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Well folks I've got some questions, but before that let me fill you in, background.

I was watching a fishing show in which Bill Dance laid out the reasons CA has such large bass. He chalked it up to three reasons: one, florida strain bass, two, fishing pressure, and three, trout stocking. Florida strain for size, and climate. Fishing pressure, and clear water make for hard to catch bass. And trout for forage.

I was feeling envious of those west coast guys when I realized that I had a CA-like lake in my own back yard. It's a small lake loaded with timber and stumps. It has a healthy population of lunkers in the 8, 9, 10 pound range. These beauties are caught almost exclusively during the spring spawn. So I thought I'd go after them during the summer with trout-like swim baits.

I got the baits off the web and began using them this week. On my first trip out I was painfully aware that fishing these baits was much different from anything else I've ever used. They are much heavier than anything I was used to, and my rods don't seem to be the right ones for the job. Med Heavy seems too light. So my Q's are what kind of rods, and what kind of presentations. Are they open water baits? Shore structure baits?
Any hints as to where to look for these heavies during the summer months?

I would apprecite any advice or feedback. Thanx Carl

Carl,

My name is Bryan. I'm not on the BassinUSA Pro-Staff but I am a tournament level angler in California and thought I'd try and help you out.

First off, you're right- Swimbaits (SBs) are a monster in and of themselves. If you plan on throwing some of the baits we are throwing out here, you will need to upsize your gear. I use an 8ft MH Inshore rod spooled with 40lb spectra and a 20lb flouro-carbon leader (about 3 feet). Most of these baits are large and very heavy and attract large and very heavy fish. Plan accordingly when setting up your rig.

The bigger question you need to think about first is what kind of forage fish you lake has. Not all swimbaits are trout replicas and I've caught my fair share of large fishing throwing panfish reps, perch reps, you name it. Swimbaits are HOT right now and they come in all shapes, sizes, and patterns. Think about the forage and then make your picks.

Here, the primary season for SBs is the spring when fish start stacking up in staging areas for the spawn. Main lake points and main channels leading back into spawning areas are primary targets. When the fish are done spawning, they again stack up on those types of spots and another blitz can be had. Summer on the other hand is a whole different animal. It's really hit or miss and the majority of fish I have seen taken were during low light hours or after dark. Take that into consideration also.

As far as where to work the bait, my advice is to stick to the top 10% of the water column about 90% of the time. I have been throwing the new Casitas SB by Allen Cole with good success and yo-yo it up and down near the surface allowing the bait to spend time waking on top. About half the time you will see the fish following it before it strikes. Sometimes a pause is all it takes to get a cinderblock explosion out of the fish. It's a beautiful thing.


Lastly, you have to throw the S out of SBs to get a real idea of if it works for you. When you've thrown it enough to think you have a handle on it, you about only half way there. Throw it, throw it, and then throw it some more. Try everything and anything. Only then will you really know if it's an effective bait for your locale.


Keep it scurvy,


-Bryan @ HookFynn.com

Thanks Hook, for the advice. I ordered trout-like baits because the forage is in part, trout. You describe the use of these baits in much the same way as I teach new guys how to fish jigs,so I see a learning curve ahead of me.

Once again thanks for taking the time. Carl

Hey Carl,

Good to see you stopping in and posting... I'm in the same boat as you with the swimbaits... We had a couple of good topics going about these little gems (I should say "large gems"). So you know, Bryan, is an old friend of mine and he was always one heck of a fishermen... in short, he's no slouch, and his advice is always sincere and accurate.

Bryan... thanks for jumping in... there are NO EGOS on these boards... and this goes for anyone out there reading any topic on the boards:

We welcome everyone's input and contributions to our community. Just because someone is not on the "Prostaff" doesn't mean they are not able to answer a question that is posted. If know something about a topic on ANY board, please share what you know... we all can learn more by sharing knowledge.

Carl, I'll be reading along with you trying to learn more about swimbaits myself!

Thanks for posting...

BC