The glide bait is a real revolution in the world of lure fishing in France. The Glide Bait is an articulated swimbait with an atypical S-shaped swimming action that imitates a wounded or fleeing fish to perfection. We've been fishing with this lure for several years on various rivers. What we can tell you is that the results are amazing, especially on big fish. pike and black bass. Discover the secrets of this fearsome lure.
Our article in brief
- A unique design The Glide bait is an articulated swimbait. Its special design gives it an S-shaped or zigzag swimming action, imitating a wounded or fleeing fish.
- The glide bait is an ultra-effective lure for fishing at depths of between 0.5 and 5 metres. It's a great lure for freshwater fishing.
- How do you animate a glide bait? You can use continuous retrieve or jerky retrieve.
- What equipment do you need for glide bait fishing? powerful rod, robust reel, 40 to 60 lb braid
- When should you fish with a glide bait? You can fish with glidebait all year round by adapting the technique.
Glide bait characteristics
The glide bait is a lure with a unique design. It is a hard lure belonging to the swimbaits. It is generally distinguished by its central joint. Thanks to this design, the glide bait has a characteristic swimming action. " S " or in zigzagcommonly known as "snaking. This animation allows him toimitate to perfection either a fleeing fish or a wounded fish in difficulty. This atypical stroke is a magnet for predators, particularly the pike and the black bass. It is not uncommon to see them coming from a great distance and following the glidebait for several metres before violently attacking it.
You can weight your glide bait if you want to reach deeper areas. During our fishing sessions on Lake Annecy, for example, we found that the glide bait excelled in deeper water. depths of up to 5 metres.
In our opinion, the glide bait is particularly effective at the start of the season, in autumn and winter. The glide bait makes it possible to fish slowly or even stationary during breaks. It is therefore perfectly suited to cool waters where fish are more difficult to move.
What colour should you choose for your glide bait?
The choice of colour plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of the glide bait. We recommend imitations of :
- White fish
- Poles
- Trout
These natural colours considerably increase the chances of triggering an attack by predators.
We've also noticed that very flashy colours such as neon yellow or pronounced firetiger also work very well. Examples include Jointed Claw by Gan Craft in colour Hot Tiger which has exceptional results in winning over the most educated fish.
What animation will trigger the buttons?
Here are two types of activity that we are experimenting with at the water's edge and which are particularly effective:
- Linear recoveryLinear animation: As the name suggests, a linear animation is when you retrieve your glide bait in a regular pattern. You can simply adjust the retrieve speed to suit the conditions. This technique is ideal for powerfishing large areas. For example, during a winter session on the shores of Lake Annecy, we noticed that a very slow, almost static retrieve triggered spectacular hits from big pike.
- Scion jerks This animation allows you toimitate a wounded fish to perfection and get a more precise approach to a position. In fact, when you strike your lure with the tip of the tip, it will shift erratically, which often triggers attacks from the most wary predators. Don't hesitate to intersperse these activities with short breaks. Pike often attack when your glide bait is almost static in the water.
It's worth noting that glide baits are particularly effective when whitefish are spawning. During this period, predators are more active and the glide bait imitates their favourite prey perfectly.
What equipment do you need for glide bait fishing?
Here is a summary of the equipment we think you need to get the most out of a glode bait:
| Element | Recommended features |
|---|---|
| Size of glidebait | 17 to 22 cm |
| Weight of glidebait | Approximately 60 to 100 g |
| Cane | Powerful, cutting-edge action |
| Reel | Baitcasting or robust spinning |
| Braided | 40 to 60 lbs minimum |
The choice of rod is, of course, a key element in getting the right action out of your glide bait. We prefer a powerful rod with a tip action. This gives you perfect control over the lure's movements while still being able to strike and fight big fish.
As for the reel, we generally fish with low ratio casting models. This allows for more precise approaches and casts, while bringing your lure back very slowly under the water.
As far as the line body is concerned, we prefer braid in order to feel the slightest vibrations from the lure and ensure effective striking, even at great distances. We recommend a minimum 40 to 60 lbs braid to cope with the powerful rushes of big pike or to extract large black bass from obstacles. For greater discretion, we use fluorocarbon leaders. Depending on the size of the glide bait, we use fluoro ranging from 40/100 to 80/100.
Exploiting the potential of glidebait in all seasons
Although particularly effective in cool waters, glidebait can be used all year round by adapting its use. During our fishing trips across France, we identified specific strategies for each season:
In spring Target shallow areas where predators are actively hunting. A slow retrieve with frequent pauses can trigger spectacular attacks.
In summer The best time to fish is in the early hours of the morning or at dusk. Smaller glidebaits can be effective in tempting less active predators during hot weather.
In autumn : This is the ideal season for glidebait. Carnivores are particularly active, preparing for winter. Don't hesitate to use large models to target the biggest specimens.
In winter Recovery: A very slow recovery is essential. Prolonged pauses can provoke attacks from lethargic pike. This is the time to use glidebaits with natural, discreet colours.
All in all, we think the glidebait is a must-have lure for any experienced predator angler. Its versatility and efficiency make it a major asset for catching record-breaking black bass or pike. Don't hesitate to add it to your arsenal and experiment with different animations. With practice and patience, you'll master this innovative and spectacular art of fishing.
Our 3 must-have glide baits
Gan Craft Jointed Claw
Very easy to catch, the Jointed Claw from Gan Craft is a glide bait with an ultra-realistic swimming action. The pressure of the water on the sides of the lure creates a natural swimming action that will make even the most hardened predator wary. The flexible tail at the back of the lure intensifies this very special swimming action.
When it comes to animation and fishing, we advise you to target submerged weed beds and adjust the retrieve speed to vary the action. Stops followed by accelerations allow the Jointe Claw to descend slowly while maintaining perfect balance. This reinforces the illusion of dying prey and often leads to attacks from pike and black bass.
We particularly like the version 178 SS of the Jointed Claw. This size of glide bait is ideal for pike, catfish and black bass.
Deps Slide Swimmer
The DEPS Slide Swimmer is another must-have glidebait in our opinion. Whether it's trout in rivers or pike in ponds, this lure is a lethal weapon. This lure has a perfect S action and incredible realism. You'd swear it was a fish just swimming by when it reached your feet. But it's really a glide in action. There are 4 sizes to choose from: 115mm, ideal for trout and perch, 145mm, 175mm and 230mm for black bass and pike.
Evergreen Esflat
It is by alternating slow and fast recovery that the ES FLAT by Evergreen reveals all its potential. When accelerating, it will execute a fairly sinuous S-shaped stroke punctuated by rolling at each bend. The ES FLAT will then send out flashes of light to simulate a wounded fish on the run. Very dense, the ES FLAT can be cast a long way. It's a slow sinking glidebait that can fish between 0.5 and 3 m deep. We particularly like it for spring pike fishing along the edges, alternating between linear animation and long pauses. It often triggers lightning attacks!
