I'm also a midwest lurker. You guys don't know how good you have it on the west coast. I have a picture of a 10lb. 11oz. fish on my computer from the photo section because that's the Nebraska state record!
Caught my first two swimbait fish this spring. I caught a 3lb fish on a 7" AC Minnow and a 1lb 8oz fish on a castaic gizzard shad. I'll post a picture when I catch a fish worth taking a picture of.