So I have been bass fishing for 2 years and have gained more and more confidence....I live in Birmingham, AL.

This thread relates to another thread in ways from recently "go for numbers or quality this year?"....so reference that if you like, but not necessary.

Anyway, I had read Bill Siemantel's Book late last year and it really questioned alot of conventions that I had accepted to date.  And at the beginning of this year I started to seriously contemplate adopting these techniques potentially - that is the big swim baits and tube baits primarily with the finess tactics covered in the book. 

I had a number of concerns up from though, which the book seemed to address:

1) Will I simply catch very few fish, be skunked many many many days in search for the occassional big one? 

After reading the book and talking to people on here, I will simply have a learning curve and more importantly confidence curve to overcome - not sure how long that will take, but I am willing to committ if I continue to feel confident it will pay out later.  If there is any truth to Bill's book, then I am willing.

2) Do these principles apply to my location?

The book addresses this concern as well.  People believe that this is a western clear water type of tactice only and that it will not apply in the stained southern waters?  Bill refutes this assumption in his book stating the tactics will work an any waters...??  Are there any Bill Siemantel style fisherman in the southeast or particularly in the Birmingam area? I would love to talk to you specifically obviously!

3) Can I afford it?  Where do I buy the tackle and gear necessary - there are some recs from the book I have to reference about rods and reels and stuff.  I suppose I will be able to afford the tackle - will start with one good big swim bait rod and reel and perhaps one type of bait?  One of those big tubes or a big swimbait or small variety to start tossin....It will take time to acrew the stuff I need for sure - I already got a nice setup for fishing on my tracker pro-16 and I recently got the HB 998

4) How do I know what I am doing and how I am doing it is working in the first year or so....He mentioned in the book that even getting a big one to follow one of these baits is good feedback and to help you gain confidence, but many times in my home waters I may not be able to see this bass more than 1-3 feet of water or more unlike some more clear waters...smith lake has some more clear waters, perhaps I should start there, or maybe it doesnt matter.

5) Is there anyone in my area to mentor me in these tactics who has already developed confidence and results in my area?  That would be a great help to talk or perhaps fish from time to time with such a person obviously to gain an edge!

6) Do I have the time necessary to make this work?  I work mon-fri as a clinical pharmacist, and I basically have 2 or at most 4 days per month to fish.  I worry that I will committ to it for a few months then give up prematurely - but I guess if there are people in my area that can vouch for the effectiveness as well as Bill Siemantel has, then I will do it.

Anyway, it would be a big change and alot for me to learn I am sure.  I am only 26 at this point and am very dedicated as much as I can be and I dont want to do this if it will be a big waste of time.  Any thoughts, criticisms, suggestions, concerns about my contemplating this change.  I dont really care to keep going for keeper size fish or numbers - I hope to from this point on shoot for numbers of big bass.  I want my cake and to eat it too - what do you all think.

Sorry, I am long winded if you havent noticed yet  :-X

Another BR member suggested Bill Murphy's book btw - I will look into that.

Cmon BR members - I was hopin someone would have some insight into my question - it would be a huge change for my fishing and I want some further feedback before I take the plunge into this - dont want to waste alot of time and money if it wont work  :-?

Total waste of your fishing time. You don't get

to fish enough. Most "Big Bass" guys got that

way after tiring of catching too many bass. Do

you catch too many?

Most big bass guys don't catch many and often

don't catch any! There is a very good chance that

you won't, either. Are you really ready for that?

Really that is my concern I suppose.  I guess what I have remained unclear about is to what extent will I catch less fish?  I mean, for guys that really put in the time to know how to use these tactics, are they really frequently skunked as much as you suggest?  Bill's book countered this argument basically alluding to idea that there will be a learning curve like anything else, but that numbers of bigger fish will come with time, then you will catch numbers and size.  So, I will only committ to this idea if I know there is light at the end of the tunnel - that is to say that I dont mind getting skunked for the most part for 1-2 years if there is a payout later, that is to say that later I can catch at least 2-5 bass on most days?

I would like to hear from people that really truly throw these  baits consistently and know how many they catch exactly on average - clearly for my first months or 1-2 years I will struggle and have to learn - but again, if I reach a point where big ones are attainable more regularly, I think I am willing to sacrifice quantity, to an extent anyway - if I have to fish for 5 days to catch one fish, well that is a bit over doing it for me, but the impression I have gotten from Bill's book and from a couple folks on here is that I will just need to get over a learning curve....

I was inspired when reading and learning about the career of Bill Siemantel - and the recent breaking of the world record by Manibu Kurita as well (who throws big baits as a staple).  Kurita catches approx. 125 nine plus lb'ers every year, he is only like 34 - these guys doing these big bait tactics seem to be way ahead of the curve?  And if they can do it, so can I on my home waters - that is to say not break the world record, but to more frequently break my own records and to increase my avg. catch size and increase the number of quality fish I catch.

I can certainly stay on my traditional baits and keep learning, but why not take this plunge - it seems like it will take some dedication, but wont it pay off?  That is a question that I am still not totally convinced - thus the post to discuss it a bit more.....

But if there are guys out there catching 100 nine pound bass every year with these tactics, I want a piece of that baby - even if that means I catch 600 less dinks.  But, given my available limited schedule to fish, I am not sure if this is the best decision for me.....

Most big bass guys don't catch many and often

don't catch any! There is a very good chance that

you won't, either. Are you really ready for that?

Thats my concern - but I wanted to hear from some of you about the idea.  I guess I wonder if there are people that fish this way, but also catch at least 1-2 quality fish on most outings and perhaps more regularly.  Are there some folks that actually attain the holy grail that is both size and quantity?  If so, then I want on that train.  Bill warns in his book that people are simply not willing to committ to it to get to this point.....but I dont know  if Bill's recommendations takes into account my life situation ? I need to just call him up on the phone and ask him

I don't fish big baits religiously but most of my biggest fish have come from fishing big baits.  I personally think you would be doing yourself a complete disservice if you don't try to learn the art of big bait fishing.  Any technique which can help up your chances of catching a "True" trophy bass ought to be studied & learned.  Is it going to be frustrating...YES.  If you dedicate yourself to only big bait tactics, you will get skunked, & probably quite often.  However the payoff is huge. 

I recommend starting out with a swimbait that is a little bit smaller to build confidence.  Something like the BBZ 6" or a Lake Fork Live Magic Shad in the 8".

The great thing about big bait fishing is that you can always put that rod down & use something that you know will catch fish just to get your fix.  Once you do that though you'll want to pick that swimbait back up & get back to it. 

It will absolutely require you to dedicate a lot of time & fish in order to feel comfortable chunking a big bait.  However the reward is very VERY nice in the end.  I now never leave home without my swimbait rod & swimbaits. 

Define big baits. If you are gonna fish the 4+oz baits, you will not get a bite every trip. Sometimes many trips without a bite.

Ok first off, if it is big baits, listen to the Bizzle.

I don't throw "big baits" but I started throwing baits last year that imitated fish instead of craws and saw my average fish really go up. I used to live by the jig, flipping beavers and brush hogs, and also tubes. So I threw primarily crawfish imitating baits and I had a very good average for RI, from lake to lake I was around 1.75 to 2 pounds and could bang out atleast 15-20 fish an outing.

Last year I started throwing more baitfish imitations just simple things like 5" paddle tails (I know Biz, they're gay), Matt Lures Sunfish and Perch. and big crankbaits/jerkbaits. I saw those 1.75 to 2 pound fish turn into a 2.5 to 2.75 pound average and I could generally get atleast 10 an outing when fishing strictly this way. I caught about 30 fish over 4 pounds this way last year and I only caught about 45 over 4 last year all together(and I fish very high pressured bodies of water).

So I would say just by switching the style of bait you can see bigger fish. Not huge, but much better quality fish. I would say build your way up, see if changing to minnow or crawfish imitations makes a difference and then go from there. I know I could never fish a swimbait over 7" because I just don't have the confidence and can't take the frustration. Know your limits and don't burn yourself out over trying for that one big bite if you loose the enjoyment of it.

(my 2 pb's over 8 both came on jigs though)  :

I don't fish big baits religiously but most of my biggest fish have come from fishing big baits. I personally think you would be doing yourself a complete disservice if you don't try to learn the art of big bait fishing. Any technique which can help up your chances of catching a "True" trophy bass ought to be studied & learned. Is it going to be frustrating...YES. If you dedicate yourself to only big bait tactics, you will get skunked, & probably quite often. However the payoff is huge.

I recommend starting out with a swimbait that is a little bit smaller to build confidence. Something like the BBZ 6" or a Lake Fork Live Magic Shad in the 8".

The great thing about big bait fishing is that you can always put that rod down & use something that you know will catch fish just to get your fix. Once you do that though you'll want to pick that swimbait back up & get back to it.

It will absolutely require you to dedicate a lot of time & fish in order to feel comfortable chunking a big bait. However the reward is very VERY nice in the end. I now never leave home without my swimbait rod & swimbaits.

Yeah, I was afraid of that, but perhaps if I work at it, the totally skunked days will be a tolerable amount - not sure what that tolerable amount is, but we will see I guess. 

My plan for starters this summer may help curb the slow days to come...I have every other weekend to go fishing - I usually go with my neighbor on sunday and do our "traditional" tactics and we have a great time as always - but I want a trophy bass - I caught what I think was a 7 or 8 lber (see my profile photo) a few weeks ago and now I want more baby - I have been fishing since and catching 1-3 lbers all day just aint the same - I now have the desire to get more of those big uns

My plan will be to go with my neighbor on saturday, and I will go at it alone on sunday and focus on using something like a larger swimbait....so I will get the best of both worlds I suppose and I can also toss the big bait with my neighbor some of the time too.   

Bottom line at least in my mind right now, I feel a real desire to catch the big ones - the payoff that you mention will be my motivating force through the tough days to come - I think I have alot of willpower, but I could lose confidence....we will see....I hope more people on BR make more suggestions for me too - There have been enough people to say good things about these tactics to encourage me a bit more anyway - still am testing the waters though....

Does anyone on here use em in my area?  You are from texas, so if it has worked in texas and california, it will work in Bama?  I wonder if there are many Bama peeps tossin these baits.??

THe big un that has got me thinking, more more more big uns!!

You have no idea how mad I am that I cannot know the weight!!!  My neighbor had a measuring tape on him too and he was so excited he forgot he had it on him and never mentioned it - ahhhh - prior to this, I had caught a number of 4-5 lbers (probably 8-9 in the past 2 years since I started fishing) - but on this day I bagged two 5+ lbers back to back - this one I estimate at 7-9 pounds....I am sticking with 7 just to be conservative - I dont know, I was so excited I cannot hardly remember frankly - I thought it best to put her back in the water and get back out there asap - next one could have been a 10 lber - got greedy I guess

This is one of those things that you will get a lot of opinions on and many will differ. I will give you my opinion on the subject. First I will suggest Bill Murphy's book it is the best book written on the subject of catching big bass. The lakes you fish may be a little different but the info in the book can still be applied. 

1. I fish for big bass with what I consider the best big bass tactics for the lakes I fish. I was only skunked five times last year out of over 200 trips. Part of that is because I use tactics more along the line of Bill Murphy's when they fit and use the big bait tactics at other times. This is where there is a learning curve. Knowing when and where to use each. Bill Murphy's tactics will catch small fish as well as larger fish where throwing big baits culls some smaller fish. Also when it comes to swimbaits six inches is the size I catch the most big bass over ten pounds on. I caught an eight inch bass today on a six inch bait so the six inch bait will catch almost any bass worth catching and will still catch the giants. I hear guys here in the Southeast saying that on thier lake you have to have big eight inch plus baits on the lakes they fish to catch many big bass because of all the small fish. On the other side is guys that say the big baits will not work because they don't have enough big fish for them to work. Well I go to those types of lakes including many of the ones they are talking about and catch big bass on my five and six inch baits. Only time I start on a lake with a eight inch or larger bait is when it is a trout stocked lake or I already know the bigger bass are targeting large baitfish for some reason. If I just used big eight inch baits on all the lakes I fish I would both get skunked more often and catch fewer eight pound plus fish.

2. I have already covered this to a point. You can catch fish on big baits here in the South. But on most any lake I have been on the bigger bass target the larger five, six and seven inch size baits most often with six inches being the best size. Also, my number one big bass tactic is a splitshot rig with a six to eight inch straight tail worm and it works on lakes with lots of smaller fish as well because I have learned to look at structure and  lake know where the larger fish live. But if you want to find a true big bait lake go to a good lake with stocked trout when they are stocking and throw big baits till you arm falls off. I know of a couple lakes in GA like this and the big bait (eight inch plus) fishing is almost too easy at times comapared to the lakes I usually fish. I am sure if you look real hard you can find one or two in Northern Alabama.

3. I actually spend less money now than I did in the past. I have finally found the few baits that work best for me and fit into my "big bass system". My swimbaits are mostly those priced in the $20 -$70 dollar range but I don't lose many in a year. With swimbaits don't waste money on junk baits and buy the best ones that work on your lakes and match the forage to start with. Plastic worms and jigs are the other things I use most and they don't cost any more than they would if I were after small fish.

4. Start at Guntersville to get your confidence. I know some people that killed them with swimbaits on Guntersville last year. One guy that I taught how to fish swimbaits had five that went over 40 pounds last year in the middle of summer. He had six fish all seven to nine pounds in about four hours of fishing. The best five were all eights and nines.

5. That would be your best bet or even find a buddy to commit to fishing just for big fish to shorten the learning curve.

6. If you don't ever commit to learning it you will still be fishing the same way years from now. You just have to decide if it's worth it to you or if you have the confidence to fish this way.

the way i try to catch larger bass is, when i come to an area i start with a crank or spinnerbait.  if i am catching a good number of fish on those i will then move to 5" senko or shakeyhead, then if those still are catching average fish i move to the giant 9" worms.  it dosnt always work but it does work sometimes.

This is one of those things that you will get a lot of opinions on and many will differ. I will give you my opinion on the subject. First I will suggest Bill Murphy's book it is the best book written on the subject of catching big bass. The lakes you fish may be a little different but the info in the book can still be applied.

1. I fish for big bass with what I consider the best big bass tactics for the lakes I fish. I was only skunked five times last year out of over 200 trips. Part of that is because I use tactics more along the line of Bill Murphy's when they fit and use the big bait tactics at other times. This is where there is a learning curve. Knowing when and where to use each. Bill Murphy's tactics will catch small fish as well as larger fish where throwing big baits culls some smaller fish. Also when it comes to swimbaits six inches is the size I catch the most big bass over ten pounds on. I caught an eight inch bass today on a six inch bait so the six inch bait will catch almost any bass worth catching and will still catch the giants. I hear guys here in the Southeast saying that on thier lake you have to have big eight inch plus baits on the lakes they fish to catch many big bass because of all the small fish. On the other side is guys that say the big baits will not work because they don't have enough big fish for them to work. Well I go to those types of lakes including many of the ones they are talking about and catch big bass on my five and six inch baits. Only time I start on a lake with a eight inch or larger bait is when it is a trout stocked lake or I already know the bigger bass are targeting large baitfish for some reason. If I just used big eight inch baits on all the lakes I fish I would both get skunked more often and catch fewer eight pound plus fish.

2. I have already covered this to a point. You can catch fish on big baits here in the South. But on most any lake I have been on the bigger bass target the larger five, six and seven inch size baits most often with six inches being the best size. Also, my number one big bass tactic is a splitshot rig with a six to eight inch straight tail worm and it works on lakes with lots of smaller fish as well because I have learned to look at structure and lake know where the larger fish live. But if you want to find a true big bait lake go to a good lake with stocked trout when they are stocking and throw big baits till you arm falls off. I know of a couple lakes in GA like this and the big bait (eight inch plus) fishing is almost too easy at times comapared to the lakes I usually fish. I am sure if you look real hard you can find one or two in Northern Alabama.

3. I actually spend less money now than I did in the past. I have finally found the few baits that work best for me and fit into my "big bass system". My swimbaits are mostly those priced in the $20 -$70 dollar range but I don't lose many in a year. With swimbaits don't waste money on junk baits and buy the best ones that work on your lakes and match the forage to start with. Plastic worms and jigs are the other things I use most and they don't cost any more than they would if I were after small fish.

4. Start at Guntersville to get your confidence. I know some people that killed them with swimbaits on Guntersville last year. One guy that I taught how to fish swimbaits had five that went over 40 pounds last year in the middle of summer. He had six fish all seven to nine pounds in about four hours of fishing. The best five were all eights and nines.

5. That would be your best bet or even find a buddy to commit to fishing just for big fish to shorten the learning curve.

6. If you don't ever commit to learning it you will still be fishing the same way years from now. You just have to decide if it's worth it to you or if you have the confidence to fish this way.

Randall man, thanks so much!  Your comments based on your actual experience gives me more confidence to choose my path.  I think you cleared up an important issue - that is what is my expectation about how many skunked days I will actually have to put up with - 200 trips and only 5 skunked days - you are a star - but I have to believe if you can do it, I too can learn - and man - it sounds like you land a great number of big ones and that is precisely what I want to do - If I am only skunked 20% of my trips and the other trips I catch these types of fish, I will be very happy and the investment will be well worth it - thanks for the pointers man!!!  I may be in contact with you later with further questions!!

A common misconception is that big bait guys get skunked alot. No..... beginner big bait guys get skunked alot. Experienced guys catch a lot of swimbait fish. The biggest difference is, that with time on the water you get a much better sence of when its going to happen and when its not. You cant make them eat but If you present the right swimbait the right way when they want it you will not catch 1 or 2 in a day. You will catch a bunch. If its one of those days that ist not happening then you will probably get skunked or if you keep throwing all day you might run into one. This is why so many guys say your fishing for 1 bite. Because they dont know the when where and what. I am not one of the expert guys who catches lots of swimbait fish when ever I go. But I do have a high percentage of catching them when I try for them. The reason is SOMETIMES I can recognize if its going to happen and I put my self into position to catch them and SOMETIMES I can recognize when its not going to happen and I try other more productive techniques. This comes from time on the water and getting to know specific lakes. Where I am at, almost no lake fishes the same as the next. They are all different. So basicaly what I am saying is that with more experiance you get better at guessing which lake, which bait, and how they want it. Unfortunatley this is learned by catching fish. I also have the luxery of calling my friends for good fish dope. This is HUGE.

As for gear , get an Okuma hvy swimbait rod and a good reel like a calcutta or cardif or induron. To start you will only need 1 set up. You can expand later. I recomend starting with baits in the 5-8in range. They will get bit by fish of all sizes. The giant baits realy are 1 bite baits. Buy qualty baits that are known fish catchers. you will be much better off spending $100 on 4 good fish cacthing baits then spending $100 on 20 baits that you will give up on.

Oh yeah go out and buy Bill Murphy's book. It is soo much better then the BBZ book. I dont think I even finished the bbz book. BUT the BBZ video is VERY good and I do recomend that. i guess I am just not much of a reader but I ate up Murphy's book.

I am glad to see some positive response on the topic. My intention was not to high jack the other thread. I just saw you asking questions that I asked myself before I started throwing big baits and the two Bills as I call them have changed the way I fish and think about fishing. I just want to share what I have learned. If you take the red pill your fishing world will change as you know it.

By the way I have to give Mattlures a little plug. You have top notch customer service and that ultimate gill is a killer bait (bed fish hate it). I can't wait to try out your new trout bait.

Consistently catching bass of any size first takes a body of water that holds a decent population of bass.

You will need to understand what structure is, how to truly identify it, read it, and then fish it effectively. Add to structure an understanding of availible cover and how it forms breaks and break lines.

You will need to understand the relationship between bass and their prey and how both relate to structure and cover.

Knowing how to adjust to changing weather condition; 80% of my fishing is on days with less the ideal conditions.

Once you understand structure/cover, bass/prey, and weather conditions lure selection becomes easier.

don't over analyze it either.

big bass don't care how much 'technique' or 'theory' you know when they bite the big bait

these baits sell because they catch fish, big ones

if you throw big baits exclusively, you WILL catch fewer fish, AND the sporadic giant.

This is one of those things that you will get a lot of opinions on and many will differ. I will give you my opinion on the subject. First I will suggest Bill Murphy's book it is the best book written on the subject of catching big bass. The lakes you fish may be a little different but the info in the book can still be applied.

1. I fish for big bass with what I consider the best big bass tactics for the lakes I fish. I was only skunked five times last year out of over 200 trips. Part of that is because I use tactics more along the line of Bill Murphy's when they fit and use the big bait tactics at other times. This is where there is a learning curve. Knowing when and where to use each. Bill Murphy's tactics will catch small fish as well as larger fish where throwing big baits culls some smaller fish. Also when it comes to swimbaits six inches is the size I catch the most big bass over ten pounds on. I caught an eight inch bass today on a six inch bait so the six inch bait will catch almost any bass worth catching and will still catch the giants. I hear guys here in the Southeast saying that on thier lake you have to have big eight inch plus baits on the lakes they fish to catch many big bass because of all the small fish. On the other side is guys that say the big baits will not work because they don't have enough big fish for them to work. Well I go to those types of lakes including many of the ones they are talking about and catch big bass on my five and six inch baits. Only time I start on a lake with a eight inch or larger bait is when it is a trout stocked lake or I already know the bigger bass are targeting large baitfish for some reason. If I just used big eight inch baits on all the lakes I fish I would both get skunked more often and catch fewer eight pound plus fish.

2. I have already covered this to a point. You can catch fish on big baits here in the South. But on most any lake I have been on the bigger bass target the larger five, six and seven inch size baits most often with six inches being the best size. Also, my number one big bass tactic is a splitshot rig with a six to eight inch straight tail worm and it works on lakes with lots of smaller fish as well because I have learned to look at structure and lake know where the larger fish live. But if you want to find a true big bait lake go to a good lake with stocked trout when they are stocking and throw big baits till you arm falls off. I know of a couple lakes in GA like this and the big bait (eight inch plus) fishing is almost too easy at times comapared to the lakes I usually fish. I am sure if you look real hard you can find one or two in Northern Alabama.

3. I actually spend less money now than I did in the past. I have finally found the few baits that work best for me and fit into my "big bass system". My swimbaits are mostly those priced in the $20 -$70 dollar range but I don't lose many in a year. With swimbaits don't waste money on junk baits and buy the best ones that work on your lakes and match the forage to start with. Plastic worms and jigs are the other things I use most and they don't cost any more than they would if I were after small fish.

4. Start at Guntersville to get your confidence. I know some people that killed them with swimbaits on Guntersville last year. One guy that I taught how to fish swimbaits had five that went over 40 pounds last year in the middle of summer. He had six fish all seven to nine pounds in about four hours of fishing. The best five were all eights and nines.

5. That would be your best bet or even find a buddy to commit to fishing just for big fish to shorten the learning curve.

6. If you don't ever commit to learning it you will still be fishing the same way years from now. You just have to decide if it's worth it to you or if you have the confidence to fish this way.

Good read Randall.

Frankly, I never get too excited about another angler's techniques or data, unless that is,

we're both fishing the same lake classification, same cover types', same bottom contour',

same 'water clarity', same forage base' and the same seasonal period'.

If any one of those criteria is contraindicative, that lottery ticket may be long in coming.

Randall, I know you've boated more than your fair share of double-digit bass,

so I was happy to read that your swimbait of choice is 6" long.

We've been up-and-down the ladder of length, and found that big bass eagerly hit small baits

and that small bass eagerly hit big baits. Although my wife prefers the 5" length, my favorite by far

is the 6" swimbait. Everyone has heard the oft espoused witticism, "Let the fish

tell you what they want". But if your swimbait is "too" large, it might snuff vital communication.

Roger

I'll preface my opinion with a statement that 80-90 percent of my bass fishing is for smallmouth. I have found that bigger baits are more effective for bigger fish. No bait is two big for bass as most musky fisherman will attest to the statement that their biggest bass ever caught was while musky fishing with BIG baits, 8 to 12 inches in length. My favorite hard bait for smallies is 6 inches in length. Larger baits do discourage smaller fish & increase your size caught. But as Mattlures pointed out you have to be aware when the big bait bite is not working & change tactics.  Conversely I have caught some of my best fish on small baits but that is not the norm.

This is the major hurdle the OP faces:

6) Do I have the time necessary to make this work?

I work mon-fri as a clinical pharmacist, and I basically

have 2 or at most 4 days per month to fish.

I think the answer is no.

This is the major hurdle the OP faces:

6) Do I have the time necessary to make this work?

I work mon-fri as a clinical pharmacist, and I basically

have 2 or at most 4 days per month to fish.

I think the answer is no.

I am 26 years old, I plan to fish till I die - I will retire at 55 likely and fish much more, also will fish much more as time passes as I will have more time off from work. 

The question is I suppose in a different way is do I want to invest the little amount of time I have on the water currently to swimbaits and the like (or at least to some significant degree of my time) to learn them - to have as a tactic - or will the learning curve be too great for me to bear?? 

It seems to me, the first question I will answer is do these big bait tactics really produce the greatest percentages of big bass - if so, then how couldnt I invest in learning the tactics - although I may tire of it I suppose - but I am stubborn and got alot of willpower and very inquisitive - if I choose to I will stick with it and learn it hopefully - or I will eat big crow later .....we will see...

Eye of the tiger  ;D

A common misconception is that big bait guys get skunked alot. No..... beginner big bait guys get skunked alot. Experienced guys catch a lot of swimbait fish. The biggest difference is, that with time on the water you get a much better sence of when its going to happen and when its not. You cant make them eat but If you present the right swimbait the right way when they want it you will not catch 1 or 2 in a day. You will catch a bunch. If its one of those days that ist not happening then you will probably get skunked or if you keep throwing all day you might run into one. This is why so many guys say your fishing for 1 bite. Because they dont know the when where and what. I am not one of the expert guys who catches lots of swimbait fish when ever I go. But I do have a high percentage of catching them when I try for them. The reason is SOMETIMES I can recognize if its going to happen and I put my self into position to catch them and SOMETIMES I can recognize when its not going to happen and I try other more productive techniques. This comes from time on the water and getting to know specific lakes. Where I am at, almost no lake fishes the same as the next. They are all different. So basicaly what I am saying is that with more experiance you get better at guessing which lake, which bait, and how they want it. Unfortunatley this is learned by catching fish. I also have the luxery of calling my friends for good fish dope. This is HUGE.

As for gear , get an Okuma hvy swimbait rod and a good reel like a calcutta or cardif or induron. To start you will only need 1 set up. You can expand later. I recomend starting with baits in the 5-8in range. They will get bit by fish of all sizes. The giant baits realy are 1 bite baits. Buy qualty baits that are known fish catchers. you will be much better off spending $100 on 4 good fish cacthing baits then spending $100 on 20 baits that you will give up on.

Oh yeah go out and buy Bill Murphy's book. It is soo much better then the BBZ book. I dont think I even finished the bbz book. BUT the BBZ video is VERY good and I do recomend that. i guess I am just not much of a reader but I ate up Murphy's book.

After reading Siemantels book, I realized that there might be alot of people that make this "false assumption" and wanted to hear from some real people tossing these baits across the US....

On a related note, Siemantel did not give alot of play to the idea that location will matter all that much - basically said it will work everywhere.  He definately could care less about weather patterns in his book - I simply fish when I can rain, sleet, or snow - and he advised in his book to simply fish the best spots (structure as discussed) from top to bottom using his a "one cast concept" to develop a "milk run" - although he did agree weather will have an effect, but he stated it is over played - actually KVD's book blasts that issue too in the beginning as well....

Anyway, you all are providing encouraging thoughts - I feel motivated to do this - we will see how I do - I will likely have to wait a month or so to buy my needed rod/reel and baits - just blew my wod on the 998 - which will help me much more easily find the creek beds, humps, ledges, drop offs, flats, cover, etc. hopefully, then I will cast me some swim baits at prime areas and get to learning the ins and outs and the feel of the baits and develop the "finess" hopefully needed to entice those fish.

I will start with a 6 inch as you stated....perhaps if fish are quite active, it is the time to tie on that mammoth swimbait particularly - we will see - I wonder how many people are actually throwing these baits in my area on say Lay lake, smith lake, and/or logan martin and the like.  I also fish some private ponds with my neighbor sometimes....likely may do very good there with one of these swim baits.

We will see - even if I fail I can say I tried - but I dont like failure - I am stubborn like that  >

don't over analyze it either.

big bass don't care how much 'technique' or 'theory' you know when they bite the big bait

these baits sell because they catch fish, big ones

if you throw big baits exclusively, you WILL catch fewer fish, AND the sporadic giant.

That is pretty much what I understood to be true after reading Bill S's book, but I think the one thing left to fill in in your statement is back to the extent of catching less that people can expect from using these baits - Bill S states with time you will still get numbers just more numbers of say 3 lbers instead of 1 lbers - others that have responded on here say they still catch good numbers and not skunked entirely at that (of course there will be a learning curve I suppose) - but I suppose use of traditional tactics will produce great numbers though overall, or else these big bait tactics would be a staple on the tournament circuit.  And as others have suggested I suppose there are conditions where the big baits will not produce regularly, although at this point after reading Bill S's book, I am not sure of what conditions exactly those are or what lakes exactly - that I suppose I will learn with experience....

If 1-2 bass on an outing is a typical slow day for big baits I am willing to sacrifice my 20 dinks in a day, especially if I put multiple 7 or 8 + lbers in my boat every year, even dd bass , which I have yet to catch - but have a great desire to do so - once I caught my recent big one (again I have no idea of weight) - a light turned on - now I want more baby more