March is here and in many places around the country, bass are in their prespawn phase. Of course, up here in Wisconsin we still have ice on the water, and down in Florida, bass are already on beds. But for a large part of the country, this is the time when bass starting moving up to staging areas, the big girls starting biting, and some big ol’ bags can be found. And one of the most popular ways to catch some hogs in March is to go BIG. We’re talking big swimbaits and glide baits… you can read the full March bait recommendation HERE.
Believe me, I was always skeptical of these giant baits, especially primarily fishing up north where a 5-pound largemouth is a tank. Is a fish really gonna try and eat something that looks almost half its size? The answer is unquestionably YES! I promise you… even a sub-2-pound largie will take a run at a 6-inch glide bait. So for all my apprehensive anglers who have never tied on a big glide bait, this is the year to change all that.
But glide baits can be pretty pricey, so if you’re not sure where to start, look no further…
Budget Glide Baits
Unlike standard swimbaits that rely on a thumping rubber tail, a glide bait is often times a hard-bodied, single-jointed lure. It is designed to swim in a wide “S” pattern mimicking large, relaxed baitfish wandering through open water. Its massive profile and natural movement act can pull bass from 20 feet away just to investigate. They can be VERY expensive. Many of them start around 40 or 50 bucks and just go up into the triple digits from there.
So, I suggest starting out with these two rather unique, soft body offerings from Berkley…. if a toothy critter like a northern pike breaks you off, you won’t feel like you want to walk to the bottom of the lake after you lost a $75 bait.
1. Berkley Nessie Soft Glide Bait 7″ – $12.99
Colors: Burnt Bone, Perch, Shad
2. Berkley Chop Block Glide Bait 6″,8″ – $15.99-$24.99
Colors: Burnt Bone, MF Blue Gill, Shad
And here’s a few more that won’t break the bank if you want to really try a few different, hard body options:
3. River2Sea S-Waver Glide Bait 168 – $18.99
Colors: Powder, Party Crasher, Bluegill
4. Savage Gear Shine Glide Pro Glide Bait – $39.99
Colors: Gizzard, Bluegill, Ghost Bone,
5. Toad Thumper Sway Glide Bait – $34.99
Colors: Bad Bone, Bad Shad, Heavy Metal
Glide Bait Gear
I think the two big fears about fishing big swimbaits are 1) average-sized fish (1 and 2 pounders) won’t bite it, which we discussed in the intro, and 2) I need a big special rod to throw it… but that’s not the case. Most of these entry level swimbaits and glide baits, especially the ones in the 5-6 inch range, can be fished on your standard worm rod. If you have a 7’3″ – 7’5″ heavy rod… you’re probably in decent shape.
But if you want a dedicated swimbait/glide bait rod that can handle anything and everything you’re gonna throw at it… we got you covered. The new Abu Garcia Beast combo is a great option. I have both the 7’5″ rod and the 7’9″ rod, and whether I’m throwing a 5-inch Magdraft, an Alabama rig, or an 8-inch glide bait, I’m covering the bases with a powerful reel to match.
Rod
Abu Garcia Beast Casting Rod 7’9″ Heavy Fast – 179.95
Reel
You want something that can hold a ton of line, something with a killer drag system, and personally, I like some big handles that I can wrench down on… The Abu Garcia Beast 300 (or even the 200 for smaller glides), is just the ticket. It also has a clickable drag, which personally, I’m a big fan of.
Abu Garcia Beast Casting 300 Reel – $299.95
And for a more detailed bait recommendation, specific to your exact location and waterbody, check out the Bass Forecast Bait Advisor.
Just input your ZIP code or share your location, and Bass Forecast will give you 5 bait recommendations, a bite rating, and suggestions for peak feeding times.
Bass Forecast Bait Advisor
What is Bass Bait AI – Powered by Bass Forecast
Our advanced bass fishing algorithms analyze over 11,000 factors, including weather shifts and bass behavior, to predict what baits will give you the best chance at success for any GPS location. Just enter your location, and it does the calculating for you.
Giving you the complete bait breakdown for major and minor Bass feeding times in any bass fishing location. Click HERE to learn more.
