gobig

They are not the same. The guy who chucks and winds will not notice much difference.

I generally don't have problems with hook ups unless fishing around spots. That bottom hook is not going to allow you to fish that bait as slow as you need to this time of year. It is also going to kill some fish because it will get into there gills. When you do get bit and see how far they choke it, you will see what I am talking about. If you are going to do a trap hook its better to do it on top.

Is there a reason for the trap hook? Are you missing fish?

Is there a link? And where ?

I would stay away from the toppers they are sketchy.

Angles and bait placement are very critical, especially when you start talking big fish. Often times this is the difference between getting bit or not. Bass use cover and structure to corral and pin prey. To answer the question "What is the best angle?" is a evolving question. The answer is constantly changing based on the conditions. All of the questions you asked are relative. For instance the sun is constantly moving all day. Shadows position bass and bait fish. Ever see bait fish run a shadow line as if its hard structure? Do shadows form points? Will a bass position on the same side of a rock in the morning as it would in the evening? What if there is no sun and only cloud cover? Add wind to the mix. How does wind position bait fish and bass? You see where I am headed with this? Its all in a constant state of change. You have to be aware of your surroundings and use critical thinking. This is where time on the water is huge. The guys that are killing it probably fish a lot of the same spots you do.

Its not about longer. Its the direction. You are pulling the bait up hill. Its a natural funnel. Your bait is being pulled into structure and cover that you often cant get to in a boat.

You are less limited then you think. In many cases you have better position than a boater. The advantage a boater has it that they can get from spot to spot faster which allows them to cover way more water.

I wouldn't use the word hate because any day on the water is better than work. But my least favorite thing to fish is a wacky rigged senko. God knows I always have a senko near by though. Flipping one is not so bad but when they are eating it in 20ft of water it is oh so slow.

The early s-waivers were faster sinking and don't have the R2 in the eye. The current ones sink at aprox 6 in per second.

For dirty water try a team davies ventana tearshot.

The only time I use a trap hook on a hud is around spotted bass and I am referring to the 8 inch. Spots tend to slap at swimbaits. Largemouth tend to eat them head first.

The hardest part about swimbaits is that there is a limited supply of good information. Most of the articles listed above are out of date and tend to be one dimensional. A 7' muskie rod with a high speed reel. really? No real mention of floaters or wakebaits. The most informative article was the first one written by Jay. Understand you are appealing to a hand full of people who are catching the biggest fish and asking them to give up what they have learned and worked so hard for. With that said there is more info now than several years back. The best advise I can give is to google these... The BBZ, Bill Seimantle, Southern Trout Eaters, Matt Peters, In pursuit of Giant Bass, Matt Allen and *. Get copies of the books, DVD's and watch any videos that come up free. I am sure I have probably missed something but this is enough to get you on the right track. Most people will never take the time to learn this stuff. The guys getting the big ones fish the same stuff as everyone else in many cases they just do it different.

I use bait wraps for hard baits and the soft baits get thrown into a plano box that was meant to hang baits.

I don't think it will change a thing. A 4oz trout is still aprox 8in. People also forget about the kokanee and other salmon projects that have never ceased. How do you think those Bullards fish get so big? I can't speak for So Cal but up north we are still on an upward trend. Everything is big even the shad.

Maybe someone will be smart enough to put a champion 210 hull into the ranger line.

One of the toughest lakes I have ever fished is Lake Mead. Can go from 115 deg to 90 deg and a monsoon with huge waves fast.

There were two baits that were new to me this year that I absolutely whacked them on. Strike king 10xd and a Mattlures strong perch wakebait.

It would help if you named some of the lakes that you would be fishing.

Get some dude wipes.

If I was going to roll with one style of bait it would be a swimbait hands down. If you pay attention will learn more than you ever thought possible.

Like the other guys who have spent time in saltwater I have seen some huge fish. The biggest would have to be a great white that I saw off of duxbury reef. Its tough to tell from 30 yards but I would estimate it was some where between 16' and 20' long. As far as bass go I have seen two now that have got to be pushing 20lbs.

My grandfather got me into fishing. We fished saltwater for the most part.

most holidays

I have lost a few swimbaits worth more than $100