Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

It began 6 years ago, when I started carving and fishing my own wake baits and rats. They caught fish.
IMG_1080.JPG
Now that I have the occasional extra bit of cash, I've been buying 3:16's, Castaics, Mattlures, Bull Shads and more and I realize that I have a full-blown addiction problem. And with the cooler weather, I can't WAIT to start slinging these monsters at some hungry, fat, green girls. Of course I need to stock up on ibuprofen for the aching shoulders I'll have after launching some of these 5-6 ounce bass bombs all day.
IMG_1082.JPG
If you suffer this affliction, know you're not alone. You are loved.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited by Cuervo Jones on Fri Oct 07, 2016 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
JimBeaux
Posts: 220
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:53 pm
Location: Mid County

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by JimBeaux »

Nice. How about more details. Material and tools, etc? Do you have anything on youtube?
User avatar
TigerLandSportsman
Posts: 297
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 8:48 am

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by TigerLandSportsman »

I've never used a swim bait.
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

JimBeaux wrote:Nice. How about more details. Material and tools, etc? Do you have anything on youtube?
I only made the baits in the first photo. The second photo is baits I've blown way too much cash on. I used dowels and rasps and sandpaper with some spray paint. Low tech stuff for a low tech guy. But the bass groove on them. And best of all, most guys don't throw them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
JimBeaux
Posts: 220
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:53 pm
Location: Mid County

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by JimBeaux »

How much time in making one? I can imagine the satisfaction of making a lure & using it to bring home dinner, but I would be afraid of losing one after putting all that work in it.

Too pretty to let a fish slobber on it. If I made one I would frame it and hang it on the wall.
User avatar
karstopo
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5612
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:30 am
Location: 77566

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by karstopo »

Those are cool.
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

I've started making a fresh batch of wake baits and rats. I'll post up a quick tutorial as I go for anyone interested. It IS a blast catching fish on a lure you made by hand. AND it'll save you tons of $$$ considering the prices on some of these things. Especially the handmade jobs. If you have even a moderate amount of skills with wood and hardware, you can make baits that catch fish. Seriously, if I can do it, you can too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
JimBeaux
Posts: 220
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:53 pm
Location: Mid County

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by JimBeaux »

Cuervo Jones wrote:I've started making a fresh batch of wake baits and rats. I'll post up a quick tutorial as I go for anyone interested. It IS a blast catching fish on a lure you made by hand. AND it'll save you tons of $$$ considering the prices on some of these things. Especially the handmade jobs. If you have even a moderate amount of skills with wood and hardware, you can make baits that catch fish. Seriously, if I can do it, you can too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You have me interested. Ive been looking into it!

Share what you have done.
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

I've started working on some new rats and slammer type lures. I'll post up photos and progress reports as they come along. For now, here's an ambitious little bugger who tried to remove a Mattlures hardgill from my line the other day. If you're looking to dip your toe in the swirling, insane waters of swimbaits, look no further than this one.

Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
JimBeaux
Posts: 220
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2015 7:53 pm
Location: Mid County

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by JimBeaux »

I would pity the fish that robbed me of that bait. LOL That is an expensive lure.

http://www.outdoorproshop.com/Mattlures ... Click=3912" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

JimBeaux wrote:I would pity the fish that robbed me of that bait. LOL That is an expensive lure.

http://www.outdoorproshop.com/Mattlures ... Click=3912" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That's where the 25 lbs line comes in handy. The lures aren't cheap, but then again, it replaces a crankbait, jerkbait, spinnerbait, and stick work in my arsenal for the most part. Figure &5-$10 per lure of those, and it works out about even. Plus I don't have to mess with as many dink bass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Copperspoonfly
Posts: 217
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:37 am
Location: Kyle, TX

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Copperspoonfly »

I like the all american trash fish swimbait.

Here is a link to help feed your addiction.


http://littlecreeper.com/Home_Page.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Salty Bum
Posts: 930
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:40 am
Location: Some where between the coast and the woods.

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Salty Bum »

Cuervo Jones wrote:I've started working on some new rats and slammer type lures. I'll post up photos and progress reports as they come along. For now, here's an ambitious little bugger who tried to remove a Mattlures hardgill from my line the other day. If you're looking to dip your toe in the swirling, insane waters of swimbaits, look no further than this one.

Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice catch
User avatar
GetBent
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2431
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:49 pm
Location: I dont know? :(

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by GetBent »

Smash tech makes some nice softplastic swimbaits
User avatar
TKFStubb
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5179
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 4:55 pm
Location: Beaumont, Tx. area (Sour Lake)
Contact:

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by TKFStubb »

I'm inspired to try making a good rat imitation now that I've seen your ideas.
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

I need to get back to making some more Baits. I’ve been slacking. But some of the ones I’ve bought and throw look pretty nice!
Image
The nice weather and hungry bass have me all inspired again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
DumpTruck
Posts: 666
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:30 pm
Location: Carlsbad, NM

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by DumpTruck »

That's really bueno, making your own. I can't make anything .
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

Swimbaits catch the better quality fish alright!
Image
Image
Looking forward to spring when the fat girls are even fatter!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

And the skinny, freaky fish.
Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

My latest acquisitions arrived in the mail today. Ahhhhhhhhh. The giant lady bass will go crazy trying to shove these into their mouths.
Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

I dug up these photos from a few years back. Proof that bass are homicidally insane and WILL attach giant sunfish. Found this one floating off a point on Fayette Lake.
Image
It had tried to swallow this.
Image
Match the hatch indeed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
karstopo
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5612
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:30 am
Location: 77566

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by karstopo »

I’ve heard of the expression “ your eyes are bigger than your stomach” and maybe that works here.

BTW, I got to thinking about your swimbaits. Aren’t you many times fishing those pretty deep? It’s got to be almost pitch black down there unless Fayette is a lot clearer than I think. Do those baits have rattles or some other noise making feature?
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

Actually, I fish a lot of them about midway through the water column or even up near the surface. The bass come up to smash them. I have pulled them along the bottom in about 20 feet though. No rattles in most because they put off a TON of thump.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
karstopo
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5612
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:30 am
Location: 77566

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by karstopo »

Cuervo Jones wrote:Actually, I fish a lot of them about midway through the water column or even up near the surface. The bass come up to smash them. I have pulled them along the bottom in about 20 feet though. No rattles in most because they put off a TON of thump.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That’s pretty interesting. I have this visual of big bass lurking camouflaged in the deep gloom at the edge of where the light reaches...watching and waiting for some unsuspecting sunfish or Shad to silhouette up above.
User avatar
Cuervo Jones
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2029
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:12 pm
Location: Hurtling towards oblivion with a smile

Re: Swimbait addicts anonymous--new therapy group

Post by Cuervo Jones »

They’re 3-d lurkers, using weeds and logs and branches and reeds. Depth is their friend, but they’re not shy about lurking in inches of water, waiting to inhale a mouse off the surface or rocket forward to crunch a bluegill. In the lakes I fish, there’s 2 populations of bass: the shad-stalkers of the deeper water and the bluegill-chompers of the shallows. My experience is that the shallower fish are more solitary while the deeper fish are more schooling. I’ve caught 6 lbs+ fish in both shallow and deep water, so I’m not sure if there’s any difference in big fish potential. That’s why I usually start by checking the shallows before moving deep. They can be absolutely anywhere man!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post Reply