Big Swimbait

I picked up a couple from a JDM site last year. One I had to have repainted at the end of topwater season. The other is still in the box. I am looking also if anyone finds a source.

I have not tried it nor have I seen a need for it - yet. When that bait gets bit, there's no doubt. I haven't had an issue with the bait interfering with the hook set using the 8/0. It is almost always time for Mend-it after a decent sized fish.

Surprisingly even to me, a big bait guy, The big bait is getting more bites than the smaller one. That floater in Bone is getting wrecked right now.

This bait and the new Ima Glide Fluke are my 2 favorite baits right now.

Cabin Creek Baits has their Spider Parts, buy one - get one free with free shipping. I really like these because you can mix/match trailer to the skirt plus the skirt has one tentacle that's molded thicker to rig your jig head weedless. https://www.cabincreekbaits.com/

I really like the Rage Tail Shad. A lot of noise, splash & totally weedless.

For our anniversary, my wife bought me the Lure Lock "Lure Locker". It gives me 5 trays to sort crankbaits by depth/style plus no more tangled trebles.

We have a few left in the DFW area. They usually have a pretty good mix including the JDM stuff and a pretty good selection of big swimbaits. They are a few dollars more but I give them all of the business I can.

The Shock is a great cranking rod. Since it was designed for braid it has a nice parabolic bend that helps keep 'em pinned.

The 3 baits you mentioned are very good baits. But as with most big baits, the retrieve is key. You have to change it up - even during the retrieve. A slow, steady retrieve, stop, burn it about 3 feet, rip it with the rod etc are things to try. On the Spro rat, I rarely get bit waking the bait like you would think. That bait gets hammered cranking it down. Also this time of year a Bull Shad is awesome. And burning it is the way it works if you like to fish fast. Check out the videos from bassresource. They really go in depth.

I do, but not without changing the hooks and split rings.

I have cut it down to a Rage Menace on full size jigs and the Baby Menace on finesse jigs. My hottest combo right now is a 1/2 oz solid black living rubber jig with a Blue Sapphire Rage Menace trailer.

To add to the previous post about Academy, they have the Revo Winch for $80.00.

I originally got this to keep my Z-Man Ned Rig stuff together. But I found out that punching 2 holes in the bottom corners of the bag of the clamshells worked perfectly (Z-Man are already punched). https://discounttackle.com/products/z-man-bait-binderz?variant=12491689885751&gclid=CjwKCAjwio3dBRAqEiwAHWsNVc_FdXeeHgSfrc15a6FlOZ8wcN51X5U8LgAcjKFHu0QaYrN4KzgVxhoC60sQAvD_BwE

War Eagle in Mouse color

Owner Hyper Wire for me also.

Since buying this, I have had zero issues. https://www.ebay.com/i/113238235284?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3D1e63102dc94746f0b6fb119ceed7398e%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D302876299470%26itm%3D113238235284&var=413533318506

The very inexpensive H20 Xpress Flat Sided Square Bill from Academy is a great budget option, especially when they go on sale several times a year. Bad Shad & Bluegill ate my fav colors.

I use these for jig heads: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Round_Jig_Head_5pk/descpage-GRJH.html The Keitech Little Spiders work well also: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Little_Spider/descpage-KEILS.html

If they are feeding on Bluegill, it will work period.

Great bait. Play with different retrieves - stop/go, slow/fast etc. They will tell you what they want. Beware of the catfish - they love this bait lol!

Bone for color #2. I keep those in 110 and 130 and a Loon 190 for night fishing. I haven't tried the new 75 yet.

Lens wipes from Walmart and the microfiber rags from Harbor Freight to dry.

Wacky will get you bit also...

All of the above. The Original Trick Worm with less salt is a great shakey head bait. The Merthiolate color weightless during the Spring has been a go-to for many years.