In reading a lot of these posts, it seems like the term "Swimbait" is used to describe plastics like Big Hammers and also plugs like MS Slammers. Is the term "Swimbait" used to describe the tactic rather than the lure? I guess here in Wisconsin, we would refer to Big Hammers as swimbaits and MS Slammers as crank baits. I checked out the MS Slammers on their website. They do look awesome, although I nearly blacked-out when I saw the price. I take it that they are worth it. I don't know how many of you have seen the inside of a Muskies mouth, but they can make wood baits look pretty sick after a fish or two. At $40 a pop, it may be hard to take, but all the ink I have read about them has me intrigued. Do you guys just reel them or do you twitch and jerk them? Does he have them available, or does he make them as ordered. Our Musky season opens the 29th of May. Thanks guys!

Checkout this link. Not all the wood baits are as 'conveniently priced' as the Slammer. Some are more! :o

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/swimbaits.html

Also check out www.bettencourtbaits.com

He makes some nice wood at a very affordable price. Might be a good place for you to start. Lots of guys use his Assasin for Pike and Muskie.

There's no logic to lure naming these days. People are calling everything a swimbait. I've been trying to sort things out in the reviews into trout plugs and swimbaits, but it's totally subjective.

Most bass guys fish Slammers and wake baits like that on a straight steady wind. I have no idea what muskies like :) At El Salto, the bass liked it twitched on top in the pockets, but that's the only time I've ever seen them bite consistently like that. Those fish aren't trout eaters so it was a different deal.

To keep the paint solid on toothy critters, get some aristocrat two part epoxy and put 2 or 3 coats on. I do it on all my hardbaits and it works great. Here's a link:

http://www.bdclassic.com/support.html

Amazingly, the Slammer is one of the cheapest hardbaits you can buy these days. Amazing because they are still hand made, hand painted wood hardbaits.

Some comparative pricing on medium sized stuff:

9" AC Plug - $30
9" MS Slammer - $38
9.5" SLO Trout - $55
4-Eyes Swimbait - $59
7" Monster Jack - $60
9" AC Real Trout - $65
Generic Hardbait - $75
Generic Live Trout Hardbait - $79

Thanks for the feedback. How deep do the Slammers run on a long cast? You mentioned "Wake Baits", making it sound like something that swims just under the surface.

I'm amazed at the prices. That wouldn't fly here in WI. Most of the people are too cheap here.

We saw some word of that woman who caught the new record Largemouth. Is this in your area? What tactic or method did she use to take that beast? We got a little information here, but no details.

Thanks again!