Big Swimbait

I am not saying it's the best leader knot because I have not tried them all. But some saltwater guide buddies of mine swear by it and they are after a lot bigger fish than a bass. So after trying it and having the same success that you have had, I have no reason to try anything else.

Only connection knot I use...

Lead tape on the front hook. Just enough where is swims slowly downward, nose first.

Try this - disengage the reel and let it free fall to the bottom. But be ready - I have had to thumb the spool hard and set the hook as best I could until I got the reel engaged. If it hits bottom, engage the reel and rip it up and let it fall back on a slack line. I will do that a couple of times. If that doesn't work, she was just sightseeing.

I have had great success with a single tailed grub, especially if I'm on a Bluegill bite.

I have to tell a story to tell another story. A few years ago I was at a Forrest Wood Cup event. I sat in on a seminar given by Jimmy Houston (prayers for Chris). After the seminar Jimmy had to get to one of the booths he was working so I walked beside him and asked about his line choice. Now I knew he was sponsored by HI SEAS but he said if you don't try any other line, try Grand Slam Select co-poly. So I made myself to the HI SEAS booth I had seen earlier. I could have bought 5 spools of every other line they offered but no Grand Slam Select - sold out at 11:00AM on the 1st day. So when I got back home, I ordered up a couple of spools in 15# and 20#. In the first club tournament I fished after spooling up the 15# we were on a spinnerbait bite and were doing well. The line was flawless. By partner was running the front so in the back I bombed a cast to an overhanging tree I had missed earlier. Right in the tree. I made the mistake of tugging on it and watched my bait make about 3 wraps. At the same time, the trolling motor crapped out. My partner said he was going to work on it and to just break my line. We will go back later for the bait. So as hard as I tried, I couldn't break it and just pulled that Ranger all the way to the tree. Bait retrieved and line choice made forever. I use a different line for my really big swimbaits but Grand Slam Select for 20# and less.

They are getting hard to find but the Cabin Creek Spider Parts on a Gammy 1/8 oz ball-head jig is a year round producer for me. I like the idea that I can mix/match the skirts. Plus one tentacle is thicker to rig the jig weedless.

This one for me... https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/zerust-reg-max-crank-bank.aspx

So much this. The Magic Stick is the most versatile rod I own.

Great technique if you want to rip it across the surface like a fleeing baitfish!

I think a heavy piece of mono like Mark Pack (RIP) does on his jigs would work.

Zoom now makes a Tiny Chunk that would work.

I love Tatsu. Braid to leader makes it a little more cost friendly. Or if I don't want to mess with a leader, cheap mono backer with 50 yards of Tatsu.

Black with yellow dots is a killer combo. I read where Tommy Biffle said one of his favorite color jigs was black and yellow.

This is the one I use. https://hogfarmerbaits.com/products/ewg-swinger?variant=18536225275955

Here are the deals today on polarized at Steep and Cheap. Deals change often so you have to check back. https://www.steepandcheap.com/sunglasses?p=gender%3Amale%7CFeatures%3APolarized+Lens&nf=1

Two retrieves for me in less that 55 degree water - 1. Slow enough that it barely swims correctly. 2. Rip it off the bottom and let it flutter back. But the bottom line is the fish will tell you. I was trying both of these retrieves for over an hour without a sniff. I was getting frustrated with no action and made a bad cast. As I was burning it back to the boat to make another cast, it got hammered. So for the rest of the day it was burn-burn-pause. Good luck!

Agreed. I love The General. When the hook end gets torn up, cut it in half for the Ned.

Depends on the thickness of the bait but maybe a 6/0 - 8/0.

?

He just posted a 6+ right after

Same lake today, same guide - 7.60 Smallie

Wow!

I've got plenty of swimbait rods. From the videos they are using the heavy artillery and the Shane's Baits HD Domin*8tor rig. The Flash Mob Jr would probably work for a few fish but these big girls might make them disposable. https://shanesbaits.com/The-Domin8tor-Dom8.htm

O.H. Ivie Reservoir in West Texas has kicked out some unreal big girls this week. A-Rig, deep water and Live Scope were the ticket. Biggest so far was 16.4 with multiple teeners ( a 15.4 today) and DD's. TBH I've never had a lot of success with the technique!