Like the jig and buzzbait, the swimbait is considered a “big fish” bait by experienced anglers. However, the swimbait has been put on the back burner by many fishermen because of the high cost of some models—namely, hard-bodied swimbaits. But with the evolution of the soft-plastic swimbait, anglers now have a very versatile and cost-effective option to present bass with a natural presentation in variable situations.
TEXAS-RIGGED SWIMBAIT
One of the ways that soft plastic swimbaits (both solid and hollow-bodied) can be rigged is on a Texas rig. With this rig, you’re able to fish your bait through heavy cover, thus presenting a very natural-looking presentation in the thick stuff that bass live in. This presentation shines in shallow vegetation, such as eel grass flats and lily pad fields. You can fish this bait along the edge and let it just tick the vegetation, or cast it into the grass and bring it through the cover; this will look like a baitfish or bluegill fleeing a predator.
The two other areas of shallow-water cover where a Texas-rigged swimbait is a good choice are laydowns and boat docks. The bass that inhabit these areas see countless jigs, spinnerbaits and even shallow-running crankbaits. So if you can present something different to those fish, you’re likely to have some great days on the water. Docks tend to attract baitfish and bluegills, so a swimbait mimicking that forage will tempt bass to come out from underneath the dock to hit your presentation.
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