michaelcronje

*mean

I don't meet the other AC baits, I'm talking specifically about the Casitas trout. Almost no reviews or availability online. I've found a couple locally. Gonna give them a whack. If all else fails, they can serve as collectors items. LOL!

They seem to be pretty rare though? I can't seem to find any info about them online?!

Just wondering if anyone owns or has fished the AC Plugs Casitas swimbaits? Impressions?

So… I’ve decided to spool up with Sunline’s FX2 braid in 50lb and in their dark green/blue colour. I scheme it’ll be the better all-rounder for topwaters like the rat, and when I throw sinking baits I’ll double-albright a 6’ InvizX leader on. Will give some feedback after fishing it for a while. Holding thumbs

Good to hear Alex! Gonna be testing mine out soon...

Top end braids and fluoros are rather pricey. Out of my league to just experiment with I'm afraid.

I’ve got a bit of a problem deciding what line to spool on my Abu Garcia Revo Toro Winch 50. I’m going to use the same reel for swimbaits and rats. I’ve been told 20lb flouro is the way to go for the swimbaits, and 50lb braid or 18lb mono for the rats. What do I do?

Gonna be fishing one of these soon and I’m keen to hear opinions from anyone who’s fished the Revo Toro Winch. They were released a few years ago, but still look pretty legit to use for swimbaiting. 4.6:1 gear ratio, 22†of line retrieve per turn and a max drag of 22lbs. Any thoughts.

Not sure if you guys get the Daiwa Proteus Millionaire 300 reels in the USA, but I can pick one up for the equivalent of $50. Any opinions on these reels? I’m just a bit apprehensive about the small looking grips. Here are some specs on them: Centrifugal brake system; Worm gear level wind; Machined aluminium spool; Infinite Anti-Reverse; Selectable spool click; Ratio: 5.1:1; Weight: 11.8oz; Ball Bearings: 2+1RB; Capacity: 190yards/20lb

Y'all forget about the BBZ-1 Rat 50?

Anybody seen this footage of the new SPRO BBZ-1 Rats in 30 and 40 size that are due for launch at ICAST this year? Any thoughts? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfSfT75CTIY&feature=youtu.be

Definitely in the 7lbs range. Well done!

Being new to swimbait fishing too, I'm struggling to understand the concept of "Let the fish tell you how they want it." I've been fishing our local tournament trail successfully for a while, and I've been bass fishing recreationally for over 20 years, and I fully understand the concept when fishing for 10 or 30 bites in a day. But from what I've read regarding swimbait fishing, you're maybe expecting 1 or 2 bites the whole day. So how do the fish tell you what they want? How do you put a "pattern" together? How do you decide which bait to throw when?

I was seriously considering the Okuma Guide Select. Unfortunately not available here

Looks like that's the way it's gonna be.

Yeah, I know what you mean. There are definitely better (and more expensive) rods out there. Problem is, here in South Africa, there aren't so many options to choose from! Swimbait fishing just isn't popular enough here to warrant suppliers bringing in these specialised rods. I work at a fishing/outdoor retail store here, and after enquiring from the local Okuma wholesaler about availability on the Okuma Guide Select swimbait rods, this is the actual reply that I got: "To order the rod we have a min order quantity of 100 per model and unless you are able to order such quantities it will not be feasible to bring the rod in." And buying online from Tackle Warehouse etc is too risky and expensive!

What style baits were you throwing with it?

Thanks Wally!

Nicely done Cody!

I’ve read a couple of good reviews about this rod, but I was wondering if anyone on the SU forum has fished with the St. Croix Mojo Bass Swimbait rod (MBC79HF)? It’s rated to 4oz, and I doubt I’ll fish anything over 5oz. Any opinions or views on this rod would be appreciated! Got an opportunity to buy one at like $95.

And for rats?

Probably a silly question for the more experienced guys out there. I've heard 20lb fluoro is the way to go for swimbaits, but will it be suitable for the rats too? Or do you have separate rigs for the topwaters with braid?

Thanks for the welcome. The most common forage for bass around here are Minnows and various bream species like Redbreast Kurper, Vlei Kurper and Dwarf Kurper. Needless to say, the bigger bass also eat juvenile bass. Unfortunately there aren’t any trout in our waters for them to fatten up on. The bream are all generally saucer-shaped with sharp and spiny dorsal and pectoral fins. More difficult to eat, and not as fattening I guess. I’m pretty sure the bass here will still eat trout shaped swimbaits though? Any thoughts?

Average size in my part of the country is probably around 1lb 4oz on conventional techniques, but at certain venues we often get fish of between 5 to 9lbs. Which is part of my decision to pursue swimbait fishing in the first place. Pretty sure that I'll be able to get fish of up to 14lbs here if I get the right advice from you guys, and persevere in what seems like a very high risk/high reward technique.