Very good story Paul. I too recently jumped onto the swimbait wagon. I find these baits very exiting use. Baits like worms, flukes and cranks become somewhat redundant, especially if you fish several days a week. This is when I like to mix it up with a swimbait and see what can be enticed into hitting it.
I have engraved into my head that a monster bass is going to smash my swimbait on any particular cast and at any given time. I picture in my mind the action of the swimbait as I crank it in, waiting for the strike. I then paint a picture of it swimming towards or past a HAWG and getting smashed. Realistically though, I know any of my regular baits (worm and cranks) will produce quality bass, if not better than the swimbait. I think it's the assumption of using a BIG bait that I'm going to catch a BIG bass that keeps it interesting for me, even though it's not always the case.
