Swimbait Trends from ICAST 2025
Part of the historical attraction of swimbaits was the notion that it was an underground culture. Not everyone could get one of the hottest baits around at any price. In fact, there were plenty of brands, baits and presentations that were strictly on the downlow.
That was cool for those in the know, but it wasn’t so fun when you couldn’t get the bait you wanted. Like everything, as it has moved more mainstream swimbaiting has become more widely accepted and appreciated. The purists may scoff, but it’s now possible to get top-notch gear without giving up your first born or winning the lottery. I loved going to the Swimbait Gathering on the Chickahominy River a few years back, but I haven’t been able to attend since – and I still need to scratch the big bait itch.
Here are some key swimbaiting products from ICAST and the trends that they convey:
We saw pros like Chris Zaldain throwing Matt McBee’s Tater Hog at Lake Fork, but the originals were pricey and limited. Now a similar version is available through Strike King for a more reasonable price. Just like Bucca Brand with the Trick Shad, or SPRO with the Chad Shad, you can now get the original or a mass production version, depending on your needs and budget.
SPRO KGB Lil Guy
Another “collab” bait – this time between KGB and SPRO – which recognizes that not everyone feels comfortable throwing a 7-8” or larger glider. The same action that makes the big ones good can also be replicated in a smaller package, for times when fish are finicky or the forage is smaller.
There’s no more mainstream, “conventional” (written with love) brand than Shimano, and the fact that they’ve come out with an entire lineup dedicated to swimbaiting shows that the baits sell and that they’re here to stay. I’ve been fishing one of these since March and it has become my go-to for some of my favorite gliders. I look forward to fishing it with big rats.
SPRO KGB 300 Elite MG Baitcasting Reel
As you can see from their two entries here, the SPRO/KGB partnership continues to expand. Last year SPRO added the Jason Christie reels, now they have one specifically made for big baits. It’s big, but still very light, and comes in two high-speed gear ratios.
The number one question I see on swimbait forums is what kind of line to use. Some prefer copoly, others straight braid or fluoro, still others who like braid with a fluoro leader. I prefer straight fluoro, but I also live in fear that I’ll make a casting error and launch by $200 glide bait into the atmosphere. I am intrigued by a line that’s the best of all worlds, including some shock absorption to prevent that dreaded problem.
