Hollow Belly Swimbaits Versus Hard Bodied Swimbaits! When To Choose Each!

[@sowabunga]

This is the first video that I have seen that really breaks down the differences and rigging decisions when fishing these swimbaits! Excellent. Both have been on fire on my lake but I have been rigging the hollow body with the wrong type hook and it has been frustrating. Now I know why. Thsnks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Rumor on the street is you, Jonny, and Jimi( Jonny’s new editor) are going to team up on some videos from up north.😎. That could be some good stuff🤠 in my opinion.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I have no comment! Haha! yep Jonny spilled the beans! should be a blast!

[@jessehandlin7589]

that sounds great a nice cold one after doing yard work Right up my alley love the videos they are awesome thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@soonerfan1675]

Thank you for explaining the difference in the two types of swimbaits. I’ve always shied away from hollow body swimbaits just because I didn’t understand the proper application.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help!

[@paulgorzsas4343]

Great video Matt. Thanks for clarifying the differences; especially warm vs cold water applications 👍🏼

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markbenn1907]

I thought I knew what I was talking about…. Great video👍🏻

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@juleswinnfield826]

Nice description of both. Thanks for the vid.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@lucascarter2277]

Thank you for doing this video. I've been looking for a video that addresses this exact question.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aggietommyjones]

I typically break down solid body swim baits into two categories. Your ribbed Keitech style and your true solid body style (my favorite is the EZ swimmer). Keitech has that great tail wiggle which is great for imitating smaller baitfish or for when you want more subtle action. That true full body swim bait is good for everything else. They’re more durable. Versatile with rigging options. Specifically with the EZ swimmer vs another SB, it’s a little more stiff so it has a much wider body roll. Great around grass and everywhere I’d want to avoid throwing a crank bait cause I’d lose it. I personally also love hollow body swim baits because of their color schemes. They’re great baitfish imitators. Durability is a problem but still in my arsenal. A little bit different action than the EZ swimmer even with the same hardware. Hollow body has a tighter body roll similar to a slimmer crank bait or jerkbait. EZ swimmer has a more pronounced body roll because of the thickness of the bait a lot like a square bill.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@docgillygun9531]

I agree with the versatility and species diversity you can catch with a swim bait. My thumb slipped and I air bombed a cast with a swimbait about a week ago fishing a bridge piling and caught a Ford F150 by the back bumper. I am disappointed in myself for not landing it and sending pictures, but I didn't have my drag set very well either. It also emphasizes the importance of using the right line and proper sized hook as well. Just trying to offer a tip.

[@MattStefanFishing]

lolo!

[@ricksonora6656]

There’s no shame in it. I’ve heard that those fordfish put up quite a fight.

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

Came for the swimbait, stayed for the beer. Nice touch throwing in a few words about your beverage of choice. Just guessing here, but there are probably, oh, two or three others in this fine assemblage who appreciate a good micro. Love a good weedless swimbait; most of mine smell like garlic...makes them EZ to find in the store. Thanks Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Agreed!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Thanks for the video Matt solid info.👍I enjoy throwing soft swim baits on under spins, jig heads, weighted belly hooks it doesn’t matter it’s all good more times than not🤠. Coulter and Neil both top 10 in group “A”. Thrift and Wheeler tomorrow group “B”. I’d love to get all 4 correct 🤑. I’m saving KVD for up north and it may cost me this week.

[@MattStefanFishing]

KVD is catching them!

[@lannyseals2084]

Awesome video Matt! I don't fish hollow body swim bait's very often maybe a few times, but this really gives me something to think about and try and a cold refreshing beer after doing yard work/mowing is a must, taste great every time!

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@shannonkirby9295]

Another great one, Matt. Be safe

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks, you too!

[@kickerwormz3262]

I make hollow body swimbaits. Luckily, I can change the durometer of the plastic for durability. I also make and use a tube jig. Both work great together.

[@MattStefanFishing]

very cool!

[@shawn_r_schultzfishing4883]

Thanks for all the tips! I mainly throw solid body because my lake seems to like the smaller 3" or 2.8" swimbaits, which appeal to both the large and smallmouth 🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff!

[@johnrayner5599]

Great explanation of when and where to use these baits, I tend to go with the solid body more because in my mind I get better bites in clear water with them and I fish clear water a bunch.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@mikeeller557]

Really good explanation. I have for the most part smaller fish 2 lbs. and less. I don't use hollow belly for that reason.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@stevebishop6799]

Good stuff Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Great video!!!!👊🏻 Very good explanation on when to use each one. Very helpful as well. Always confused on the hollow body because I think it's a bigger bait than I should be using but I guess I'm wrong??? Stay Safe & God Bless!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you liked it!!

[@eddieboswell6068]

Hello Matt, I did watch the video on using the hollow body with a tube hook. What applications do you prefer the stupid tube rig over the weighted hook rig?

[@MattStefanFishing]

they are rather interchangeable but i do prefer the stupid tube for thick weed or wood fishing

[@gibby9209]

More great info. Look forward to your tips every day. Question- What difference is there between your jighead and the Matt Allen head? What applications do you recommend with the different line tie positions? Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

guppy is meant more for smaller swimbaits and more for suspended fish with the bait higher in the water column. Its a more finesse presentation

[@maxcole3930]

Love fishing swimbaits, I mostly fish larger baits 6-10 inches but can't go wrong with little 3" hazedong or spark shad either. Those little guys always catch fish for me all year long. I would rather get quality over quantity these days so when conditions are right I've got big baits tied on! What I caught my last 3 big ones with. An 8.78lb 6.98lb & another 7lber. I'm really searching and trying hard to get that double digit or a teener would be way better!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@TN-Vols-Fan]

I've had good success on Chick and other places using a hollow body swim bait on a jig head. I use a dab of super glue where the swim bait nose meets the back of the jig head. They are more fragile, but doing this does hold better and permits multiple hookups.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good tip thanks for sharing!

[@roberts.2413]

Matt when fishing a hollow belly on a weedless hook set-up do you cut a slit in the belly like some guys do ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yes I do!

[@stoneysdead689]

I don't know why but I seem to naturally gravitate toward the hollow belly when fishing deeper or off shore- and to the solid body when fishing shallow or using smaller baits. Tbh though I've never even noticed it until now- nor have I thought it out- just what I started doing and it seemed to work so, kept doing it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

stick with what works!

[@Mr.Higgs.]

I just caught my pb crappie 1.80lb on a 4.8 keitech last weekend before a heavy front came through our area. Never had alot of success on hollybelly swimbaits.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thats a big crappie!

[@richardmajewski3815]

Matt: have you ever peeled off the outer layer of the hollow body to get an even more supple bait with better action?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep! Did this video on it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6eqYZVpadqXaZo

[@michaelblumhagen4477]

I use Ryan salzmans true bass true lock swim bait jig heads on his hollow bellies (tackle warehouse) on a rigs, exposed hook and they don’t come off. Get a dozen or so smallies on one swimbait before you need to retire the bait. Better value for me compared to a keitech on an exposed hook

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@irwinm.fletcher2612]

I haven't try the hollow,because it was my impression that they are used weightless with a slow retrieve

[@MattStefanFishing]

they need some wieght to run right

[@shiggityswa]

I keep buying those berkley hollow bodies when I see them in stores and I’ve caught exactly 0 fish on them because I’ve never made a cast with them. I’ve gained so much confidence with the solid body that it’s hard for me to even try a hollow body.

[@MattStefanFishing]

give them a try!

[@Cochran53]

For my fellow big bait fiends, I strongly recommend picking up the flag 170 and Flag 255 from Grow Design Works. They fish like a refined hard glide bait, but are actually a soft bait. Loving them so far.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing ill check them out

[@romaloboda2280]

Thanks, Matt. By the way, have you heard someone up North or wherever have caught a pike, not a bass in the thickest grass(weeds) while punching or flipping, or maybe you have caught them yourself? I just wonder if they can live and feed inside that thick weeds, not only near/around. Thanks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i catch pike all the time punching weeds for largemouth

[@MrFishBlood]

Last week, I caught a 14 pound pike from inside thick grass with a lipless crankbait on Lake St Clair.

[@romaloboda2280]

@@MrFishBlood Thanks for sharing. I was just wondering if flipping/punching thick grass for catching pike will work, because I didn't hear somebody did it.

[@XxNiteStockerxX]

More rambling while drinking please 😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha!

[@kenbrown5449]

I really like the swimbait related vids. Thanks for putting up the link to your Stupid Swimbait video.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you like them!

[@PythonDad]

I like using hollow body baits when no one else is throwing them, which is often lol

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching!

[@FiciousCritik]

When is it best to use a skirted swimjig, say for example, Keitech FSIs? When is it best to use a bare swimjig for Keitech FSIs? Please embellish as desired ... anybody?

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds like a good video !

[@secretbassrigs]

@@MattStefanFishing I like your channel and your character so much, I want to share with you, and your viewers lucky enough to see this comment, my secret swimbait customization. I improved the action of my boot tail swim baits, especially hollow body swimbaits, to swim more naturally. It's similar to the tail configurations of Storm's Largo Shad. It also works great on larger trout sized boot tail swimbaits. Tie two screw locks together where there's about two inches of very light braid between them. Put one end into the front side of the boot tail, exactly in the center, then put the other end into the belly of the swimbait,. You'll need to make adjustments to get the best action. For larger Swimbaits you'll need to make the length longer. I use It on my Magdrafts and hollow bellies with lots of success, and the action is so much more life like without the tail pivoting up and looking broken when swimming through the water. I also get more head movement, when using weights EWG's.

[@LowBrowFishing]

I hardly ever use a hollow body swimbait because I always seem to have to fiddle with it after each cast. Granted, it's probably user error, but I generally just stick to solid swimbaits.

[@MattStefanFishing]

choosing the right hook is key

[@jaythorne5208]

I'm not a fan of belly weighted hooks.....I use an ewg hook with a bass casting sinker attached with a split ring....sorta like a tokyo rig....ger some crazy roll wobble

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@outdoorswithjt6652]

I fish a hollow belly on a Carolina rig hooked like I guess you could say wacky rigged. I'm not sure if you or any of your viewers have tried it but it's a producer.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@terrytresemer2864]

Pretty much the way I roll.

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@EdwardClarkIII]

Cattails!?

[@MattStefanFishing]

id go solid body

[@ricksonora6656]

If manufacturers placed the tube higher in the body and you sealed off its opening, the buoyancy would make weighting the hook unnecessary. If hollow bellies can’t stand up to reed gauntlets, wouldn’t they be even more vulnerable around wood branches?

[@ricksonora6656]

PS: Thank you. I’m taking notes. Going to watch your video on stupid swim baits, next.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep

[@scottsavoca3489]

Use a cheap plastic worm inside hollow body to screw in and add a disc about dime size of rubber tubing at nose inside behind worm screw thru all one bait all day many fish on each and action is great also add tungsten bb or two inside for sound weight and body roll increased Your welcome

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing

[@scottsavoca3489]

You have a great outlook on fishing,tackle choices and conditions but beer should taste like beer I had to stop watching you cuz the girly sip and sound hmmmm citrus!! NO DUDE

[@MattStefanFishing]

hahaha just tell me you arent drinking a light beer...if so ill accept your criticism haha