Over the last couple of years the big new addition to most bass fisherman’s tackle box are swim baits. The problem is most folks really don’t understand how to use swim baits or the differences in them.
In my opinion swim baits are not all created equal. Some are just way to soft and tear extremely easy. The hard bait versions are not very strong in the joints and some have very little action.

Here is what I look for in swim baits.

The most important thing to me is movement. If the bait does not have a tremendous amount of wobble in the tail I don’t want it. I believe that the tail action has to cause the swim bait to act just like real bait in the water.

The next important issue to me is size. Some of the swim baits are either to big or small for the bait in your lake. Match the size of the bait and if the swim bait you are using is the wrong size, then change baits.

In Guntersville your swim bait selection has to be able to move freely through and over grass with out hang-ups, so be aware that your bait choice can be worked in the grass in Guntersville.

There are also versions of swim baits that are already weighted. Your choice in these types is also critical. Some of the weighted baits do not have much action, others drop without the tail moving and some I have seen fall tail first. My belief is that the swim bait must fall nose first, and the tail must keep moving on the drop. There are many versions out there that the tail just goes dead unless your pulling it.

The tail movement must be consistent in all movement of the swim bait.

Swim baits can be a great addition to your tackle box but its critical that you pick the correct type!