Big Swimbait

The Lightning Rod Shock is a great CB rod for the money. A lot of backbone but enough flex for treble hook baits.

Cabin_Creek_Bait_Company_Spider_Parts My go to finesse bait. Since the skirts are separate from the trailer, you can mix & match. My best producer has been GP trailer with the Tennessee Orange Skirt. The skirt also has one tentacle that is thicker than the rest. That is to insert the jig hook point to make it weedless.

+2 on the Orra Winch. Check Abu's web site - they have had a sale on them recently.

I am in love with this one made by Gamakatsu: http://samuraitackle.com/fishing/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=141_492_1097&products_id=26515

3/0 Owner J hook.

No! It is probably the most versatile rod I own. I use it for any bottom contact bait.

Great rods that perform way above their price point IMHO. I have the Fred's & 2 of their swimbait rods.

I would pass. You could find them new with a warranty for that price, maybe even less.

I measured this one to the end of the eye. I had to trim about 1/16th to fit it perfect to the nose. I just bought some of the BIG jointed bait blanks from Avid Bass Tackle. Playing wrap man this weekend.

Also consider the Blood Knot. Very easy to tie.

https://www.overstockbait.com/searchresults.asp?Search=Throwback&Submit=Submit The Minnow Dawg has the wrong pic. Click the color selection & you will see it is similar to the MS Slammer. I have bought this one & the topwater in all colors. Excellent big baits for the $ IMO.

Agree with CroakHunter with one caveat. If it is a high quality rod that is truly rated, you'll be OK. A lot of rods are over rated as far as weight handling. I usually try to stay in the middle of the rods rating. So for a 1 oz bait, I would use a rod rated to a min of 2 oz.

I'm going to cut up some Grande Bass Air Tail Rattlers. I know they stand up on a shakey head. Plus you can insert a rattle if wanted.

The XL size with cover 9" long X 5 1/8'' tall. Take the 1/8" off for a bottom hook hanger so 5" would cover a lot of the big shad baits. The length doesn't shrink, only the circumference.

Just North of Dallas, they just opened a dual store with the Field and Stream side handling the fishing, hunting & outdoor stuff. The other side is Dick's for the other sports. It is huge with one common check out in the center. The fishing department was pretty spectacular. Prices were very competitive. I hope they expand this concept.

I just tried the Shiner pattern on a Wopper Plopper blank. Very easy & looks awesome. Now for the durability test!

Dick's web site is having a buy 4 - get 2 free on all hard baits & most soft plastics. Wopper Ploppers & Gantarels included.

Try nose hooking with a weedless wacky hook.

I know you have 2 styles picked out, but if any of these would work instead, you could have 2 or 3 pairs: https://www.steepandcheap.com/sunglasses?p=brand%3ACosta&nf=1

This could be the ultimate Ned Rig reel. I don't discount anything anymore. A few years ago we got schooled by my partner who had a boat load of Falcon rods & green Curado reels. He picked up a Zebco 33 with a tiny Brush Hog & won the dang tournament!

Menace or the Havoc Subwoofer.

I improvised one time with some 80 lb mono & super glue. It had been on the spool for a long time so it had lots of memory which worked out. I just cut about a 2 inch piece, folded it in half pinching the loop, then a drop of super glue to attach the 2 tag ends to the hook shank at the eye. The curve of the mono made it easy to bend the loop back just enough to go behind the barb. I have also seen this done with no glue. Just make it it little longer & stick the tag ends into the soft plastic. I would still put a drop of glue this way because they pull out too easy.

Thanks Tom!

I guess big is a relative term in swimbaiting. I don't throw the big trout baits. The 7" Slammer is probably the biggest hard bait I throw. I do throw a lot of 8-9" soft plastic baits that with hooks are probably 3.5 oz. As far as casting, I agree on the bigger baits. I also throw a lot of Fringe Tackle 5" baits that I usually overhand cast. As a matter of fact, I will probably switch to all spinning gear. When your my age, you don't take off 4-6 weeks to get your shoulder repaired. Jobs have a way of disappearing in my company for the long timers. Thank you Jelvas - I will look for it!

OK - the years have caught up to me & shoulder issues are making overhand casts cut my TOW short. I can still side arm or underhand cast without issue. So the thought of spinning gear came to mind. I know that there are reels capable from the saltwater videos I've seen, but rod selection may be an issue. Has anyone used spinning gear for bigger baits? Thanks in advance for any recommendations!