RIGGING
    The general rule is to use the lightest rigging possible conducive to the conditions being fished. This allows for the most natural presentation possible, again increasing the number of strikes. When conditions become too extreme it may become necessary to add weight to the rigging. Avoid adding weight directly to the bait. Try using  a sliding sinker or even a dropper loop to maintain that natural presentation. This will give you the added weight needed, leaving the swimbait with a lighter lead head far a natural swimming action.

COLOR SELECTION
    There are as many opinions about color as there are fisherman. Confidence is a favorite color certainly is a factor but there are general rules. Contrast is important. A dark  bait creates a silhouette or contrast. For the game fish, glitter can add a flash in bright  and clear conditions, again this is contrast. Vibration is still the essential element of swimbait fishing. Many game fish lay in cover, ambushing their prey and never see it until the strike.

PRESENTATION
    The most common mistake in fishing plastics is over fish the bait. Generally the slower the presentation the better, although varying the speed often times will induce a strike. There is no wrong way to fish plastics. Many novice fishermen as well as young children have caught "jackpot" fish while winding in to "check" their bait. The trick is to be alert as a strike can come at anytime, especially on the sink. While letting the bait out be aware if it stops when it is not near the bottom. That usually means a fish has picked it up. Wind down on the line and swing to set the hook. Many plastics bites are subtle. When in doubt, wind down and set the hook. Swings are free--you don't want to waste any opportunity to catch a fish.
   Deadsticking, a technique involving a surface swimbait, is very effective when done correctly.  It is very simple but requires patience.  You simply cast the bait out and let it sit motionless on the surface. When you move the bait, you only move it a few inches, so it will take a good amount of time to complete the retrieve.  Another techinique is to cast the floating bait out and then let the wind drag your boat at the same time.  This enables your bait to cover a greater amount of shoreline and allows all the notorious lunkers that follow the swimbait to commit to striking the bait.
    A technique that top anglers swear get the most strikes is slow rolling the swimbait off the bottom.  Cast the swimbait out as far as possible, usually out into deeper water, and let it spiral fall to the bottom. Once it reaches the bottom, let the bait rest there for a while. This will draw the attention of near bye lunkers.  Then jerk the bait up suddenly hoping it will hit a rock or other types of structure, glance off of it and attract a reaction strike.  If you don’t get a strike then, continue retrieving the swimbait slowly up hill across structure allowing the bait to track along the bottom throughout the cast.  While retrieving, jerking the rod upward now and then will cause the swimbait to twitch and dart.  Twitching the swimbait imitates a frightened trout trying to flee from an ambushing bass.
    Another "trick" is to know where your bait is at all times. You can be extra alert if your bait is in the zone!. Counting can help achieve this. While your bait is sinking count at an even pace. Before you reach bottom chances are you will be picked up in the same area again.. Your count will tel you where that is. Once you reach the bottom and begin a retrieve count your cranks. Chances are you will get picked up time and again at the same number of cranks going up. However there are no absolutes. You can also slow drift swimbaits and slow troll them. These rules apply for fresh and salt water.
    Big Bass tend to follow swimbaits for quite some distance so a lot of fish taken on swimbaits come real close to the boat, so stay intuned with your bait at all times.  The swimbait is an extremely versatile lure and pays huge dividends when used consistently.  Persistence and confidence are the two operative factors when tying one of these big bass producers. So go out there and stick the fish of your dreams! 

   

[RETURN]

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"One Nation Under God"
Let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due seasons we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
GALATIANS 6:9

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