The ice is melting a little each day and spring is around the corner which is one of my favorite times to target bass and I generally use a lot of swimbaits. I have caught many Largemouth bass throughout different seasons especially early spring and into summer using the swimbaits listed below. I have a had a few individuals reach out for advice on my swimbait selection. I hope this sheds some light and provides some convenience especially with the abundance of them to chose from in the industry.
KEITECH Fat Swing Impact
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KEITECH is all around a reliable brand with great products that the bass love.
Action/Durability: The KEITECH Fat Swing Impact offers an incredible realistic action and the bass cannot resist this. Since the swimbaits produce a lot of bass they will need to be replaced eventually to ensure proper action. However, I have only bought a few packs over the spring/summer and they have lasted me throughout.
Color: I use multiple different colors but currently the Shad 470 has been a hot color for me. I also use garlic scented markers to customize my soft plastics. I will use the Spike-It garlic chartreuse on the bottom of my swim bait for night fishing which can be found on Amazon.
Size: I generally use 2 sizes for these including the 4.8" and the 5.8". If I am going for quality size bass I will use the 5.8" in hopes that bigger baits entice bigger bass. However, if I am shooting for quantity and want to see how many bass I can pull out I will size down. I have experience with big bass going for the smaller baits as well but from experience it seems like you weed out the smaller fish with the bigger bait.
The Fat Impact Swing has produced a lot of bass for me and quality bass for that matter!
Jackall Gantarel Swimbait
Jackall produces quality baits and they do not come cheap! The price is worth spending for the Gantarel and Gantia as the durability of these lures are amazing and you will not be disappointed, neither will the bass.
Action/Durability: Stability is signature with the pectoral fins included in the design. The Gantarel swim bait offers a top-notch jointed body with a natural S shaped swimming action. A quick twitch of your rod and you will produce a 180 degree action. It is slow floating and offers a bearing swivel to prevent line twists.
Color: The RT Bluegill color is great for daytime usage while the Black Impact Gill is great for night.
Size: They have a Jr size as well for slower days when the bass are not aggressive.
Big bass love this bait so don't snooze on this one! Yes it is on the pricier side but you get what you pay for!
Megabass Dark Sleeper Swimbait
Action/Durability: The Dark Sleeper swimbait offers a weedless design with deep running and a distinct life-like action that will keep the bass coming back for more. I have caught bass and pike on these flawless baits. The durability of these are not as hardy as hard plastic baits but still worthy. After a night of pulling in some bass you might have lost an eye or part of the tail but that does not stop me from replacing them.
Color: I have only use the Wakasagi and Hanahaze colors which have done well for me during the day as well as night.
Size: I generally use the 1/4 oz but depends on the conditions you are fishing so its best to have a variety.
I have had nights of bass battling to devour this swim bait, one after another were boated and responsibly released so I highly recommend it.
Cabela's Swim Minnow
Action/Durability: These swim minnows imitate shad or other baitfish. I generally use them as a swimbait but sometimes have cut them and used as trailers or for an umbrella rig. The style of the tail increases vibration which increases exposure to fish. I can catch handfuls of bass with these baits and they are pretty durable. They do need to be replaced sometimes but they are economically priced!
Color: Smoke/Metal Flake/Pearl Belly or Eufaula Special
Size: 5"
These are not all the swim baits I use but I thought I would share a few with you to start! Good luck!
Also, I have never used these Paddle Tail Soft Lures pictured below but I have heard good remarks regarding them. They look realistic as well so I thought I would throw these in as a little extra since I am going to grab a pack to try early spring!
Add Ons:
Spike-It-Dye Garlic Marker Set
I use these markers on some of my swimsuits as well such as the Cabela's Swim Minnow or Keitech. I like to add chartreuse to the under belly when using these at night. I have done well on my local lake using this method.
Thanks for reading and feel free to drop a comment if you have experience with any or a suggestion on your favorite(s) swimbait to use as I love trying new baits!
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Best Wishes,
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