elhoward622

Randall is a good guy to do business with. I contacted him last Fall about an HPH and he did not have any or a time table to make more do to some personal issues. He ended up contacting me this Spring and offered me his only test bait he made up. I think that is pretty stellar. I have not had the chance to fish it very much, but I am super excited to get one on it! Get guy and great looking bait.

I got one as my first SB rod and am happy with it for throwing 1.5-3 oz baits. It works fine with treble hooks, but I have not had great luck with jig hook baits.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I hope that is a sign from on high or something.

This is a really interesting debate. It amazes me that, in this economy, a bait can command that much money. Marbles, I say most every thing tongue-in-cheek, not to rile folks up.

That lit up is sweet! I can't wait to see the first "mystery pig!"

I wonder how much this will end up going for? This should be fun....

That is what I love about SU, the only place where my noobish comments can get laughed at by a REAL swimbaiter. NICE!

That is some really cool stuff!

You know, it amazes me that so few swimbait manufacturers make a good shad or bluegill hardbait pattern. I wish we could see a few more offerings these days.

Ah, I see all the WTB's with no responses, so I assumed that no one was parting with their lures at that time.

My comments have no weight because I have not been able to land my first 3:16 yet But, I really like the freestyle herring and shad and the wake jr. or baby wake. If I can ever manage to be on the black market at the right time I will snatch one up. I only check the black market like 25 times a day at work, I must need to up that to about 125

You are killing it man. What part of the country are you fishing in? Must be in some good waters!

That is like casting a small child.

I have just really gotten into swimbaits the last year or so, but I personally think you can't put a price on a trophy fish. Fishing is my #1 passion and with my first marriage, first home, first mortgage, and long work hours I get so little time to get on the water. I can't put a price on the fish I catch. I started trophy fishing about five months ago and I have caught a couple of six pounders and one close to eight; not big for this place but big for me. I can not put a price on those experiences and the personal fulfillment it brings to my life. When I, if ever, can break that DD mark it will truly be a priceless experience that a dollar cost can not be used to measure.

Man I want a 3:16 so bad, but for us East Coasters it is tough!

Awesome Randall, I can not wait to get a HPH in my boat.

I am assuming that is the Oregon state record Colby?

Man, I want to try a HPH, but I have not clue how to get one. I contacted Randall, but he sounded like he didn't know when he would make more.

That pretty much sums it up!

I loved seeing giant Castiac baits in my B.A.S.S. mags as a kid, but I never really got into them. I sort of got burned out bass fishing a few years ago because all my buddies fished finesse stuff only and I really lost interest in catching small fish. I bought a kayak and started chasing river-run stripe with large baits and it sort of flowed into swimbait fishing this year. I have only dipped my toe into the kiddie pool of swimbaiting, but I am hopelessly addicted. My first trip out, I stuck a six and a half pounder and it was on! Now, I spend all my time on the web looking for swimbaits or reading about swimbaits. I have a few baits already, but I am still waiting like everyone else to get a shot at a 3:16.

I love throwing swimbaits from my kayak. I have a wilderness systems Commander 140 and it is quite comfortable. I had a sit on top Tarpon 100 and it just killed me. A pinched nerve in my lower back that flares up when I am sitting in a low seated position gave me hell. The trick is to get your hips above your knees. I have put a ton of hours in my Commander with zero pain and it is easy to stand in for a quick stretch. The casting takes some time getting used to, but it become second nature. I have not experienced any more issues with fish coming unbuttoned in my kayak than in a boat. To me, the only downside of kayak fishing is you limited range and the inability to run and gun.