Swimbaits in Kentucky......Like every lure there is a time and place for them. I think the big problem with swimbaits is that people who throw them for the first few times dont have confidence. Like any bait you need to have confidence that the bait will catch fish in the area your fishing. And above all other baits,the swimbait is a lure that you have to comit yourself to throwing all day for those few bites, but those bites will be worth it. Now off my soap box, swimbaits in kentucky can be very productive. I spend most of my time on barren, and I have caught some pretty good fish on swimbaits. And im talking about swimbaits that are big, sebile 145 magic swimmer, Mattlures ultimate bluegill, 3:16's, and you will be supprised what size fish will eat these baits. I have caught short fish on the sebile 145. As far as the loud splash problem, swimbaits were designed to make super long casts so the splash doesnt seem to bother them. I fish them on 7'6" XHVY Airrus Ultra XL, and on a 300 or 400 series Shimano, spooled with 20lb fluro. Some people I know throw them on braid, but I prefer fluro. The spring is the best time to learn to throw them because the fish are aggressive, and shallow which is perfect for around here. Hope this helps...