I got a TW gift card for christmas and I'm looking to spend it on some wake/swimbaits.

My question is for you guys who have fished a lot of these baits.

What are your opinions on a Jackall Mikey vs the River2Sea V-Joint Minnow?

What about the Optimum 7" Minnow vs an MS Slammer vs. Deps Highsider Jr.?

I realize the more expensive baits are known to be great performers, but how much better are they? I don't have that much to spend and I'd like to get a R2S, an Optimum Minnow, and a Mattlures bait all together instead of a Mikey or Slammer or Deps which would prevent me from getting as many baits.

Are you only considering jointed baits?  If not, pick up a couple of Ima Roumbas.  

Slammer.

Slammer.

 .

A Slammer even over the Deps? Hmmm, interesting. Any color preferences? I know you guys have probably answered questions like these a thousand times but the search wasn't working for me so I can't go back and find any of your answers.

Micro, yeah I'm looking at jointed baits.

I would definitely get a RTS V Joint if you want a productive subsurface jointed bait that runs app 1-2 feet deep, however it doesn't wake very well. I also have a couple of Slammers and they look great waked accross the surface of the water but I sometimes I like to mix twitches, pauses & waking in the same retrieve. I'm still learning the Slammers and have caught a few so far but I look forward to giving it a big workout next summer, I am excited about it's potential. So far it represents the most that I've ever spent on a bait.

Get a slammer and a Mattlures.  

Get a slammer and a Mattlures.

I think that's what I'm going to end up doing. Thanks for the advice fellas. I know the slammer is a fish catching bait but I just wanted to get more lures for my money. I guess I've realized now that I'd rather have a couple lures that catch fish than a bunch that don't.

I have the River2Sea V-Joint Minnow and it's did well for me. I think I caught fish with it almost every time I had it on. I love the look of it and plan to fish it allot with other shad style swim baits. With that said it's certainly not a BIG swimbait.

ever thought of being a hand model bizz? Your hands make that bait look so.... well.... ugly!!! :

Don't know if I could spend the money to get one but I recently got several Jackalls sent to me with a Mikey being one of them...I haven't caught anything on it yet but did get out yesterday to play with it and the thing looks GREAT in the water...can't wait for spring!

I got this bait, the Savagear Butch a couple of weeks ago.

It's approx. 8.5" long and weighs approx. 4oz.

Haven't fished the bait yet but this thing should catch fish.

I also really like the Deps Highsider.

Get a slammer and a Mattlures.

I think that's what I'm going to end up doing. Thanks for the advice fellas. I know the slammer is a fish catching bait but I just wanted to get more lures for my money. I guess I've realized now that I'd rather have a couple lures that catch fish than a bunch that don't.

That is a key point.  I had to get over the same thing.

Dont worry, soon enough you will buy more.  Then you can have a bunch of the same lures that catch fish.  

The AC Plug minnow might also be a good idea.