Bass love eating bluegill! Today we’re covering everything you need to know to catch fish on bluegill swimbaits! Come underwater to see the actions of different soft baits, glide baits, and multi-piece hard baits as Matt teaches the fine details of how, when, and where to throw these fish catching baits.
Not all bluegill swimbaits are created equal! Some are easy for bass to eat while others get bites but rarely hook the fish. We’ve spent years trying the different styles to find the best of the best and we’re happy to share the results with you. Whether you’re fishing around grass, pitching into heavy cover, or just casting along the shore, there is a bait in this mix that will help you catch more fish.
Below you’ll find links to the exact baits, in the order they appear. We’ve included our favorite sizes and colors for each, along with some of the rods and gear we use to fish them effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
FULL SIZE SOFT BAITS…
-Mattlures Hammer Tail 5.5: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3
Colors: TW Baby Gill, Male Bluegill
-Savage Gear Line Thru: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7
Colors: BlueGill, Ghost Gill, Black Gill
-13 Fishing Gill: https://bit.ly/3pzDsbX
Colors: Natural Bluegill, Natural Sunfish
SMALL BLUEGILL SOFT BAITS…
-Mattlures Hammer Tail 4.5: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3
Colors: TW Baby Gill, Male Bluegill
-Savage Gear RTF Gill (3″ and 4″): https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH
Colors: BlueGill, Ghost Gill, Bream
FAST RETRIEVE HARD BAITS…
-Mattlures Hard Gill: https://bit.ly/3s7pvU2
Colors: Spring Male, Summer Male, Female Bluegill
-Mike Bucca Bull Gill: http://bit.ly/2f1ASHn
Colors: Bluegill
-Megabass Vatalion: http://bit.ly/367AOxD
Colors: GG Gill, Wild Gill, Ito Cichlid
SLOW RETRIEVE HARD BAITS…
-River2Sea S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Colors: Bluegill
-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R
Colors: HL Bluegill, Bluegill, Ghost Gill, Spawn Gill
-Jackall Gantarel Jr: https://bit.ly/3pcIzvW
Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill, Spawn Gill
-Baitsanity Explorer Gill: https://bit.ly/3F65FxK
Colors: Dark Bluegill, Bluegill, Jungle Perch
HOOK/SPLIT RING UPGRADES…
-Owner Hyperwire Split Rings: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Sizes: 4 or 5
1X Hook- Owner ST-36: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw
Sizes: Size 2, 1, 1/0
3X Hook- Owner ST-56: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW
Sizes: Size 2, 1
MID PRICED BIG SWIMBAIT COMBO…
Rod- St. Croix Victory 7’10” Heavy: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb
Reel- Shimano Curado 300 K: https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro (65 lb): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Sunline FC100 Shock Leader (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB
BUDGET BIG SWIMBAIT COMBO…
Rod- Dobyns Fury 806H (8′ Heavy): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV
Reel- 13 Fishing Concept A3 (6.3:1): https://bit.ly/3GLddq8
Line- Power Pro Braid (65 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (25 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
BUDGET SMALL SOFTBAIT COMBO…
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7’4″ Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq
Reel- Shimano SLX 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk
Line- Power Pro Braid (50 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (18 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
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MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY…
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors- Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Net- Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: https://bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: http://bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3kngvEG
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2MpUBEr
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: https://bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#bluegill #swimbait #underwater
What do you use to fish a heavy lure like that? Rod/reel combo. Also, what’s more important when using heavy lures? The rod or reel?
Iam a buy me some line thru blue gill Swimbaits and a bluegill the exposed hook.
I have a couple I plan on throwing more this year. I don't usually get into bigger baits, being primarily an ultralight angler (and where I fish, we just don't have big ones), but I want to change things up a bit this year.
I've caught some tanks on the gantrel burning it like a bucca. They straight come unglued on it. I keep trying the slow reel and pause and I get no action. I burn and pause and the crush it.
Love the channel!!!
Great video Matt, thanks for all the information for the guy's with high density bluegill lake's.
what kind of hook replacement should I be using for the Megabass vatalion slow floater
One of the best bluegill swim baits I have ever found is the savage gear structure gill by far the best with price performance and availability is all around killer bait
I was out at my little lake last weekend and saw thousands of fry. The bluegills were barely biting. Fat fish were full of baby bass.
Its always nice to see all the baby's though.
What about the Berkeley Gilly? I’m having a hard time loving it. I’ve caught nice bass on them, but I can’t get a consistent rig.
These companies should be paying you big-time. I now own at least five of those that you had in the video. Matt the last glide, Bait sanity bluegill, did you get the slow sink or floating version
Can you do a video on chasebaits propduster?
mega bass watched this
Have either you or Tim tried the MegaBass Orochi XX Leviathan for swimbaits? Been EXTREMELY difficult to get the IMX966 and I'm looking for other high end options for a BIG swimbait rod.
Thank you so much!!!
Thanks for breaking down on this, I've been collecting some bluegill lures – soft and hard. Now I know at least what to do with them differently. Cheers ! 😉
I been using the savage gear pulsetails on some local ponds and caught good size bass on. Another recommendation is the Little Creeper Sunfish, it’s quite expensive but I really like how soft and lifelike those lures are in the water
the vatalion becoming my number one night time bait. the speed crank method works so perfect they smack it on the pause every time
everytime i have a question, these videos answer it
Don’t sleep on the academy brand H20 Express bluegill swimbaits. They make one with a hard jointed body and soft rubbery fins and one that’s solid hard jointed body.
What’s your thoughts on Shell crackers
unless im in thick grass i do the same thing to my hooks, as far as bending them up a bit.
thank ya guys 🙂 very informative!
Welcome back to tactical bassin. You read that in Matt's voice!
ever try the blackdog baits shellcracker g2? u should get one if not
The jackell ganterell has the best hooks I’ve ever seen come standard
I only throw the soft bait savage gear/ 13/ wedge tail type. Nothing over 1 1/2oz. I was looking into getting that 13 fishing kayak casting rod. 7'4" heavy, fast, rated to 1 1/2oz. Mainly for flipping, jigs, frogs. Do you think that would be an adequate rod for those soft swimbaits? Thinking going around 7:1 gear ratio since i will be using for multiple presentations. I only have 2 mh/f rods now. 7' and 7'3
Any thoughts on the Berkley Gilly?
Savage gear pulse, @ 7:08 , now how do you go up and over cover with a bottom treble hook on the bait without automatic snag? I am assuming you would run the hook on top for cover fishing and on the bottom for more open water applications?
Any comments on the trash fish blue gill or hudd blue gill
Matt, great tips. I pulled out my smaller soft bluegill swim bait. I had three big strikes this evening, two were large peacock bass. Unfortunately, I only had the top hook and no bottom hook so I lost all three. I have since added a 3x size 4 treble hook at the bottom and will let you know how it goes 😉
#TeamBass
If you were throwing a glidebait and you are getting follow after follow but no commitment would you switch to a fast retrieve like the Bull Gill or the Vatalion?
Wow. No little creeper gills!
What are your thoughts on that cyclops under spin ?
I love my tequila Baccarrac for all my bluegill baits
Small pond guy here moving to Tennessee what weight if any do you recommend on the 8/0 beast hook
You guys should pick up and try some Millerods, I have had two of them for a while and I am blown away so far
I spent all my money on the top water video lol Matt always talks me into spending more money using the link below. Can’t wait till they come in the mail.
I think I will try the 3” bluegill soft bait from Savage Gear.
I bought some of the 3” savage gear gills from a previous video by TB. Used them this week when I saw bass defending beds from small gill around similar size. Straight wrecked them fish after fish with largest being 4.4 here in Ohio. So much fun! You guys are the best!!
Gotta get a bigger house to store!!! ALL!!! THOSE BAITS!!!
I can feel your passion for this in every video. Keep up the good work, Matt!
#TacticalBassin FIrst let me just say that you guys have helped me actually catch bass, not always big ones but bass none the less. I have a lake close to my home that I like to go and fish. It is all bank fishing no boats allowed as it is a smaller lake. I saw several people this past weekend 5/1 and all of them were caught on dark blue/purple baits. Is this a good color as we move into May? I have caught a few on Crappie jigs believe it or not Pink & Chartreuse of all colors, I live in the St. Louis area and it seems some of the colors just do not work. Always looking for advise on how to up my game. Keep the videos coming guys the information is much appreciated.
Hey @tacticalbassin, what do you think of savage gears new weedless bluegill swimbait, you have to buy the hooks separately but have you tried them yet?
Not only did I like this video I learned somethings. If I learn this much from your videos I could only imagine going out on the water with ya would teach me! Thanks for all the great content!
Nice video Matt
Matt, how do you get the underwater footage? I've always been really curious and would love to learn.