For a long time I have looked for a good picture of the hitch baitfish. Recently, Cody B found what I was looking for and very graciously sent me the link. Check out the pics below and you will understand why baits like the 5" big hammer and the 9" MS Slammer are so effective at Clear Lake.

Big spawning hitch
http://www.calfishing.com/dcforum/User_files/3bf20cc92ff94281.jpg

Small one
http://www.calfishing.com/dcforum/User_files/3bf20d4030f6653a.jpg

School of spawning hitch
http://www.calfishing.com/dcforum/User_files/3bf20cd82ffec7f1.jpg

I tried to find any taxedermists who might have had any experiences with the hitch in the past and none had done anything with them before. Have you, or anyone else, ever caught a bass at Clear Lake that has a hitch protruding from its mouth or in its stomach? Seen them once being chased by a nice bass in the back of a creek arm. Does anyone know if they exist in any other fisheries other than Clear Lake?

I'm not sure if it's the same exact minnow but I've seen, caught, and used for bait, a minnow that fits the description, in the Gravel pits on the Coyote Creek Parkway near the Tomcats model airplane field.
With one of these baits I LDR'd (Long Distance Released) a bass that would have definitely beat my biggest yet, well over 7#'s.

Tight lines,
Wade