Which swimbaits work the best? Which big baits should you try? Is there one rod that will throw every swimbait? Today’s Buyer’s guide is here to make your bass fishing life easier! Don’t waste time with mediocre baits, focus on the proven options that put big bass in the boat every day. Matt shows his favorite picks for soft baits, hard baits, rods, and reels in today’s Big Swimbait Holiday Buyer’s Guide.
When it comes to soft baits Matt and Tim prefer baits with a jig hook on top. When necessary they switch to a weedless offering around thick cover. Baits like the Huddleston and Trash Fish are great in cooler water while the more rigid boot tail style baits shine year round. Color selection should be focused on imitating the prey species in your local lake but we’ve included a few color recommendations with each swimbait to give you a starting point.
For hard baits, we focused on a variety of different profiles. We’ve selected great options that imitate trout, baitfish, and panfish. No matter where you are in the country, these hard baits will help you catch giant bass. Don’t be afraid to upsize your offering this year. You may be shocked to find that larger baits actually get more attention from bass and will often draw them from great distances to inspect your swimbait.
Below is a breakdown of the baits and tackle Matt discussed in the video. You’ll find direct links to each product on a Tackle Warehouse, links to the hooks and rigging components when necessary, as well as to the rods and reels. These buyer’s guides are designed to keep everything simple so you can share these videos with your loved ones for the holiday season.
Soft Baits…
-Huddleston 8″ Trout ROF 5: http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ
-Huddleston 8″ Trout ROF 12: http://bit.ly/2azFTon
Colors- Trout, Ayu, Silver/Blue Back
-Osprey Tournament Talon 6″ and 7″: http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0
Colors- Chartreuse Shad, TW Shad, Reverse Hitch
-Little Creeper Trash Fish 8″: http://bit.ly/2hmXtg1
Colors- Chartreuse Shad, LC Hitch, Just Shad, Rainbow Trout
-Owner Beast 10/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2ancP66
-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 6.8: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Colors- Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad, Ghost Rainbow Trout
-Owner Beast 8/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2ancP66
-Matt Allen Swimbait Head 3/4 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
-Scottsboro Tackle 6″ Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH
Colors- Mullins Madness, ol Smokey, Payback Shad
-Owner Beast 8/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2ancP66
Hard Baits…
-Baitsanity Explorer Ver. 2: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY
Colors- Trout, Kokanee, Shad
-River2Sea S Waver 168 and 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Colors- Light Trout, Warden, Rainbow Trout
-Storm Arashi Glide Bait: http://bit.ly/2nHdrL1
Colors- Oikawa Mesu, Green Gill, Threadfin Shad
-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R
Colors- Ghost Gill, Spawn Gill
Replacement Hooks and Split Rings…
Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 4 or 5: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Hooks for Baitsanity, S-Waver 200, Arashi- Owner ST-36 Size 1/0: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw
Hooks for Gantarel- Owner ST-36 Size 1: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw
Hooks for S-Waver 168- Owner ST-56 Size 2: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW
Favorite Rod/Reel Combo…
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS
Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw
Line- 80 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- 35 lb Sunline FC-100: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB
Budget Rod/Reel Combo…
Rod- Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV
Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO
Line- 80 lb Power Pro Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 30 lb: 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
Hero7 Camera: http://bit.ly/2RsLpjB
ElectroSamson Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: http://bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
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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!
Those s wavers cast like shit. They helicopter and spin all over. Tried everything but can't get then to stop spinning on cast. Any suggestions
Im in South Florida. I like throwing glide baits and swim baits for large Peacock bass. What baits will glide true with a faster retrieval? Thanks
Just mortgaged my house for a collection of mother chasers and still have a kidney to spare for a rod and reel setup. Suggestions?
Where’s the mag draft
Ik im very late but what rod power/action for the last bluegill hard swimbait?would love an answer because im going to start throwing swim baits more, thanks👍
Im in South Fl. I just started throwing smaller swimbaits( gantarel jr, vatallion, magdraft 5-6” . I will be targeting big Peacock Bass and Large mouth Bass. What Shimano expride rod will do for this technique? I will be fishing from the shore. Thanks.
I use Large Swim Baits on 12 lb Fluorocarbon w/7' med action rod .But my line snaps ,losing my baits.Do I need stronger line and should I use longer pole like 9' ? Gr8t Stuff as always !!Thanks My Brother
Whats a budget friendly jig hook rod?
Have u ever used the spike it color c lector ? LOL came across one for a job we did going to try it out this week . You guys always hammer the best big bass so probably just experienced
Bro with that many subs. U can do better with recording your contents. Zooming in and detail pics are going to be much appreciated.
the bait is all good, i'm also a fishing lover
Hey Matt, I would hate to lose my Huddleston when bank fishing if it gets hung up on a branch or log etc. any advice? Can the Huddleston be used with the shimano curado dc reel?
I hope they never do a buyer's guide on boats. We'll all really go broke then.
Those are nice great video!
What do y'all guys think about the daiwa dx swimbait rob?????
Hi matt and allen I just wanna ask what kind of snap swivel do you guys use for throwing 6-8inch swimbait I think I saw it in one of your videos. Thank you
Hey Matt and Tim, thanks for all you knowledge sharing 👌
Can I suggest a video on how to actually throw the swimbaits? I recall Matt said something in a video years ago, but you have so many of them…
I mean the real action of casting them, how to keep the arms, how much slack line to leave, all those technical details that at the end of the day will leave you less fatigued etc.
Thanks again from a newbie swimbait fisherman from Italy! 😁
How tight do you set your drag with an s waver?
I'm taking a baby step into glide baits. I just picked up 2 S Waver 120s.
Can someone please recommend the best bigger (7-9") full body soft baits that are good for slow rolling along bottom in 20-30ft of water?
Hi Matt witch one of theses baits are best for weeded lakes with lots of vegetation around docks
Good video Matt! I needed this advice bro.
What hooks and split rings would you put on the gantarel jr? I landed a couple good fish with it my first day but had quite a few that hooked up and then came off. The hooks don’t feel that sharp as some of my other crankbaits etc.. Keep pumping the videos!! Love them!
Hey Matt, you guys ever tried the savage gear 3D Shine Glider? Amazing action and same price as the S-Waver with great colors.
Is it normally better to throw big swimbaits before and during a front? Can you do well on them under high pressure conditions/ blue bird skys etc
I order 3 ROF 5 Hud 8 inch and i ⚠️Finally⚠️ broke my Savage Gear Browser (not while fishing) so i upgraded to a 5oz rated Shimano Curado 8ft XH lol it’s a meat stick but it’s on sale right now for 99 bucks on TDub
how dose the G Loomis IMX Pro 966 go with other types of lures?
What knot do you guys use to connect main line to leader? And how do you connect your leader to your bait?
Always a great video man! Keep it up!
The hook up on the jackall has been amazing but my swaver 168 I keep losing them after a shake. Do you recommend I replace them? I feel like the hooks are way too thick to penetrate good on my dobs fury 795 but maybe I’m just settling the hook wrong.