Interest in swimbaits was equally high at the fishing industry’s annual ICAST Show last summer. Fine-looking swimbaits of soft plastic, hard plastic, and wood adorned many booths, while hybrid baits of both hard and soft materials also were displayed. Bill Siemantel promoted his new swimbait DVD, featuring big fish action with SPRO’s BBZ-1 swimbait of his design. Alan Cole, father of the big-bait phenomenon, was eager to show his latest model, the AC Plug Casitas.

Why They Work

This furor has made swimbaits the “in” lure of the year. Demand stems from more than their eye-candy appeal and the macho image projected by big lures and beefy tackle. It’s their unquestioned potential for catching big bass. Swimbaits offer a mix of natural cues that persuade bass of the lure’s authenticity, whether the color scheme is that of trout, bluegill, perch, or shad. Their size tends to attract the biggest bass, especially when fished skilfully near deep structure.

According to scientific calculations, largemouths may eat soft-rayed preyfish up to 50 percent of their length. A 10-inch swimbait should be just right for a 6-pounder, but in fact, bass often strike even larger lures. Big baits often take 2- and 3-pound fish, just as 7-inch bass sometimes strike 5-inch stickbaits or topwaters.

Hand-pouring soft swimbaits allows luremakers to form enticing blends and layers of color that match nature, or to create a contrasting look that may arouse curiosity in fish. And the paint jobs on plastic and wood baits are sensationally realistic. Most have a natural swimming motion built into the lure, with either a swimming lip or due to body design, while some focus mostly on tail action. Adding joints to hardbaits has allowed them to move in new ways, too.

Tackle Details

Tackle selection depends primarily on the size of swimbait fished, with a nod to personal preference. For small baits in the 3- to 5-inch range, a 7-foot medium-heavy power spinning rod outfitted with braided line and a leader is a fine combination, ensuring long casts and powerful hook-sets.

Medium-sized swimbaits also match heavy crankbait outfits—medium- to medium-heavy baitcasters spooled with fluorocarbon, heavy mono, or braid, depending on environment and angler preference. For truly big baits, special rods are needed. Not surprisingly, West Coast rodmakers were the first to add swimbait rods to their product lines.

About eight years ago, Bill Siemantel worked with Lamiglas to fashion the XC 807 Big Bait Rod, rated for 3/4- to 31⁄2-ounce lures. It remains his favorite for all swimbait applications. “Some guys tried to make do with flippin’ sticks,” Siemantel comments, “but if it works for big baits, it’s a lousy flippin’ stick.” Lunker hunter Mike Long worked with Graphite U.S.A. on the Mike Long Swimbait Series, with four models up to the 81⁄2-foot Mega Mag, rated for 20- to 40-pound test. The company offers alternate swimbait actions designed by another giant bass seeker, Mike Gash. Rogue Rods of Oregon enlisted Byron Velvick’s expertise with their line of swimbait rods.