Has anyone tried to modify a swimbait for saltwater for better action? I know that cutting the bait as some do with the Castaic Trout for lmb will weaken the bait for the more toothy ocean species, but I am open to suggestions. I typically use BH swimbaits and the action looks great to me, but it is interesting to try some new modifications if they make any sense (maybe not in this case).
Bob

Last month my buddy and I went kayaking at Dana Harbor.  I
trolled a baby Castaic Bass and nailed a nice Calico just
outside the jetty.  Didn't do any modifications on the lure. 
It swam great.  It was only good for one fish cuz one Calico
bit off the tail before it stuck another.  Once I learn how to
post pic's, I'll show you the nice Calico it stuck.  If it
wasn't for that, It would have caught more.

<>< <>< <>< <><

AMP2564

Bob- I fish a lot of swimbaits and I do this all the time. When the bite is WFO you don't want to throw cut baits because you will burn through too many plastics. The rest of the time you better be cutting your baits. Try it and you will see for yourself that it will make a difference. I cut tranditional swimbaits and storms too. It might always make a difference but I'm convinced. Just by comparing an uncut to cut bait you can watch them swim and you will see right away that there is no comparison to actions of the baits. There is enough of a difference that I find it hard going back to stock baits. This also works in freshwater.

JerryG

The tail action of a swimbait is only part of the entire desired action of a swimbait. The rest of the action is how the tail causes the body of the bait to "swim" back and forth like a real fish.

I've never tried it but I would imagine that cutting the bait to get the tail to move more erratically would take away from the body action. Does it?

I have been expirementing with this for about a year now and have I have drawn some interesting conclusions. I have found that depending on the cut a swimbaits tail will kick harder and appear more erratic, it will also effects the forwared body motion of the bait causing the bait to swim with more of a side to side snake like action.

The problem is that it is difficult to remain consistant with the positioning of the cuts in relation to the size and position of the leadhead. Since this is a customized modification in which each individaul bait done by hand it some times can be hard to maintain conisistency but I think I have a pretty good feel for it.

I have found is if a bait is cut correctly it will get bit when a stock bait won't. Even when the stock bait is getting bit the cut bait will still out fish it. I've tested and found that it has nothing to do with size or color. What I mean is you can compare the same size bait in the same color pattern and get the same results. I have also figured out a way of rigging a second hook hook with out out adding any extra line or knots the swim bait and it actually works as a vise to help prevent the swimbait from sliding off the leadhead. This form of rigging doesn't seem to effect the action either.

In case you guys havn't figured this out already I fish a lot of swimbaits and I do a lot of fishing. I've been a big fan of the swimbait since the late 80's when Worm Kings where the only swimbaits available. I think Grubowski was making an injection mold shad tail at the time but it was no where near what the baits are today.

JerryG

PS. Leaping bass if you want more details send me an email.

Very interesting JerryG. Can you post sketches, pictures, or descriptions of your cuts and your rigging of an extra hook? Thanks.

Bob