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ADVENTURE SPORTS OUTDOORS “THE VOICE OF THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN”
SWIM BAITS We may call shad shaped baits Swim Baits but have heard those called sassy shad and more. These soft plastic shad imitations can really fool and catch fish when all else fails. I was introduced to these shad imposters about 7 years ago as mainly a striper or white bass lure. Since then we find these baits to be deadly for all species of fish that chase and feed on shad. Since shad are a major part of most game fish diet, they are a sure bait and even more so when used with moon phases as an indicator. Swim baits are rigged by threading onto a jighead of 1/8 or 1/4 ounce, and the long shank thin wire hooks with line tie on top are best for allowing a more natural swim motion. Jig weight will depend on water depth and current you fish and we have even used very little weight or no weight for suspended fish and when shad are near surface. As far as colors, we stick to natural colors such as pearl in clear water with some pepper and we dye with some chartreuse in stained water. However, we have found some great hand poured swim bait colors from COOL LURES in watermelon, pumpkin, pearl/blue, pearl/red and had the opportunity to try the Great New pearl with a slash of red poured in to resemble a bleeding shad. As the name implies, you can swim these baits along cover where predator fish hold waiting to ambush prey but remember, in spring as the weather is unstable, fish will hold real tight to that cover. After the spawn and before the thermocline gets set, many fish will be found off shore near bottom and around structure as summer hits. During fall we all know shad and other fish will migrate into coves, but many bigger fish can be found at mouth of these coves. As winter sets in you need to move out where shad and most fish will congregate in deep creeks. For size, we have good success with 2 - 4 inch baits, which seem to match most forage. Although we call these swim baits, they can be fished many different ways. If fish are holding on the bottom, you can just drag the lure, like a Carolina rig.
May 2004
When fish are just off bottom, a hopping or pumping retrieve allows the bait to get within the fishes level. Weed edges and gradual sloping points are great spots to wiggle or twitch the bait along. When fishing boat docks skip it in or under and try a yo-yo or fall and jerk retrieve. During summer and fall when shad are being pushed onto flats, stay back, make a long cast and slowly swim through the commotion keeping your rod at about 10 o’clock position when retrieving to make bait run high and to better feel the bite. We have been told that a great technique during a spawn is to use a heavy jig to make the bait rest in a nose down angle to imitate an egg robber. These swim baits are extremely effective for catching most all species of fish and are easy to use. So make room in your tackle box for these irresistible shad or minnow imitators. PRODUCTS: First is the TAKE ONE Minnow Trap by Pangrcic Products that eliminated us sticking our hands in the water and trying to catch a minnow or using a net to scoop up several minnows when we only need one. The “Take One” not only cut down time getting bait but reduced the number of dead minnows because of abuse, but gave us ONE minnow most every time. A great tool for every fisherman so check it out at www.pangrcicproducts.com Second is the AEROBAIT Aerated Minnow Bucket from Magic Products Inc. This self-contained insulated minnow bucket helped prolong the life and liveliness of our minnows for two weeks with only a few minnows lost. We kept it running round the clock and the “D” cell battery lasted 5-days at a time. This aerated minnow bucket was a Big money saver not to mention providing better fishing, check them out on the web at www.magicproducts.com ALSO as a follow-up to last month on Jimbo’s Jigs, Crappie USA Pro fisherman Ben & Vicki Short of Bartonville tell us, “they are really impressed with Jimbo’s Jigs which were the only things working around cold fronts and tough fishing conditions at last few tournaments”. CONGRATS to Ben & Vicki who as of last month were in first place for Region 3. During this field testing, we did some good fishing with our friends Bob & Vicki and Dale & Chris at the Brass Bell Cottages on Bull Shoals Lake, YeeHaa, Let’s do this again! Check our latest fishing reports and more at www.larrysfishinghole.com Till Next Time BYE & GOOD FISHING
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