Did you see the show that Hank Parker did on swim baits. He had Joe Uribe Jr., Mike Long, Stan Vanderburg on the show and they answered alot of those same q's. Also any article you can find on swim baits helps, but I must admit sight fishing with swim baits has to be the best way to catch that hawg during the spawning period. One basic ingredient is always time on the water (get to know your fishing area);)