What is your definition of a swimbait?

[YELOSUB]

So is the California swimjig considered a swimbait?

[gradycodd]

So is the California swimjig considered a swimbait?

depends if you put a swimbait on it or not

[YELOSUB]

So is the California swimjig considered a swimbait?

depends if you put a swimbait on it or not

 

Hey what's up bud, it's Tim from Azbasszone...Lol, of course it included a swimbait...A 5" hollow belly paddle tail...Take care and see you on the water...

[bassturds]

what about glides. they dont swim they glide. so swimbaits are under the category of big baits. but not all big baits are swimbaits

[NorthTexasSwimbaiter]

I don't find a hard line in the definition of a swimbait.

 

In the traditional sense, a swimbait is something that produces a "nice catch" response from an unwitting bystander who witnesses you draw it out of the water. I tend to classify those as "big baits", but not necessarily "swimbaits". A Lunker Punker, for example, elicits a shock when you tell someone it's your bait, but does it swim? No. I still call it a "swimbait" because, to an extent, I'm a traditionalist in that sense.

 

However, I become more liberal than my likewise traditional kindred when it comes to the classification of smaller paddle-tails. There are as many, if not more, small baits that still tend to gain the "swimbait" name, at least from most mainstream anglers. For example, is a Skinny Dipper a swimbait? Most on this site will say not, but I tend to answer 'yes', because it swims (obviously), and it's a bait (obviously). 

 

Therefore, I tend to define a swimbait by either, or both of two terms: does it, (1) mimic the swimming motion of a baitfish? or does it, (2) scare off every dink within a half mile when it hits the water?. Because of that, I think a swimbait can fit into one or more of the following categories: swimbaits, big baits, and big swimbaits. Since I would imagine this site aims to restrict content to the latter two categories, I'll not comment too extensively on the first (which pains me, because I caught a 9.46 on one after I'd thrown a Huddleston around the same area for almost a half hour). In conclusion of my little rant, I think we're all entitled to our own opinions about the definition of a swimbait, but if we want to post information about a fringeline bait, or a fish caught on one, a good argument should be presented with the post, or at least prepared in the case of an invalidity claim from another member. 

Edited March 25, 2015 by NorthTexasSwimbaiter

[michaelcronje]

Here in South Africa, hollow bodies, hardbaits and softbaits  of  4" up, imitating the natural swimming motion of a forage species, are most definitely considered swimbaits. 

[Willluvstafish]

I find it strange people think a swimbait needs to be 6+inches. Thete are sooooo many nice swimbaits 4 or 5 inches

[Socalswimbait]

I tend to think of a jointed bait hard or soft that swims. Great question cause when I think of paddle tail baits like keitech I don't think swimbait. But I do think hudds. Both create a swimming action but I guess my thoughts include size. I consider my 4 inch stubby TT to b a swimbait. Not saying I'm right by any means just my thoughts when the term "swimbait" is used.

[bassing305]

For me a swimbait is any artificial lure that imitates the natural swimming motion of a forage species.

[Brian Mathis]

Swimbaits are different to all but mostly a mindset when it come the way we look at fishing

[davidebass]

a swimbait is any lively swimming artificial lures that look like a fish

[BigSlant]

Any bait I would swim for

[SpaceGhost]

Lol

[kondan]

Great post and opinions. I think a swimbait is a bait that just swims. Nothing more or less. Whether it is swimming dead, slow, fast, up, down, or side to side.

[Kyle Randick]

It has to be decently big in my opinion