Paddletail Swimbaits

[Shimano4Life]

Yes, I am using swimbait hooks. I use 1/4oz hooks that are weighted so that when you rig the swimbait up, the weight acts like a "keel" to balance out your swimbait on the retrieve. I thought about your problem last night, and there are several other factors to look into:

1. Try a split ring in the hook eye.

2. I retrieve my swimbaits painstakingly slow -- reeling them too fast with not enough weight causes them to turn over on the retreive.

3. Sometimes the baits get warped in the packaging and they have to be dipped in boiling water to straighten them out. However, Berkley and Strike King both come in packages to prevent this, I believe.

4. The hook eye has to be put center through the nose, and the point must be put straight through the stomach and then through the back.

These are the only fixes that I know of. Let me know if any of these helps you out.

[Chris20X2]

+1 on having the bait as straight as possible. I fish the Yum Money Minnows and have no problem. It is crucial that the bait is straight on the hook. Any misalignment will cause the bait to roll and or not run straight. As Shimano for Life said, Swimbait fishing requires a slow retreive, getting too fast can also cause the bait to roll.

Another option if you don't have any luck, is to try some of the line thru baits. California Swimbabes Tiny E, Optimum Lures or 3:16 Lures make some great swimbaits that use a line thru nose and treble hook. These tend to be a little more user friendly.

[Bobby Headrick]

Anyone tried the Mann's Hardnose swimbaits, just wonder how they do. I have been using the Shadalicous but after one fish or two or a bad cast the heads seems to tear up and they wont work again, I use a screwlock hook, that has the weight near the nose, it is really a frog hook , cant remember who makes them but they run straight and will cause the bait to nose down when you kill it. Antsuggestions on how to keep them from tearing bad, Can glue help? These things cost too much for just a couple of fish unless they are hawgs.

[Todd2]

3. Sometimes the baits get warped in the packaging and they have to be dipped in boiling water to straighten them out. However, Berkley and Strike King both come in packages to prevent this, I believe.

This one might be my problem. I took them out of the molded package and put them in my box. I will try to boil them and see if that helps. Of course, if my wife catches me "cooking" up some plastic lures she might have me committed. lol

[Shimano4Life]

Just be sure to dip them in the water quickly. If you leave them in there, you will melt or ruin the bait.