All About Bass Fishing - Guide To Shallow Water Swimbaits

Swimbaits come in two categories. Conventional plastic lures up to six inches, and the monster swim baits up to twelve inches or more. Here, we will discuss the smaller versions that can be fished on conventional bass fishing tackle. These lures are designed to represent live baitfish or small fish swimming leisurely along. They have less action than crankbaits or spinnerbaits.

3 Most Important Factors About Swimbaits

Natural replica of the bass food sources.
These lures move through the water with a natural, swimming motion.
Swim baits have a reputation for catching big bass.

3 Most Effective Fishing Methods

Fish swim baits shallow in the same manner you would fish a spinnerbait.
Swim slowly in clear water, near or above cover.
Clear water is ideal for swim baits where the bass can see the lure from a distance.

Swimbaits fool bass in clear, shallow water.

Swimbaits are ideally suited for clear water. Their attraction to a bass is their natural swimming motion that is less action-oriented than a crankbait or spinnerbait. They will catch bass in dingy water, but it reduces the distance at which a bass will detect the presence of the lure.

Make long casts past primary targets and swim the lure at a casual pace. The swimbait should be retrieved at a speed that will keep it in the mid depth of the water column. Fish it one foot deep in two feet of water, three feet deep in six feet of water, and etc.

Typically for shallow water, swim baits in the four to six-in range work best. You can rig these open-hook style or bury the tip of the hook Texas-style into the body of the lure.