Everyone knows that bass love bluegill. Every lake, pond, or river that has bass in it, will also have bluegill.
Swimbaits are by far the most realistic baitfish lures on the market.
So to match the hatch and get big bass to bite, swimbaits are one of the best ways to catch bass that are feeding on bluegill.
I have fished with tons of bluegill. After testing out so many, these are the best bluegill swimbaits for bass fishing.
Hard body swimbaits provide a couple advantages. First and foremost, they are very durable.
It doesn’t matter how many bass you catch on a hard body lure, it will not break and can last you years.
Secondly, the jointed characteristics of these lures give a unique and very life like action in the water.
The Catch Co. Baby Bull Shad is undeniably one of the best swimbaits on the market.
It is not specifically a bluegill swimbait, but Catch Co. does make it in a bluegill pattern.
The main issue with the lure is simply that. It is make as a one size fits all to mimic any kind of baitfish.
I would rather for it to have a bit more of an exact bluegill body shape. But the quality of the lure makes up for this.
If you have spent any time researching swimbaits, you have already heard of the Baby Bull Shad.
It is my favorite all purpose swimbait to use all around the country.
Company | Length | Weight | Class | Price |
Catch Co. | 3.75” | 1/2 oz | Slow Sinking | $14.99 |
The 6th Sense Trace 4k Bluegill is similar to the Bull Shad in that it is a one size fits all swimbait.
One reason a lot of companies do this is because it can be hard to make the bulky shape of a bluegill swim properly.
6th sense does have 2 different bluegill patterns in order to match the baitfish in your fishery as closely as possible.
6th Sense is a great brand and really specializes in realistic swimbaits. One unique characteristic of the Trace is the tail.
The tail is made out of a durable soft plastic material. This helps give the lure more action, scent, and flavor, which all lead to more and bigger bites.
This tail will need to be replaced after catching lots of fish, but it is a very cool feature that seems to get more bites.
Company | Length | Weight | Class | Price |
6th Sense | 5” | .8-1.1 oz | Slow Sink / Fast Sink / Float | $24.99 |
Megabass makes some of the best lures on the market. The Vatalion is built to mimic bluegill and bluegill alone.
The body shape and colors are both designed to match bluegill.
Like I said earlier, many companies have a hard time making bluegill shaped swimbaits that are still able to swim properly in the water.
The Megabass Vatalion does not have this problem. The lure swims perfectly.
It is a very unique swimbait that is kind of a mix between a swimbait, glide bait, and lipless crankbait.
It might be difficult to imagine this. You really need to try it for yourself to fully understand.
Company | Length | Weight | Class | Price |
Megabass | 4.5” | 1-⅜ oz | Slow Float | $29.99 |
The Bass Pro Shops XPS Bluegill was the first true bluegill swimbait that I ever used.
And I was hooked almost as much as the bass.
The 7 joints all connected with fabric rather than metal rings, give this lure better action than any other bluegill swimbait I have used.
It isn’t the most expensive, but I think it is my all time favorite.
Maybe I am a little bit bias because it was the lure that got me into bluegill swimbaits, but trust me, this lure catches tons of big bass.
I have not found that only having one hook has lowered the hook up ratio at all.
And by only having the one treble that is connected ahead of the joints allows the fabric joint connectors.
Company | Length | Weight | Class | Price |
XPS | 3.5” | 3/4 oz | Sinking | $13.49 |
Soft body swimbaits have much more realistic designs. The bodies have perfect shapes, designs, scents, and smells.
Because of how realistic they are, they trigger bites from even the most sceptic bass.
I mean just look at it. This swimbait has caught me a lot of big bass. If you have ever actually watched a bluegill swimming through the water, they actually don’t move much.
It is really just quick flutters of the tail that propel them around. This lure actually doesn’t have tons of action.
But it has action in the right place. The paddle tail moves back and forth which looks just like a bluegill cruising around.
This lure, amongst all soft-body swimbaits, will work best in clear water. They don’t put off a lot of vibration, but they are incredibly realistic.
This makes them the perfect clear water baits.
Company | Length | Weight | Class | Price |
Savage Gear | 3” – 4” | 3/8 oz – 1 oz | Sinking | $9.99 |
Bluegill love to hang around weeds and grass. So sometimes you need to be able to throw these bluegill swimbaits into that vegetation.
The Smash-Tech Little Bluegill is design to be rigged completely weedless. You rig it with a weighted, screw on EDG hook.
The paddle of this swimbait doesn’t just move from side to side but also up and down with creates a swaying, rocking motion of the tail and even the body of the lure.
I love fishing this around thick summer grass, especially in smaller ponds.
Company | Length | Weight | Class | Price |
Smash-Tech | 4.5” | Depends on weight of hook | Sinking | $13.99 |
The Berkley Powerbait Gilly is without a doubt my favorite soft-plastic bluegill swimbait. The design of this bait is just flawless.
Look at how real it looks. The action from this swimbait comes from the ribbed body rather than a paddle tail.
The Gilly can be rigged any way just like traditional soft plastics. This versatility gives you limitless options at your disposal.
Also, the top head of the Gilly is hollow. What this does is makes the bait bottom heavy so that it always swims through the water in the natural upright position.
It comes in 3 different sizes and a number of colors so that you can really dial in on the exact forage your bass are eating.
Company | Length | Weight | Class | Price |
Berkley Powerbait | 3.5” 4.5”, 5” | Depends on Rigging | Slow sinking | $9.99 |
You can use bluegill swimbaits all year round and in any body of water that has bluegill.
But my favorite time to use them is during the bluegill spawn. During the bluegill spawn, bass cruise just outside of the spawning areas and wait for bluegill to drift a little too far out.
This is usually between April to June. Another great indicator that you should be throwing these swimbaits is to look at the bank.
If you see lots of bluegill up real shallow on the bank, tie a bluegill swimbait on.
If there are bluegill, the bass are not far away.
Hard Body: Bass Pro Shops XPS Bluegill
Soft Body: Berkley Powerbait Gilly
Also Read: Are Headbanger Lures Any Good?
Bluegill Attraction: Bass are known to be attracted to bluegill, making swimbaits an effective way to mimic their presence and trigger bites.
Realism of Swimbaits: Swimbaits, particularly hard-body ones, offer realistic baitfish imitations, making them durable and providing lifelike action in the water.
Best Hard-Body Bluegill Swimbaits:
Catch Co. Baby Bull Bluegill: A versatile swimbait known for its quality, though lacking a specific bluegill body shape.
6th Sense Trace 5″ 4K Bluegill: Features two bluegill patterns and a unique soft plastic tail for enhanced action and scent.
Megabass Vatalion: Specifically designed to mimic bluegill, with a unique combination of swimbait, glide bait, and lipless crankbait characteristics.
Bass Pro XPS Bluegill: Known for its seven joints connected with fabric, providing superior action and a favorite among anglers.
Best Soft-Body Bluegill Swimbaits:
Savage Gear Pulse Tail: Realistic design with a subtle paddle tail movement, ideal for clear water situations.
Smash-Tech Little Weedless Bluegill: Weedless design, suitable for fishing around vegetation, featuring a swaying, rocking motion.
Berkley Powerbait Gilly: Flawless design with ribbed body for lifelike action, versatile rigging options, and various sizes and colors.
Favorite Times to Use Bluegill Swimbaits:
Bluegill swimbaits are effective year-round, but particularly during the bluegill spawn (April to June).
Look for bluegill near the bank as an indicator for when to use bluegill swimbaits.
Top Picks:
Hard Body: Bass Pro Shops XPS Bluegill
Soft Body: Berkley Powerbait Gilly
Q1: Why are swimbaits effective for bass fishing?
Swimbaits, especially those mimicking bluegill, capitalize on the natural prey of bass, triggering their predatory instincts and enticing strikes.
Q2: What advantages do hard-body swimbaits offer?
Hard-body swimbaits are durable, lasting for years even after multiple catches. Their jointed characteristics provide a realistic and lifelike swimming action.
Q3: When is the best time to use bluegill swimbaits?
While effective year-round, the bluegill spawn (April to June) is an optimal time, as bass actively target bluegill during this period.
Q4: Why choose soft-body swimbaits?
Soft-body swimbaits offer realistic designs, perfect shapes, and scents, triggering bites from even skeptical bass. They work well in clear water situations.
Q5: How do I choose the right bluegill swimbait?
Consider factors such as the body design, action, and the specific patterns/colors available. Experimenting with different types can help you find the most effective ones for your fishing conditions.
These 7 bluegill swimbaits have caught me tons of bass and have proven that they are the best.
I never go bass fishing without at least a couple of these with me.
These lures all come in different price ranges, so I know that you can find a couple that work for you.
As we already know, bluegill style lures are some of the most reliable and effective ways to catch bass, so give these a try for yourself, and good luck!
