When the water warms up and bluegill and shad start sliding shallow, it’s one of the best times of year to pick up a swimbait and go hunting for bigger bites.
That’s exactly where the 6th Sense Trace Multi-Jointed Swimbait shines.
The Trace is built with a 4-piece body for a fluid, realistic swimming action, plus lifelike details like 3D scales, realistic eyes, premium finishes, and sharp black nickel treble hooks. It’s available in floating, slow sinking, and fast sinking models, which means you can keep this bait in the strike zone whether fish are cruising high, suspending, or holding a little deeper.
Why the Trace Works So Well Shallow
Bass are opportunistic feeders. When they see bluegill, shad, or smaller baitfish moving shallow, they’re looking for something vulnerable.
The Trace gives them that target.
On a straight retrieve, it has a natural swimming motion that lets you cover water quickly and draw fish from a distance. Around shallow cover, grass edges, docks, points, and flats, that realistic profile can pull fish out that may not commit to a smaller bait.
Start With a Straight Retrieve
The easiest way to fish the Trace is simple: cast it out and bring it back.
A steady retrieve lets the bait swim naturally and is a great way to locate aggressive fish. In warmer months, especially when bait is active, don’t be afraid to burn it back and force a reaction bite.
This is a great first approach when fish are chasing shad or bluegill and you need to cover water fast.
Add Twitches, Pops, and Pauses
Once you find fish that are following but not fully committing, start working the bait with small rod twitches or quick pops of the reel handle.
That little change makes the Trace kick, dart, and flutter under the surface. It can look like a wounded baitfish or a bluegill losing its rhythm, and that’s often what turns a follower into a biter.
That flutter is one of the most important triggers with this bait. Sometimes a bass won’t chase down a straight retrieve, but when the bait suddenly breaks cadence, it taps into that predator instinct.
Match the Sink Rate to the Situation
One of the biggest advantages of the Trace lineup is control. The 6-inch Trace is offered in floating, slow sink, and fast sink models, with listed weights of 1.5 oz floating, 1.65 oz slow sink, and 2.0 oz fast sink.
Use the floating model when fish are high or around shallow cover.
Use the slow sink when you want to keep the bait just under the surface and work it with twitches and pauses.
Use the fast sink when fish are deeper, conditions are windy, or you need to get the bait down quickly.
Best Gear for Fishing the Trace
A larger swimbait needs the right setup.
A great starting point is 20 lb fluorocarbon, especially when targeting bigger fish around shallow cover. You can get away with 17 lb in some situations, but heavier line gives you more confidence with a bigger bait and bigger hooks.
For the rod, a longer heavy-power setup helps load the bait and make long casts. A 7’7” heavy fast rod, like the Sensory Series setup mentioned in the video, is a strong fit because it helps launch the bait farther and control fish better once they commit.
Final Thoughts
The Trace Multi-Jointed Swimbait is one of those baits that can be fished several different ways without overcomplicating the process.
Throw it around shallow bait activity. Start with a straight retrieve. Then mix in twitches, pauses, and reel-handle pops to create that dying-baitfish flutter.
When bass are keyed in on bluegill and shad, the Trace gives you the size, action, and versatility to pull better fish out of the crowd.
Comments
Nothing but mad respect for Justin and everything he stands for. Honor and integrity means a lot in this sport and he stands for all of it!