Spybait

FlatsNBay · August 28, 2021, 01:50:07 PM

I'm thinking of taking the plunge and learning to get proficient at spybaiting. I've got several clear lakes nearby and also would like to go back to my old stomping grounds in south Florida and use them in a few crystal clear limestone pits.

What brands and models do you like? Which brands and models have you used that you don't like?

The bait monkey is calling my name, time to place an order!

Thanks fellas!

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D.W. Verts · August 28, 2021, 01:53:52 PM

Man. I don't even know what that is.

Dale

Bud Kennedy · August 28, 2021, 02:35:16 PM

Quote from: D.W. Verts on August 28, 2021, 01:53:52 PM
Man. I don't even know what that is.

Dale

Dale, here is a video from John Crews that is a good explanation.

Smallie_Stalker · August 28, 2021, 02:42:57 PM

I haven't thrown one in a few years but my faves were the Duo Realis Spybait 80. Lucky Craft also makes a good one that I had some success with but I just liked the Duos better.
I threw them on a limber spinning rod and at the time 6 or 8 lb. Trilene 100% flourocarbon.

I fish all braid now and I think you lose something in the action of the bait by having that bow in your line from the surface down to the bait. I know there are guys that throw them on braid, but it's just not my personal preference.

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Capt. BassinLou · August 28, 2021, 03:35:04 PM

Aren't many thinner soft plastics we throw could be categorized as spybaiting if we retrieve them just right?

FlatsNBay · August 28, 2021, 09:23:39 PM

Lou, I was specifically talking about spybaits, also known as spinbaits which are slow sinking minnow lures with a small spinner on the front and back.

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Capt. BassinLou · August 28, 2021, 09:27:07 PM

Quote from: FlatsNBay on August 28, 2021, 09:23:39 PM
Lou, I was specifically talking about spybaits, also known as spinbaits which are slow sinking minnow lures with a small spinner on the front and back.

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Then what the heck was I talking about.

caddyjoe77 · August 28, 2021, 11:10:53 PM

the realis 80's are the best -- getting to be "that time" as we go into "the aint"

did catch a couple on swimjig today though -- nothing great but the pop of a swimjig bite is always nice

Pat Dilling · August 29, 2021, 10:51:44 AM

I have had the best luck with the Storm Arashi Spin in the blue gill color.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Storm_Arashi_Spin_08_Spinbait/descpage-SASB.html

I have also have caught them on the Duo Realis. Light line and a limber rod are essential. The small hooks make landing fish challenging. One of the very best ways to catch suspended or schooling fish in clear water, IMO.

RangerAndBass · August 29, 2021, 08:57:51 PM

I have the Jackall. I dont know if I'd suggest it tho as I lost the prop and hook off the back of one of them.
They are cool and catch fish if you can get then down the the right depth. Count em down and slow steady reel.
I use them for Smallmouth in rocky water with little or no weed

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fishballer06 · August 30, 2021, 07:22:53 AM

I tried them a few times up on Erie but the Drum kept sucking them up so I stopped throwing them. They definitely can be a killer on the brown fish though.

coldfront · September 09, 2021, 07:47:01 AM

picked up a few of the heavier versions made for tossing on baitcasting tackle.
david swenseid is a guy who's shared a LOT about spybaiting. had the opportunity to visit with him at the Duo Realis booth a few years back (at a Classic)
https://spybaiting.com/tag/david-swendseid/
here's a link to get you started. I'm looking down the road at this as an important 'niche' technique for me during fall transitions and as a tool to try and work over fish on grasslines/ledges when they stop pulling current on the TN river lakes. thinking that 360° technology would be a really good 'marriage' with this...

FlatsNBay · September 09, 2021, 11:42:33 AM

I went ahead and took advantage of the labor day sale. I ordered 2 Duo 80s in different colors and a Duo 62 in prism gill which is wider and flatter and similar to the shape of a bluegill. I'll post a pic when they come in and then a review after I give them a work out. I'm always excited to try and learn a new technique.

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jwkelley51 · September 10, 2021, 12:49:44 PM

I bought some of the 1/2 oz ones and so far haven't been impressed but haven't tried much either. I caught 5 or 6 in a row on the jerkbait yesterday so I started with the spy bait. Maybe 6 or 7 casts with no fish. These were smaller spotted bass and I did feel them bump it once or twice but no hook up. Went back to the jerkbait and kept on catching. In all honesty alot of jerkbait fish are foul hooked...they get close and it grabs them, the spy bait doesn't work like that.

FlatsNBay · September 10, 2021, 02:42:26 PM

My Spybaits came in. Looking forward to testing them out. They are much heavier than they look.

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