Boom Boom Swimbait Bubble Gum Color Release
It has been nearly a decade since Optimum Baits partnered with long time Professional Bass Angler Fred Roumbanis to release the Boom Boom Swimbait. Over the years, Roumbanis has shared a lot of useful information on how he employs his signature swimbait to catch more fish and bigger fish. In the latest phase of their collaboration, Optimum Baits is proud to announce the release of a new colorway: Bubble Gum. The Bubble Gum Boom Boom has quietly been one of Roumbanis’ sneaky baits but now the secret is out.
“I had them (Optimum Baits) make me a batch (Bubble Gum) like five years ago, then last year, and another batch earlier this season,” said Roumbanis. “This year I just kept one on my rod and I’ve worn them out here on Dardanelle. During February, March and into April when the fish are moving up on the flats shallow to spawn it is dynamite. A lot of guys will throw a bladed jig in this situation but I really like the Boom Boom. Back in the day when we fished a Bubble Gum soft plastic jerkbait on the Delta, it was like lights out, and it’s that same thing with the Bubble Gum Boom ‘Boom, they just eat it. After this year of really just putting the hammer to it and leaving it on my rod and throwing it, I realized that it is a must have in the Spring.”
Sizes and Configurations
The Boom Boom Swimbait is available in a number of different sizes and in three configurations: Line Thru, Weedless and Rigged with an internal weighted harness. Roumbanis chooses the proper configuration based on the task at hand. In this instance he relies mostly on the Weedless version. “I prefer to fish the 4.5 inch,” explained Roumbanis. “It’s just the right size, it catches everything, and it still catches a lot of big ones. It’s the perfect size for catching quality tournament fish. Out West I’d probably fish the 6 inch version more often because the fish tend to be bigger. I’ll rig the 4.5 inch Baby Boom with a Hayabusa 7/0 weighted swimbait hook in 3/16 oz or ¼ oz depending on the speed I need to wind it and the depth of the water. On the 6 inch, I like an 8/0 Owner Beast Hook with a 3/8 oz weight”
Recommended Setup and Gear
Roumbanis relies on a 7’11” Feather Series Phenix Rod (FTX-C 711H). “I love this rod,” he said. “It’s heavy enough and long enough to handle big fish around cover. I’m using an 8:1 casting reel filled with 20lb fluorocarbon line. I really like a high speed reel with the Weedless Boom Boom because I am fishing it fast in real skinny water and I want to be able to pick up the line if they race towards me.”
While the Bubble Gum Boom Boom certainly excels in the Spring, it is a versatile bait that gets bit year around. “Bubble Gum is an awesome clear water color,” said Roumbanis. “Anywhere there are smallmouth present, they really like a Bubble Gum bait. They are such sight oriented feeders and they wolf pack a lot and the same can be said for spotted bass as well. When they are on a swimbait bite, you can really get’em with the Bubble Gum Boom Boom.”
