swimbaits?

[bankboy08]

I've seen and heard of your great results with swimbaits, so I have recently bought some and plan on using them out at Allatoona for the first time this evening. I was wondering if you had any advice on if this is still a hot bait this time of year, and where can I find the best luck with bigger bass on a swimbait?
Thanks, Chris

[Skeeter Steve]

Bankboy08,

For me, the swimbait bite is hit and miss right now.

I have found the slow-sinking baits are working better for me
right now. Count it down to deeper depths.

I have been targeting brushpiles in 10' to 12' depths on long
points with deep water close by.
If I can find large schools of baitfish on bluffs or rocky points
then, I will try to target the more active fish.

You may pull up on spot and find the fish in a foot of water.
Allatoona is funny like that.

I haven't fished the Swimbait after dark or late into the evening.
I fish it more in the A.M. So, at some point I need to try the
P.M. side of things.

Now, I haven't fished the swimbait in a tournament, yet.
Maybe with the success TMike is having with it, I ought to
try it come tournament time.

The Swimbait is definitely a big fish bait. So, the numbers may
not be there (On Allatoona) but, quality is almost a given
when you feel the strike.

Don't give up if you don't get bit after the first 50-100 casts.
The Swimbait is a "persistance" style of fishing on Allatoona.
I would plan a trip and put nothing in the boat but a Swimbait
and throw it all day. You won't be tempted to pick up the
the Dropshot or Shakeyhead if you don't have it with you.

Persistance, as they say, will eventually pay off.


Ranger Steve
<")))><

[fishtale75]

I fish swimbaits on Varner alot and I have better luck mid morning to noon on points that have brush on them and sharp dropoffs, you can also fish some flats if you find deep water close

[Mike Bucca]

fishtale, First off I apologize for getting to your question late as I am here in Las Vegas for the ICAST show.

OK to answer your question, I wouldn't consider summer to be a prime time swimbait season but it will and can work. My last trip out I caught a small fish on a swimbait and I had my clients miss a dandy spot a little over a week ago. So yes they will hit them in the middle of summer.

Do keep one thing in mind. your not going to catch numbers on the swimbait. This time of year I'd be happy to get ONE fish on a 10 inch bait. But come Sept, Nov, Dec it should bust wide open.

Just remember I do well on swimbaits not because I throw swimbaits but because I throw BIG swimbaits. Big swimbaits have a greater calling distance on big fish than say smaller swimbaits/cranks/blades/topwater etc etc etc. Right now the key is to cover water. I'd be lying to you if I could narrow it down more than that. Try a variety of different approaches and keep an eye out for following fish to put those pieces of the puzzle together.

Stick with them and don't give up until you master it. IT's the ONLY consistant way that I have found to catch big bass on Allatoona.

Mike