Swim Baits

[RiverRunt]

I am heading for Destin FL late this week and want to try some of the soft body swim baits such as Yum, Strike King, Lucky E Strike or Power Bait in the golf course lakes. What brand weight and size hook or jig head would you recommend for the 3.5 and 4.5 size swim bait bodies? Thanks.

[bob46]

I do not fish with swim baits that much, but the fellow I fish with loves them, I believe he uses the weighted hooks maybe size 4 or 5. My sister in law works at miracle air strip down there. From what I understand it is easy catching fish down there im jealous.

[bassman_ky]

My favorite swimbait is a Top Shelf Swimbait. I like the 4" model in clear lake hitch. You can get them at Tacklewarehouse. They are already weighted(3/4oz) and come with a super sharp Owner treble hook. With these swimbaits you thread your line through the swimbait and tie your line directly to the treble. When you hook a fish the heavy swimbait slides up and down your line so that the fish cannot throw it as easy.

[Fntsyfbgod]

For weedless baits you mentioned I would go 5in It will catch anything 15in or bigger thats a pretty good size to target. I like a 6/0 screw in hook with a 1/16 weight on the shank at most 1/8oz. Use a screw in hook like a owner weighted twistlock you will get alot more life out of your swimbaits. Basstrix makes the best baits but there are some other good ones. Another weedless bait I havent tried but is supposed to slay them in florida is a huddleston weedless minnow.

I would also add a swimbait with a treble on the belly for open water. The top shelf mentioned is good but I use a california swimbabes Tiny E.

[troutman]

Are you fishing the lakes at San Destin resort? They are awesome, some big Bass come out of those ponds.

[RiverRunt]

Are you fishing the lakes at San Destin resort? They are awesome, some big Bass come out of those ponds.

That would be the place. It generally is not a question of getting one 6 lbs or better but how many that size or better. Been going there for about 20 years off and on. My biggest was one right at 10 lbs. Caught my 2nd largest last year - 9.5 lbs. 3rd largest was right at 8 lbs on a buzzz bait a few years back. Have had some fantastic days. One day last year my five best would have been in the 34-35 lb range. All on spinner baits in the wind. The golf course signs advise catch and release but that is what I do any way.

[AndyG]

There will be so many spawning fish I'd fish a texas rig.