swim baits? poppers?

[buzzardsluck]

hamachi-kamas: I tell you right now I just got lucky. I had to reel right away because I was throwing into 12" of water. Then I would feel all the hits on the way in so I would reel slow to give them time to find the bait. It was so dark that I thought the bait wasn't real visable to the fish. So I was realing so slow I could feel it hit bottom once in a while. It was a thrill as much fun as fishing with live anchivies and no weight, free swimming.

I kind of have a bug now and am going to give it a shot in some spots I know. I was using a sardine and shad scent and I don't think it hurt.

I don't understand all the lingo everyone is using because i'm a bait fisherman, It's hard to smoke my cigar and cast alot. So if you see a guy thats knows what hes doing with a cigar, and is throwing swimbaits with out a clue what hes doing, come over and say hi.

buzzard

[Hamachi_Kamas]

So how do you fish a swim bait and what is a good one. they seem kind of expensive for what you get. Also how do you fish a popper. I have two g loomis rod with calcutta 400 series rods one is longer than the other. I was fishing that night with an abu garcia level wind and a fenwick rod. I would be able to cast further with a spinning set up but did't have one with me. Give the old buzzard some help, I kind of got hooked that night it was sure cleaner than fishing with sardines.

buzzard

Swimbait - I always have a swimbait rod on the ready. It's usually the first rod I pick up and the last to get put away. I'll go ahead and say that I think the swimbait is day in and day out the best producer. And, it's always a big fish bait, without being a big bait. I've caught many DD striper on nondiscript 5" swimbaits, including my current PB.

I throw them year 'round, and they just flat out do not disappoint. Of course, you've got to have fish to cast to, which is always the hard part, but when you find fish, more often than not they'll eat plastic. My theory is that with the subtle vibration and natural profile, stripers get faked-out pretty easily. It's perhaps the most unobtrusive and most natural looking artificial thats commonly used plugging delta striper, so its no wonder that these sometimes finicky fish get phsyc'd out so easily.

And if that wasn't enough, it's an easy bait to work. Simply cast into your target areas and wind, swimming your bait as close to the bottom as possible. The water I target is 1 to 6' ft. 95% of the time, so it's simply a matter of making a good cast, and winding pretty much as soon as the bait hits the water. With a 3/8oz. to 1/2oz. leadhead, it gets close to the bottom quickly. I like a slower retrieve overall with swimbaits. I might kick it up a bit in warmish water, but over all, its just a slow, steady retrieve, close to the bottom, not doing anything special....just winding.

The gear I use matches the bait. It's basically a LMB set up. I use an 8'2 and 7'9 medium powered, fast tapered rods, rated 10-20 and 8-17lb, respectively. Paired with a Abu Revo Winch with #20 spectra, it's a fun small fish kit and has the ability to do some damage on nicer, DD fish as well. I prefer the Winch due to it's 5 to 1 gear ratio and massive main gear/stout and smooth drag for those better fish.

[Hamachi_Kamas]

do you alsays use leader? I was just tying it to the line. Interesting that you said let it load up. I was fishing in the pitch dark and couldn't see what the bait was doing but I could hear the splash when they struck and missed and they miss alot. Do you use a swivel and then 2-3 feet of leader? do you also use leader on a swim bait. Thanks for the info . I can't wait to try this stuff out.

buzzard

I'll typically have leaders tied up before a day otw. 3 and 4 ft. sections of flourocarbon because I believe in the magical powers of it. But I'd also be the first to say that stripers aren't as line shy as say, tuna. I think they can be at times, as witnessed time and again on my boat. It's mostly a confidence thing, as well as it helps with keeping hooks out of the spectra, which is common with TW and rip baits.

I use an albright knot, or a one of several versions of it, tied slowly and perfectly. Lately on my TW kit, I've been doing a Bimini Twist and then using a double uni for the connection. hit your knots with a spot of soft bait glue and you're good to go.

And then there are the times I don't use a leader at all and still catch fish. It's all preference, but I do believe it gives an angler an edge. Bottom line - personal preference.

[keelhauler]

I used to tie my baided line straight to the fish trap type swimbaits, but noticed when using straight mono or flouro I had more hook ups. Ive got braid on all reels but two bass fishin set ups, and the braid is finished with 15-20 foot leaders of mono or fluorocarbon depending on technique. Be patient with those knots though.... As most people know it can be hard to join different line sizes and textures.

[striper slayer]

I use 20 or 25 mono on my popping pole and always always always use a leader. I had an easy 40+ break me off he got caught up in the line and snapped 25lb test like it was absolutely nothing.

[buzzardsluck]

do you alsays use leader? I was just tying it to the line. Interesting that you said let it load up. I was fishing in the pitch dark and couldn't see what the bait was doing but I could hear the splash when they struck and missed and they miss alot. Do you use a swivel and then 2-3 feet of leader? do you also use leader on a swim bait. Thanks for the info . I can't wait to try this stuff out.

buzzard

[Hamachi_Kamas]

Hey!

Sorry to barge in and change the topic but what lb test line are you guys using when throwing swimbaits, poppers, ect? Are you guys using braided or mono?

Thanks in advance!

I personally prefer braided line. #30 for big plugs, #20 for most everything else and lately, #10 for some light baits. All get a 20 or 25 flouro leader, albright knot, with a hit of superglue.

[Hamachi_Kamas]

PM sent Buzzard.

Bottom line is that there is no right and wrong way. With regard to TW, I'd call that the technique with the most "finesse" when targeting striper. And its very bait specific, to a degree. Big wood baits can have a great glide to them, which requires a slower presentation, while plastic baits like a super spook or PP can be "walked" with a faster cadence. And of course, there is everything in between, and it all works. Learn the basics with a cordell pencil popper - that bait walks nicely with minimal effort. And for what its worth, I've seen topwater get slammed w/o a proper walk as well.

If anything, maintaining composure when the ineviatable blow up occurs is perhaps the hardest lesson. If they miss it (sometimes multiple times on the same retrieve) its enough to get you hyped and pissed, all at the same time. Maintain your cool, work that bait just like you were doing and chances are good they'll come back for it. As mentioned already, WAIT for the rod to load before you swing. In fact, I try not to watch my bait too much in that I like to hear it, then feel it (rod load) then swing if its there. But you just can't help yourself in watching when everything is screaming "blow up any second."

Then there are the times they just flare gill and its FISH ON!

[thenewb]

Hey!

Sorry to barge in and change the topic but what lb test line are you guys using when throwing swimbaits, poppers, ect? Are you guys using braided or mono?

Thanks in advance!

[striper slayer]

I like the big steelehead pencil popper and i put bigger hooks on it. Just reel decent speed and just pop up and down with the rod. I dont go slow or walk the dog. Everyone has there own way but that's just my way and i have very good success. When u see waves or a boil i slow down a little and pop it even more. Just be ready!!! Hardest part for people is to wait to they feel it to set the hook. Goodluck!