Ask The Pros
Yamamoto Swimbaits
I Need A Crash Course on the Swimbait!
Q. I recently had some Yamamoto Saltwater Swimbaits imported to try for bass in South Africa. I haven’t had much luck finding any articles on rigging and fishing this particular product. Can you help?
Jose Tennant
A. I'm still learning the finer points of this new lure myself, but I’ve found two ways that work for me: The first way is to use the jighead (http://yamamoto.baits.com/cgi-bin/order/43S5) that Gary designed for the swimbait and simply cast it out and swim the lure, with occasional pauses, back to the boat. I've done well on extended points where bait is present with this approach.
It also works well rigged Texas style with a shank weighted hook. Mustad makes a hook with a nose peg and a shank weight that works well. I like the 1/16 oz weight for this. Finally, with a wide gap hook, you can Carolina rig this lure very effectively.
Mike Whitten
Southern Pro
A. Because the lure has so much built-in action, there really is no "wrong" way to fish it. We have found a few methods that are exceptionally productive. How you rig your bait is really a decision based on the conditions in your lake. If your lake is deep, rocky, or mostly bare of any cover, then the Yamamoto Swimming Jig Head works great. I use the 1/4 ounce version for the smaller baits and a 1/2 ounce for the big 5" baits. These work even in very shallow salt water mainly because the weeds in saltwater don't foul the jig as readily as freshwater vegetation does. You normally just swim the baits along with a few little jerks of the rod tip as you're reeling to give it a little hop. Depending on depth, run anywhere from a couple of feet under the surface to just over the bottom cover.
If your lake has deeper vegetation or is full of wood, then it's time to Texas Rig them. Simply add a 1/4 to 1/2 ounce bullet weight in front of the bait and swim away. The bigger 5" bait is a bit of a problem to rig since the hook can't penetrate through the thick body. For these, just start the hook in from the side of the bait about midway up and position the point in the middle of the top as you normally would. I like the bigger 5/0 hooks for this one since you do have a thicker body to contend with.
If you have topped out or thick shallow vegetation, then you simply loose the weights entirely. The baits work great weightless and will come through the thickest cover. One particularly effective presentation is to find those flat algea mats built up over submerged weed beds. Throw the weightless baits right on top of the mat then work them off the edge. Make sure to come through any holes in the mat as well as the edge. Braided line is a must for this since you're likely to get 20 pounds of weeds with your 2 pound fish. The bass will just murder it as it falls in the water.
You bought the bait, so you now own it. Try any new and different way you can think of fish it; on the bottom, jigging it, Carolina, drop shot or whatever. There aren't any restrictions on the package about how you can rig it. Be creative and let me know of anything new you come up with. We're all learning and every bit we share can help!
Paul Crawford
South Atlantic Pro