7in MS Slammer

weight-1.8oz

depth-0-3

Similar baits-Mattlures Woody, Wake Jr., optimum OB minnow

Modifications-change hooks

Strengths-Pushes a lot of water, Durable, handmade, affordable for a handmade bait, easy to cast on standard tackle

Weaknesses-Not very versatile, Paint jobs not exceptional, Stock hooks, Need to be tuned out of box

Summary-When I show my friends here on the east coast who don't have very many swimbaits my collection they never ask about the MS Slammer. In fact my cousin laughed at me when I threw it (no happy ending I didn't catch anything that day). It looks like a musky bait and is not as visually appealing as other swimbaits these days but if you asked most swimbait fisherman to name a reliable wooden wake bait or two almost all would mention the slammer. In fact it may be the best wooden wake bait ever.

I use the 7in version and I got it mainly because I could throw it on regular tackle because at the time I ordered it I didn't have a swimbait rod. First off you will likely need to tune the bait. Mine has a funny action and looks out of tune but it catches fish. Each bait is different and that's the good part but expect to do some tuning first time out and because of this you may not want to pull a Slammer straight out of the pack and throw it tournament day.

The Slammer will catch fish anywhere anytime and the 7in seems best for fish in the 18in range and up. It has good drawing power and really excels in windy or murky water, not muddy or heavy stained but a little stain seems to help. It works best in these type of conditions but that's the same with all wakebaits and topwater baits for that matter. Its not my first choice when its slick and crystal clear but a Slammer can work anytime. I always start off with a steady slow retrieve on top.

The bait does swim under water but that's not how I use it, maybe someday I will give that approach a try, I just normally use other baits for this. If I get a follower it can often be enticed into biting by stopping the bait and twitching it on top, making it splash like a wounded fish. This is why it really needs to be tuned, if it isnt when you twitch it doesn't look right. The MS Slammer I have is in the bass color which I love but there are plenty of colors to choose from. Its also worth mentioning that this bait is known as one of the best night time swimbaits you can buy but I don't fish much at night so I haven't tried it.

Conclusion-It may not be the prettiest or most versatile in terms of how you can use and when you should use it but the MS Slammer is still a must have. It has its time and place and can be deadly in the right conditions.