Swimbaits for Dummies

Hi guys,

   I'm building up my newbie arsenal, outfitting my yak, and reading up all I can with the idea of being prepared to do some serious fishing this spring/summer.  It's been a while since i've fished for rockfish but I remember throwing some swimbaits back in the day down in southern cal.  It seemed to catch fish consistently and I enjoyed it more than bait fishing... The question is, what works up here?  Does anyone have recommendations on swimbaits, sizes, colors, methods???  My buddy was sponsored or something by Big Hammer and they worked really well,  cant seem to find them around...  any suggestions?

Dave, like all baits, artificial or live, I think they all work, depending on conditions and handling. I've heard good things about MC swimbaits. However, regardless of the brand, I've seen people have luck with them, from the 8 inch variety to the 2 inch sizes.

Howard

I watched Yakhopper catch rockfish all day long with bass jigs. If it moves, they will eat it. 

Ben

big baits attract big fish.
white is a classic starter color.

If you have your heart set on Big Hammer, I believe I've seen that brand in the bins at Outdoor Pro Shop in Oakland.

http://www.outdoorproshop.com/Articles.asp?ID=134

rockfish really are not that picky...big hammers and fish traps are relatively expensive to have a super-gopher tear the tail off.

if its big and ugly a big fish will bite it.  pisciform has caught some really nice cabbies on "WTF?" style lures.

I am convinced that lings and rockfish will bite anything. I think the best lure is a cheap lure.

Well I like a light blue top  and silver bottom in five inch and a chartreuse blue and green in seven inch swimbait.  I've never had a tail bitten off by gophers.  I make the bottom soft and the top and tail is a really durable and stretchy plastic.  2,3,4 ounce heads seem to be the norm in norcal.  My five inch bait is a dollar and the seven is 1.50 in pretty much any custom color you want.  The heads I sell are 2 buch each in 2-4 ounce and that's a really good deal if you check around.  Good luck. 

spoon handles....cheap and effective

You mean knife handles. 

You mean knife handles. 

damn....my secret is out.....Yes I mean knife. Andy's gear is top notch and it's nice to support NCKA'rs

I've bought Big Hammer @ landbigfish.com.  But, looking at the post from Andy, his are a much better deal.
gw

Thanks Yeriyeri.  I'm selling them at the same price I sell them to the stores so it's a decent deal.  On the swimbaits I've been hearing a lot about the tails getting bit off which I've never had happen to mine. 

Thanks for the info guys!   It's been a while so i'm glad to get the help!  Andy, i'll be gettin in touch with you after the new year and see about ordering some plastics, i'd rather support a local NCKA'er than big hammer.  Thanks!

What sort of plastic do you use to prevent torn tails Andy?