Catch More While Swimbait Fishing

Man standing holding two big bass caught while swimbait fishing
The author with two nice bass caught while swimbait fishing.

When you first read that title, several thoughts might pop into your head: What’s a swimbait? Our sportfish won’t hit that junk. Or perhaps you think, “Swimbait fishing… really, who cares?” But hang on to your rod, because what you’re about to learn could change your fishing game. With just a few simple adjustments in rigging and presentation, swimbaits can significantly increase your chances of catching fish under a variety of conditions.

The Bait

For our discussion, we won’t delve into the 7-12 inch hard jointed swimbaits that have sparked a craze on the West Coast. Instead, we’ll focus on soft plastic swimbaits, specifically boot tail styles in the 3-6 inch range.

In today’s market, there’s an overwhelming variety of smaller swimbaits to choose from, with prices ranging from as low as $4 for a pack of five to $20-$45 for just two or three baits. Personally, I prefer to stick to the $4-$10 price range, so if a pike bites me off, I won’t feel too bad about it.

Rig Swimbaits

four swimbait fishing lures are great for bass fishing.
A variety of swimbaits ready to go!

Some swimbaits come pre-rigged on lead head jigs, while others, like the Storm Wild Eye Swim Shad, are molded around a lead head during manufacturing. Other options, such as the Berkley Power Slim Shad, are packaged in plastic bags, and the Keitech Swing Impacts come in clamshell containers to help maintain the bait’s shape.

Over the past three to four years, I’ve caught a variety of fish—including largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, pickerel, rock bass, trout, and walleye—using these soft plastic swimbaits. After experimenting with several brands and models, I’ve had the most success with Keitech baits in the 3.3 to 4.8 inch sizes. I keep my color selections straightforward: in clear water, I opt for natural shad imitators like Tennessee shad and Silver Flash; around scattered weeds, green pumpkin is my go-to; and in dirty, stained water, black is an excellent choice.

Deeper Water Swimbait Setup

In open water applications, I rig my swimbaits on VMC jig heads, such as the Half Moon and Moon Eye. The weight of the jig head is determined by the water depth: I use ¼ oz. in 3-8 ft., 3/8 oz. in 9-12 ft., and ½ oz. for depths greater than 12 ft. For this setup, I prefer a TFO GTS S734-1 spinning rod, which is 7’3″ long, has medium power, and fast action. It’s paired with a Lew’s High Speed Spin Series reel, spooled with 8 lb. Bass Pro Shops XPS braided line and an 8 ft. XPS fluorocarbon leader in 8 lb. test.

This swimbait setup allows for longer casts, which are crucial for generating bites in open, clear water conditions. The fast action of the rod helps send the bait out effortlessly, while the medium power and braided line provide ample hook-setting power at long distances.

I rely on my electronics to identify the depth where fish are holding. If I mark targets at 7-9 ft., I’ll cast out and count down to 4 or 5 before starting a steady retrieve. I always aim to keep the bait slightly above the fish in the water column.

If this swimbait setup fails to produce a strike, I switch to a stop-and-go retrieve. I cast out, count down to the desired depth, and retrieve for 5 to 6 turns of the handle, then pause for a three or four count before repeating the process all the way back to the boat. Usually, one of these two retrieves will elicit strikes in short order.

Setup for Swimbait Fishing Shallow Waters

When swimbait fishing around shallow cover such as weeds, lily pads, wood laydowns, or boat docks, I rig these baits weedless on a weighted EWG (Extra Wide Gap) hook. It’s essential to match the size of the hook to the bait; using an oversized hook can push too far down the bait’s body, hindering the undulating tail swing that makes it so appealing.

For this presentation, I prefer a baitcasting setup. I use a TFO GTS C735-1 rod, which is 7’3″ long, medium-heavy power, and fast action, paired with a 6.4:1 Abu Garcia reel. I load it with 20 or 30 lb. braided line, coloring the last three feet of line down to the lure with a black permanent marker.

While you can use a fluorocarbon leader if you prefer, I find it unnecessary in this scenario. The cover you’re fishing through, over, and around doesn’t give fish as much time to follow and inspect the bait as they would in open water. Additionally, the strength of the braided line allows you to quickly pull fish out of thick cover, reducing their chances of tangling you up or dislodging the hook.

The Football Head

Another effective rigging option is to drag boot tail swimbaits over hard bottom areas using a football head jig. I use this presentation in a couple of scenarios: first, if the suspended fish I was catching suddenly disappear from the graph but I suspect they’re still in the area, I’ll implement the dragging technique for another 15-20 minutes to ensure I haven’t missed any willing biters. Second, when I arrive in a location I know fish frequent but haven’t marked anything on the graph, I’ll do a bit of bottom scouting with the football head jig. This method helps me cover the area methodically, allowing me to locate any active fish that may be holding near the bottom.

Bass Fishing Swimbaits

The football head jig excels in another situation: when bass are feeding on crayfish in shallow or mid-depth rocky areas. Don’t hesitate to use this presentation; remember that trophy bass are opportunistic feeders. While they might not be actively hunting for baitfish, they will readily take advantage of an easy meal when it presents itself.

Dragging Technique

Depending on the conditions, I typically use either of the previously mentioned rod setups for the dragging technique, but I generally opt for the baitcasting setup and fish a bit deeper.

To achieve the best results with this technique, it’s crucial to maintain bottom contact throughout the retrieve. This approach allows the football head to bump against rocks and sand, creating a dust or sediment trail that attracts fish. If you’ve ever startled a crayfish, you might have noticed how they pinch their tails tight and shoot away, leaving a small cloud behind. When executed properly, this dragging technique mimics that same visual cue, making it an effective strategy for enticing bass.

Hooks for Swimbaits

When it comes to hook sets, trust two key principles: first, with braided line, you’ll almost always feel a bite, especially when swimbait fishing with an exposed hook. When a fish takes the bait, simply reel down to meet it and execute a steady sweep hook set until you feel it move, then keep cranking.

Once you’re confident you’ve hooked the fish, give a couple of moderate rod pumps to properly seat the hook point. Remember, there’s no need to forcefully rip the fish’s lips; the no-stretch nature of braided line effectively transfers the rod’s energy directly to the hook point, ensuring a solid connection.

The Right Swimbaits Make All The Difference

man sitting on a boat holding up a large walleye caught while swimbait fishing.
Mike Cusano with a 6.25 Lake Ontario walleye caught on a Keitech swimbait.

Big fish eat little fish all year round, so it’s essential to find the right size swimbait that matches the dominant baitfish in your fishing area. I encourage you to give swimbaits a fair try this summer. Regardless of your experience level, many anglers find these baits easy to rig and use, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy the results.

Until next time, remember to catch your limit but only keep what you can eat. Please release the fighters so they can be enjoyed by another angler another day. Happy fishing!

Original Article By Burnie Haney

About the Author

Burnie Haney has been the Garrison Chief of Operations at Fort Drum NY, Chairman of the Jefferson County Sport Fish Advisory Board, B.A.S.S. Life Member, Public Relations Officer and Sponsor Product Coordinator for the NY BASS Chapter Federation. He has also been a member of FLW and Pro Staff member for Bass Pro Shops Nitro Boats, US Reel, Temple Fork Outfitter Rods, Lucky Craft Lures and VRX Fishing Products. Haney holds three National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Line Class World Records (carp, steelhead, Chinook salmon) and one IGFA NY State Line Class Record (walleye). Get in touch with Burnie at burniehaney.com.

This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.

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