Underwater Swimbait Footage! Best Swimbaits And Paddletails Compared!

14 of the top swimbaits compared underwater! Come below the surface into crystal clear water and watch how these popular swimbaits and paddle tails swim. You'll be amazed how different they really are! Some are ultra subtle, some vibrate wildly, and others have wide wobbling tails. Which are your favorites? Which are our favorites? Let's find out!
When it comes to picking a swimbait most anglers just listen to what's popular. Let's set popular aside for a minute and look at how the baits actually move. Which ones jump out at you? Are you attracted to the baits that run true with a wide kick? Perhaps you like the baits with heavy body rock with the hook flopping wildly from side to side? The beauty of this underwater footage is you can compare the baits and know exactly what they're doing the next time you head to the lake!
Below you'll find links to the exact gear used in the video. We've linked both heads (Tactical Finesse and Guppy) along with all the swimbaits. The swimbaits are listed in the order they appeared in the video. We've also included our favorite colors for each. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
Swimbait Hooks Used...
-Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head (3/8 oz): bit.ly/2Pqrq3n
-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head (1/4 oz): bit.ly/2nyUJRS
Swimbaits In Order Of Appearance...
-Keitech Swing Impact Fat 4.8": bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Color Shown: Gizzard Shad
Favorite Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, TW Ghost Shad
-Big Bite Baits Pro Swimmer 4.8": bit.ly/3AeQsaS
Color Shown: Albino Shad
Favorite Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Albino Shad
-Strike King Rage Swimmer 4.75": bit.ly/2evZF8j
Color Shown: Green Pumpkin Pearl Belly
Favorite Colors: Ghost Shad, Green Gizzard Shad
-Damiki Armor Shad 4": bit.ly/2KtPDAT
Color Shown: RP Blue Pearl
Favorite Colors: Flash Shad, PB Silver
-Megabass Spark Shad 4": bit.ly/2XcLZk4
Color Shown: Lemon Shad
Favorite Colors: Hiuo, Neon Pepper, Real
-River2Sea D Walker 120: bit.ly/2NwqBmz
Color Shown: Silver Side
Favorite Colors: PB Red, Shamrock Shad
-13 Fishing Pleasure Shad 5.5": bit.ly/3A4F4hx
Color Shown: Glitter Bomb
Favorite Colors: Boss Nugget, Glitter Bomb
-Big Bite Baits Finesse Swimmer 4.4": bit.ly/3bdZjgv
Color Shown: Pro Blue Red Flake
Favorite Colors: Disco Glitter Silver, Tennessee Shad
-Storm 360 GT Search Bait: bit.ly/3gWCqmz
Color Shown: Smokin' Shad
Favorite Colors: Smelt, Volunteer
-Storm Largo Shad 3": bit.ly/3vxP0NB
Color Shown: Tennessee Shad
Favorite Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Sexy Shad, Albino Shad
-Keitech Easy Shiner 4": bit.ly/2bxJK6H
Color Shown: Sun Gill
Favorite Colors: Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad
-13 Fishing Churro 4.25": bit.ly/2LLeRA6
Color Shown: Blue Collar
Favorite Colors: Moonlight Clan, Purple Rain
-XZone Swammer 4": bit.ly/2PogV0q
Color Shown: Perch
Favorite Colors: Bream, 309, 210
-Gambler Little EZ 3.75": bit.ly/3jmeYgM
Color Shown: Ghost Shad
Favorite Colors: Tennessee Shad, Alewife, New Shad
Favorite Combo For Tactical Finesse Head...
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 863C SBR: bit.ly/2x9kxuS
Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): bit.ly/34HlAAk
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Sunline Super FC 12 lb Flurocarbon: bit.ly/2p7fxju
High-End Guppy Head Combo...
Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 902S SJR: bit.ly/2RB0oJP
Reel- Shimano Exsence A 3000: bit.ly/2iMtscV
Line- Sunline SX1 12 lb Braid: bit.ly/2tn8EzQ
Leader- Sunline Super FC 7 lb Fluorocarbon: bit.ly/2p7fxju
Budget Guppy Finesse Swimbait Combo...
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: bit.ly/2s7kaQn
Reel- Shimano Sahara FI 2500: bit.ly/2XhhM43
Line- Sunline Super FC Fluorocarbon 8 lb: bit.ly/2p7fxju
Want TacticalBassin Gear?
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
Major Equipment We Use Daily...
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: bit.ly/35HuPRY
Net- Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
Favorite Tools and Gear…
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/3kngvEG
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
________________________________________________________________
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#underwater #bassfishing #swimbait

[@upthecreekyt]

No other bass fishing channel goes as in-depth into baits as you guys! The fact y'all don't have 1 million subs yet just puzzles me.

[@renaudtheis1197]

Most people want entertainment rather than substantial content.

[@ChofFlavius]

They have good stuff but in this video they shouldve broken it up by speaking about each one in order of showing them instead of a 15 minute straight video of just them swimming with no words said, followed by 5 minutes of comment

[@TheMichiganFisherman]

They don't have a million yet because: - They don't act like total D-Bags. - They don't post clickbait. - They don't have some chick on their channel pulling her jugs out. - They don't post gimmick videos. Tim and Matt have one of THE BEST fishing channels on KZbin. Period. It will NEVER be the most popular... and that's ok. But they don't sell out like some other channels and that's why I always find myself coming back.

[@lisheltonanderson8645]

Agreed

[@andrewwolf4963]

Yeah it’s almost like people would rather watch Andrew Flair name sheep 🐑 and 🐐 goats then catch a 5lber in a half acre pond he stocked I feel like this channel deserves 2 subs for every sub Flair has I do gotta say old flair was educational and tolerable lol this wasn’t meant to bash him just crazy We need to do our part and share these videos more

[@fermoer3814]

Most impressed by that River2sea offering!

[@ChRiStRiDa7]

Yeah and curious what hook is best for it? I bought some and it swims funny! Maybe I need a jig head for it!?

[@Timmerman0602]

Would really like to see an Alabama rig comparison underwater that shows the “do’s” and “don’ts”, blades vs non blades, and how each bama rig flares when it’s pumped.

[@guad512]

That little Gambler and the D Walker really stood out to me! Also impressed with the Big Bite Finesse!

[@TheClutt]

Armor shad looked amazing, and I thought the xzone looked awesome too!

[@tacticalbassin]

Agreed! They both looked really good

[@kdot2427]

Now I see why Matt preaches those D-Walkers for swim jigs. Those things are VIBRATING!

[@brewsandbass5572]

Amazing how different the action is on each one. I'll be shopping soon.

[@loufebus9792]

I appreciate the work and research you’ve done. Thanks

[@YourNextCast]

Great underwater view. Seeing that side to side wobble is pretty cool. That Keitech Easy Shiner has been my go-to. Can't seem to get the same results with the swing impact. Definitely want to try that D Walker though. Never used that before. Thanks for the explanations guys.

[@jonathangreen6088]

I love underwater vids too guys! Thanks TB

[@rogerbrand223]

Awesome video. I would like to see the Jackel Rythem Wave underwater. It's one of my go to swimbaits. Thanks for all you guys do. Great work.

[@waynelagarde7956]

Tim and Matt always come with them fire 🔥 under water videos.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Wayne we appreciate the support!

[@waynelagarde7956]

You're welcome and thank you for all the great info, it's priceless.

[@bobfishnut]

Very difficult to stick with just a few favorites! Great job!

[@mikegardiner3934]

yep, that Largo 3” is becoming one of my favorites.

[@kdot2427]

Definitely about to pick some of those up as well.

[@mikegardiner3934]

the TN shad is my fav for pretty clear lakes like Lanier. however I have to admit, realistic perch and bluegill patterns look killer to try and ponds.

[@tacticalbassin]

It looked Awesome!

[@Ajblendz]

Great video !!! On the next one can you do a 6th sense divine swim bait? I would love to see the action on it underwater! Keep up the great work boys! That d walker is 🔥!!

[@Balthizaar]

Loading up on armor shads. Thanks for sharing all the info as always.

[@charlieboutin3341]

Excellent underwater footage! Thanks a lot for taking the time to do this, and then sharing it with us. Always appreciated! 👍👍🎣

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

🔥🔥🔥I’m soooooooo grateful for the hours of work you put into this video and the ones you like were my favorites also,Thank you Tim and Matt ❤️🙏👍

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Great vid...took notes! Helps with selecting 2 or 3 styles of sb's for the day.

[@umami0247]

That side to side is what I look for. Great on any rig that needs a trailer or a stand alone swimbait. The underwater camera work is spot on and thanks for not killing it with music.

[@Twangtown7]

Great stuff, Tim!

[@jakemartin1999]

Dang I wish you guys could make it out to Baccarac this fall. Great video🤙🎣!

[@erniesanders3724]

Great underwater footage Tim. Thanks from Western Kentucky.

[@rainbosprinkles6548]

I fish inshore for reds specks and flounder along with freshwater for bass. I have switched to using only a couple different paddle tails for either application. The Down South Lures super model has shown awesome results for me in both types of fishing.

[@Leatherface-]

Haha so neat to see them in action.

[@danham3344]

Super cool video Tim! As soon as I saw the “Pleasure Shad”, I couldn’t believe it! That thing has a 180 degree roll! Also very surprised by the Bigger Damiki Shad. I’ve used the smaller ones for drop shots, Damiki Rigs etc. but not the larger ones. Again, spectacular footage guys. No one gets underwater shots like TB’n.

[@hawk362]

Thank you so much for the footage bro. I think it is a wonderful idea of you, recording how the baits works. God bless you and keep up the good work.

[@eriktzintzun7045]

I just started bass fishing,,just found your channel and is amazing how much knowledge you share,,u just got a new subscriber 👍

[@frankh2213]

That armor shad looks insane under water!

[@tacticalbassin]

We thought so too!

[@legionssb777]

I know! That one really surprised me. Gonna have to get some I guess

[@johngfishing8814]

loved the underwater footage!

[@badneed]

Just bought the River2Sea D Walker for my night walleye bait. Imagining the vibration that bait will make with all that wobble. Thank you

[@shadow8403]

OK! Thank you very much, that was such a great learning experience. I appreciate your time and effort. Kane Fishing Gear

[@CanadianBasserman]

Awesome Video! Love the Keitech Swing Impact and Easy Shiner series! The Sawamura One Up Shad is also a great one! Not sure if you guys get these out there... haven't seen it on tacklewarehouse...

[@davidhidalgo5662]

Just awesome as always. You need to just call these The Money Shot for "insert lure category" Cant get enough of these videos

[@fishingwiththeks]

Very cool. Can’t wait to give some of here lures a try

[@alcav54]

That 13 Fishing Pleasure Shad would be sick on a Swim Jig

[@beezie2566]

Hey, don't tell anyone!

[@dennisederer3594]

Another exceptional training video. I was impressed by some the soft baits that rotated from side to side. I would think that the added reflections would be a significant fish attractor. Please continue to provide videos like these as your valuable time permits. Thank you very much.

[@tacticalbassin]

Absolutely! Thank you Dennis

[@elizabethsumpter9129]

Love the underwater footage,

[@jdean1851]

Awesome Breakdown!!! 13 Thumbzzzuppp!!!

[@outpostjared7835]

I need to order some D walkers! those things always blow me away with how much they move about!

[@happyhankjr]

EXCELLENT VIDEO....EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO SEE. THANK YOU.

[@mikeadams4605]

The Largo shad also has some great realistic Bluegill, Perch and Shiner patterns. I have done very well using these 3 on a drop shot too

[@bonaggi]

Interesting to see actions of swimbaits under water

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

You guys have the very best channel period . Thanks for your honesty about our sport .

[@chrischrist7982]

Great video

[@emilianobanzi9432]

unbelievable action of the Damiki! TB still #1, great underw footage

[@buddymccormack8668]

The big bite baits and the Damiki looked the best to me, other then the keitech and the strike king that I already use

[@jeremynewhouse6530]

That little head wobble makes all the difference in the world. Xzone lures makes some of the best I have ever used.

[@RyanSmith-fb8rf]

Awesome job I came out with the exact top 4. That Dwalk and Largo Shad are my go to Swimbaits. You should try out the BassAssassin Die Dapper it has a ton of roll and flash to it. I use them a lot at Headwaters Lake and Stick Marsh down in Florida along with the Big EZ.

[@ronaldlaine9516]

Well done!

[@JoseMartinez-dq4km]

This was sweet great idea the armor shad looked sweet

[@tacticalbassin]

Glad you liked it

[@user-yi6ci8gi9v]

more underwater vids like this in this lake please

[@seanhart6643]

-Megabass Spark Shad 4" Standout for me as it looks like the swimbait is eating the head...cool look and gives it a different type of secondary action...maybe;)- And in the smaller sizes I've had consistent success so there's that too! Valuable content, thanks again T.B.

[@jatavioushoskins6457]

I love this guy

[@cliffhall5602]

Excellent videography

[@ivancibrev2675]

Good job bro. Best "underwater & compare" video on youtube.

[@johnandjodyvleeming]

I had great luck this weekend with a Jackall 4.8” Rhythm Wave

[@Gstar5150]

Wow that Finesse Swimmer Big Bite has a really nice action, it even looks good in slo mo

[@donmccarty9216]

I was making notes as I watched and had the D-Walker and Pleasure shad at the top of my list. I've already had good success on the Armor Shad here in Kentucky.

[@swimbaitonaprairie9359]

Largo Shad looks great

[@WestCoastChris138]

The Largo Shad is the Juice, I’ve wrecked them on it, one of my favorites fosho!!

[@guyb5333]

Please consider doing a video showing a matrix of when to use these baits with different actions based on water temperature, water Clarity, time of year Etc. For those of us who can't buy three colors of 20 different baits it would certainly help. I did notice a lot of what you refer to as secondary action in these paddletails, some have more side-to-side wobble and some have up and down jig head movement. This was a great video always love tacticalbassin.

[@jonathanrivera6815]

Tim I'm literally wearing the same hat and sunglasses right now lol 😂

[@andrewwolf4963]

The Bass Assassin Boss Shiner and the Bass Assassin Elite Shiner are two really good baits that are similar to the Keitech Fat and Easy Shiner but are just a little cheaper both on TW as well, and one I been messing with lately that seems to work really well is that Chasebaits , it has a full body and has eyes lol

[@darrelllitherland8880]

love the under footage

[@michael476b]

I have a new pack of d-walker for buzzbaits and never opened them. I was impressed with a swimbait head.

[@FreedomFishing]

Love the Gambler EZ swimbaits! Can pretty much get bit on them all year round. With different rigging methods, sizes, and techniques, you can fish them from topwater, all the way down to dragging bottom.

[@robstone1489]

I love these videos. I always wondered how you get such good footage. Do you have multiple cameras under water? Using scuba gear? They always look so great.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Robert it is a lot of work but there is so much to learn from the footage.

[@ILLUMINATHAN79]

Awesome video! Amazon video dropping this week...? 🤔

[@TKsw191145]

Big bit baits Suicide shad. Gotta check those out

[@waynelagarde7956]

Every swim bait looked really good. Well there goes my money again. Lol great video as always brother.

[@tacticalbassin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bassinbilliards6279]

I needed this because my swimbait game is on 🔥 and I'm running out of my colors 😅.

[@brandonreynolds3884]

Dimaki was my favorite. But the storm swims level and has quiver with that bill gonna get some if those!

[@ewwee2k]

Thanks for the video! It was one of the most enlightening underwater videos you’ve done. Please do another one and include Jenko Booty Shaker, Gambler Big EZ. THANKS 🙏

[@bamadondon0495]

I think the spark shad had the best action as far as the tail action! We all know what the rage swimmer can do, plus the Keitech.. but seriously the spark shad I think it's my favorite! I throw the smaller version on the spin heads in the winter time and just drag them on the bottom or reel them on a spinning rod extremely slow just barely off the bottom and get bit every time!! Hey you can do so much for the spark chance too, you can take the 4 in and cut a little off of that bait as far as the head of it goes and it makes a really really good chatterbait trailer!! Good video as always, my everyday morning, coffee and some tactical bassin!!

[@DarrinDoss]

Pretty interesting. I feel like a few of them produce different sounds.

[@swamp_rat_fla1126]

Gambler EZ is all I throw here in Fla. They all look good to me 😀

[@guitarwelsh]

Pretty impressed with the gambler been fishing with their baits forever truth be told I like the 13 fishing Baits

[@brianbochow]

Down here in Australia Keitech rocks...I am shivering from the cold right now because of our winter but maybe as you say I may find a new 3 inch swim bait for our bass come summer...

[@Totallytorched]

You guys should check out the anglers choice ac swimbaits they did some work for me this year so far

[@blowupbassin152]

This is gonna be great

[@blowupbassin152]

But my wallet will cry

[@nathanellis914]

Omg the keitec is literally waving

[@jw-zl3zp]

This is Awesome

[@jw-zl3zp]

What line do you prefer to use

[@TimK4343]

Do you recommend the 1/0 or 3/0 hooks on the guppy jig for the smaller 3" swimbaits?

[@alcav54]

Would love to see the 3” Spark Shad on the Okashira Spin Head

[@lightsoutlitch6278]

That is in their underwater underspin video

[@guad512]

No doubt, the Spark Shad doesn’t pair as well on the Tactical Head!

[@lightsoutlitch6278]

@@guad512 definitely not, I feel like it works much better on a slower retrieve and with different heads. This overpowered it for sure.

[@shtty17]

Thing straight up snatches, love that rig

[@guad512]

@@lightsoutlitch6278 yep! The back half of the bait was also sinking? Action is much better and natural with a lighter head!

[@AskTheRightQuestion88]

Now let me tell you. That storm 360 gt is killer. They love the twitch and pause. Hit it as it falls. Tight lines.

[@depalebe]

Surprised. No Jackall Prism Shad. Thanks for a view we typically don't see.

[@tacticalbassin]

We had a long list of baits to try. Maybe on the next one

[@bangingbassholes7964]

I echo what Up the creek said! Also, not sure if it’s even possible but if it is Possible i would find it awesome and useful …on the underwater footage videos if you could split the screen with the uw bait footage plus your retrieval technique/ speed /pauses/ whatever…that would be something I would find beneficial. I don’t recall ever seeing it done before on any channel. Love y’all from Murfreesboro TN!

[@Straight_Kash]

A lot of these baits have great roll but nothing is like the D Walker! It’s the best swim jig trailer ever, so durable! put it on the Megabass Uoze, it’s game over haha

[@WesleyKennedy]

Had a D-Walker 120 on a 1/2 oz swim jig get me the largest pike of the trip last week!

[@cjscarborough83]

No love for reaction innovations dippers? My favorite by far.

[@drewoutdoors8628]

I don’t think they where in size range cause the Little Dipper is 5in and the skinny dipper is like 3.8

[@cjscarborough83]

@@drewoutdoors8628 maybe. I thought the criteria was right where both are. Skinny is 5” and little is 3.5”. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tacticalbassin]

Not this time. We had too many baits we wanted to film. Maybe on the next one

[@datruthhurts3984]

I feel like alot of these baits were just copying Reaction Innovations little dipper.caught a 7.5 on the lower Colorado river throwing it..love em.belly weighted in grass with straight braid on a parabolic heavy

[@fourwinnsdummy]

Great video! My favorite swimbait is the Googan Baits Saucy Swimmer.

[@morganyoder4277]

Get a keitech, the googan saucys are a rip off of them.

[@fourwinnsdummy]

@@morganyoder4277 You could say that about any ribbed paddle tail swimbait. I like the Googan Baits smelly sauce. Either way I catch lots of fish on them. I use lots of the Strike King Rage Swimmers too.

[@morganyoder4277]

@@fourwinnsdummy fair enough, I was just saying that after having used keitechs that the scent feel and action of the keitech is better.

[@1g4u]

Swim-bait my favorite to throw in the California delta

[@cummingsboys3467]

I liked the River to sea and the largo.

[@stoneysdead689]

Look at the roll on that pleasure shad- I think I found a new swim jig trailer. That thing should really get the skirt flaring and twisting. I've been using the X-Zone swammer but the Pleasure shad has a more exaggerated roll to it.

[@Farmersforever1993]

Strike King Rage swimmer, green pumpkin and pearl, and Storm Largo Shad, pearl and Albino shad

[@DiamondHead2010]

Underwater lure vid? Yes sir, can’t click fast enough

[@johnhildenbrand2642]

I think a video showing various swimbait performances at various temperature ranges would be most instructive, likely it would be an absolute pain in the butt to film, and probably time consuming in the extreme, but it would be an epic level tips and tricks type of video

[@projectj3494]

Looks like your swimming those baits in a pool.. very clear water

[@travisbruno5964]

What color sunglasses do you think is the best color for bank,pond and kayak fishing ? And thanks for the content we appreciate you. God Bless and tight lines

[@projectj3494]

Yammamoto Heart Tail