Swimming Shad Softbaits

I’ve always used matrix in the past but I’ve had good results with highwater lures lately.

Can't speak to this year since I haven't fished much at all. I have always caught a ton of trout on 3 inch tsunami in either croaker or the blue back over black/clear sides. I have used various matrix swim shads and I find they work better under a cork while the tsunami runs better. The key is to run the tsunami like a crank bait with a steady retrieve. In the Fall you have to alter your speed until you find the speed they want that day.

If I can't catch any on swim baits, I switch to a smoke colored sparkle beetle either in 3 inch or standard size. I find the smaller bait works much better than swim baits when it gets real cold.

its amazing how baits that look the same dont act the same

there are youtube videos where guys show you how they swim and its eye opening how some brands look like H&H cocahoes but have little to no tail action at all when tested

the H&H cocahoes and the bass assassins seemed to have the best overall action from what i saw

this is one of the better videos LINK (oops bigfish beat me to it)

My experience in saltwater is that the fish are either taking soft plastics, or they are not. The color variance is really only contrast, the shape/action doesnt effect the bite much.

I had an old timer mentor coworker that took me under his wing to teach me inshore. When I told him I was overwhelmed with soft baits he told me to buy a pack of chartruese and pack of black Sparkle Beetles. I did and they caught same size and amount of fish with friends WHEN fish were feeding on soft plastics.

Gulp chartruese curly tail swimming mullet is a great all arounder. You can put it under cork, on jig head only (both fast retrieve and bump across bottom), tip a spoon, etc. Its caught me everything in Louisiana inshore from croaker to bull shark.

When the bite is on, I like a more durable soft plastic like a Matrix Shad. But again, I can get bites on Sparkle Beetle if Matrix Shad is working. So I would say durability is a factor in better bait.

I like the Tsunami swim baits as well. Super cheap too.

Do they sell them in LA? They are all the rage down here in south texas. I know they are based out of San Antonio. But didn't know if they make it to other states yet.

I mainly use Matrix Shad....favorite colors are green hornet, lemon head, or holy joely

In really dirty water I’ve done OK with the Vortex Shad in purple haze

One I use that is less known, but still hand poured in USA is Slayer Inc Lures. The SST is standard size and Grande is the swim bait version I use. Typical colors as others.

Slayer

Lots of action in his baits.

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Gulp chartruese curly tail swimming mullet

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My favorite soft bait along with the glow. I use them under a cork for specks and reds. I've also caught puppy drum and sheephead on them. Only downfall is that they are not very durable.

Next favorite saiftbail is a plain old sparkle bettle tandem rigged under a cork.