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Swimbaits-Part One-A Passion for the Big Bite

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Swimbaits, what are they and do they catch fish?  If you listen to the crazed swimbaiters to the West, many will say that’s the only way to go.  From pro tour events, western invitationals and big southern events, swimbaits have left their mark.  Part one of this article will focus on two important pieces: what are swimbaits and the second I will showcase a swimbait company, Troutman Swimbaits, I researched many Saturday nights ago at a Fish Expo in Massachusetts.

Swimbaits are baits that mimic the life like actions of a bait fish on a slow retrieve.  Some swimbaits look identical to a trout, bluegill or shad.  Other swimbaits look somewhat different then real fish, but mimic the live swimming action of these bait fish extremely well. The variations seemingly are now endless in the types of swimbaits on the market.  It has been written that largemouth can consume in one meal over 1/3 their body weight.  So size has played into the selection of swimbaits we choose, and what we put into our fishing tackle arsenals as well.

The first swimbaits developed and the largest number of anglers who employee the technique both come from the West.  The original baits that came on the market were split between hard body types, made from either hard plastic or wood, which were crude and lacked significant action.  Swimbaits took another form in soft plastics, which were heavy and couldn’t hold up under continuous use. 

Why do they catch larger fish?  Swimbaits were primarily used to target the largest largemouth in an area.  To lazy sizable largemouth, a single large meal is better than several smaller ones.  They expend less energy, and these larger meals tide them over for longer amounts of time.  In the West stocked trout were the meal of choice, and in New England we have some of the same stocking programs on similarly clear lakes.  Throughout the country stocking programs work and baits that mimic the trout will work.  In states that don’t have trout stocking, other bait imitating swimbaits will work; like a bluegill, perch, and big gizzard shad. They work because of the big bait theory: big bait-big fish.

Swimbaits in general work best in clearer waters from pre spawn to mid fall.  The simple truth to them is they catch big fish and when you are learning a new technique; it takes time to master it.  The problem with swimbait fishing, the bites an experienced angler receives can be infrequent – so to the novice the same is true.  Be patient!

Chris Niedzinski, the owner and sole proprietor of Troutman Swimbaits, has been a fisherman of sorts all his life, from spending four years on a 124 ft. Pacific long range sportfisher achieving his 100 Ton Master Captains license, to various other inshore and offshore commercial vessels up and down the northeast coast. Chris’ years of experience handling tackle and baitfish, especially sardines and herring, have given him a unique look at how a baitfish swims and how a lure can imitate it. Chris’ roots started with freshwater fishing in New Jersey at age four. After moving to Massachusetts at age nine Chris quickly found the hot spots on local ponds. Today his passion for bass fishing is evident in his quest to build the ‘ultimate lure”.

On his return to New England Chris found freshwater fishing again.  He started using lures from a friend and from these first days back fishing, Chris said “I could build a bait like these.”  His first sets of baits were built a few years ago and have slowly been refined and tested to the two baits he has today: the RATTLE CLACKER and the RATO. 

Why are TROUTMAN SWIMBAITS so good?? Performance on both ends!

1.  They get bit like crazy by big and numerous fish because of their size, shape, loud splashdown, and rattling, clacking, jingling swimming action.

2. TROUTMAN”S premium cedar wood lures are strong and large but very light and fishable. You can cast them all day and when they are swimming back to you, be prepared for some real excitement. The 8” RATTLE CLACKER weighs approx 2.3 oz. and the 5” body RATO is approx 1.6 oz.

3.  Versatility: Hundreds of design changes with respect to bill angle, size, and shape have been made in conjunction with lure shapes and configurations. The bill brings‘em down, and the ultra buoyant cedar brings ‘em up. You can run them across the surface (wake bait) or drag them through the mud.

4. Individually hand crafted premium construction results in an industry-uncommon amount of time and dollars into each and every TROUTMAN SWIMBAIT. Stainless steel hardware, 24K gold backed glass taxidermy eyes, and premium Owner hooks adorn them. Every piece of hardware is glue set and wood thread locked. The bill is physically locked in and Gorilla Glue set. The bill is unbreakable. Every lure is hand sanded during construction and individually painted. No corners are cut.

5.  Performance on both ends means the fish love’em and the bass fanatics love to fish’em.

Check out Chris's website in a few weeks, it is being redeveloped, at www.troutmanswimbaits.com.