By Kevin VanDam

Small Swimbaits Are a Good Fit for Michiana Waters

An interesting technique that has emerged on the Bassmaster Elite Series the past couple of years has a place in Michiana.

I’m talking about the use of smaller bodied swimbaits on jigheads and spinning tackle. That fits in just about every Michiana angler’s arsenal.

It has proven to be extremely effective when the water is clear, cool and smallmouth are present. And believe me, largemouth will bite it, too.

The technique has proven to be incredibly effective during late winter through early spring and late fall.

That subtle swimming action you get from these smaller baits is something the fish can’t help but bite in that clear, cooler water.

When swimbaits first came on the scene, the larger, hollow bodied baits with thick paddle tails got everyone’s attention. The Strike King Shadalicious has caught a lot of fish for me, but when conditions are tougher and the water is extremely clear, that big wobble and tail action can be too much.

I’m not saying that those 5- to 6-inch swimbaits won’t work, but under extreme conditions, you might be wiser downsizing your lure.

That’s when a 4-inch or smaller swimbait like the Rage Swimmer with its smaller profile can be more effective. The Rage Swimmer has a slightly fatter body and thinner tail that produces a slower wag that should be deadly on A-rigs and for finesse swimbaiting in cold water.

A good sign that the smaller finesse bait would work is if you see a lot of 3- and 4-inch baitfish swimming around, or if you see bass suspended over structure or around balls of bait. Keep in mind that in clear water bass become sight feeders, so a swimbait that looks natural can be a huge advantage.

I rig finesse swimbaits on jigheads. If it’s weedy or there is wood around, I will use a belly-weight style hook and Texas rig it.

When choosing jig sizes, select the lightest you can use but still keep the bait in the proper depth zone. I throw 1/8, 3/16 and ¼ ounce mostly in water 15 feet or shallower, but if I have to get into a deeper zone I’ll go to 3/8 ounce.

I prefer to fish the baits on 8-pound fluorocarbon because you get better swimming action and more bites. The line doesn’t drag as much as heavier line, so you can maintain bait speed.

A slow, steady retrieve is best, but I will mix it up with periodic pauses so that the bait pendulums back to the bottom. You want the bait swimming slowly slightly above the weeds.

If you get a couple of bites but the bass aren’t real aggressive, experiment with different bait styles to see if a slightly different action, size or color works better.