Big Swimbait

Berkley Lightning Rod Shock. Since it is designed for braid, it has the perfect action for ploppers & cranks. And it is very budget friendly.

I've got 4 - 2 Demons & 2 Assassins. Like Glenn said above, I have beat the crap out of them without issues. Great customer service too. I bought my first Assassin & it came with a nice fitted reel cover. The 2nd one I bought did not. I sent an email asking if I could get one. Got a response in about 10 min that it was a short term promo item & not available on the current ones. But they asked for my address & in about 3 days I received one in the mail for free. I hope they make an HD swimbait reel some day.

Excellent baits. No surprise they sell out quickly. Downside to the great action is they are very soft to be able to do it. Mend-It is a must have to keep it together. One of mine in Green Tesla I've put back together 4 times lol. I am going to experiment making it a line thru with a top treble. The big swimbait hooks rip them up pretty bad sometimes.

Blood or Alberto

I upgraded some Shimanos with bearings & handles from HawgTech

They do not roll over & swim VERY well at slow speeds. The fall is horizontal, very well balanced.

I don't have any durability issues because I use the line thru version. I haven't used the solid body version, but if it is similar to their Convict which I use a lot, no more than any other big bait. That being said, I always carry Mend-it because by the design to swim well, they will eventually tear with a swimbait hook. My guess is this bait would use an 8/0 - 10/0 Owner Beast.

Another vote for Smash Tech - great baits, great price.

You are correct. It will hold 24 "rods" but not 24 with reels attached.

War Eagle or MegaStrike for me.

I only go if there is a sale on a particular item I'm looking for. It's usually during their big Spring expo, but sometimes something in a flier will get my attention.

Based on comments here, I bought the KK and couldn't be happier. But B4 that, I used a 4 X 4 that I drilled 2.5" holes in & stood the rods up. I added a small 2 X 3 on each end as a stabilizing outrigger.

I have been having a blast with this 1.5 oz beast - Magnum Gillsonic by Imakatsu.

My PB came on a white hair jig with a Kalin's Mogambo Pearl trailer. 27 degrees & sleeting on Lake Fork that day.

Of all of these, the Strike King S11's are very good for the $: https://www.overstockbait.com/collections/sunglasses

Agree with this. Don't get caught up in all of the colors - they can only see the bottom. I keep 3 - Powder, Bone & Loon. Light, medium & dark for whatever water conditions you face.

Xcite Baits XB-1 in Copper Green Shad

I think I would keep them. Don'y forget where the Whopper Plopper came from.

Tatsu followed by Invizx.

Web site is still loaded. Looks like they have added a lot of Zebco/Quantum reels. The good Yamamoto stuff got cherry picked during that last sale.

If I think I need to, I mix a little blue and Chartreuse JJ's Magic to make a green. I run my line thru a lead slip sinker, grab the tag end & drop the sinker into the mixture. Then I pull as much line as I want to dye thru the sinker. Color my line & give it some scent at the same time.

Drywall screws. Cheap. Easy to insert. Flat head makes a tic when hitting rocks, gravel etc.

When I first started using the Ned, I just let it soak. When I couldn't stand it any longer, I would hop it a few times & let it soak some more. Then I noticed when that wasn't working, they would bite when I was retrieving it to make another cast. So let them tell you. It really is a phenomenal bait.

While I agree with and understand your statement, I still have a problem with the word "warranty". If my car breaks down in year 3 of a 5 year warranty, they fix it. They do not ask for an additional payment. I would just prefer that they say after one year, we offer a lifetime discounted replacement cost program. Totally eliminates the issues you raise.

While I understand & agree with all of the comments regarding a 4 year old modified rod, what if it were unmodified? The answer would still be the same for a 4 year old rod. So the "Lifetime Warranty" is really sales & marketing blah blah other than giving you the opportunity to purchase a replacement at a reduced cost. But saying it's a one year warranty with the same replacement option just doesn't sound as sexy.