Bank Fishing W/ Big Swimbaits

[SFL BassHunter]

Ok, so it's been a technique that I have watched youtube videos on, but from a boat. I recently found a fantastic deal on a round reel, and a rod that could handle heavier weights.

It's not top of the line gear, BUT, it's not a technique I plan on using very often. The reel is a Daiwa Millionaire Classic 300L  and a Berkley Lightning 7'6" H that is rated for up to 3oz (highest rating I have on any rod). The rod can also double as an A-Rig rod (which is what it's designed for) and potentially heavy punching. So it seems like a good rod to have.


Does anyone have any good advice on how to fish say a huddleston deluxe bluegill (4 1/2" and 1 1/2oz ROF 12). I went with this model because it's weedless. The hook hides in the lure.

I also got some Basstrix Paddle Tail Swimbaits in 6" and 8". The 8" seem huge, but then that's the point I suppose.

Any special techniques I should try with these other than say a straight retrieve? Anything you've found that just entices those bass to eat something that large?

Obviously I am targeting the big bass in a lake, or pond. I'm curious to see if a big bait like this will get some of the bigger bass in the heavily pressured, public park lakes to come out and play. I know there are 5+ lb bass in these lakes, they are just shy and only come out to play every once and a while.

Is there a "best time of the day" to throw these bigger baits?
Also I fish fairly shallow waters 4-10 feet for the most part.

[Mike Cork]

I don't fish them much but they are the subject in a lot of conversations I have. Most important thing about them is slow. Seems like the slower and more patient you can be in working these baits the more successful you are.

As you mentioned you'll be fishing for the biggest bass in the population. That also means you are fishing for a much smaller percentage. I would guess you're looking for the top 10 percent. Slow yet erratic if that makes sense. I would imaging straight line retrieves will work as well as long as they are slow.

I would think that they would do very well at drawing out the larger bass in high pressure waters. Many times it just takes fishing something they haven't seen. And a big meal that is easy to catch and will satisfy them for a full day or even two in colder water, should seem very attractive to them.

[D.W. Verts]

Like Mike said- slow. Then slow down some more. Fish them near the BEST or heaviest cover. And be prepared for two things- first one is that you'll catch 10" bass. Yep.

And be prepared to go a long time without a bite at all.

Another trick I do to catch big 'uns, no matter what technique, is I pick my times. Go when the conditions are best for catchin' fish. Throwing a big old bait on a post-front, high-pressure day may not be conducive to yankin' Toads.

Maybe.

[SFL BassHunter]

I don't fish them much but they are the subject in a lot of conversations I have. Most important thing about them is slow. Seems like the slower and more patient you can be in working these baits the more successful you are.

As you mentioned you'll be fishing for the biggest bass in the population. That also means you are fishing for a much smaller percentage. I would guess you're looking for the top 10 percent. Slow yet erratic if that makes sense. I would imaging straight line retrieves will work as well as long as they are slow.

I would think that they would do very well at drawing out the larger bass in high pressure waters. Many times it just takes fishing something they haven't seen. And a big meal that is easy to catch and will satisfy them for a full day or even two in colder water, should seem very attractive to them.

Thanks for the input Mike. By slow as we talking dragging on the bottom slow?
Some of the videos I have seen mention the the big huddlestons being dragged really slow on the bottom, even hopped.

Like Mike said- slow. Then slow down some more. Fish them near the BEST or heaviest cover. And be prepared for two things- first one is that you'll catch 10" bass. Yep.

And be prepared to go a long time without a bite at all.

Another trick I do to catch big 'uns, no matter what technique, is I pick my times. Go when the conditions are best for catchin' fish. Throwing a big old bait on a post-front, high-pressure day may not be conducive to yankin' Toads.

Maybe.

Oh I'm sure I'll catch some 10" bass. There is always that one dummy that tries to eat something bigger than him lol.
One thing I need to do more often is look at the conditions. See normally I look at wind, where its coming from and then pick a bank. I pick my days by when I can fish. But it could be beneficial to start looking at pressure and fronts to pick my lures.

What kind of bite am I looking for? As in what should I feel when using a big swimbait?
For example a jig has a distinct feel when a bass eats it compared to say a small worm with light weight.
5" swimbaits are usually hammered hard enough with the line going to a side when fishing them fast.

Also is there a specific line I should be using? Tactical Bassin uses braid with Maxima Ultragreen. I personally do not like leaders. Should I go straight Ultragreen, or another line?

[D.W. Verts]

Bites range form "getting heavy" to "OH MY GAWD, BOOOSH!"

Water clarity? I'm a cheater- if there's limited visibility I go heavy, whether it's mono or braid.

And I don't like them on the bottom- I'm trying to look like a real baitfish. 

[SFL BassHunter]

Bites range form "getting heavy" to "OH MY GAWD, BOOOSH!"

Water clarity? I'm a cheater- if there's limited visibility I go heavy, whether it's mono or braid.

And I don't like them on the bottom- I'm trying to look like a real baitfish.

Well most of the water I fish is crystal clear water. The other is clear with a green tint and lots of eel grass in the open water and spattedock and eel grass mixed in other areas.




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[D.W. Verts]

If it was me, I'd use 17# in a green... But I've never (unfortunately) fished in Florida. SOmeone with more knowledge will weigh-in, I'm sure.

Of course, on a good, low-visibility day (the days you need to be Hawg huntin') I'd go with the heavier braid, and throw 'er where the sun don't shine!

[SFL BassHunter]

If it was me, I'd use 17# in a green... But I've never (unfortunately) fished in Florida. SOmeone with more knowledge will weigh-in, I'm sure.

Of course, on a good, low-visibility day (the days you need to be Hawg huntin') I'd go with the heavier braid, and throw 'er where the sun don't shine!

Interesting. 17# is lighter than I thought you would say lol. I figured you'd say something like 20-30.
So do these baits perform best on mono, copoly or fluoro?
Since I won't be using a leader I'll have to pick 1 line. I may go with a 17-20 YOzuri copoly. That line is damn near bullet proof. Or big game.
I think with 20# I should be able to fish them in some light pads.


This is what the pad field lake looks like with the eel grass on the bottom.



I dont have a picture of the crystal clear water lake. But basically get a clear glass of tap water and that's the color. This lake has limestone rock and large clumps of grass. Don't know what type it is though.


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[D.W. Verts]

I'm thinkin' you may need my personal assistance with this project!

[SFL BassHunter]

I'm thinkin' you may need my personal assistance with this project!

Looks pretty good huh? lol.

Interestingly enough in the 3 years I've been fishing that place the biggest fish I've pulled from there was 6lbs. A few 5's and 4's.
It is FWC managed, and they say they electroshocked it a few years ago and there was a 9lber in there. If that 9lber is still in there, I'd like to meet it in person.

[D.W. Verts]

Good luck.

[SFL BassHunter]

Thanks!

[SFL BassHunter]

Spooled the reel up with 20lb big game since I have a big spool of the stuff. I didn't have anything that was 17. But I'm glad I went with 20. I took the rod and reel over to the park and the moment I got there the rain kicked in. Th wind was blowing pretty good against me. But not enough to be an issue. I started with the spool tension tight and was getting about 15 yards of cast but no overrun issues. I loosened up each cast and finally got to about 45-50 yards. Still no issues.
Granted it's a heavy lure but I'd never used a round reel with no brakes before.
I was throwing the hud weedless bluegill and worked it slow and erratic at times. One thing I found out is the lure is NOT weedless. I was picking up eel grass and getting caught on pads at least 50% of my casts. Major bummer.

I felt no bites and only got to fish it for about 30 min. So no surprise there.
But I did discover that I had no problem ripping the lure out of the pads with that 20# big game. That's a strong as heck line boys and girls.

Ended up swapping to my other rod for a few with a weedless wacky 6 inch senko. 0 bites on that. So Lip go ahead get that printer going and hit me with my award 🥇

I'll have to fish that lure in more sparse vegetation. For that place I'll need to go with a more weedless swimbait. Perhaps a big owner beast hook on the basstrix baits.

It's a learning process but thanks DW and Mike for your input. It helped guide me in the right direction. We'll see about catching some fish next time.


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[FlatsNBay]

Rick, I got one of those 8 or 9" boot tail swim baits with the line through and treble hook. I think it is a Jerry Rago version. I haven't caught a thing on it. I tossed it on my back up flipping stick and swapped reels around to some heavy fluorocarbon. No luck yet. I'm curious to see what you can do with yours.

[SFL BassHunter]

Flats our bass are definitely picky eaters lol.
If I can find 1 trophy bass with a big swimbait it will be a success!


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[1ReelFanatik]

Spooled the reel up with 20lb big game since I have a big spool of the stuff. I didn't have anything that was 17. But I'm glad I went with 20. I took the rod and reel over to the park and the moment I got there the rain kicked in. Th wind was blowing pretty good against me. But not enough to be an issue. I started with the spool tension tight and was getting about 15 yards of cast but no overrun issues. I loosened up each cast and finally got to about 45-50 yards. Still no issues.
Granted it's a heavy lure but I'd never used a round reel with no brakes before.
I was throwing the hud weedless bluegill and worked it slow and erratic at times. One thing I found out is the lure is NOT weedless. I was picking up eel grass and getting caught on pads at least 50% of my casts. Major bummer.

I felt no bites and only got to fish it for about 30 min. So no surprise there.
But I did discover that I had no problem ripping the lure out of the pads with that 20# big game. That's a strong as heck line boys and girls.

Ended up swapping to my other rod for a few with a weedless wacky 6 inch senko. 0 bites on that. So Lip go ahead get that printer going and hit me with my award 🥇

I'll have to fish that lure in more sparse vegetation. For that place I'll need to go with a more weedless swimbait. Perhaps a big owner beast hook on the basstrix baits.

It's a learning process but thanks DW and Mike for your input. It helped guide me in the right direction. We'll see about catching some fish next time.


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I was surprised by this comment.  I didn't think such a reel was made anymore.  According to my research the reel has a "Centrifugal casting spool brake".  You would need to open the reel up to find them.

I had been wanting to try a small round reel so when a package deal came up for some Black Max 1600C reels I jumped on it.  It was amazing to me how well they cast with the brakes that come from the factory.  No problem in a head wind with a light plastic lure.  Brake profile on mine can be changed by using different colored plastic "pads".  Guess that is the right word for the brakes.  I assume the Millionaire is similar.

[SFL BassHunter]

I was surprised by this comment.  I didn't think such a reel was made anymore.  According to my research the reel has a "Centrifugal casting spool brake".  You would need to open the reel up to find them.

I had been wanting to try a small round reel so when a package deal came up for some Black Max 1600C reels I jumped on it.  It was amazing to me how well they cast with the brakes that come from the factory.  No problem in a head wind with a light plastic lure.  Brake profile on mine can be changed by using different colored plastic "pads".  Guess that is the right word for the brakes.  I assume the Millionaire is similar.

I'll have to take a look. Thanks for the info.

[TrueGritAngler]

You may want to take a look at the 3:16 minnow which is a paddle tail swimbait.  It has a built in air bladder to keep it afloat. The owner Mickey Ellis designed this to be fished like a frog. It's great for fishing pads, grass, around cover, and open water. The quality on these baits is unreal. I just got some and I fish the banks exclusively.

[SteveTX]

Ive been experimenting with this bigger swim bait stuff as well. I have been using the Smash Tech Convict as they are weedless and what little experience I have they come through pads pretty good.

[BrandonK]

Because we are in the right time of year.....

Throw that sucker past a spawning area and slowly drag it through a couple times. May get a bite, but more likely will just get them all riled up. Then pitch your usual bed agitator baits in and wait for them to pick it up.

[SFL BassHunter]

I've fished with the swimbaits some, but not as much as I would like. Unfortunately my back doesn't care for the heavy lures.

I did throw a big glidebait in that clear water lake and had a big girl follow it all the way to the bank. Twitching it got her all riled up but not enough to strike. Then the bait got wedged into some reeds and I thought for sure she'd hit it. Instead she turned around and swam away very calmly. She may have seen me, or just thought the lure getting wedged in the reeds was not a natural look and decided eating it was a bad idea.

But man did I get a rush when I saw that pig interested in the glide bait.

[TrueGritAngler]

Ive been experimenting with this bigger swim bait stuff as well. I have been using the Smash Tech Convict as they are weedless and what little experience I have they come through pads pretty good.

What size are those swimbaits and what size hook are you using? For these 316 minnows 5.25 inch the suggested hook size is a gamakatsu g mag 8/0 hook but for fishing below the water surface they recommend a 6/0 1/4 beast hook?? I'd rather use a screw lock hook vs the gamakatsu hook. You think a 6/0 screwlock beast hook should work for topwater?

[TrueGritAngler]

I've fished with the swimbaits some, but not as much as I would like. Unfortunately my back doesn't care for the heavy lures.

I did throw a big glidebait in that clear water lake and had a big girl follow it all the way to the bank. Twitching it got her all riled up but not enough to strike. Then the bait got wedged into some reeds and I thought for sure she'd hit it. Instead she turned around and swam away very calmly. She may have seen me, or just thought the lure getting wedged in the reeds was not a natural look and decided eating it was a bad idea.

But man did I get a rush when I saw that pig interested in the glide bait.

I haven't fished any glide baits yet but I could imagine your anticipation watching big girl follow it. I hear the drawing power of a glide bait is tremendous and helps identify a fishes location once they've been drawn out. Did you follow up with a different lure to see if she'd bite?

[SFL BassHunter]

I haven't fished any glide baits yet but I could imagine your anticipation watching big girl follow it. I hear the drawing power of a glide bait is tremendous and helps identify a fishes location once they've been drawn out. Did you follow up with a different lure to see if she'd bite?

Problem when bank fishing is I only take one rod. I did follow up, but by the time I did she had swam back into the depths and I lost sight of her. I made casts in the general direction with worms but got no bites. Not sure how far she went, or where exactly she decided to hang out.

[SteveTX]

What size are those swimbaits and what size hook are you using? For these 316 minnows 5.25 inch the suggested hook size is a gamakatsu g mag 8/0 hook but for fishing below the water surface they recommend a 6/0 1/4 beast hook?? I'd rather use a screw lock hook vs the gamakatsu hook. You think a 6/0 screwlock beast hook should work for topwater?

These are 7" and a 10/0 Owner Beast hook is what is used. They recommend a nonweighted hook and to use a very small piece of lead strip. I didnt like that plan for 2 reasons. One I know that stick on weight wont stay and two my local tackle shop only had weighted ones.  I get the weighted ones and file the weight down flat. This gets my weight down to 1/8oz or 1/4oz range and thins up the weight so it can come through the hook slot easier.  Here is a link to the tips page I made on it. Adjusting weight of weighted hooks