SWIMBAIT FISHING IS EASY! If you’ve ever wanted to give it a try, we’re going to show you everything you need to know. Most anglers want you to believe its difficult but besides a few little tricks, there isn’t much to it. Understanding when and where to fish these baits, as well as which baits to throw in different situations, will make it even easier to catch a giant bass!
Today Tim breaks down the differences between lure designs and actions, and how they fit different conditions. Once you’ve got the basics it really does come down to just going fishing. You can catch a giant swimbait fish this year if you commit to it!
Below you’ll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We’ve included our favorite sizes, sink rates, and colors where applicable. We’ve also included some great rod and reel combos to help you land that trophy fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*RELATED SWIMBAIT VIDEOS…*
•Matt’s Full Swimbait Seminar: https://youtu.be/2CKYzINfDuI
•Underwater Swimbaits Compared: https://youtu.be/S3KLFqZ-2_k
*SOFT TROUT AND KOKANEE BAITS…*
•Savage Gear 8″ RTF Trout (Fast Sink): https://bit.ly/33GROg1
Color: Dirty Silver, Trout
•Huddleston Deluxe 8″ (ROF 12): http://bit.ly/2azFTon
Color: Trout, Holdover
•Huddleston 68 (ROF 12): http://bit.ly/2dj5apG
Color: Black Gizzard, Green Gizzard
•Hawg Hunter Magnum Trout: https://bit.ly/3WuwJ0P
Colors: TW Gizzard, TW Hatchery
*BIG TROUT AND KOKANEE GLIDES…*
•Baitsanity Explorer: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY
Colors: TW Steelhead, Kokanee, Shad
•River2Sea S Waver 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Colors: Light Trout, Rainbow Trout
•Deps Slide Swimmer 250: http://bit.ly/2AfXQnF
Colors: TW Mirror Trout, Butch Brown Phantom Shad
*BAITFISH PROFILE SOFT BAITS…*
•Megabass Magdraft (6″ and 8″): http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK
Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad
•Bacca Burrito (5″ and 6″): https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW
Color: Tactical Shad, Who Dat
•Mattlures Hammer Tail Shad: http://bit.ly/2vM8cKF
Color: Light Gizzard, Green Threadfin
•Osprey Line Through: http://bit.ly/2laKeWD
Colors: TW Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Light Hitch
*WEEDLESS SOFT BAITS…*
•Megabass Magdraft Freestyle: http://bit.ly/3bRG3Wi
Color: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad
Hook: Owner Beast 8/0 (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2ancP66
•Scottsboro Tackle 6″ Line Through: http://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH
Color: Natural Light, Ol Smokey
Hook: Owner Beast 8/0 (3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2ancP66
•All American Fatty Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2ixaEw2
Color: Chartreuse Shad, Just Shad
Hook: Owner Beast 8/0 (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2ancP66
*BLUEGILL SOFT BAITS…*
•Savage Gear 4″ Pulse Tail RTF: https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH
Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill
•Matt Lures Hammer Tail: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3
Color: Male Bluegill, TW Bluegill
•Megabass Sleeper Gill: https://bit.ly/3HPvgMT
Colors: Gill, Gillkko
•Little Creeper Sunfish: http://bit.ly/2ahBNOT
Colors: Female Bluegill, Male Bluegill
*SMALL PROFILE SWIMBAITS…*
•X Zone Mega Swammer: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q
Colors: Sexy Shad, Green Pumpkin Blue Flake
*COVER GLIDE BAITS…*
•River2Sea S Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Color: Bluegill, Light Trout
•G Ratt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe
Color: Gizzard Shad, Hitch, GP Hitch
*HARD BLUEGILL BAITS…*
•Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R
Colors: RT Bluegill, RT Spawn Gill, RT Ghost Gill
•Baitsanity Gill Explorer: https://bit.ly/3F65FxK
Colors: Bluegill, Dark Bluegill
•Megabass Vatalion: http://bit.ly/367AOxD
Colors: GG Gill, Ito Cichlid, Ito Wild Gill
*FAVORITE SWIMBAIT COMBO…*
Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 966 SWBR: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF
Reel– Shimano Tranx 300 (HG): http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw
Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader– Sunline Saltimate Fluoro 35 lb: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2
*GREAT SWIMBAIT RODS (BUDGET TO MID PRICED)*
•Shimano SLX 7’8″ Heavy: https://bit.ly/3QbMjvs
•13 Fishing Omen Black 8’ Heavy: https://bit.ly/390GC01
•St Croix Bass X 7’10” Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs
•St Croix Victory 7’10” Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb
•Dobyns Fury 795 and 806: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV
*TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)*
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…*
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: https://bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3U9y4cl
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#bassfishing #swimbait #swimbaitfishing
just got my pb today with a 4 inch minow swim bait
What knot do you tie for your big swim baits going from braid to fluoro leader? Im worried about my connection knot breaking
Oh big swim baits when you get a bite to you keep reeling and the the rod load or so set instantly I keep missing them
You can swimbait fish all year long bubba
Well done tim
I made some plaster molds and put a 10” tail on a 8” bait. (810)
I also made a 6” tail and soaked it in water until it bloated to a 7” size tail and made a mold of that to put back on the 6” bait. (67)
I’ve also put 6” tails on castiac 4” baits that worked well jigging on the bottom pre Dark Sleeper.
With Plaster of Paris, non-stick cooking spray, mend it and recycled plastics you can start experimenting with Frankbaits.
I'm surprised that savage gear swimbaits are selling in Japan. Just bought one today and made sure to take the stinger hook off
Ordered some Mattlures. Lets see if I can get bit! Great video Tim!
I haven't caught any large or spots with swim baits but I have done well with the small mouth bite. So much fun like I'm a kid on Christmas 🎄🎁 morning hope you guys have a good per spawn or post spawn depending where you are . Brothers and sisters of the fishing 🎣 community.
Thanks Tim. I'm just getting into swimbaits.
Thanks Tim awesome video
This might sound crazy but I need to know what knot you guys are tying with at the bait on that 30lb mono leader you suggest we use. I tie an Alberto knot for the braid to leader.
I don't have any thing but LM in my Big pond!!. I have thrown bread out Not a nible the bread flootes ln to the bank no BG no shad no purch nothing but crayfish and no co LM. There is not that menu crayfisjh. What are they eatting? How much do they cannablism for on
? How about a bass swimbate?? Love your style l!!
I have been using a musky rod from bass pro for years for huddlestons and other 2-6oz jig hook Swimbaits. I’m a kayak fisherman and I know that while in a kayak you have to factor in the movement of your boat. I can’t carry more than 5 rods comfortably. I like to use s-wavers and wakes too. Being on a kayak I have to have rods that will do multiple things. If I go to that SLX Swimbait rod will it do the job for the burrito and some of the med glide/wake baits. Tackle management matters a lot too being on a kayak so I can only afford 1 3700 tackle box for each rod. I want to set up something so I can have my swimbaits ready. I fish the lower Chattahoochee. Any recommendations considering these factors.
Great video! You guys should totally do a video on the more custom baits. I have a few of them and would love to hear what you think
Ty guys for everything. The magdraft and a nichols spinnerbait with a red kicker have been getting me big uns. I haven't caught a bass smaller than three pounds this year so far. Knock on wood
do you and Matt wear the same size shoe?
Now with that said…..
I remember Matt doing 1 way back when … it would b cool to see you both kinda give your thoughts on leader lengths, knots mainly for big baits but even a general rundown .. just a peasant fishing off the bank, or in boat that barley runs , or out In kayak with a paddle chasing the storms here in norcal, don't forget us here out here out here on the west coast glad to see tactical blow up like it did !! You both deserve it keep up the good work boys !!!
Been following you guy's since before u were on love all your contributions to the channel ,1 thing I haven't heard u speak is leader vs straight braid vs mono vs floro, love here the thoughts on the swimbaits
Thanks for sharing the baits you use , for different times and conditions , it's very helpful, and maybe make a video series showing how you use , work them.
Thanks for the video's Tim. I'm just getting into swimbaits. I fish Missouri Ozark lakes. And I purchased some Burritos. I feel like I'll have more confidence in shad shaped baits.
Would an 8ft, heavy, fast 8oz salmon rod with a Calcutta make a decent swim bait rod since I already have it?
Thank you for all your info. I’ve learned more from your videos than I ever thought I would. I’m headed to lake fork in 2 weeks and I feel really confident in my ability to fish big baits. Thanks from a 67 year old beginner.
@TacticalBassin why haven't y'all showed us the new NACHO swimbait. I've been crushing with it lately
Do you try the larger Kietechs? Some colors go up to 7.8 inches.
when I fish the hard single jointed swim baits (S-waver) when I cast I cant keep from having the bait helicopter spin in the air and it twists the heck out of my line! any suggestions?
Had my doubts about swim bait but the savage gear blue gill 3in is awesome
Who said bigger isn't better
Great video Tim. I am going up from trophy walleye, northern pike and lake trout in northern Ontario in May. I have heard that large swim baits and glide baits do well up there. Do you have any recommendations for these species of fish?
It’s still cold as can be here in Utah! still trying to figure it out here
I love watching many bass fishing videos; however, this channel is, by far, the best channel on the internet!! Keep up the great work guys!
When Fishing a free style magdraft do you use an underspin style blade hook or do you prefer just a weighted hook
Is the Dobyns fury 795 good for treble or single hooks? Or both?
Where would I draw the line to go from throwing a large keitech with a minnow jig head(possibly underspin jig) to go to this?
Hell yeah. Another TB swim bait video. Time to get to get ready for some pre spawn action 🤘🤘🤘
Hey guys love your videos and tackle talks. I’ve learned so much about swim baiting just bought an 8 inch Huddleston last year to try to catch my biggest largemouth bass.Tomorrow’s the first day of march and now that’s it’s warmed up enough to take out our Jon boat I’m planning to target a local trout stocked lake just got to pick out some good flourocarbin line. I’ve already caught the Wv state record smallmouth and largemouth bass but didn’t realize what I had 17 some years ago in my early twenties. The two 10lb largemouth from two different ponds both came on light mono a big bobber and live bait. My biggest smallie was caught on a trout magnet jig head 4lb test mono and a live 2 inch crawfish on my 4ft6 ultra light. Kind of funny cause it broke my line on the hook set because of my cheaper reel not the drag the bell was damage or something and I had to hand line her in kind of like Matt’s pb largemouth. I released her and Walmart stole my pictures of her. I know right. Haven’t targeted smallmouth much since then till last year. My girlfriend and I went back to the same body of water April 15th 2022 and she caught the IFGA world record freshwater smallmouth bass in the female 4lb test line category on a 6 inch live white sucker a plain shank size 1 hook and her 3ft dock demon rod. Her fish was 20 and a quarter inches long I didn’t know to girth the fish but I’m sure it was around 16 inch and it was 4.4 kilograms in weight. When we took it to the DNR office to weigh it the fish biologist wasn’t there so we were not able to have it certified and recognized. I had it mounted for her because it was still the second biggest smallmouth I’ve ever seen in person. When I got it back it was only 19 inches and 11 inch girth it was not the same fish in fact the taxidermist did a better job on his best smallmouth witch was 19 inches and 6lbs. So I’m having a pro from Canada do a replica for her because I know how special her fish really was. I also saw what I think could be the Wv state record spotted bass in that same body of water so we might try that one late April or May because we have a trout trip planned for April. A lot of fishing this year more than any other so far. Thank you guys so much for all your videos, advice and everything. Have a great year guys good luck and Keep Reeling them in!
I notice you guys don't use or talk about the Mike B Bull Shad. I have caught so many big fish on them.
Here in Wisconsin, I keep casting my swimbait out on the ice and get no bites. Am I using the wrong swimbait?
What’s the best way to store late baits I’m having troubles finding anything good that protects tails
Hopefully they get their hands on the new 6th sense line through that’s coming out it looks deadly
Matt and Tim, for a highland reservoir with no grass, is it worth investing in the Jackhammer? Or would a man be better off sticking with crankbaits and spinner baits? – Norris Lake, TN. Smallmouth, largemouth, and spots. 3lb average will win most tournaments.
Love the idea of a rod like the G. loomis that can handle treble AND single-hook swimbaits but that one is out of my price range. Is there a more affordable rod you’d recommend that could handle both? I’m in a kayak and have to use multipurpose rods as much as possible. Thanks!
Hey guys, always great videos. Obviously we are all in different locations, have you ever done or considered doing a bait video based on water temperatures?
I forgot you dudes moved outta Cali. I’m in Sac and the weather is jacked up right now! 😅
excellent video as always!!!
Have you ever had experience with the 8’ XXH expride B? If so I’m thinking about buying one but I’m not sure if it’s best fit for me
hello tim, as for allergies you should find a local honey producer and get fresh honey and bee pollon. taken everday no allergies. good luck.