I used to think 9" swimbaits were too big for Santa Margarita. I caught everything on 7" Slammers and AC Minnows. Then I went fishing with Mike Shaw, guy who makes the Slammer. First cast with the 9" bait he caught a 5 and a half and I was just like whoa! We caught 7 fish from 3 to 5 and a half pounds that afternoon. After that I kind of 'got it' and started fishing bigger baits.

Right before I stopped fishing Margarita I was really getting into the 12" bait. I did miss more fish but I had two fish that were 8lbs each hit me on it. And this was back when 8 pounders were basically unheard of at Margarita.

If you're not getting hit on the bigger baits, it could just be time of year or presentation or something. I really can't say enough for the slow and steady on top retrieve. 1 and 2lbers will bomb the 9 and 12" Slammer like this but are usually more unwilling to hit it subsurface. Here are some motivational photos for you (especially the crappie photo lmfao - that was a late night). If a bluegill and a crappie will hit a 9" bait, a bass will too. I've actually caught two bluegill on the Slammer, go figure.

As far as must have swimbaits, ditto to Nico's post. The fun part is, you can browse the review section and see 90% of the baits that are out there on the market and pick whatever you think might work for yourself.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/1435.jpg

http://www.calfishing.com/images/daily_reports/2_1_04_rob_crappie.jpg