What Is A Swimbait?
Whether you love nothing more than spending some peaceful alone time in your favorite fishing spot or you’ve just recently taken it up as a hobby – one of the most important pieces of equipment that you’re going to find yourself using at one point or another is the swimbait.
Essentially, a swimbait is an artificial lure that is typically used for catching fish in open water, usually from the shoreline or boat.
Just like the name suggests, a swimbait is designed to emulate baitfish and, in turn, raise the chances of a bigger fish taking a bite.
The only question is, how do you use a swimbait correctly? If you are currently asking yourself this question, then rest assured that you have clicked on the right article.
Even though swimbaits might seem a little difficult to get the hang of, they’re easy enough to use once you know-how – and we’re going to be providing you with simple instructions below. Just read on!
What Is A Swimbait?
A swimbait is essentially an artificial lure that is specifically designed to imitate baitfish. The idea behind them is to attract larger predatory fish such as bass, catfish, and other species that feed on baitfish.
Swimbaits come in all shapes and sizes, but they can generally be broken down into two categories: soft plastic baits and hard plastics.
Soft plastic baits are made from flexible materials, which makes them easier to cast and retrieve. They also tend to sink faster than their harder counterparts, so they are more likely to catch the attention of hungry predators.
Hard plastics, on the other hand, are typically made from rigid materials such as wood, metal, or fiberglass.
These lures are often heavier than soft plastic baits, making them less prone to sinking when thrown into the water.
How To Use Swimbaits Correctly
Now that you understand what swimbait is, let’s talk about how you should go about using one. First off, if you haven’t already done so, you’ll want to ensure that you have a good pair of casting rods and reels.
This will allow you to throw your swimbait far enough away that it won’t hit the bottom of the lake or river before you can reel it back in.
Next, you’ll want to select a specific type of swimbait based on the size of the fish you hope to catch. For example, if you’re planning on targeting largemouth bass, you’ll probably want to pick up a soft plastic bait.
On the other hand, if you’re hoping to catch smallmouths, you’ll want to choose a hard plastic bait instead.
Once you’ve selected the type of bait that you need, you’ll want to make sure that you have everything that you need to properly set up your rig. You’ll first need to attach the swivel to the end of your line.
Next, you’ll want to tie on weight (usually around 1/2 oz) and a snap swivel. Finally, you’ll want to add a hook to the end of your line and attach it to the swivel.
Once you’ve got everything ready, it’s time to start fishing. To begin, take your rod and reel out to the edge of the bank where there’s plenty of room to cast.
Then, slowly move forward until you feel comfortable throwing your swimbait. When you feel confident that you can throw your swimbait accurately, you can now begin reeling it back in.
As a side note, if you notice that your swimbait has gotten snagged on something while you’re trying to reel it in, simply pull it free and try again.
It may help to keep track of how many times your swimbait gets stuck by writing it down in a log book, so that you can avoid making the same mistakes going forward.
Top Swimbait Tips
Once you’ve chosen the right bait, you’ll need to figure out how to use it effectively. Below, we’re going to provide you with some tips that will help you get the most out of your swimbait.
First off, you’ll want to place your bait in the water at least 10 feet away from the spot where you plan on fishing.
If possible, try to position yourself closer to the edge of the water. You’ll then be able to see exactly where your bait lands and adjust accordingly.
Next, you’ll want to take note of the current speed. If the current is too strong, you might want to wait until it slows down before placing your bait back in the water.
After this, you’ll want to carefully watch how your bait moves through the water. If it starts moving slowly, chances are that you’re not doing anything wrong.
However, if it begins to move faster, you’ll want to start adjusting your technique.
As such, you’ll want to pay attention to what happens when your bait hits bottom. Does it sink quickly or does it stay afloat for a long period of time?
This information will give you a good idea of whether or not you’re doing things correctly. If you notice that your bait keeps sinking, you should probably adjust your technique.
For example, if your bait sinks too fast, you may want to slow down your retrieve. On the other hand if your bait stays above the surface for a long period of time, you’ll likely want to increase your retrieve rate.
Finally, you’ll want to focus on keeping your bait in the middle of the water column.
If you find that your bait is drifting toward either side of the boat, you’ll want to make sure that you’re pulling it back towards the center. You don’t want your swimbait to drift out of alignment!
Wrapping Up
After reading through this guide, we’re hoping that you can see how swimbaits can be an effective way to catch fish!
Why don’t you give this guide an article so you can always come back if you want to refresh your knowledge? Thank you for reading!
