Reel Guy,
In Fishman ran a similar article 2 years ago, but in regards to Walleye fishing. AT that time I didn’t have, nor had I ever used plastic swam baits. So I decided to try them. I purchased commerically available baits, and a friend of mine makes plastics(he posts on this site) and made me up some custom ones.
I ran 3 tests on these baits early in 2001: 1 day fishing alone on Pool 4 for Walleye in March, and twice fishing for bass with a group of guy here in Central WI who have a small fishing league – where weekly we have a frienfly competion(no money – just bragging rights for the day). My results were as follows:
Walleye fishing: That day I ran 2 types of baits:
– 4″ swim baits in various colors
– jig with a 4″ ring worms, dressed with a minnow.
The Ringworm/minnow combination produced much better.
Bass Fishing: I decided on these 2 days to use the swim baits exclusively to see how they compared to all the various baits the other guys were using(2 guys to a boat, 6 boats fishing).
1st Day: Lake is natural, fairly deep, mostly a Walleye & Smallmouth fishery. Was 2nd week of May, cold windy/rainy day. No one boated alot of fish, but I boated both the most in numbers, as well as largest bass for the day.
So they did well.
2nd Day: Lake is an impoundment, moderate depth, mostly LM Bass, timber being the predominant structure. 1st week of June. Lots of baits thrown that day, Senkos on swallow structure was the best producer. Basically I got my tail kicked. We were in my boat, and the guy behind me would pull bass off of structure I just fished with the swim bait, using a Senko.
After that I have used them on and off, but not done anything I would consider proof of whether they were better or not. I will say such baits have not become one of my gotos, say as are various Jig/plastic, or Senkos in similar fishing spots.
Hope this helps.
Inge