Heron

Ok, I'll take that as a "No."

Just out of curiosity... 1. What is the largest fish youve caught on a swimbait? 2. What model/size swimbait was used, for that catch? 3. What lake/state was that catch made?

On the flip side to all of this, it does also seem (and Im sure weve all heard this before) that when baits are larger (to a certain extent) the fish are even more apt to tell that it is fake. Hence, more added realism almost becomes required for a bait of such size. Maybe..I dont know.

Agreed... (and now we come back to those "certain conditions") In that instance, the low light has begun to add some level of ambiguity to that mannequin. (which seems to be ideal) Under those same conditions the silhouette is already playing mind tricks on you.

True, and honestly, the way people perceive things is really not much different. For isntance, we can easily tell that a mannequin is fake, more so than a simple human silhouette. Despite the more accurate details on the mannequin(under certain conditions).

But does one work, any better or less, than the other?

AYE!!!

True, but Im wondering if the fish are keying more so on the swimbait's movement, rather than its actual details. But on the flip side - look at all the guys catching massive bags of bass on Jig n Pigs. Perhaps, different waters, different circumstances.

Im getting the impression, that when a fish has the chance to sit there and get a good look at the bait...the more realism that the bait is designed with, then the easier it is for the fish to tell that it is fake.

Simply put.... In your experience, have you found that baits with the most realistic profiles/paintjobs/ etc. catch fish any better/bigger/more frequently, than baits that lack any level of realism in their design? So far its been my experience that says, No. Ive come to figure that the fish typically know the difference between something like a fake craw, and a real craw. But the fish seem more likely to strike at baits that have more ambiguity to them, and will for instance, go for a bait that (for lack of a better term) creates the illusion of say, a craw. What say you?

Me too....soon as I opened the bag, I ate one. They work good.

Hah....But it is not about what the Bait Monkey needs. Instead it is I, who does not need, the Bait Monkey.

I have no worries. The bait monkey has been fully defeated, and I have completely re-outfitted myself for the remainder of the year (or longer) for just under $300. This includes a new reel, and gear for 3 different species. Thats all I need.

I am indeed preferring a bigger bite.

Zoom Rage Tail Keitech Gambler Lake Fork Lunker City In a nutshell.

Im liking this thing...even better than the Rage Craw. This will be my regular. Thats really all I have to say about that.

Next, I will compare it to the Kicker Fish brand knock-off, to see if thats any better.

Agreed

Im sure this bass assassin version will catch fish just fine. But I guess, after using the keitechs for a long enough time, Ive become accustomed to their action....or rather, spoiled perhaps.

Agreed, however....that 10lb mono works the Pad Crashers just fine, and Im sure that braid would work them even better. But, based on this, its my expectation that even 10lb mono ought to produce some partially acceptable level of action out of this particular bait, rather than completely rendering it as a dead turd. But I will likely be switching over to braid this season, so we shall see if that makes any difference.

10lb mono 7ft MHF casting rod.

Im happy with the pad crasher, and the poppin pad crasher as well.

Yeah pretty much. Air temp was about 42F, not sure what the water temp was.

Received a knock off of a Keitech FAT swing action, in a 4.7 size. It was the Bass Assassin brand. Took it to the pond to see how it compares with the Keitechs of the same design. Now as a disclaimer, the only Keitech FATs that I use are in the 3.8 size, and that is the only comparison Im able to make. So hopefully comparing a 3.8 of one brand, with a 4.7 of another brand, isnt too many apples to too many oranges. That being said....Upon first glance, I noticed the cross section of the bodys were different. The Keitech, as best I could tell, had a completely round cross-section. While the Bass Assassin, was more flat sided. Not by much though. The Keitech's overall body proportion was fatter than the Bass Assassin. In the water...The Bass Assassin exhibited a range of motion that was probably equal to that of the Keitech. However, it didnt have as good of slow-speed action as the Keitech. When slowing the retrieve down, I observed the bait eventually stop kicking, and just drag through the water. Not really a big deal, but the Keitech didnt seem to do this at all. Again, I was comparing two different sizes, so that may make this whole thing a moot point. Need to compare it with the 4.8 Keitechs.

Unimpressed so far. Just tried it out for the first time today, to test out all of the claims that Ive seen regarding the great action, and ease of use. To see if I can as the package claims, actually "Glide it." I became skeptical of all of this the moment I compared it to a Booyah Pad Crasher, and saw that the body of the two baits were hardly different in size and proportions. Which tells me, that this thing shouldnt be expected to dance any better than a Pad Crasher. Now granted...this is only the first time...and will be working with it more often in order to find the right groove for it. But todays test-drive showed it to be a big dud. It did not glide, and it really did not walk. After a little bit, began to take on water and sink a little. At this point, it would sit in the water, nose-down like the Titanic. BUT....The action was actually a little better while it was sub-surface. Maybe Im doing something wrong. Will try again.