Glide Bait

Glide Baits are minimal contact lures known for their S-Shaped sweeping side to side natural looking lure action and also known as a larger profile lure. Some suggest glide baits are best suited to target larger bass. 

Anatomy: Glide Bait lures are treble hook lures that have two body parts with two treble hooks. Some suggest a slit ring will help the lure action.

Variants & Other Names: 

  • Chopping Bait: Larger joint that provides more angle to the tail and thus less restrictive “chopping” action that is activated with a faster walking retrieve. 

Lure Action. S-Shaped sweeping side to side natural looking swim motion.

Search Bait: Less common.

Pros’ Choice: Less common. 

Savage Gear 3D Glide Swimmer Slow Sink1 oz, 1 3/4 oz, 3 oz, 5.25 in, 6.5 in, 8 in, 3 to 6ft deep
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When to Fish Glide Baits
Glide Baits are minimal contact lures typically selected when:  
  • Targeted Depth:
    • Shallow: Common 
    • Deep(Offshore): Not common, but there are fast sinking glide baits to assist in the fall rate and as a heavy lure it can be kept deep easier then some lighter lures.   
  • Fishing Speed:
    • Fast: Commonly considered fishing fast to cover water where the actual fastest retrieve speed is defined by the desired action of the lure. As such, the retrieve can be slow.
    • Slow: Not commonly considered fishing slow as it covers water especially in clear water where casts can be larger distances apart.  Although considered fishing fast it can have a slow retrieve.
  • Lure Visibility:
    • High Lure Visibility: Common
    • Low Lure Visibility: Not common, but some suggest the large profile will help.
  • Targeting Cover: Some suggest all lures are good near cover where glide bait lures are used when contacting:
Rapala Storm Arashi Glide Bait Slow Sinking 7-1/2 oz
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Specific Glide Bait Decisions

Selecting the Glide Bait Lure Type, as a treble hook lure type, there are the following key decisions:

  • Shapes: Generally mimicking specific fish shape for example a trout or bluegill. 
  • Sink Classification: Several varieties of fall rate are available including:
    • Floating:
    • Sinking or Slow Sink:
    • Medium – Slow Sink:
    • Fast Sink: 
  • Size:
    • Small: 5″ to 6″
    • Common: 7″ to 8″
    • Large: 9″ to 12″
  • Lure Weight:
    • Light: 1 oz to 2 oz
    • Common: 2 oz to 4 oz
    • Heavy: 5 oz to 8 oz
Molix Glide Bait 140 Floating 5-1/2 Inch 2 oz
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  • Lure Color: As lure color selection is mostly tied to the lure visibility download the Acute Lure Color Breakdown™ Infographic.
Download the Acute Lure Color Breakdown™ Infographic
Rigging Decisions

As a treble hook lure type, the common rigging considerations includes:

  • Hook Size: Besides replacing any bent or rusted hooks some, albeit not common, look to upsize or downsize or upgrade the manufactured provided hooks.
    • Small: #4 to #2
    • Common: #2 to 1/O
    • Large: 1/O to 4/O
  • Main Line: Some suggest fluorocarbon as it sinks which provides depth and in some cases better lure action.  Also, as glide baits are heavy lures presented on a baitcaster rod, some suggest braid but braid is more likely to break on a birds nest as there is no stretch to the line.
    • Light: Not common as it is a heavy lure that will break the fishing line during the cast.
    • Common: 20 lb test to 25 lb test
    • Heavy: 25 lb test plus.
  • Leader: Not common except for braid in high lure visibility scenarios.  
  • Rod:
    • Baitcaster Rod: Common with Power = Extra Heavy (some suggest Heavy) and Action(Taper) = Fast
      • Reel: Some consider a slow ratio of 5.0:1 to 6.0:1 to help ensure a slow retrieve with a large spool.
    • Spinning Rod: Not common and due to the heavy lure weight.
Download Rod Infographic
Glide Bait Presentation

Presentations for glide baits are commonly considered a horizontal presentation and a slack line presentation with the following considerations:

  • Cast Techniques:
    • Common:
      • Overhand: As a heavy lure, an overhead cast lob or roll cast lob, that’s not too hard, as the heavy lure will break off. Also, the weight of the lure will result in a longer cast distance.
  • Initial Lure Action: Count it down to the desired depth on a slack line.
  • Retrieve Techniques:
    • Common:
      • Walk Retrieve: Generally not called a walk retrieve but it has the same rod tip motions. The walk retrieve to enhance the s-shaped action. Some suggest using the reel to embark the action, not the rod. Walking the bait quickly, with chopping style glide baits, is called “chopping”.
    • Less Common:
  • Secondary Action: Common to vary the speed and some suggest a stop and go action.
  • Hook Set: Typically, pull/sweep hook set, some suggest letting the fish swim with it for a couple seconds before setting the hook, after identifying fish on followed by landing the bass.
  • Repetition at Spots: Not common.
Additional Considerations
Livingston Lure B Viper 8 inch 6.22 oz EBS Smart Chip that emits sound when wet
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