Big Swimbait

Thanks to all with the tips!

First, I am 65 and have fished about 60 of them. I use and know how to tie the Palomar knot with fluro. But on a recent trip at a private lake I was on an incredible drop shot bite but I broke off 3 really big fish right at the knot. I know this because I marked my line at the knot after the first one. I was using a new spool of 10# Sniper. I guess I probably had my drag too tight but I could pull it off by hand without much trouble. Is there another knot that will work for the drop shot? If not, I'm done with fluro for the technique.

One of my swimbait rods is spiral wrapped. I do think it adds a little casting distance but no difference at all in fighting a fish.

I match the diameter of the braid to the lb test leader I am using. It really helps in tying the connection knots - at least for me. Most storefront websites have the diameters listed. I like Smackdown braid so if I need a 12 lb leader, I match it to 40 lb braid.

I like both sizes on a swing-head jig. Slow crank them on the bottom.

Same at my local Bass Pro yesterday. A lot of open pegs with some complete soft plastic sections totally empty.

The Hog Farmer Stand-up by far!

The Blakemore Rock'n Runner - their version of the bladed jig. They quit making them & I'm running out so I will have to fab my own. I even sent Jimmy Houston a message if he knew where any were because of his relationship with them. His response was "Not in your lifetime". So he's not giving them up either!

I will have to give that a try. I normally just add a little dye/scent to my Green Pumpkin baits - a little chartreuse on the tail and a little red where the gill plate is.

All it takes in one spec of grass or debris to get between the prop and the body. If this happens at the beginning of a long cast, your line will be wrecked (unless you're throwing braid). I always have a quality swivel in-line with any of the plopper style baits. It does not affect the action.

I know it's the easy answer, but I let the fish tell me. But I do think about which one i will throw first. If it's a shad or baitfish bite, I will start with the underspin/Flashy Swimmer. If it's a bluegill bite I do not. But like you said, they both work at one time or another.

I have built on 2 of their blanks. I would say they are comparable to the MHX color series. A little on the heavy side but for that they have been durable for the ones I gifted.

Plus 1

So much this^^^^

Yep! Great sale as you said!

Just tie this one in 15 seconds and send it! Been using it for years without an issue.

Hog Farmer Spunk Shad

Although it is a fixed blade, Molix has been doing it for years.

I love Real Prey Swimbaits. http://www.realpreyswimbaits.com/store/p3/Real_Prey_7%22_Golden_Pond_Shiner.html

Send 'em! Great baits for the $. Very versatile - you can slow roll them on the bottom, swim them mid water column or wake them on the surface. I have my best results on the bottom.

Absolutely! Here are 2 that I just got back from BB Lures - Lite Trout and Baby Bass.

I usually have a Bull Shad and a Bull Gill to cover those, then a 168 S-waver in Lite Trout, Bone & New Bluegill. If the water is dirty or heavy stained, I am throwing big, noisy topwaters like the 190 Whopper Plopper or the Evergreen Noisy Dachs. I limit the big soft plastic baits to clear water.

7'6" MH custom rod I built on an NFC blank, Curado DC, 50# Smackdown braid to 20# Tatsu leader, Hog Farmer 6/0 3/8 Magnum Shakey Head.

Great list. I would add Hot Sauce. Great Springtime bait but as the water warms and the bite slows down on the traditional colors, it can make a difference.

Great choices!