Buton, I would use a crankbait as it is more effective in dirty/stained water. If the water has more than 3-4 ft visibility, I would probably prefer a swimbait.

The reason why big swimbaits are used so much in California is because many lakes there have extremely clear water with big bass and big forage! As for my favorite swimbait brands, I prefer white or silver colored Osprey Brand Swimbaits and Huddleston Swimbaits. It seems like there are countless copies of the Osprey Swimbait Designs from different companies, which says a lot about their effectiveness! Huddleston Swimbaits offer some weedless models along with top hook models that are both killer at times!

I like to use the Huddlestons for fishing near or on the bottom, as they sit upright at rest, and use Osprey Tournament Talon Top Hook Swimbaits and other Osprey Swimbaits for swimming above the bottom and for whenever I want a bit faster retrieve. When choosing a BIG swimbait to use I always have multiple Huddleston or Osprey styles, colors, and sizes available to choose from. I hope this helps, good luck!