Are you looking to up-size your swimbait artillery? The Huddleston Deluxe 8″ Rainbow Trout is a big bait that calls out the heaviest bruisers to play. It’s the most realistic trout imitator on the market (that is affordable).Ā I couldn’t take my eyes off the immaculate detail when I first began fishing it. Each bait is hand painted and has a wedge-style tail that gives the bait a natural movement in the water. The color schemes range from “hold over trout” to “Ghost Trout.” Of course, there are colors that imitate other species. But Western fishing has a way of outdoing itself every time. We target the heavy hitters, those freaks of nature, the trout-killing, dock monsters.
However, the Huddleston can be used across the country, even in regions that claim not to have huge bass. The Huddelston is a fantastic bait to isolate the big boys below. But aside from action and detail, does it catch fish? Is it worth buying heavy gear to fish baits like the Huddleston? In this post I’ll dive into the history of this bait as well as its applications and how to fish it. Big swimbaits are a great method for bass anglers to have ready to go when other baits (even finesse lures) won’t get the bite.
The Huddleston Deluxe Trout History
It is said that the Huddleston Deluxe has more double-digit fish to its name than any lure in history. Legendary trophy angler Butch Brown is living proof of this. Brown became widely known for his proclivity for hauling in giant southern trout eaters on SoCal lakes after popularizing the Huddelston for its effectiveness in drawing in larger specimens. Brown has fished all over California from Clearlake, Berryessa, and the California Delta to the southern regions such as lakes like Casitas in Southern California. The Huddleston deluxe, for a long while, was his weapon of choice, which changed the course of west coast swimbait fishing.
Huddleston Deluxe Action & Versatility
Designed for slower action, the Huddleston deluxe is built with a wedge-style tail that thumps along presenting fish with a life-like, subtle action. When the Huddleston was released, there weren’t many lures that had the same level of life-like detail nor the versatile and range of weight options. The 8″ Hud is a perfect profile of a trout that entices big fish. One advantage it has is its ability to slow crawl the bottom like a jig. This makes it a perfect cold-water lure for offshore bass. With a top hook, you can drag the Huddleston over rocks and gravel as the wedge tail thumps from side to side, giving a double-digit bass a large enough meal.
How to Fish the Huddleston
The Huddleston excels on lakes that stock trout. Heavier models like the ROF 12 and ROF 16 are designed to reach the bottom faster allowing you to creep along rocks. This technique is best used in cold water when bass are found closer to the bottom. Find rocky points, drop- offs, and flats with deep water access and drag the bait slowly along the bottom. Big bass will feed in these areas and slide back to deeper water during most of the day.
Each time the lure’s head rolls over a small rock, the tail will pulsate, providing just enough action for a lethargic, trophy fish to strike. You might wonder why a bass would eat a bait so large. The truth is that bass calculate the risk of chasing down prey in winter as they slow their metabolisms. If a prey item is too healthy or fast, a larger bass is unlikely to chase it. Most fish, especially largemouth bass, conserve energy and will refuse a meal, even if it wanders too close. They conserve calories by doing this. The bigger and slower the bait, the better chance that trophy fish will bite.
Fishing The Huddleston in Spring
Spring is a perfect time for big swimbait fishing. The Huddleston 68 Special is a six-inch model designed with the same tail found on the eight-inch model. This gives the lure more action and is perfect for fishing close to the surface, almost like a wake bait. The 68 is optimal around launch ramps and laydowns and anywhere rainbow trout are stocked. It’s a great lure for targeting average size bass. You’ll receive a number of bites from all different sizes. The lighter weight allows you to fish it fast while targeting bass in shallower water. Like the 8″, the 68 swims with a realistic action along the surface and fits perfectly into environments where rainbow trout are stocked.Ā
Best Rod and Reel Setup
The Dobyns Fury Swimbait Rod is a good rod if you’re shopping on a budget. They come in a 7’9″ medium heavy for smaller swimbaits and an 8’0″ model heavy power for heavy artillery. The Piscifun Alijoz 300 and 400 series casting reels are amazing budget reels that are comparable to the Shimano Tranx. If you’re thinking of leveling up, the Megabass Leviathan Alpha Extra Heavy Swimbait rod is a go-to. The 20-24lb fluorocarbon line pairs well with the 8″ Huddleston deluxe ROF 12 and up. Some guys use braided line as their main line. This is fine, but you’ll need to fine-tune the adjustments on your reel to avoid backlash, as braided line has no stretch, and throwing a large bait can backlash easily.
How To Set the Hook on a Giant
When it comes to swimbait fishing, your hook set can mean the difference between a 10lb bass in the net or swimming off after shaking free. Many new anglers expect that with a giant bait comes a giant bite but that’s not always the case. Some bites come as a subtle thump. Others may feel like nothing at all such as your line going slack as you lose track of the weight of the lure. The latter bite means a bass hit the bait swimming toward you. In this case you need to reel in fast and swing back hard to get a good hook set. When slowly rolling the bait along the bottom, a bite may come in the form of a small thump. Your line may even jump with no feeling in the rod at all. Always remember to swing back hard with much of your body weight. The Hud has a large profile and a relatively small top hook which means your hook set is everything.
Final Thoughts
The Huddleston Rainbow Trout is a big bait for big bass. It has the most realistic appearance and tends to call out the biggest fish on the lake. You can swim the bait on the bottom, swim in around docks and boat launches and expect bites from trophy fish. Remember that this lure requires heavy gear to fish including a heavy power rod with a 300-400 series reel. If you live in a region where larger bass aren’t as abundant, the Hudd may be a good option as the double-digit monsters that are there likely haven’t seen a Hudd. Whereas in California, our trophy fish have seen countless big swim bait and glide bait presentations. If you’re new to swimbaits or thinking of getting into it, the Hud is a great place to start.
Note: This article was contributed by my friend Jason Kaefer over at Wild Outdoor. Weāve been talking for a while about sharing experiences and articles back and forth, which is a great idea. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats. If you would like to discuss contributing to The Minimalist Fisherman, feel free to get in touch! -AJ
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