Namsu11 Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 This is my first topic I've started, and I am new to the underground and swimbait fishing. I fish a reservoir here in Colorado that is rocky, clear, and has a lot of bluff walls immediately into deep water (30+ FOW). It has largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. The smallmouth population is the most prevalent by a long shot. The primary forage is gizzard shad, and I have personally seen some huge gizzard shad around the 8-10" range. Do any of you use swimbaits to target big smallmouth? Are 8" swimbaits going to be a tad too large for even the bigger smallmouth? Should I stick with ones more in the 6" max range? I'm not intimidated to throw the 8" lures, but is it a futile effort for smallmouth in the 4-5lb range? I only ask because I absolutely love throwing the big baits but want to make sure it's actually a viable option (and by "viable" I realize this could mean one follower a day). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PondFisherman58 Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 I've had luck for big smallmouth on the swaver 200. (That's an 8" bait) But Don't be afraid to throw the bigger bait but you could always experiment with smaller baits too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBadExample Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 I've caught 'em this season on a Deps 175, and the 9" slammer. These were about 3 pounds, don't think you'll have any issue getting bigger ones to hit similar sized baits. The Spro rat has also accounted for a bunch of them at night also. bigpoppabass, swimbaitman, porkmeatballs and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Namsu11 Posted August 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thank you very much for the replies. MrBadExample-I can't believe you go that smallmouth on a 9" Slammer! Those are awesome looking fish sir. I'm still looking for my first swimbait fish. I am headed out tomorrow morning for around 4 hours. Here we go! MrBadExample 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Harper603 Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 I got this one last year on a 8 inch triple trout. If they want it they will take it. BOZ, bigpoppabass, evilcatfish and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Ramen Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 A quick search of the "got'em" section turned these up: http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/31423-big-smallmouth/?hl=smallmouth http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/36457-2016-year-in-colorado/?hl=smallmouth http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/39460-magdraft-smallies/?hl=smallmouth&do=findComment&comment=314137 http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/40746-giant-smallmouth-bass-on-s-waver-200/?hl=smallmouth http://swimbaitunderground.com/forums/index.php?/topic/42510-weekend-summertime-glide-bait-smallies/?hl=smallmouth I'm sure there are many more. Craig, luckycraft, azfisher and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Namsu11 Posted August 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thank you so much D. Harper603 (that's a hog smallie!) and Top Ramen for the information! It's good to see the proof in the pudding! I'm really excited now to get out and throw some swimbaits for potential big smallmouth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynem Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 If you are targeting smallies that are 4 pounds and up then 8 or 9 inch baits are definitely not too big. swimbaitman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjw2121 Posted August 13, 2017 Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 7 inch triplleteout in bubblegum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Namsu11 Posted August 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 Waynem and mjw2121 thank you very much for the replies. I wasn't sure when I started this topic if I would even get a reply at all. The support here is incredible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishDr Posted August 15, 2017 Report Share Posted August 15, 2017 Bigger smallmouth will hit a variety of baits, including Slammers (I've actually caught more on the 9" than the 7"), the CL8 Baby Possum when waking baits at night, and the bottom hook Rising Son by day. C_R_TX, Primus, Hhunn and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mossypumpkin Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 Got smallies on pretty every baits I've tossed. It's more about learning when they're suceptible to certain baits. In spring when they're devouring everything, glides can't be beat. Can't beat an Swaver 200, but got them on Hinkle shads and 250s. Got them on 12" slammers in summer a lot. 11" TT floater is also killer in spring. Rpa is my best bed bait for them. Got some good ones on WSB rats and gills and good one here on the gec gill too FishDr, C_R_TX, bigpoppabass and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Namsu11 Posted August 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 FishDr and Mossypumpkin....those are huge smallmouth! Ok, I am officially beyond any shadow of a doubt for throwing the big baits for smallies. I truly didn't know smallmouth would hit some of those bigger 8" + baits. Before I started throwing swimbaits, I thought a Zoom Super Fluke was big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpoppabass Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 I would go smaller too with buzzjets and a megabass anthrax. Those gizzard shads have babies too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Namsu11 Posted August 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 Bigpoppabass, good point. I know I have personally had a lot of success on white buzzbaits in the 1/4 oz to 1/2 oz. range ever since I started fishing when I was 7 or 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.