Swimbaits recommendation

[rob.villanueva]

Can someone with experience in swimbait recommend me a good brand, size, style, etc? I want to get ready to fish Perris Lake this fall. I should have some medium- heavy and heavy outfits ready with 15-20lbs line. Thanks!

[good kentucky]

Hudd 68 special, rainbow or black/silver shad color. ROF5, slow roll, had some good fish by the dam near the water tower and left side of the water tower. Also there are random spots around the island. Best bet would be Pete Marino

[bassgrabber1]

Good Kentucky is right on the bait and the locations..... also a ROF 16 rigged Butch Brown style on the deep structure spots off the island. You can also try a ROF5 at the island point and across the Marina points.

[rob.villanueva]

Thanks gk and bass grabber!

What are the weights on these baits? I did a search but couldn't find detailed specs on these. I guess the rof sort of gives a clue to the weight; id guess they are around 1-2oz.

Anyway, what are the common sized swimbaits used these days in terms of length and width? Im trying to figure out how I want my setup to be according to popular and common baits. I picked up a med/heavy crucial swimbait rod that's rated 3-5oz but I'm starting to feel as if it's too light for the bait. A 3-4oz bait on it made the rod feel overloaded and almost impossible to cast. It actually felt perfect to launch a 1 1/2 to 2 1/2oz bait. Perhaps I should swap it for the heavy rod that's rated 5-8oz? On the other hand, I don't want a rod too stiff to where I can't cast a hudd 6".

[lazyfisherman]

Depends on the length. 6 inch hudds generally weigh a little over 2 oz. The 8 inch hudd weighs over 4 oz. You generally want to fish a heavy or xh swim bait rods for the rof16.

[riverside_angler]

Most, if not all the 8" baits will require an XH rod, especially if it is a Crucial. Some manufacturers may make a heavy rod that will handle these baits. 8' long rods! 20-25lb mono/floro or 65+ braid, otherwise you risk losing the bait on a birds nest. Looking forward to pics of your catches. Tis the season!!!!

[rob.villanueva]

Can't find these Hudd 68 Specials anywhere. Can they be purchased or have to be made?

[Cadillyak]

I believe that the Hudd 68's are made in a limited quanity (however I am no expert). Thus the reason why they are so hard to find, and if you do find one, it's probably around $30-$40. You can use regular Hudd's, but that bigger tail on the 68's make a difference. I have found new 68's for sale on swimbait forums, but haven't had luck finding them in store either. I am partial to Triple Trouts. I only have three, and love each of them. LOL. Even though they are pricey, and I haven't caught a fish on one yet, the movement is surreal and I know i'll catch one eventually. The swimbait thing can get addictive and expensive, but oh so much fun.

SP

[rob.villanueva]

I'm afraid I got myself into a mess with swimbait! Lol I don't hear much about the BBZ swimbaits... anyone?

[seal]

I'm afraid I got myself into a mess with swimbait! Lol I don't hear much about the BBZ swimbaits... anyone?

Primary swimbait I use during the winter both slow sink and floating. They are heavy (BBZ1 8") so you need a pretty stout rod to toss them but in the swimbait world they are fairly inexpensive and you can get them on sale occasionally at around $28.00 and they catch fish!

Yes you have gotten yourself into a mess and of course Lunker Punker's are also a fantastic bait and although the wooden ones are hyped as much better than injected I believe the injected one's work just fine!

Don't get caught up into the hype I still have a mess of Storm lures and LA sliders that work great and are under $10.00. My experience with Hud's unfortunately is not all that positive seems just about every one I buy swims funky and you have to "tune" it up, I think at that price they should all work out of the box! But having said that they catch fish like crazy, I still have been looking for the 68's but you have to be on top of them whenever you see a batch for sale.