I always hear you guys talking about them and the big fish that you guys get on them. I was wondering how do you guys use them and when is the best time to use them besides right after a trout plant? Is the 7" or 9" better? Also how does the slammer compare to other swim baits like the Osprey, Basstrix, or Castaic soft trout? I have caught big fish on the other swim baits but just want to add to my bag of tricks. So any info on the MS Slammer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hey Jeff, I don't know if you have read it already but I wrote up an article that might answer a lot of your questions. Here is the link:

http://www.calfishing.com/freshwater/big_wood/index.html

I use the slammer either right on top so that the tail makes a small v behind the bait or I reel it steadily from 1 to 4 feet under water. Never have had much luck ripping it or varying the retrieve. Just slow and steady. Make long casts, maneuver the boat quietly, and fish it hard. My rule of thumb for when I think the slammer could be effective is "can the fish see or sense the lure?" If I feel like they can't see it or hear it, I won't throw it and there are times when this is the case. But if they can see it or hear/sense it I have confidence.

PS> Coyote Bait should have gotten a new shipment in recently or is expecting one shortly.

Thanks Swimbait for the great info. Your articles are great and very informative. I will try a lot some of the things that you recommended and hope that it works for the fish down here at Casitas and Castaic. I will have to make a trip up to Margarita one of these days because it sounds like a fun lake to fish. Have you ever done any good at Lopez on the big baits? I fish Lopez at least 3 times a year but have never thrown the big baits there. Just curios to hear if any one has done any good there. I have never seen any one throw the big stuff there.