In this Two-Part series, we’ll look at the cod question you should always ask before buying your next swimbait.
Ok, let’s get straight into Part I.
All Show, No Go?
The first and foremost question you should ask when surveying any new swimbait purchase is simple, is it cod strong? And I don’t mean does it look tough, but is it made from premium products and can it withstand the rigors of a 100lbs of muscle trying to grind it to dust. There is no point hooking that Goodoo of a lifetime and only having half a bait to show for it.
Now, most international swimbaits are made for Largemouth Bass that tap out around 20lbs and take less than 20 seconds to get into the boat. Be mindful of the strength of the hooks, split rings, toe point, and joins the swimbait may include imparting a lifelike action.
A great way to check their durability and suitability for Australian conditions is to use social media to search hashtags of the swimbait you’re ogling. You will quickly get an indication after a few scrolls of their ability to hook and hold a quality cod or two.
Additionally, the Murray cod community has a pretty good gauge on what’s cod strong and what’s not. Just make sure you ask more than one fisho, as personal gripes can sometimes cloud an honest opinion.
Rod and Reel
Another burning question you absolutely need to ask before dipping into your hard-earned to buy a new swimbait is ‘do you have the gear to SEND IT?‘ And by ‘send it’ we mean, confidence to bend your back and go full roundhouse with a max cast.
If the answer is ‘no’ and you have to nurse the swimbait into the water like you are holding a newborn, then you might want to rethink your purchase. Inevitably it will spend more time in the tackle box, or posing for IG shots in the backyard, than on your leader doing what it’s designed for.
To avoid this, simply check the rating of your current rod and reel against the weight of your new swimbait. A general swimbait rod like the Venom 10kg swimbait stick will cast most baits like a Jackall Gigantarel, while stepping up to a Millerods Swimsanity seal-clubbing stick is only needed if you are using baits that are heavier than 250gms.
For reels, the recently launched 13Fishing A3 Gen 2 with its hardened brass gears, is a great mid-level reel that will cover all your swimbait bases.
Keep Your Chin Up
This question is a no brainer to ask if you are looking to become a swimbait user, rather than a collector. Especially if you’re just getting started, or watching your wallet.
Does the bait come purpose-built with the ability to easily modify the sink rate? As Murray cod like to sit at countless depths, from stalking the shallows in two foot of water to sulking in the deep, having a swimbait that can be easily modified to swim at multiple depths is clearly advantageous. I mean, no sh*t, Shirley.
So, the one thing to look out for as you peruse the swimbait wall of your local tackle shop, is the presence of a chin weight tow point. This simple feature with the addition of a cheap chin weight can turn a shallow running swimbait into a deep-dwelling bait in a matter of seconds. All for the cost of an extra few bucks.
However, if the bait you really want doesn’t have a chin weight tow point, no dramas, there are other things you can do weight to your swimbait.
