Chloe Zhang
Plastic swimbaits are a versatile lure used in fishing. They are designed to mimic baitfish, making them attractive to a wide range of predatory fish. The most common type of plastic swimbait is the paddle tail swimbait, which is designed to look and move like a baitfish swimming through the water. The versatility of plastic swimbaits means they can be used in a variety of fishing environments, including deep or shallow waters, open waters, and structures. There are several ways to hook a plastic swimbait, including using an exposed top hook, a weedless hook, or a bottom treble hook. The choice of hook depends on the fishing technique and the target fish species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ways to rig a paddle tail swimbait | exposed top hook, weedless, and bottom treble hook |
| How to rig an exposed top hook | slide the hook into the nose of the bait and poke the hook through the back so the base of the hook lays against the nose of the bait |
| How to rig a weedless hook | slide the hook into the bait so the point of the hook lays against the back of the swimbait |
| How to rig a bottom treble hook | use a screw-lock to place the treble on the bottom of the bait |
| Main uses | Deep, shallow, on points, open water, and even on structure |
| Best times to use | late winter through early spring months, when bass are feeding on schooling baitfish, schooled up in open water, and when on points |
| How to mimic baitfish | matching the colour of the natural baitfish; white is a good starting point |
| Hollow swimbaits | up to 7 or 8 inches in length; useful for summer ledge fishing |
| Hollow paddle tails | can do anything you want a swimbait to do; high hook-up ratios |
| Key design features | solid body, paddle- or boot-shaped tail usually hanging beneath the body, round or pointed head on some models, flat “face” on some models to fit with a jighead, narrow body on most baits for snaking through cover, wide range of realism, hook slots on some models |
| Rigging keys | Make sure it’s straight on the hook, and match the weight to the speed and depth of retrieve; jigheads are best for open water and slow-rolling presentations; in grass, use a weedless wide-gap hook |
| Belly-weighted hook | a Rage Swimmer with a treble hook |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right swimbait
When choosing a swimbait, size is an important consideration. The average baitfish size is between 4 and 6 inches long, which is a good size for everyday use. However, if you're looking for trophy bass, consider using larger swimbaits ranging from 8 to 10 inches. Smaller swimbaits, such as the finesse swimbait, can also be useful in certain situations, such as post-frontal conditions or deep clear reservoirs, where a more subtle presentation is required.
The action of the swimbait is another factor to consider. Soft plastics with minimal action, such as beaver-style baits without curly tails or ribbons, are ideal for clear water or tough fishing conditions. Soft swimbaits with a ""boot" tail design create a wider thumping kick, imitating an injured baitfish that is easy prey. The Bacca Burrito, for example, is a popular soft swimbait that exhibits this action. Additionally, swimbaits with a smooth or ribbed body can generate more water resistance, enhancing their swimming action and making them look more realistic.
The rigging options for soft plastics are diverse. They can be fished deep or shallow, through grass or wood, skipped under docks, or on an umbrella rig. When choosing a hook, ensure it reaches back into the body but not the tail. Jigheads are ideal for open water and umbrella rigs, while weighted hooks can be adjusted for depth control. Top-hook swimbaits offer customization options like adding hooks, shaving tails, or custom paint jobs.
Lastly, the rod and reel setup is crucial when using swimbaits. Jumbo swimbaits require specialty rods and reels, while middle-ground swimbaits can be used with your favourite jig or all-purpose rod. The iRod Genesis II Bailey Swim is an excellent choice for soft plastic swimbaits, providing a great backbone for driving home the hook. When fishing big swimbaits, a larger reel with plenty of lines is essential to maintain a realistic presentation.
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Using a through-line technique
To start, you will need a Fattube Line Thru Swimbait Tube, which is a brass tube with a rim on one end. Push the Fattube through the plastic swimbait, following the path of a toothpick, which can then be removed. You may need to widen the hole in the nose of the swimbait with a toothpick to make it easier to feed the line through. Run the line through the nose, through the Fattube, and out the belly.
Next, tie on the treble hook. It is important to watch your back angle at this stage. The rim of the Fattube may press against the belly of the swimbait, causing an arch in the back. To achieve a neutral, straight back, push the Fattube rim up into the plastic to relieve the tension. You can then choose to use a split ring to attach the hook, depending on how the hook rests against the bait.
Finally, squeeze the side flaps of the swimbait towards the center to hold the Fattube in place, and secure with a toothpick. Cut off any excess toothpick material, leaving just a small amount extending out of the sides, and add a drop of glue to each end to ensure everything is securely in place.
This through-line technique is a great way to rig a plastic swimbait, and with a few simple steps, you'll be ready to hit the water and start fishing!
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Adding weight
There are several ways to add weight to a plastic swimbait. One way is to use a weighted hook. This can be done by purchasing a pre-rigged swimbait with a weighted hook or by adding a weight to the hook yourself. Weighted hooks can be purchased with weights already attached, or weights can be added by threading a worm weight or bullet weight onto the hook before attaching the swimbait. This will help the swimbait sink and can be useful when fishing in deep water or in areas with strong currents.
Another way to add weight to a plastic swimbait is by using a belly weight. Some swimbaits have a belly weight built-in, which serves as a "keel" for proper swimming action. If your swimbait does not have a built-in belly weight, you can add one by attaching a small weight to the belly of the swimbait with adhesive or by threading a piece of wire through the swimbait and attaching a weight to the end.
Additionally, you can add weight to a plastic swimbait by using a heavier line. A heavier line will provide more resistance in the water, causing the swimbait to sink faster and swim slower. This can be useful when fishing in deep water or when targeting fish that are slow swimmers.
Finally, you can add weight to a swimbait by using a fishfinder. A fishfinder is a device that uses sonar to locate fish underwater. By attaching a fishfinder to your swimbait, you can add weight and improve your chances of catching fish. This is a good option when fishing in deep water or when you need to get your swimbait down to a certain depth.
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Hook types and placement
There are three main ways to rig a plastic swimbait: an exposed top hook, weedless, and a bottom treble hook. Most swimbaits come pre-rigged with an exposed top hook. To rig it yourself, simply slide the hook into the nose of the bait and poke the hook through the back so that the base of the hook lies against the nose of the bait.
The weedless method is similar, but instead, you slide the hook into the bait deep enough so that the point of the hook lies against the back of the swimbait. This is similar to a Texas rig.
The last style is usually used as an add-on to the exposed top hook rig. When using a treble hook, you can use a screw lock to place the treble on the bottom of the bait, although it is still strongly advised to use a top hook. You can also use a through-line technique to thread the line through the swimbait from the nose to the bottom and attach the hook there.
Some other hook types include a belly-weighted hook, a straight shank hook, and a jig head.
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When to use plastic swimbaits
Plastic swimbaits are incredibly versatile lures that can be used in a variety of fishing situations. The main purpose of a paddle tail swimbait is to mimic a baitfish swimming through the water, so it is a good option whenever fish are actively feeding. This is especially true during the late winter through early spring months when fish are feeding more and preparing to spawn. During this time, they will be eager to chase down prey and will mistake your swimbait for a slow-moving baitfish.
The swimbait's versatility means it can be used in deep or shallow water, open water, on points, or even on structures. They are also adaptable to different speeds, so you can work them as fast or as slow as you like. This makes them a great choice when bass are feeding on schooling baitfish or when they are schooled up in open water. Bass are more likely to bite when they see a paddle tail swimbait that looks like their natural prey.
Plastic swimbaits are also a good choice when fishing in grass or vegetation. Their design allows them to move through these areas effectively, and you can use a weedless wide-gap hook to avoid getting caught up. Additionally, some swimbaits are designed with a belly weight or a keel, which helps with proper swimming action. This is useful when fishing in areas with current or deeper water.
While plastic swimbaits are effective year-round, there are a few situations where you may want to opt for a different type of lure. During the summer, for example, bass tend to move deeper into the water column due to the warmer temperatures. In this case, a more aggressive lure may be needed to shake things up and entice the bass to bite. Hard-body swimbaits can be a good alternative as they are more durable, move in a very life-like fashion, and tend to be larger.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three main ways to rig a plastic swimbait: exposed top hook, weedless, and bottom treble hook.
Simply slide the hook into the nose of the bait and poke the hook through the back so the base of the hook lays against the nose of the bait.
Slide the hook into the bait, deep enough so the point of the hook lays against the back of the swimbait.
Use a through-line technique to thread the line through the swimbait from the nose to the bottom and attach the hook there.
Popular plastic swimbaits include the Jerry Rago Live Trout Soft Bait, Jackall Swimming Ninja Swimbait, and Yamamoto Swimming Senko.
