Wanting to get a large swimbait, but unsure if my setup can handle it

[dwtaylor]

For 6" baits I think you might be ok, but I don't think fishing them with a beast style hook on a freestyle/freeloader you will have enough backbone for hooksets.  

 

Rig them with a line through treble and you are golden.  

 

Lob casts and you should be good.  

[softwateronly]

18 minutes ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

Thanks. If you were buying one planing in slow crawling it on the bottom with a 3/4oz beast hook which would you pick? 

I feel like a 6” and 6” fatty for my lake is the right size for bottom crawling. Big enough at that slow speed to get their attention. The bigger baits do best for me mid to high in the water column to pique their interest and call them in. But the reality is there’s not that much difference that I’ve noticed. 
 

scott
 

 

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

4 hours ago, softwateronly said:

I feel like a 6” and 6” fatty for my lake is the right size for bottom crawling. Big enough at that slow speed to get their attention. The bigger baits do best for me mid to high in the water column to pique their interest and call them in. But the reality is there’s not that much difference that I’ve noticed. 
 

scott
 

 

You throw the fatty on a 8/0 beast as well? 

[IYAOYAS]

I used to throw the magdraft until I threw a cullshad. That honeycomb moves ALOT of water. I throw mine on a 13 fishing medium heavy Fate(or is it a black?) rod with no troubles. I use 15 lb. flouro and an Abu Revo X 7.3:1 reel never had any issues and it feels "just right" to me. I catch wipers on it 5+pounds all the time.

[softwateronly]

3 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

You throw the fatty on a 8/0 beast as well? 

My memory is questionable but I think either worked fine for me. I didn’t throw it last year, I’ll look into it if I remember the next time I’m near my gear. TB has swimbait seminars from 2-3 years ago that have their recs which is where I got mine. 
 

scott

 

edit:  Looks like 10/0 is recommended.