I too like looking at all of the different stinger set ups that people use. I've fished with Bassindon and seen him use numerous stinger rigs, all of which have caught fish. I guess I like to keep it simple, no stinger if there is alot of wood around and just a split ring and 1/0 or 2/0 on the bottom if there aren't many snags around. I'm sure some of it is just a confidence thing, I figure the less junk I have on the bait the more natural it's going to look. I might try running a stinger a little farther back this year and paint some of my hooks white to see if it helps my hook-up ratio.

I haven't caught as many swimbait fish as alot of you guys but I have caught a few, I think I have only had one die on me. It was about a 7lber and I don't think it was even hooked in the gills. I think it was just the jig hook in the top of the mouth. I have hooked fish that got their kills knicked but none of them have ever died. If their gills get knicked i'll put them in the livewell and run fresh water over them for an hour or two before releasing them.