Big Swimbait

I wish there was a more economical way to label them like Titan Tungsten does. The are great weights but very pricy.

As a lot of us are doing right now, I am spending a lot of time cleaning and organizing the Bass Hole. In the back, in the corner, in the dark I found some original pre-rigged Creme worms with the beads & propeller. I got to thinking about the hundreds of fish I caught on that purple/firetail rig. I had to look and to my surprise, they are still being made - even in a 2 1/4" Ned Rig size. I just may have to go back to my roots...

Thanks for the response. I may just have to save that one for a salt-water build.

As most of you know by my posts, I prefer big baits. But I can't help but remember years ago we had an elderly gent in our club who fished out of a Sears jon boat that routinely spanked me and most others. He threw one bait year round - the 4 inch Zoom lizard in Chartreuse/Pepper on a short C-rig with a 3/16 oz weight on a spinning rod. He called it the "limit getter". Maybe I need to bring that back lol.

I didn't check stock, but Hog Farmer Bait Co. sells Uptons. https://hogfarmerbaits.com/collections/soft-plastics

I have had zero issues. It is more than adequate. I do have it serviced annually as I do all of my reels.

I about to start on my first swimbait rod and I have always wanted to try the EVA X-Cut Grips. I ordered one from Mudhole without really looking at the specs. This thing is almost 1.5" in diameter compared to other grips which were pretty close to 1". Any tips on trimming/sanding this beast down to a more user friendly diameter would be appreciated.

I've got 3 - Tranx 300, Lexa 300 Winn & a Lew's SD Wide Spool. Not an issue with any of them but to be fair, the Lew's is the oldest followed by the Lexa and then the Tranx is new this March. Also I do not throw anything over 6 oz with any of them.

Anything that's not a boot tail. I also like the Zako and the Hog Farmer Spunk Shad works well (great colors).

KC Injection Baits 7.5" Water Dog in Fire Tiger

#1 - Cavitron for sure. In highly pressured lakes where everybody is throwing a buzz bait, I downsize to the 1/4 oz in black. #2 is the D&M Buzz Saw in-line buzz bait, especially if I am on Fork, Rayburn or T-Bend where I know there is a chance for a giant. It a big profile bait with a free-swinging 4/0 Owner Beast hook so you can rig it weedless. I use a Magnum Fluke for a trailer.

This little guy from Dream Smasher is my fav. With it's flat bottom it sits upright so you can fish it like a jig but with the great tail design, you can swim it too. My best results are a combo - swim it along the bottom & then stop. It will nose down like a Gill feeding. And if you happen to pitch it on a bed... https://www.dreamsmasherswimbaits.com/store/p21/dssgill/store/product.html

Crocs Santa Cruz - if you look around you can get them in Camo. Light & very comfortable. https://www.zappos.com/p/crocs-santa-cruz-realtree-edge-slip-on-khaki/product/9335056/color/423?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla_g&utm_campaign=194545291&utm_term=pla-__iv_p_1_g_47049440575_c_223889016953_n_g_d_c_v__l__t__r__x_pla_y_15872_f_online_o_48402417_z_US_i_en_j_364351946542_s__e__h_9026826_ii__vi__&utm_content=48402417&zap_placement=&_ivgu=34cb7a5f-10ca-4073-86c2-8c7c3e0fd7ed

Try the Mag Fluke on a big shakey head.

SDJ for all lines to lures. Lefty Kreh knot for leaders.

I think Grande Bass used to make one but it has been discontinued. It was a great bait for me but I guess not enough to keep it in production.

My favorite is from Ken at KC Injection Baits - a ring worm with a willow leaf tail that dances! https://kcinjectionbaits.com/store/page9.html

I think it is less important for fast moving, reaction strike baits. A great example is the Whopper Plopper. My most productive colors are Bone, Powder & Loon (black). Now on my slow moving glide baits where they may track it awhile before committing, I think it makes a difference. Then again, a couple of big treble hooks hanging from the bottom is the farthest thing from "natural". As has been said, action, presentation & location may trump color.

I have this rod and one other from Spiralite. On sale for $95 now. https://spiraliterods.com/product/maverick-casting-8-0-heavy-mod-fast/

I would add some weedless presentations if you are losing a lot of treble baits. Two of my go tos are from Smash Tech - the Weedless Poacher and the Hollow Body swimbait. Both very budget friendly. https://87fb9828-9ade-11e4-b274-14feb5d40a06.onlinestore.godaddy.com/t/swimbaits

Don't forget a big shakey head. That long tail dances.

Best jigs and the best service period!

Ken at KCinjectionbaits.com made me some trailers that were almost dead on.

Like I said, no first hand knowledge. Good luck and tight lines!!

I try not to comment on products I have never used, but I have heard nothing but horror stories about these hooks. The most frequent is they break at the 90 degree bend.