Pretty new to the swimbait game myself.
Targeting Smallmouth 98% of the time.
Have been throwing the 6" Savage Gear RTF and the 6" Huddleston Deluxe and gained confidence in both recently. The Savage Gear comes with a stinger setup, the Hudd is a straight jig hook.
Hookup to bite ratio is higher with the stingers. Fish in the net ratio is higher with the stingers as well. From what I have seen anyways.
That being said, when my PB hit the Savage Gear RTF all the way to the jig hook and I got her in the net...all I could think was ""Not Allowed" I hope that stinger is not in her gills". They were not, she was fine. But it would have completely ruined the experience if I ended up killing that fish.
After that, I retired that bait and started throwing the Hudd.
I found I lost more fish, but I was never worried about sticking them in the gills either. I agree now that the fish you are truly after will not require stingers, just a solid hook set, all the skill you have and a bit of luck.
The Savage Gear is still a sick bait, could totally clip the stinger wire and fish it with just the jig hook, easy enough to add it back if you feel it is necessary.