I'm looking into getting a few line-through style swimbaits but I've never really fished them before. What are your opinions on the 6" Optimum Baby Line-Thru vs. the Osprey Tournament Talon or the thinner Osprey rMac?

From the videos I've seen so far it looks like the Ospreys are usually fished a little slower than the Optimum, but that could just be different fishing styles of the user.

I'll be fishing it on a 7'6" vendetta paired with a Revo STX and 20lb fluoro, if that makes a difference.

There's also a pretty significant price difference between the two, is that justified?

I don't know which one is better, but there are a couple 3:16'on sale at the link below. I've heard by a lot of good stuff about the Rising Son. I got a Shad and Rising Son to learn with. They're pretty big.

http://www.basstacklemaster.com/category-s/1977.htm

You sir, just convinced me to drop an unexpected $23...

I have fished them for years. The Osprey Talon inline heavy is my favorite, in 6, 7, or 9". Reel them at a slow to medium steady pace, especially around trees, stumps, bushes, etc. Make it act like a big, dumb, trout.

The Osprey tournament talon top hook is another good lure. Being a top hook it fishes better on the bottom, goes through brush better. Obviously, the inline Talon will snag pretty easily with it's bottom treble hook...

As far as rods I use the Dobyns 795ml usually. The 6" Talons weigh 2 ounces, and on up to 4 or 5 ounces for the 9". I am not familiar with the Vendetta line. 20 lb line is good except for the 9", I use 25 with it. I prefer Big Game line to flouro usually, especially with the 9". Btw, never been an Optimum fan, just my preference.

I always end up spending at least 50, so I get free shipping.

The 7 inch Osprey tournament talon is golden. Great tail wag at a low speed compared to a Rago. The 6 inch McAbee is good...but why not throw the 7 inch!?? Use a Dobyns 806...better backbone than the 795.

Tip on all line thru swimbaits...cut and insert a small coffee straw into the nose of the bait to preserve the bait from tearing as easy from your line ripping thru the nose.

I figured the 7 inch would be overkill in Texas lakes, even Fork, since trout isn't what they are eating normally. Does anyone here throw 7 or 8 inch swimbaits in the north Texas area?