Swimbaits Are Swimming East

What lures are 4-13" long, been used regularly on the West Coast and have caught some of the biggest bass ever? Yep, Swimbaits.

Now a change is happening, these lunker catching baits are being used on the East Coast as well. It doesn't take a 20 pound bass to eat a 12" swimbait. One thing the swimbait is known for is big bass and they will catch big bass in any lake if used right.

Some of the swimbaits are pricey to say the least, while some go for $150.00 in the store or more others have been sold on Ebay for $1200.00 each. Why would anyone pay that much for these baits? The answer is easy, they catch fish or are a collectors item or both.

Many of these swimbaits look and act like rainbow trout and there's a reason for that...trout are one of the big bass' favorite food. The bass will get a high protein, high calorie dinner and use the least energy with one of these fish in his belly. Swimbaits have come a long way in just the past couple of years.

So, how do you fish a swimbait? The trick is to fish it at the slowest speed you can that will allow the action of the bait to work. Fish it with a slow steady retrieve. Don't jerk it, don't speed it up just a slow steady retrieve. Fish the swimbait in places like over the top of submerged vegetation, over submerged points, along docks, over brush, around bridges and anywhere else that bass can ambush their prey. If you see a bass coming after a swimbait by the boat, don't stop reeling, if anything turn the lure or speed up a little, that is how a fish that is scared would act. You can also troll these bait and cover more water but again, I think slower retrieves works best. If you aren't having any luck with a slow retrieve then you might want to try trolling or a fast retrieve.

When choosing a swimbait grab the lure by the head, if the tail curves and almost touches the body, that is the one you want. The action will be good. If the tail doesn't almost touch the body, find another one that will. You want the lure to appear natural.

When fishing a floating swimbait one of the most effective techniques to use to catch suspended bass is called "dead-sticking". Here is how to use these technique...ready? Just throw the lure out and let it sit, that's it. You have to realize that a big bass can take 30 minutes or an hour to decide to hit your lure. Just let it sit motionless, be patience and hang on when you get a strike.

You might fish a swimbait all day and only get one or two hits but odds are the fish you catch are going to be trophy bass. Big bass are lazy and use the least amount of energy as possible, so you're going to get less strikes fishing for lunker bass. Swimbaits can catch the biggest bass in any lake. Have patience and try your luck with these outstanding lures.

Charles has fished for bass for almost 50 years. He has fished from Florida to California and has caught more than 6,000 bass in his lifetime. His biggest bass is 12 pounds 14 ounces. Charles has owned two tackle stores in his lifetime. He now resides in Ohio. Charles is webmaster for: http://www.bassfishingweekly.com

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

President-elect Barack Obama and his adviser Valerie Jarrett decide on lunch during a stop at Manny's Coffee Shop and Deli in Chicago, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)AP - President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday outlined his plan to create 2.5 million jobs in coming years to rebuild roads and bridges and modernize schools while developing alternative energy sources and more efficient cars.



AP - The family of a college student who killed himself live on the Internet say they're horrified his life ended before a virtual audience, and infuriated that viewers of the live webcam or operators of the Web site that hosted it didn't act sooner to save him.

Barack Obama (R) and Hillary Clinton address supporters during a rally in Orlando, Florida in October 2008. Intense speculation flared Friday over reports that president-elect Barack Obama is weighing whether to name former Democratic primary rival Hillary Clinton as a heavy-hitting secretary of state.(AFP/File/Emmanuel Dunand)AP - President-elect Barack Obama has moved with unusual speed to select officials for his administration, and senior Democratic officials say he intends to name Timothy Geithner as his treasury secretary as soon as Monday.



Former US President Jimmy Carter, former UN head Kofi Annan, and Graca Machel, wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, seen from left, during a news conference in Johannesburg, Staurday, Nov. 22, 2008. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says he and others have been refused entry to Zimbabwe for a humanitarian mission. Carter says he and other members of The Elders group were informed Friday night by former South African President Thabo Mbeki that efforts to secure travel visas had failed. The Elders group was formed by Nelson Mandela and includes former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Mandela's wife Graca Machel, an international advocate for women's and children's rights. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)AP - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said Saturday that he and others planning a humanitarian mission in Zimbabwe had been refused entry to the impoverished African country.



In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, acknowledges the crowd during an election night rally in Phoenix.  Oprah wants her, and so do Letterman and Leno. Fresh from her political defeat, Sarah Palin is juggling offers to write books, appear in films and sit on dozens of interview couches at a rate astonishing for any first-term governor, let alone a Hollywood star.    (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)AP - Oprah wants her, and so do Letterman and Leno. Fresh from her political defeat, Sarah Palin is juggling offers to write books, appear in films and sit on dozens of interview couches at a rate that would be astonishing for most Hollywood stars, let alone a first-term governor.



Actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild, Alan Rosenberg, poses for a portrait in this March 17, 2003, file photo taken in Los Angeles. The Screen Actors Guild said Saturday Nov. 22, 2008 that contract talks with Hollywood studios has failed despite the help of a federal mediator and it will now ask its members to authorize a strike. (AP Photo/Ric Francis, File)AP - The Screen Actors Guild said Saturday it will ask its members to authorize a strike after its first contract talks in four months with Hollywood studios failed despite the help of a federal mediator.



In this image provided by NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough participates in the mission's second scheduled session of extravehicular activity Thursday Nov. 20, 2008 as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station. (AP Photo/NASA)AP - Astronauts up on the international space station faced the longest and hardest spacewalk of their mission Saturday, a seven-hour-plus excursion to wrap up repair work on a gummed-up joint.



U.S. President George W. Bush, left, with President Hu Jintao of China before their meeting at the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)AP - President George W. Bush, faced with a dwindling number of days in office, was using his final world summit to try to keep a virulent economic crisis from triggering a retreat into protectionism.



Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, left, speaks to the media during a news conference on  Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at the Annapolis Basin Conference Center in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. Gates was in Canada to participate in meetings of NATO's International Security Assistance Force to discuss the Regional Command South in Afghanistan. Canadian Minister of National Defense Peter MacKay is at right. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Mike DembeckAP - Even in a global financial crisis, the world cannot afford to skimp on its obligations to Afghanistan, which wants to double the size of its army but will never be able to pay for it, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says.



New York Knicks' Stephon Marbury sits on the bench as the Knicks take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck)AP - With two moves, the New York Knicks created salary space for a premier free agent and playing time for Stephon Marbury.



(From left) Senator Hillary Clinton, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and Timothy F. Geithner, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, are seen in a combination file photo. (From left Craig Mitchelldyer, Andrea Comas, Keith Bedford/Reuters)Reuters - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said on Saturday that he was crafting an aggressive, two-year stimulus plan to revive the troubled economy, warning that swift action was needed to prevent a deep slump and a spiral of falling prices.



Pedestrians walk past a Citibank branch in Singapore November 18, 2008. (Vivek Prakash/Reuters)Reuters - Citigroup Inc has begun talks with the U.S. government as its plummeting share price raises doubts about the bank's ability to survive, a person familiar with the matter said.



Leaders of the U.S. automotive industry testify at a hearing held by the House Financial Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington November 19, 2008. From left are General Motors CEO Richard Wagoner, Chrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli and Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)Reuters - Detroit automakers began work on turnaround plans demanded by Congress in return for $25 billion in aid as General Motors Corp said it would cut production more and give up two of its controversial corporate jets.



General Motors World Headquarters is seen along the Detroit River in Detroit, Michigan, September 17, 2008. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters)Reuters - The board of directors of embattled U.S. automaker General Motors Corp is considering "all options" including bankruptcy, according to a report on the Wall Street Journal's website late on Friday.



Traders work in close quarters on the main trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange early in the trading session in New York City, November 21, 2008. (Mike Segar/Reuters)Reuters - U.S. stocks stormed higher in a late rally on Friday to cap another volatile week as investors welcomed reports that President-elect Barack Obama has chosen his point person to combat the U.S. economic crisis, instilling confidence about the administration's ability to take action.



Reuters - The U.S. economy needs additional support measures of between $300 billion and $600 billion to help it withstand the financial crisis, U.S. billionaire investor George Soros was quoted as saying by a German weekly.

Former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan addresses a news conference in Nairobi, in this file photo from October 17, 2008, after receiving the report on Kenya's post election violence in 2007 from the Commission of Inquiry. (Antony Njuguna/Reuters)Reuters - Zimbabwe has barred former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and other prominent figures from visiting the country to assess the humanitarian crisis, the group said on Saturday.



Rashid Rauf (R), a Pakistani-British man suspected of involvement in an al Qaeda plot to blow up transatlantic airliners, enters the courtroom during his appearance in the civil court in Rawalpindi in this file photo from January 5, 2007. (Faisal Mahmood/Reuters)Reuters - Rashid Rauf, a British militant with al Qaeda links, was killed along with an Egyptian by a suspected U.S. missile strike in northwest Pakistan on Saturday, Pakistani television channels and intelligence officers said.



Al-Qaeda militant Rashid Rauf, seen here in 2006, was killed in a US missile attack in northwest Pakistan.(AFP/File/Farooq Naeem)AFP - The alleged Al-Qaeda mastermind of a 2006 transatlantic airplane bombing plot was killed in a US missile attack in northwest Pakistan early Saturday, officials said.



Former US president Jimmy Carter (left), ex-United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan (centre) and Graca Machel answer questions after they were refused visas and cancelled their trip to Zimbabwe.(AFP/Alexander Joe)AFP - Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan and ex-US president Jimmy Carter said on Saturday that they had been forced to cancel a trip to Zimbabwe because they had been denied visas.




A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques - Part II

Method 1EquipmentI fish baits at all depths, not just the bottom, in... Read More

Saltwater Fishing Tips

Get Rid Of SharksSharks buggin' you? To get rid of them pour... Read More

Satisfy Your Thirst for Fishing ? 3 Parts to the Fishing Cocktail

Everyone who fishes either for sport or fun knows that while fishing... Read More

Bass Fishing In The Winter In The North

The next few days in Ohio are supposed to be in the... Read More

Techniques of Wet Fly Fishing

Many anglers who are new to fly fishing consider dry fly fishing... Read More

Fishing The Henrys Fork....Bobs Secret Hole...

Meanwhile back at the Yurt...Having been humbled by "Hank's" famous trout, it... Read More

Something Is Buzzing And Its Not Bees

We all have used buzz baits and we know why the bass... Read More

Fort Lauderdale Swordfishing - The Perfect Fix for the Experienced Angler

If you are looking to do battle with the toughest game fish... Read More

10 Fishing Gems

Fishing Gem #1 ? When Is Best?If you are in a boat... Read More

How To Choose the Right Fly Line Weight

Written on the rod blank or handle is a code number which... Read More

Why Water Skiing and Fishing Dont Mix

With the fourth of July weekend freshly behind us, I am reminded... Read More

Why Do I Fish?

As part of an email discussion list I'm part of, the subject... Read More

Are You Interested in Alaska Trout Fishing?

For those of you that don't know, Alaska trout fishing is one... Read More

Spinnerbait Fishing Tactics for Spotted Bay Bass

Like most fishermen my age I originally learned about spinnerbait fishing for... Read More

Tips To Getting Sponsored For Fishing Tournaments

One of the most important steps in getting sponsored to fish tournaments... Read More

Ice Fishing in the Wisconsin Winter

It's late December... temperatures are racing towards 0 degrees. Ice is covering... Read More

Planning Your Fly Fishing Trip

When planning for your fly fishing trip in Wyoming, there are several... Read More

Local Bass Fishing

If you are like me, you love to fish at the drop... Read More

Drop-Shotting For Picky-Overfished Bass

There is a fairly new technique when it comes to bass fishing... Read More

Photographing Your Trophy Fish

When it comes to catch and release lakes, it is important for... Read More

How To Find Fish

PondsAnywhere there is a pond; it could be a hidden hotspot for... Read More

The Worlds Top Water Bass Fishing Champion And His Techniques

I was fishing a small lake in central California back in 1980,... Read More

Fishing The Henrys Fork.... First Test

All the books written on fly fishing all mention the Henry's Fork.They... Read More

The Things You Wont Look Out For (But Should) When Night Fishing

5 Things To Be Careful of When Night FishingNight fishing can be... Read More

Bluefin Tuna Fishing

Bluefin tuna are one of the greatest challenges to anglers off the... Read More

General Overview About Trout Senses

When fly fishing for trout, it is of crucial importance to understand... Read More

The Fishing Mark of Mablethorpe on the East Coast of England

MABLETHORPE, is a beach resort on the East coast of England. The... Read More

6 Things You Must Do If You Want To Have The Secret To Catching More Trout

It has always been my private conviction that any man who pits... Read More

Fish Cooking Basics - How to Transform Those Fish You Just Caught into a Wonderful Seafood Dinner

Fish Cooking Basics I must admit that I have met... Read More

The Wet Fly Swing

The wet fly swing sounds like something one does at the square... Read More

A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to fish for... Read More

Making The Most of Your Time - Fishing Safety Rules Everyone Should Know

When you are going fishing, whether nearby your home or on a... Read More

The Joys of Trout Fishing

The thrill of trout fishing! It is the best, isn't it? No... Read More

The Advantages of Underwater Fishing Cameras

Want to see what's really going on under the water or ice?... Read More

The Only Fishing Experts You Should Listen Too

Everyone's an Expert, So Who Has The Right Answers?Have you ever been... Read More

How To Catch Largemouth Bass

Six strategies for a good day's fishing(1) Largemouth Bass like plastic worms.... Read More

The Challenge of Brown Trout Fishing

Brown trout fishing can prove very challenging. This is due in part... Read More

Fly Fishing Rods ? Getting The Bends

Picking a fly fishing rod is a tricky endeavor. Do you go... Read More

Why Do You Need a Tacklebox?

A tacklebox or a tackle bag is a necessity... Read More

Care And Repair Of Fishing Lures

Making fishing lures may be easy for the seasoned do-it-yourself angler. But... Read More

Spinnerbait Tactics That Work

How many fish have you missed?It is said you could be missing... Read More

Chumming and Plankton Fish Catching Tips

In night fishing 95% of success is determined before your line is... Read More

The Frugal Fisherman: Part II

For those of you that don't know this, fishermen by nature are... Read More

Bass Fishing - Recreation or Obsession?

First of all, we need to look at the word ... recreation.... Read More

The Peanut Butter and Jelly Paradox (PB&JP)

I started keeping a fishing calendar this past year. My thinking was... Read More

The Way Of A Bass Fisherman With a Fly Rod And The Way Of A Bass With A Fly

-----SIDEBAR------------------------------------------Older fly fishing classics contain a wealth of knowledge for the beginner... Read More

Anglers Who Want Quality Equipment at a Reasonable Price Need the Garmin 160 Fish Finder

The Garmin 160 Fish Finder has some big advantages over the competition.... Read More