Swimbait

[[File:Rainbow_Trout_Swimbait.JPG|thumb|250px|A swimbait designed to imitate a rainbow trout]]

'''Swimbaits''' or '''swimmers''' are a loosely defined class of fishing lures that are designed to primarily imitate the underwater swimming motions of baitfishes.

== History == Swimbaits originated in the late 1980s as lures designed to imitate rainbow trout in Southern California reservoirs that largemouth bass and striped bass fed on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2006-03-30-the-evolution-of-the-swimbait|title=The evolution of the swimbait - FLW Fishing: Articles|website=FLW Fishing|language=en|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref> They were larger and more lifelike imitations than most available mass-produced lures at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2006-03-30-the-evolution-of-the-swimbait|title=The evolution of the swimbait - FLW Fishing: Articles|website=FLW Fishing|language=en|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref>

== Types == Swimbaits are mainly broken down into 2 categories: hard body and soft body swimbaits.

=== Hard-body === '''Hard-body swimbaits''' are often made of either wood or plastic.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://swimbaitenthusiast.com/types-of-swimbaits/|title=Types of Swimbaits For Bass|date=2018-10-07|website=Swimbait Enthusiast|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref> These baits are designed to mimic baitfish that predatory fish—such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, pike, and trout—would eat.

Hard-body swimbaits are built to produce a swimming action that provokes a predatory instinct, causing fish to strike. The lure's movement depends on the number of joints in its design.

==== Glide Baits (Single-Joint Swimbaits)==== A single-jointed hard-body swimbait, commonly known as a glide bait, moves with a serpentine or "gliding" action in the water.<ref name=":0" /> This bait can be retrieved at different speeds and with various techniques to create erratic movements that mimic injured fish.

==== Multi-Jointed Swimbaits==== Due to their segmented body design, multi-jointed hard-body swimbaits offer a more natural swimming motion. These baits can also create unique movements based on retrieve styles and speeds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bestbassfishinglures.com/swimbaits/|title=Best Swimbaits For Bass|website=Best Bass Fishing Lures|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref>

The versatility of hard-body swimbaits makes them effective in various fishing conditions, from clear open water to heavy cover, depending on how they are retrieved.

=== Soft-body === '''Soft-body swimbaits''' are almost exclusively made out of rubber or soft plastic, similar to artificial worms. Some soft-body swimbaits are designed to trigger strikes based on movement, while highly detailed baits (usually top-hook) rely more on realism than action.

Soft-body swimbaits have several subcategories, including paddle tails, line-through swimbaits, and top-hook swimbaits.

====Paddle Tail Swimbait==== Paddle tail swimbaits are the most common type used by many anglers. These baits come in various sizes: * Smaller paddle tails are often used as trailers for a spinnerbait, chatterbait, or underspin. * Larger paddle tails are commonly fished on a swimbait jig head or a weighted extra-wide gap (EWG) hook.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://swimbaitenthusiast.com/types-of-swimbaits/|title=Types of Swimbaits For Bass|date=2018-10-07|website=Swimbait Enthusiast|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref>

Paddle tail swimbaits come in two styles: - Solid-body paddle tails provide durability and are often paired with jig heads. - Hollow-body paddle tails allow different rigging options and internal weight systems.

====Line-Through Swimbaits==== Line-through swimbaits are large swimbaits that allow the fishing line to run through the body. This design helps prevent fish from using the bait as leverage to throw the hook.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bestbassfishinglures.com/swimbaits/|title=Best Swimbaits For Bass|website=Best Bass Fishing Lures|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref>

====Top-Hook Swimbaits==== Top-hook swimbaits have a large, strong, jig-style hook that protrudes from the top of the swimbait. These swimbaits are often used in deep water or rocky environments where bottom-dwelling fish are present.

The top-hook swimbait typically has a wedge-style tail, which is designed for colder water conditions, providing a more subtle swimming action.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bestbassfishinglures.com/swimbaits/|title=Best Swimbaits For Bass|website=Best Bass Fishing Lures|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery> File:Rainbow_Trout_Swimbait.JPG|A swimbait designed to imitate a rainbow trout. File:Kanan_fishing_lures,_swim_baits.jpg|Various swimbaits from Kanan Fishing Lures. File:Lingcod_with_swim_bait.png|A Lingcod caught with a swimbait. </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.thewiredangler.com/wiredangler/2008/06/top-ten-swimbait-picks-in-my-box.html 'Top Ten Swimbait Picks in my Box'] - TheWiredAngler article with images

Category:Fishing equipment