Open pour Swimbaits

[Painter1]

I’m focusing on open pour Swimbaits and have a couple questions.  
 

What molds do you like best?

What size gets bit best for you (and friends).

How do you rig them? Strictly belly weighted hook or a (?) style jig head? 

Who has a Bluegill mold? 
 

Thank you 

 

[alsworms]

I don't make swimbaits anymore, but I'm a HUGE fan of the Megabass Spark Shad in 4 inch.  I just wish those dudes would figure out a way to keep the eyes on, but that's a different story LOL! 

3/0 or 4/0 weighted screw in hooks, 1/8 ounce in most cases, Owner brand and lately I've been getting into the Berkley Fusion weighted.  Really makes a difference how that weight is placed on the bend of the hook.  I like it slightly off centered towards the eye.  The pictured hook is perfect IMO. 

The only other way I will run a swimbait is with a split shot weight and dead stick it, but that's pretty rare.  I fish a Z-Man Razor Shad this way because it's next to impossible to drive the screw in with Elaztech plastic.

Would LOVE to run an open jighead, but we get hung up too much in the waters we fish and it's just not worth it.

I could talk swimbaits all day!  Hope this helps, brother.  Peace :-)

[Painter1]

Thank you for that. Very helpful. 

[alsworms]

6 hours ago, Painter1 said:

Thank you for that. Very helpful. 

Of course, brother, and I'm hoping someone else chimes in.  Love to hear some swimbait secrets.  I know I sure mess around with 'em enough LOL. 

[Les Young]

Al spill the beans.      I've never been a swimbait guy but want to get into them. 

[Outlaw4]

i dont pour any but im a jig head and 4" guy for most things that swim. It seems like a good multi species size. I rarely find a need to go smaller but also go bigger and am surprised how big of a bait some fish will hit.

sometimes the bigger baits its hard to find good jigs so then ill use a swimbait hook, or of course if i need to be in the weeds

[Hillbilly voodoo]

I prefer swimbait between 5-12inches because of the species I target 

smaller (to me at least) swimbaits I run owner beast hooks up to 8/0. They are similar to the pic posted. I also use the weedless freedom jig heads on small baits. On the big baits I am using and external two treble rig made with fluorocarbon, corckscrew, egg sinker. I have played with a few configurations mounting the hooks in different locations 

The only non custom open pour I own is an epic bait molds ribbon swim bait but it’s really a hybrid open pour/injection. It catches fish

no bass in my area so my choices are going to be different than most

[alsworms]

14 hours ago, Les Young said:

Al spill the beans.      I've never been a swimbait guy but want to get into them. 

Wish I had some beans to spill, brother!! LOL

Hillbilly mentioned bigger swimbaits.  I was really excited to try the Megabass Magdraft, which is about a 22 dollar lure.  My 6 and 8 inch version rolls no matter how I fish it, so not sure about that one.  If someone fishes those and can offer up some help, I'd sure take it!!

Other swims I like is the Hazedong, can't think of the maker at the moment.......and I also like some of the Mission baits as well. 

[alsworms]

Update:  the Hazedong swimbait is also made by Megabass and I should have known that!  Really cool bait. 

[Hillbilly voodoo]

17 minutes ago, alsworms said:

Wish I had some beans to spill, brother!! LOL

Hillbilly mentioned bigger swimbaits.  I was really excited to try the Megabass Magdraft, which is about a 22 dollar lure.  My 6 and 8 inch version rolls no matter how I fish it, so not sure about that one.  If someone fishes those and can offer up some help, I'd sure take it!!

Other swims I like is the Hazedong, can't think of the maker at the moment.......and I also like some of the Mission baits as well. 

I have not held one in my hand even so can’t say what to do for sure but from the pic of the mag draft a external rig like I mentioned should work 

I just make a bastardized version of the ones they use in Europe for pike 

I can actually get those magdrafts for $16.99cad so I may order one for amusement. It’s is crazy because most stuff is cheaper in the US

[alsworms]

5 hours ago, Hillbilly voodoo said:

I have not held one in my hand even so can’t say what to do for sure but from the pic of the mag draft a external rig like I mentioned should work 

I just make a bastardized version of the ones they use in Europe for pike 

I can actually get those magdrafts for $16.99cad so I may order one for amusement. It’s is crazy because most stuff is cheaper in the US

Yeah I got a killer deal on them on Ebay the other day.  Bought 2 in colors that I really like, 29 bucks for both, but that's pretty rare here. 

I'll try the external rig.  I've used a small split shot weight on the nose with moderate success, but it's still a work in progress.  I'm not a fan of buying high dollar baits and just let them sit on the wall LOL

[Hillbilly voodoo]

3 minutes ago, alsworms said:

Yeah I got a killer deal on them on Ebay the other day.  Bought 2 in colors that I really like, 29 bucks for both, but that's pretty rare here. 

I'll try the external rig.  I've used a small split shot weight on the nose with moderate success, but it's still a work in progress.  I'm not a fan of buying high dollar baits and just let them sit on the wall LOL

Yeah my first thought with a bait like that is 1/2 once of lead if it doesn’t have any to start with. Low close to where the gills would be

For my style of fishing that is a cheap bait. When I buy baits they are often $30-$40 plus 

 

 

 

[alsworms]

5 minutes ago, Hillbilly voodoo said:

Yeah my first thought with a bait like that is 1/2 once of lead if it doesn’t have any to start with. Low close to where the gills would be

For my style of fishing that is a cheap bait. When I buy baits they are often $30-$40 plus 

 

 

 

Dang I'm losin' those for sure!!

[Les Young]

30 to 40 plus i guess i'll stick to using my   do-it slick shiner & ripper molds & use some  kitechs too. Yep i'm cheap when it comes to some things. 

[Hillbilly voodoo]

22 minutes ago, Les Young said:

30 to 40 plus i guess i'll stick to using my   do-it slick shiner & ripper molds & use some  kitechs too. Yep i'm cheap when it comes to some things. 

That is buying already made baits not making them. There is a reason I fish 90% of the time with baits I make and sell the baits I make 

Like I said I am not bass fishing or making bass lures lol

now if we talk about the money I have invested into prototypes that is scary 

 

[Les Young]

9 hours ago, Hillbilly voodoo said:

That is buying already made baits not making them. There is a reason I fish 90% of the time with baits I make and sell the baits I make 

Like I said I am not bass fishing or making bass lures lol

now if we talk about the money I have invested into prototypes that is scary 

 

[RedRum]

I tend to pour a lot of 4” basic swim baits rigged with standard swim bait jig heads. They are molds I’ve made from designs I’ve created. They are not applicable to weedless rigging, though at some point I plan to design a 5-6” weedless bait.