I have local lake that is unique in our area in that it has a sustainable rainbow trout population. It's also stocked each year with more trout and the bass get very big for our area. I'm looking for a good trout swim bait to hunt for a monster . That said I know the prices on some of these things are crazy and there are lots of stumps that I can loose a lure on. So I'm wanting to keep the prices down. I fugure that probably means soft plastics, and I've found the Megabait Charlie Swimbait online (any opinions on it?). This area is very new to me and I'd love some feedback on this topis. Here is a good article about the lake from IL game and fish.

"DEVILS KITCHEN LAKE

Little, deep and clear, Devils Kitchen Lake in Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge boasts a good population of big bass.

"Devils Kitchen is annually stocked with rainbow trout," said biologist Chris Bickers, "and when a bass grows large enough to eat these trout, they have the potential to grow fast and become a trophy."

Bickers said largemouths in the 7- to 8-pound range are not uncommon on Devils Kitchen, and there are reports each year of bass over 10 pounds. During the 2005 spring survey, two monsters over 8 pounds were sampled.

Tom Hayden, manager of Devils Kitchen Marina and Campground, said this lake produces some real "monsters."

"Every year a number of 9- to 10-pound fish are caught," said Hayden. "It's nothing to find a 7- or 8-pound fish, and I know there's a 15-pounder swimming out there."

Hayden said many of the biggest bass come from the lower end on the north side of the lake, and suggested fishing plastic worms and shad-type baits in and around brush to coax the big gals. Another possibility here would be super-sized tubes or 4- to 6-inch trout-patterned swim baits.

"Just this year, I caught an 8 1/2-pounder," said Hayden, "and in its mouth was a full-grown 14-inch trout that it had swallowed headfirst."

Devils Kitchen is about 10 miles south of Carbondale in Williamson County. There is a $2 user fee for the refuge. Boat launching is available at Devils Kitchen Campground. For more information, call (618) 457-5004. For travel and lodging information, contact the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce at (618) 997-6211."

6 or 8 inch Huddleston.

6" Huddleston. Dont go cheap with swimbaits, it will end up costing you money in the long run. From what I have read, th echeaper swimabits tend to roll over on retreive. I have just started using the HUD, but have yet to catch anything on it. 6" Lunker Punker in rainbow trout isnt a bad option either.

6" Huddleston. Dont go cheap with swimbaits, it will end up costing you money in the long run. From what I have read, th echeaper swimabits tend to roll over on retreive. I have just started using the HUD, but have yet to catch anything on it. 6" Lunker Punker in rainbow trout isnt a bad option either.

Yeah I just saw some youtube videos of some dude getting come monsters on the Huddleston. I've also found a thread from 2006 on here about swimbaits that MattLures posted. Does anybody have any feedback on his trout series??

Huds, and mega bait charlies are both great baits. Also consider looking at MS Slammers