Any idea what this old Swimbait is?

[VinnyBass]

Years.....and I mean many, many, many years ago, I bought a few swim baits like the Castaic trout and a few Optimum swim baits despite
never really having a rod strong enough to toss the bigger ones. I imagine most of us at times have bought baits that later just ended up
stored away and that is why I am posting this. I have no idea what this swim bait is and maybe one of you old timers..I mean veteran
fishermen may know. The bait is about 8 1/2" long and looking at its condition, it may have been in the water only a few times.
Thanks.

[camobass]

Throw it

[VinnyBass]

Throw it

"I will throw swimbaits more in the coming new New Year" (don't I say this at the end of every year?)
The one New Years resolutions that I never seem follow up with. Yes, I throw them for a bit but maybe less than 2 hours in all
of 2023. I really will make a better effort to toss swimbaits more in 2024.
I know that if I do catch a nice bass, you will be the first I will thank for always telling me to toss them.
Thanks Camobass and tight lines always.

[camobass]

That bait is something “new”. It may get chomped

[foulhook]

Bango Minnow Ha Ha

[Gotfish?]

I did a reverse image Google search and nothing showed up. Might be a brand that is not made anymore.

https://lens.google.com/search?ep=gisbu ... p3PT0iXQ==

If you think you bought at TW or another outlet, search your past orders to see. Most places keep past orders on file.

Would be horrible to discover this was the hot bait for big bass, then loose it and not be able to buy more. You would be kicking yourself for not buying a dozen at the time, just to be safe.

[VinnyBass]

I did a reverse image Google search and nothing showed up. Might be a brand that is not made anymore.

https://lens.google.com/search?ep=gisbu ... p3PT0iXQ==

If you think you bought at TW or another outlet, search your past orders to see. Most places keep past orders on file.

Would be horrible to discover this was the hot bait for big bass, then loose it and not be able to buy more. You would be kicking yourself for not buying a dozen at the time, just to be safe.

I bought it many decades ago at a tackle shop and searched online for older swimbaits but just have not been successful finding one like it.
I just posted it just in case someone might remember or know what it is.
That reverse image on Google was pretty cool. Just shows that you could learn something new every day.

[StinkyPinky23]

Looks like an Optimum to me

[VinnyBass]

I was thinking optimum, but I just never seen one with three hooks like that

[Oh Da Shiz]

Looks like it might be an osprey swimbait. I used to have a few but they've been donated during some fishing trips at Skinner.

[kahuna bass]

Vinny,

Interesting looking Osprey/Optimum swimbait. The OG Osprey swimbaits were hard baits and later Steve Harner went with soft swimbaits. I have several Osprey's and it just doesn't meet all the lines. Good question! I'm leaning more towards early Optimum Swimbait. Throw it and hang on!!

Mel - Kentucky Kahuna bass

[crawdadguy]

I think it is an optimum as well.

[crawdadguy]

I think it is an optimum as well. Looks like a custom rig too. Caught a bass at wohlford on an optimum years ago.

[VinnyBass]

Yeah, that’s kind of what I was thinking because back then there wasn’t a lot of choices and if you run it through the water, there’s really not a lot of action on it, but it is been sitting in the garage for decades. Maybe I should put it in a frame ha ha ha anyway thanks for your imput. Tight lines

[Moose]

Optimum

The only other possibility would be an old Basstrix, they made a very similar bait that Byron Velvick used to promote

[1Fishdude]

how much does it weigh?

[VinnyBass]

Not sure what it weighs, but I think now more and more than it is an Optimum bait.

[camobass]

About time to start throwing it….

[VinnyBass]

About time to start throwing it….

Yes....you are right!
I need to dedicate more time to tossing swimbaits.(Heard that story before eh Camo?)
I was pretty excited to catch a bass(a small one) at Murray a few weeks ago on a small Jackall Gantarel swimbait.
The first thing in the morning I dedicated roughy 45 minutes(better than 8-10 minutes...ha ha) of just tossing it without
stopping, despite being distracted a few times with bass jumping which was very tempting for me to switch rods.
Anyway...I always jump for the easiest targets with bass and have never dedicated enough time with swimbaits.
Heck, I have caught plenty of bass on regular methods and need to just plan some trips just tossing swimbaits only.
Yeah, I may get skunked a bunch of times, but the reward would be a nice healthy bass. John Cassidy at Anglers Arsenal
told me once a friend of his wanted to catch a big bass on a swimbait and only used swimbaits each fishing trip
and I think he was skunked at least 8 trips or so and finally caught a nice bass. Heck, I may pop up to Poway a few times
as I have talked to a few guys who have caught some double digit fish there. I think my Hud 68 needs more time
in the water.
Tight lines

[StinkyPinky23]

Cool video with Aaron Lewis of stained