Swimbaits
6 bass vs. 45 bass in 2024
3.8” Bass Pro Shops Speed Shad (K’s Magic) with a 3/16 oz. Owner Flashy Swimmer jighead
Top Bass: 2-13 Knox County public strip pit – July 24
Top 5 Weight (only one at 12” or better): 2-13
Comments
My swimbait production decreased dramatically after a banner year in 2024. The highlight of the half dozen bass in 2025 was the lone “keeper” of the bunch that tipped the scales at 2-13. This bass established a new Top Swimbait Bass beating out a 1-13 from 2021. On a clerical note, I designate swimbaits exceeding three inches in length as “true” swimbaits while the shorter versions are classified as “grubs” and include what I call “Ned Rigs” as well. We will cover that category later in this series.
July 24, 2025 – Top Swimbait Bass at 2-13 (18.5″) from a Knox County public strip pit
History
Prior to the forty-five swimbait bass in 2024, I had only landed ten bass on this lure type, all between 2021 and 2023. The added experience from last year did not translate into more casts in 2025. My confidence in other baits that get the job done makes it tough to put those down and shift to a swimbait. Yep, that whole creature of habit thing is hard to shake.
Video
I got my GoPro started late on the catch of my Top Swimbait Bass, so the hookset and my initial reaction are missing. It is also tough to tell but this fish came off a deep weed edge in a prototype V-cut section of a strip pit. My approach was to cast the lure out parallel to the edge and let it sink all the way to the bottom before beginning a retrieve just fast enough to get the tail thumping while keeping the bait running deep.
Last Cast
Catching the 2-13 in close to twenty feet of water was stepping out of my comfort zone. Being a shallow angler, I do nearly all my fishing and catching in eight foot of water or less. However, there is ample opportunity on the public strip pits to probe the depths, and I may take further shots at seeing if I can replicate this result in 2026.
Another lure on the way tomorrow so talk to you later. Troy