Big Swim Baits

[CanoeBoy]

I haven't heard to many people using swim baits on the Table Rock forum. Has anyone had any luck with these, if so what technique, color, depth, water temp, etc...

[Quillback]

I recall posts from the past about big swim baits where everyone was giving them a thumbs down.

[bluebasser86]

If they'll hit a redfin they'll hit a MS Slammer. Conditions weren't quite right for them to take it when I was down last week but had lots of followers on it. I wasn't throwing a big one though, just a 7 incher in the hitch color. Fish them in the same places and the same way you fish a redfin and you'll get bit. I probably should have fished a 9 incher and might have gotten a couple of them to commit. The abundance of smaller baitfish kept me fishing the smaller bait though.

[Quillback]

I see that Slammer as being more of a wake bait than what I would think of as a swim bait.

[Feathers and Fins]

I cut my teeth on swim baits back in the BIG BASS daysof the 80's early 90's and they have thier place. On lakes with large Florida strain bass that get stocking of trout the big 8 to 14 inch swim baits are very effective. On lakes that have Northern Strain or Smallmouth bass a swim bait still can be used but must be scaled down to match the size of baitfish present in the lake, that typically means 3 to 6 inches maximum. They also are best used in late fall through spring.

Lakes with Striper and Walleye populations of decent size they can also be employed with a good degree of success. Again the key is matching the baitfish size and for our lakes Bull, Norfork, Beaver and Tablerock I look to sizes of 5 to 10 inches with a more slim profile. In casting many people make the mistake to run them way to fast. The best retrieve is slow steady and prefferably on top water making a small disturbance. Also many primary hits will be a miss and the angler needs to learn to not set the hook right away unless the fish is on, if its a miss a couple slight twitches usally produce a more violent second bite that connects with the fish.

[bluebasser86]

I see that Slammer as being more of a wake bait than what I would think of as a swim bait.

Lots of swimbaits are fished along the surface like a wakebait. The Slammer can also be cranked down to a couple feet below the surface and will catch fish like that also, especially in dock slips. I've had some success with a 6" Huddleston but I haven't ever tried anything larger than that in a soft bait. I wish I would have thrown a Bull Shad down there last time but I didn't even think about it.

[Quillback]

I did pick up a Jackall Mikey which behaves like that Slammer, may have to give it a shot. It runs well as a wake bait, and will dive as you mention if cranked a bit faster.

[Champ188]

Donna has caught quite a few decent fish on TR throwing a Keitech swimmer behind me while I was throwing a Fin. Seems particularly effective around cedars since she can Texas rig the thing and swim it right thru the trees.

[CanoeBoy]

Great info guys just trying to figure out a way to beat my personal best on the Rock, I thought a swim bait might be able to accomplish that. The only swim baits I have currently are some Berkley hollow bellies that are not too big, but are very weedless. Maybe ill try em around some trees. If I find a pattern I will let you guys know.

@ Mikey, that MS Slammer looks like a good bait, I might have to bust open my piggy bank.

[bluebasser86]

Great info guys just trying to figure out a way to beat my personal best on the Rock, I thought a swim bait might be able to accomplish that. The only swim baits I have currently are some Berkley hollow bellies that are not too big, but are very weedless. Maybe ill try em around some trees. If I find a pattern I will let you guys know.

@ Mikey, that MS Slammer looks like a good bait, I might have to bust open my piggy bank.

I like the Slammer because it attracts all sizes of fish, not just monsters. Makes it easier to keep throwing when you're getting action on the bait and not just hoping for one bite.