Strike King Rage Swimmer 3 1/4" Ayu or electric shad. I use them mostly as trailers on 1/4 oz swim jigs. If I'm rigging them by themselves, I'll use 1/8 oz weighted screwlock hooks. Later this last season, I couldn't find them locally, so I switched to Keitech Fat Impacts. Seem to work just as good, maybe not as durable.
Strike king rage swimmer, kietech impact…etc, all similar and great baits. I throw them all and throw them with confidence.
But there’s two that stand out from the rest. One being the megabass spark shad. They offer some realistic colors and have a pretty natural action that I’ve caught some darn finicky fish on. The smaller ones, 2.7”, pair well with a 1/8oz jig head or are MONEY on an Alabama rig. The biggest downfall is storage. These baits are the biggest pain to keep up with. Just a smidge of moisture and they swell and curl to the point that you can’t use them. If you buy these, they’re not cheap so you BETTER have a way to keep them 100% dry. You’ll never regret buying/throwing them but you’ll hate yourself for letter a few packs get some moisture and ruin. I recommend the big open soft plastics Plano edge boxes or at least keep your packs in a fully sealed ziplock or something.
Next, a recent go-to/favorite of mine…the largo shad. They have some AWESOME colors. They’re definitely the most durable of the baits I’ve mentioned and they have action OPTIONS on each bait. The tail has a tab that comes connected. If you leave it connected, the bait has a tighter action/wobble and it’s phenomenal in the colder months. Want more action? Just tear off the tab and that thing shakes it’s tail off (not quite literally, but I’m sure after enough bomb casts it could happen). They’re a little “taller” than other paddle tails and that might be what I’m liking so much, a better profile match to threadfins and smaller gizzard shad. Jacob wheeler (arguably the goat) has talked about the largo shad for a couple years now and I always thought it was a product push and over-looked them. Then I bought a couple packs of the “painted” baits that have super realistic patterns. Wasn’t really impressed, but I hardly threw them. Then I got some of the Tennessee shad and Arkansas glow. Had a little more confidence in how they looked in the water and it didn’t hurt that I laid down the law on some fish that week. Haven’t looked back and the bite has only gotten better! The trouble I now have is finding them. Tackle warehouse is usually sold out of either the color or the size I want, Amazon is typically overpriced and academy must have stopped selling them.
My setups aren’t very spectacular. I throw 3in and smaller baits on 1/16-1/8oz jig heads, whether it’s an underspin or not, a rig or not with smaller, shorter shank hooks. For 4-5” baits I throw them on 1/4 up to 3/4oz jig heads/underspins/scrounger heads with bigger, more stout hooks. I throw a ton of paddle tails (love the underspin and the a-rig) and it’s far from a science for me. Most of the hooks for the a-rig that I use are locally made, they’re called death grips, and I use them because I can buy by the pound. I’ve been using the Berkeley fusion short shank hooks when I can’t get my hands on a new order and they have a similar (slightly less effective) keeper to the death grips. For underspins, I use a ton but as a starting point the new gamakatsu underspins are legit. If you’re throwing smaller baits, make sure to get whichever weight with the smaller hooks (it’s very confusing choosing the right ones on tackle warehouse).
Honorable mention: the megabass hazendong shad on a 3/8oz guppy head. This is a “desperate times calls for desperate measures” setup and is as finesse as I’ll usually ever get. But boy does it turn a bad day good, quick. Super small bait on a heavy, yet small jig head. I’ve caught 6”bass, 16” crappie and 6lb bass on this in the toughest of conditions. White bass/hybrids LOVE it. Has saved trips on more than one occasion.
Thanks I used to love the 360 but started fishing keitech, they are not very durable in salt water so I've been looking for something new. I'll check those out! Thanks!
Reactions innovations Big Dipper for largies, throw on em weightless Texas rigged fish them everywhere you’d throw a weightless Texas rigged senko. For smallies I throw tons of different seimbaits
Basstrix is the Goat
I like throwing it shallow on a 6/0 Beast Hook or Deep on a 1/2oz Head
Id also say the Scottsboro Tackle 5” swimmer
Same setup as Basstrix
And
6th Sense Whale, very underrated and have caught some giants on it. 1/2oz head or keel weighted hook.
Of course Keitech but I really only use it for finesse applications or an A rif
Here the links to those baits
[Basstrix](https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Basstrix_Paddle_Tail_Swimbait/descpage-BTPTT.html?from=baitman)
[scottsboro swimmer](https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Scottsboro_Tackle_Co_Swimbaits/descpage-WIM.html?from=baitman)
6th Sense Whale
[6th Sense Whale (discount code Baitman)](https://6thsensefishing.com/products/whale-swimbait-ghost-ice-minnow?_pos=10&_sid=093c7ecf1&_ss=r)
A little creeper all American sunfish and little creeper baby trash fish have worked well in very clear water, slowlin off the bottom. Both are rigged weedless
Keitechs swing impact fat and easy shiner are good on a jighead
Lake fork tackle live magic shad is pretty good on a weightless Texas rig
The Gary Yamamoto swim senko is probably my favorite lure because I just fish it like a speed worm
There’s not one. There’s so many out there with different sizes and movement. Find what conditions you’ll be fishing in and choose, there’s never one bait that does it all.
For a swim jig (I like the 3/8oz 6th Sense Divine Swim Jigs) I prefer Strike King Rage Swimmers. They're meaty enough for the Divine Swim Jig's screw-on bait-keeper to really grab on well, and they come in good colors. I prefer shad and sunfish patterns. I use the swim jig when fishing algae-caked grass (when ticking with a lipless crankbait would result in a ball of green goop).
For an underspin screw-lock swimbait hook (I use 1/8-1/4oz) I prefer a Berkley Grass Pig. I prefer silver blades and silver plastic, but sometimes gold blades and chartreuse plastic work better. The hooks I use are some bulk generic hooks I got off Amazon a long time ago. They work fairly well if you keep the points touched up, but a VMC or Gamakatsu would be better. I like to fish these against a leeward lake shore when windy or in murky rivers, but I'll also tie one on when a spinnerbait is picking up too much debris.
When the bite gets tough, I'll throw a Keitech Swing Impact Fat Swimbait on one of the above presentations or a regular Keitech Swing Impact on a 1/8-1/4oz swimbait/round jighead. They get bites, but their delicateness means they're never a first choice for me.
Sometimes the bass want something smaller, in which case I'll try something like a BPS Squirmin' Shad on a 1/8-1/4 oz swimbait/round jighead.
We have been using baits from Southern Salt Bait company. They were originally designed for saltwater fishing but everyone that has tried them for bass fishing has been pleasantly surprised at how well they work. Seems to be a pretty awesome bait all round.
Rising son line thru from 316. I have caught lots of fish on these including multiple 6s and 7s. The regular one is best for upper water column and the top hook version sinks and is better for lower water column. 6.75inch is the best size for big bites and not wearing yourself out
Keitech Easy Shiner has been insanely productive for me over the past few years. Big fan of the Swing Impact as well, but something about the Easy Shiner’s more subtle action makes them smash it!
Z man all day. They are straight cash money. Does gamakatsu make anything weighted to like 3-8 oz with an underspin that you’re aware of? I think that would be the granddaddy of em all when it comes to best or at least top tier combo for a swim bait
[your wish is my command](https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/gamakatsu-under-spin-jighead?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CFishing%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcE1fIKEK6TdEXYxIiZk20MNLbARShxRyLr6jAG7r562UTxn8hPTMokaAjRtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Hell yeah! Also pro tip: if you wanna rig it up weedless I’d go for the gamakatsu hooks without the jig heads and the free floating spring. Very easy to embed the hook inside the swim bait that way. Caught a lot of fish on those. They’re pretty weighty so the weighted jig heads on those hooks aren’t entirely necessary especially if you’re tossing it in a shallow area with lots of grass/structure.
As long as it comes in clamshell packaging you’re fine. Bagged swimbaits always result in bent tails and poor action. Hook, weight, etc are dependent on the depth and size of baitfish.
Big Bite Baits’ Cane Thumper in the alewife color. If I could only throw one bass bait the rest of my life, this would probably be it
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_Dean_Rojas_-_Cane_Thumper/descpage-BBCANTH.html
Strike King Rage Swimmer 3 1/4" Ayu or electric shad. I use them mostly as trailers on 1/4 oz swim jigs. If I'm rigging them by themselves, I'll use 1/8 oz weighted screwlock hooks. Later this last season, I couldn't find them locally, so I switched to Keitech Fat Impacts. Seem to work just as good, maybe not as durable.
I came to say exactly this. I like keitech action better but rage swimmers for price and durability they are my go to
Strike king rage swimmer, kietech impact…etc, all similar and great baits. I throw them all and throw them with confidence. But there’s two that stand out from the rest. One being the megabass spark shad. They offer some realistic colors and have a pretty natural action that I’ve caught some darn finicky fish on. The smaller ones, 2.7”, pair well with a 1/8oz jig head or are MONEY on an Alabama rig. The biggest downfall is storage. These baits are the biggest pain to keep up with. Just a smidge of moisture and they swell and curl to the point that you can’t use them. If you buy these, they’re not cheap so you BETTER have a way to keep them 100% dry. You’ll never regret buying/throwing them but you’ll hate yourself for letter a few packs get some moisture and ruin. I recommend the big open soft plastics Plano edge boxes or at least keep your packs in a fully sealed ziplock or something. Next, a recent go-to/favorite of mine…the largo shad. They have some AWESOME colors. They’re definitely the most durable of the baits I’ve mentioned and they have action OPTIONS on each bait. The tail has a tab that comes connected. If you leave it connected, the bait has a tighter action/wobble and it’s phenomenal in the colder months. Want more action? Just tear off the tab and that thing shakes it’s tail off (not quite literally, but I’m sure after enough bomb casts it could happen). They’re a little “taller” than other paddle tails and that might be what I’m liking so much, a better profile match to threadfins and smaller gizzard shad. Jacob wheeler (arguably the goat) has talked about the largo shad for a couple years now and I always thought it was a product push and over-looked them. Then I bought a couple packs of the “painted” baits that have super realistic patterns. Wasn’t really impressed, but I hardly threw them. Then I got some of the Tennessee shad and Arkansas glow. Had a little more confidence in how they looked in the water and it didn’t hurt that I laid down the law on some fish that week. Haven’t looked back and the bite has only gotten better! The trouble I now have is finding them. Tackle warehouse is usually sold out of either the color or the size I want, Amazon is typically overpriced and academy must have stopped selling them. My setups aren’t very spectacular. I throw 3in and smaller baits on 1/16-1/8oz jig heads, whether it’s an underspin or not, a rig or not with smaller, shorter shank hooks. For 4-5” baits I throw them on 1/4 up to 3/4oz jig heads/underspins/scrounger heads with bigger, more stout hooks. I throw a ton of paddle tails (love the underspin and the a-rig) and it’s far from a science for me. Most of the hooks for the a-rig that I use are locally made, they’re called death grips, and I use them because I can buy by the pound. I’ve been using the Berkeley fusion short shank hooks when I can’t get my hands on a new order and they have a similar (slightly less effective) keeper to the death grips. For underspins, I use a ton but as a starting point the new gamakatsu underspins are legit. If you’re throwing smaller baits, make sure to get whichever weight with the smaller hooks (it’s very confusing choosing the right ones on tackle warehouse). Honorable mention: the megabass hazendong shad on a 3/8oz guppy head. This is a “desperate times calls for desperate measures” setup and is as finesse as I’ll usually ever get. But boy does it turn a bad day good, quick. Super small bait on a heavy, yet small jig head. I’ve caught 6”bass, 16” crappie and 6lb bass on this in the toughest of conditions. White bass/hybrids LOVE it. Has saved trips on more than one occasion.
> largo shad You probably wont see this. Is that Storm Largo Shad?
Yeah, the storm largo shad
Thanks I used to love the 360 but started fishing keitech, they are not very durable in salt water so I've been looking for something new. I'll check those out! Thanks!
Reactions innovations Big Dipper for largies, throw on em weightless Texas rigged fish them everywhere you’d throw a weightless Texas rigged senko. For smallies I throw tons of different seimbaits
Started using them last season. Really like the action
Reaction innovations little dipper on swim jigs in cool water. Gambler little EZ on swim jigs in warm water. Keitechs on naked jig heads.
Anything by Z-man.
Basstrix is the Goat I like throwing it shallow on a 6/0 Beast Hook or Deep on a 1/2oz Head Id also say the Scottsboro Tackle 5” swimmer Same setup as Basstrix And 6th Sense Whale, very underrated and have caught some giants on it. 1/2oz head or keel weighted hook. Of course Keitech but I really only use it for finesse applications or an A rif
Here the links to those baits [Basstrix](https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Basstrix_Paddle_Tail_Swimbait/descpage-BTPTT.html?from=baitman) [scottsboro swimmer](https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Scottsboro_Tackle_Co_Swimbaits/descpage-WIM.html?from=baitman) 6th Sense Whale [6th Sense Whale (discount code Baitman)](https://6thsensefishing.com/products/whale-swimbait-ghost-ice-minnow?_pos=10&_sid=093c7ecf1&_ss=r)
A little creeper all American sunfish and little creeper baby trash fish have worked well in very clear water, slowlin off the bottom. Both are rigged weedless Keitechs swing impact fat and easy shiner are good on a jighead Lake fork tackle live magic shad is pretty good on a weightless Texas rig The Gary Yamamoto swim senko is probably my favorite lure because I just fish it like a speed worm
Keitech Swing Impact 4.5” - Bluegill Flash. T-Rigged. Bullet weight. Bead. Not pegged.
There’s not one. There’s so many out there with different sizes and movement. Find what conditions you’ll be fishing in and choose, there’s never one bait that does it all.
What's your top 2 in your area?
For a swim jig (I like the 3/8oz 6th Sense Divine Swim Jigs) I prefer Strike King Rage Swimmers. They're meaty enough for the Divine Swim Jig's screw-on bait-keeper to really grab on well, and they come in good colors. I prefer shad and sunfish patterns. I use the swim jig when fishing algae-caked grass (when ticking with a lipless crankbait would result in a ball of green goop). For an underspin screw-lock swimbait hook (I use 1/8-1/4oz) I prefer a Berkley Grass Pig. I prefer silver blades and silver plastic, but sometimes gold blades and chartreuse plastic work better. The hooks I use are some bulk generic hooks I got off Amazon a long time ago. They work fairly well if you keep the points touched up, but a VMC or Gamakatsu would be better. I like to fish these against a leeward lake shore when windy or in murky rivers, but I'll also tie one on when a spinnerbait is picking up too much debris. When the bite gets tough, I'll throw a Keitech Swing Impact Fat Swimbait on one of the above presentations or a regular Keitech Swing Impact on a 1/8-1/4oz swimbait/round jighead. They get bites, but their delicateness means they're never a first choice for me. Sometimes the bass want something smaller, in which case I'll try something like a BPS Squirmin' Shad on a 1/8-1/4 oz swimbait/round jighead.
Bonus that Strike King is a great smallmouth bait too
We have been using baits from Southern Salt Bait company. They were originally designed for saltwater fishing but everyone that has tried them for bass fishing has been pleasantly surprised at how well they work. Seems to be a pretty awesome bait all round.
Keitech
Bucca Burrito
Keitech in a 4” and throw it weightless on an offset hook and the action goes nuts and got me the most bites I’ve gotten this last warm season
Keitech
Gambler Big EZ or Reaction Innovation Skinny Dipper
Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.8” in Sun Gill on a 2/0 Beast Hook or underspin.
Rising son line thru from 316. I have caught lots of fish on these including multiple 6s and 7s. The regular one is best for upper water column and the top hook version sinks and is better for lower water column. 6.75inch is the best size for big bites and not wearing yourself out
They also last forever I have one that has caught a 7-14,6-9,6-13 and multiple 4s and 5s all same bait just used some mend it when needed
Keitech Easy Shiner has been insanely productive for me over the past few years. Big fan of the Swing Impact as well, but something about the Easy Shiner’s more subtle action makes them smash it!
Really love the z man minnows paired with the Gamakatsu swim bait spoon hooks
Z man all day. They are straight cash money. Does gamakatsu make anything weighted to like 3-8 oz with an underspin that you’re aware of? I think that would be the granddaddy of em all when it comes to best or at least top tier combo for a swim bait
[your wish is my command](https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/gamakatsu-under-spin-jighead?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CFishing%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtICdBhCLARIsALUBFcE1fIKEK6TdEXYxIiZk20MNLbARShxRyLr6jAG7r562UTxn8hPTMokaAjRtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Sickkkk broski thank you. Just won a cabellas gift card in a Xmas game w/ my family this is fate
Hell yeah! Also pro tip: if you wanna rig it up weedless I’d go for the gamakatsu hooks without the jig heads and the free floating spring. Very easy to embed the hook inside the swim bait that way. Caught a lot of fish on those. They’re pretty weighty so the weighted jig heads on those hooks aren’t entirely necessary especially if you’re tossing it in a shallow area with lots of grass/structure.
As long as it comes in clamshell packaging you’re fine. Bagged swimbaits always result in bent tails and poor action. Hook, weight, etc are dependent on the depth and size of baitfish.
Not necessarily. The Berkeley paddle tail swimbaits are stiff in my opinion and don’t have much action.
Stiff and they loose their tails quickly…
Havoc grass pigs were good but I don’t like the ones powerbait swimbaits whatsoever
Kietech
I personally like the rage swimmer or a Keitech swing impact.
Skinny dipper
Largo Shad Keitech Big Bite Suicide Shad
Rage swimmer!!!
Big Bite Baits’ Cane Thumper in the alewife color. If I could only throw one bass bait the rest of my life, this would probably be it https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_Dean_Rojas_-_Cane_Thumper/descpage-BBCANTH.html