Swimbaits work exceptionally well for a variety of game fish. Most swimbaits are too large for panfish, but they can be extremely effective for catching big fish. These baits have a side to side wobbling action as well as some action from their tail. The soft plastic swimbaits work excellent on swimbait hooks, shaky head jigs and even just a regular jighead. Some soft plastic swimbaits come pre-rigged and they are ready to fish right out of the package. There are also many manufacturers that make hard swimbaits that work great as well.
Shaky Head Jig
Swimbaits actually look great on a shaky head jig. You can still swim them like you would on a swimbait hook, so don’t think that you need to fish these along the bottom when using a shaky head jig.
Tackle Recommendations
Rod, Reel & Line
Swimbaits are usually fished with a baitcaster with heavier line and a heavier rod. 10 to 30 pound test line is the norm, although, you may go lighter or heavier depending on the situation. With smallmouth bass and trout, anglers will go lighter and with big northern pike or muskie, anglers will go heavier. There are so many different swimbait sizes and you can catch almost any fish that will eat a minnow on them, so use the recommended gear for the type of fishing you’re doing. There are a number of ways you can rig and fish these baits.
Best Fishing Techniques
Steady Retrieve
Stop and Go Retrieve
Trolling
What Eats Them
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Northern Pike
Walleye
Muskie
Salmon
Trout
Many other fish will eat a swimbait.
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