Hey this style of fishing is new for me..
It's kind of expensive, but I'm trying to hold the cost down as much as possible.
I'm a regular Joe with limited funds like most of us..
Here is what I have so far:

2 Dobyns Fury SB 795 $119.00 ea. (great price to get into the game)
2 Shimano Curado 200 7:1 ratio's (already had these-for a while) expensive if purchased for this $$
65 lb braid with 20-25lb flowcard leader material (already have in house) but expensive if you don't $$
Tackleware House, Beast 10/0 hooks and suspend strips + shipping $ 34.00 ( 10/0 beast hook's on back order).. I did find some Trokar 9/0 SB screw lock hooks in stock... 9/0 - 10/0 close enough to get started.

Smashtech order online.
Head Smasher XXL
$14.99 USD 1 $14.99 USD-- 2 baits-per package
Head Smasher XL
$13.99 USD 1 $13.99 USD-- 3 baits per package
Convict
$15.99 USD 1 $15.99 USD-- 2 baits per package
Convict
$15.99 USD 1 $15.99 USD-- 2 baits per package
Head Smasher XXL
$14.99 USD 1 $14.99 USD-- 2 baits per package

This nitchy style of fishing is a little on the expensive side IMO... What I mean by nitchy, is to primarily target big fish.. That is the direction I've been going lately. At least this gives you some idea what it may take to get started in the world of BIG swimbait fishing.. Of course you can down size your bait orders or spread them out over time..
I'm excited to throw my arm out, can't wait, lots of sports cream on hand. I know the fish are there, I just have to catch them right. LOL
If you see something I missed, let me know, I'm far from an expert on this style of fishing. I'm a dropshot guy.. ..

As of today we're at $ 353.25 dollars worth of new purchase's. Not bad..but you have to consider 2 reels would knock it on up a bit...

If I get the new job I'll be coming out during the week to join you! Trying to switch to 3 night shifts to free up some fishing time

Come on Ronnie, I want to learn a little something before 03/20/16 LOL.. ya know where I'm going with that don'tcha..

A fair number of big swimbait guys use reels larger than the Curado 200. Reels not made for at least medium duty service end up getting their innards shredded by the stress of casting heavier baits. An economical reel of choice for those with a limited budget is the Shimano Cardiff 400A. I also use Quantum EX300's and just bought a pair of Okuma Komodo 350's.

As for arm injury risks, check out Matt Allen's youtube video about the proper way to cast swimbaits.

Wow great info thanks, just what I need. I do have 1 Shimano 300 I was saving for peacock bass fishing (bucket list deal) I guess I should break it out.. I know Matt, I'll definitely look at that.

Save yourself a few bucks and baits: go with 20-25 lb monofilament instead of the braid. When that reel wears out try the Daiwa Luna 253 baitcaster. Carlos from River A Tackle on here saved me some on this. YES, this "technique" was the most costly one I have tried. And watch out cus its addictive!

I'm wanting to learn also. I bought some Smashtech convicts at the classic and some of the 10/0 beast hooks. Brannon's had a booth and had both. I also have a Weedless Huddleston 68 on the way. I'm hoping to throw mine with a revo winch I already have and a really heavy flipping stick. If anything just to see if I even like this style of fishing before I invest a small fortune. I'm licking my chops to get a Bull Shad as well but that $50 to 65 range for a bait scares the [censored] out of me

It does get expensive. I've been making due but I'm about to get a better rod for Swimbaits. Another problem is that the owner screw in hooks can damage the baits and while mend it works miracles on some brands, it is not ver compatible with others and I have ruined a few before getting much use out of them. I have some convicts on order, hopefully they where somewhat designed with the owner beast hooks in mind, trying to convert some of the in line Swimbaits has been a challenge for me. And some of them just won't swim straight once they have been modified.

I was in Oakridge this weekend and they had the Beast hooks on the shelf.. For what it's worth.

For those that might be interested, I will very shortly be liquidating a swimbait package deal - rod/reel, hard & soft baits. Need to thin the herd. There will be Hudds, Bull Shad, a couple of Slammers, Gan Craft, Trash Fish & more. A lot of them are still in the package. Shoot me a message if you are interested before I post the ad.

I just picked up some smashtech convicts at APT and I'm ready to give them a shot next week at fork! They look great

I'll grab some swimbaits from my stash and bring them when I get the Berkley package to you.

Just wait til you start looking at hard Swimbaits! Lol

My question is being the California lakes are all very clear mountain lakes and the bass get regular feedings of Rainbow trout do these high dollar baits produce in the off colored water in the lakes in Texas this time of year. I know they work in clear water but I have personally not had luck with any type swim bait in dirty water.

I like the Curado 300 for Big Baits Billy....