Finesse swimbaits are awesome! These little paddle tails get bit every month of the year and they catch way bigger bass than most anglers realize. If you aren’t using them, you’re missing out on some of the easiest bites you can get. Simple adjustments to cadence and head design will make the baits even more effective. Come along as Tim explains exactly how to maximize your time with small swimbaits.
Tim has a handful of heads he uses to really dial in his finesse swimbaits. He adjusts head selection with the size of the bait, depth he’s fishing, and water clarity. (Underspin for muddy water, Okashira for Ultra finesse tactics, and a mix of Guppy and TacticalBassin Finesse swimbait heads for all the standard clear to murky water fishing.) He combines those heads with 3 different cadences that help him maximize his time on the water. By adjusting cadence he is able to keep catching fish on small swimbaits when most anglers have given up.
The finesse swimbait is truly deadly in Winter. It will work today and will continue to work all the way through the spawn. Below is a breakdown of the baits, heads, and Gear Tim is using to catch bass on finesse swimbaits.
The Heads…
-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Heads (3.8 – 4.8 Keitechs): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n
-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/0 Hook (2.8 – 3.3 Keitechs): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS
-Megabass Okashira Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA
-Cool Baits Down Under 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA
The Baits…
-keitech Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
-Megabass Spark Shad 3″: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4
-Keitech Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H
Damiki Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT
Megabass Dark Sleeper: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT
Finesse Swimbait Combo…
Rod- Shimano Expride 7′ Medium: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q
Reel- Shimano Stradic FL 2500: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb
Line- 15 lb Power Pro Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- 8 lb Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
Budget Finesse Swimbait Combo…
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7′ Medium: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn
Reel- Shimano Nasci 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC
Line- 15 lb Power Pro Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- 8 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
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What we wear…
Sun Mask: http://bit.ly/2JcA8xi
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: http://bit.ly/2vgTOst
Light Fishing Pants: http://bit.ly/2foDx10
Reaper Hoodie (Hoodie with Warm Face Cover built in): http://bit.ly/2yRURSd
Horizon Sweater (Water resistant, great for layering): http://bit.ly/2gTC1oB
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Equipment We Recommend…
Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej
Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Hot Foot Throttle Control: http://bit.ly/2ob4kgO
Loc-R-Bar Boat Security: http://bit.ly/2CMF1NP
Favorite Storage Box: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Wire Cutters: http://bit.ly/2soB34k
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero8 Camera: http://bit.ly/37hVTX4
ElectroSamson Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: http://bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
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I think a 6 inch dark sleeper might also work, a lot of luck fishing with bigger live sculpins or guppies. Thanks for the content and advice I’ll definitely pick one up for fishing smallies in the river.
I catch tons of bass on 2.8". The jackle Rythym Wave is pure magic as well. The Okishira bladed jig is horrible anywhere there's grass. It plugs up every cast. Great vid!
I know this is an old video but….if you're dragging it on the bottom why not use a small football head?
My favorite video from you, Tim!
Great info! These little finesse swimbaits are almost all I use. Even if the conditions AREN'T tough, I catch more fish on these than I do the bigger baits like crankbaits etc. I always felt like the big baits, imo, are overrated and the little baits, like a Johnson paddletail for example, are underrated. Not only do I catch a lot more numbers of fish on them but they can be good quality fish too.
How bout let it pendulum down through the bait fish
I lost a 9 lb largemouth on the 1/4 ounce dark sleeper!!!! And I lost two in one casts. I’m not complaining though, the things are fun to use
Tim you are a little one day you will be big like me my friend 👊
Hey Tim! I’m getting ready for winter fishing. What is the brand name of your cover alls or wadders or what clothing do you recommend for winter fishing?
Tim: talking about throwing finesse swimbaits on spinning worm gear.
Me: to heck with that! I’ll throw it on my med-heavy baitcaster!
Great video Thank you for the information where can i buy these baits
this is my confidence bait and i thought i knew quite a bit about it but its crazy how much there still is to learn
Would these baits work for trout too?
Really enjoy all your videos very informative
Hey Tim, I loved this video. I do have a question though.
Please break down the transition of conditions you look for that signal when you should move away from your wintertime finesse swimbait sizes (2.8" Keitech FAT Impact Swing or 3" Easy Shiner) to larger swimbait sizes (3.8" Keitech FAT Impact Swing or 4" Easy Shiner) as bass enter the prespawn period. Specifically, as fish move from winter into prespawn what water temperature and/or water depth prompts you to switch from the smaller winter finesse swimbait sizes to larger sized swimbaits for the prespawn feeding frenzy? What other factors prompt you to switch from the finesse swimbait sizes?
Or, do the finesse swimbait sizes work throughout the prespawn period as well? I fish in the Chicago area in clear small PRESSURED inland waters and the SUPER CLEAR Lake Michigan shoreline. Accordingly, I usually use smaller than average lures.
Picked up the dark sleeper 2.4 and killed it 2days in a row. I have a video of a couple catches
You guys are great, thanks!
Thanks again for a great video. Midwest question. Same finesse swim bait techniques for our early spring? Water temp similar to your Cali winter. Thanks.
Great video Tim 💪😎
Any tips on finding a wintering hole for smallies in a small lake