudd? Will it smack a Deps 250? 8 inch magdraft? Why not? Bigger baits may be more confident to throw more drawing power… might not be catching a lot tho….

[Lugnut]

Will a 2 pound small baitfish eating spotted bass smash an 8 inch hudd? Will it smack a Deps 250? 8 inch magdraft? Why not? Bigger baits may be more confident to throw more drawing power… might not be catching a lot tho….

My first Hudd fish ever was BARELY 13". Yes, a 2lb fish will hit an 8" bait, but realistically not what you're fishing for, right? There is some really good info above, don't over think it right now grab a couple different baits that allow you to cover the water column and just go start chucking them.

[WRB]

Describe your tackle. Without the proper rod/reel any 8” to 10” swimbait is academic discussion.
As stated earlier bass don’t know their own size and don’t have hands to check out the lure they must strike it.
Tom

[Swimbaitspence]

Iv been using shimano Cardiff 400 or 300 5:4:1 reel
Dobyns Fury 806 or 795
20 lb mono big game

I have confidence in the action of a hud, a Deps 250 for slightly below surface, a ospery and a magdraft but not the 6 inch mag. The 8 inch only. The 6 inch is so light and I like the ospery better the tail wobbles on the way down to bottom.

Favorite wakebait swimbait on top? Slammer???

[ash]

You gotta check out ToXiC Baits https://www.toxicbaits.com/ Ceaser is an artist who is making quality wake baits, swimbaits and glides.

I have an old wooden slammer and that thing is a fish catcher but the newer ones just don't have the same thunk. I do well with a Deps Buzzjet, and Brabec Double Buzz but those are not a swimbait style wake baits.

[WRB]

Iv been using shimano Cardiff 400 or 300 5:4:1 reel
Dobyns Fury 806 or 795
20 lb mono big game

I have confidence in the action of a hud, a Deps 250 for slightly below surface, a ospery and a magdraft but not the 6 inch mag. The 8 inch only. The 6 inch is so light and I like the ospery better the tail wobbles on the way down to bottom.

Favorite wakebait swimbait on top? Slammer???

You have the 2oz-7oz tackle needed, Suggest changing the line to Sunline Defier Armilo 25 lb/.016D Nylon Mono for ease of casting and lower line bow.
Soft swimbaits action imo should have slow retrieve good tail wobble without rocking the lure body, just head movements. The 68 Hudds do this well with good slack line action on the fall.
The Original Megabait. 7” LA Slider with interchangeable weights was excellent soft swimbait, no longer made, but can be found. The Original Huddleston wooden swimbait with the bill was another random action swimmer kicking side to side with a hunting action that no other swimbait has duplicated, now a collector item.
The old wooden Slammers look home made and ugly but caught bass and Mom & Pop tackle shops have a few.
Lots of choices today and difficult to keep on top of but keep in mind beauty is only in the eye of the angler bass react to swimming action. I would Scrounge around for some of the wooden lures like Black Dog or have a 8” Triple Fish painted if that makes you happy.
Good luck,
Tom

[Swimbaitspence]

Thanks guys