HARD BODIED SWIMBAITS
TOPWATER / WAKE BAITS
Imagine your favourite super spook and that old broken back minnow Rapala which you tie on for your kids at the dam and super size them by 10, and that pretty much sums up what we’re talking about here. Some of the earliest swimbaits were wake-bait type models which when fished persistently deliver not only big fish but some of the most explosive strikes you will ever encounter. Mostly available in larger sizes the smallest wake-bait and topwater swimbaits are available from around 6 inches in size and go through to a good 12 inches and could weigh close to half a kilo.
Rigging
Rigging is basic with the line being tied directly to the line tie on the bait.
Tackle
Due to the generally large size of the baits a long stick (around 8ft) with a lure weight rating of 1-3 ounces (30-100 grams) should do the job perfectly. Like when selecting a crankbait rod, your rod should have a parabolic type action (meaning it flexes evenly through the blank) with a softish tip to absorb those last minute surges as well as to control a jumping giant with only a treble in his mouth. As far as reels go, a baitcaster with a larger line capacity is preferred such as a light inshore model as opposed to a traditional bass reel. Line is a personal preference between mono and braid due to the topwater nature of the bait a floating line is always better. Personally I fish these baits with 20lb Berkley Big Game monofilament as I like the stretch that mono affords when a big fish smashes a bait.
Application
The same times you would throw a topwater with a slight tweak, know that due to the sheer bulk of these baits they make a tremendous amount of noise and move a lot of water when retrieved which allow them to draw bass from a long distance and also from significant depth. I have had strikes on a wake-bait at Loskop Dam fishing in 25-30ft of water so don’t be afraid to throw these baits when fishing in deeper water. A slight ripple on the water seems to improve the strike rate and I have read articles whereby seasoned swimbaiters prefer throwing wake-baits and topwaters when there is a good chop on the water, I believe the turbulence of the water distorts the profile somewhat and allows the bass to commit more readily to the bait. Make long casts over points and drop offs, or parallel the ledges on steep cliff banks with a steady retrieve. Keep your tip up so the head of the bait pushes water with the occasional stop and twitch.
Bass Digest/February, 2014