This is from a couple summers ago, but wanted to show that a big older California swimbait like the A.C. Cole original wood swimbait will work in the Midwest. This lure measures 8", this bass didn't find it intimidating at all!

Check out how un-realistic this lure is compared to the newer tricked out & very expensive swimbaits.

Also I was using 40 lb braided line...in clear water

Very nice looking lure...and fish.

Similar to the Jackall Go-Don but with a lip, I guess it floats.

hey Ghost ... is that bait a wake bait ??

Yup, wake/twitch bait. I was reeling in med/slow, any faster & it would run untrue, like it would pull to the side.

Nice!

That bait was designed by one of the hard swimbait founders.  I have also caught a lot of nice fish on Z-plugs which don't look like much but the fish just love em.