how to prevent split swim baits

I don’t fuss with jig heads. I just get a big straight shank Mustad hook (pack of 100) and run it through the swim bait. The eye of the hook goes into an angler clip attached to a 30” leader. Then I have a 3oz torpedo sinker on my sinker slider. It goes down fast. When it hits the bottom I lift the rod and repeat. Super productive.
The nice thing about this setup:
- light weight
- can control sinker weight
- can control hook placement and use sharper hooks
- can carry more variety of swim baits
- swim bait lasts forever

I’ve been using Zoom swim baits and they are outstanding.
They don’t make big lures though.
I recently got a 12” swim bait that I’m sorry to say looks like dildo..
But it’s high quality and I think it would work well.
It’s made by Locket :
https://www.lockettluresoutlet.com/
I think it’s $24 for a pack of 8 of the 12” ones.

Thank you everyone for all the great suggestions and tips. I tried cutting off the barbs as Martianfish suggested, but it still split Eddie, your a genius for using zip ties. I have tied split baits on with braid line before, but that was a pain. I tried zip tying one on yesterday and it worked great as you can see from my pics. The bait lasted until it's tail was bitten off and I caught most of the fish in the pic with that one swimbait. If I see a cheap cork borer like Fishingaddict uses to cut a hole I might give it a try too. I'll probably give it a shot without a jig head as li-Orca suggested, probably as the second hook above a regular jig head.

Super stoked for ya'!  Glad you caught fish.  The way we whip um for Hali's calls for a good fast pull and the zip tie will withstand that pressure so far.  Goooood stuff and Bon Appetit'

I've tried filing down my barbs on my jig heads, but the zip tie suggestion just saved me from throwing out the rest of the pack of big hammers I just bought that have all split almost immediately. Thanks for the wisdom!

Two more suggestions:
1. Z-man 10x tough ElazTech swimbaits. These things last forever; haven't actually worn one out yet, even caught multiple Lings on one.

2. Mustad Grip-Pin Big Bite Soft Plastics hooks, rigged hi-lo or dropshot. Won't make your plastics more durable, but won't make them split either.

The drawbacks to the Z-man baits are that they can be difficult to get onto a jighead (because they are so tough), and they can't be stored with other plastics - they react and make a gooey mess. But a hi-lo rig with two of those paddletails has worked well for me this year.

Two more suggestions:
1. Z-man 10x tough ElazTech swimbaits. These things last forever; haven't actually worn one out yet, even caught multiple Lings on one.

2. Mustad Grip-Pin Big Bite Soft Plastics hooks, rigged hi-lo or dropshot. Won't make your plastics more durable, but won't make them split either.

The drawbacks to the Z-man baits are that they can be difficult to get onto a jighead (because they are so tough), and they can't be stored with other plastics - they react and make a gooey mess. But a hi-lo rig with two of those paddletails has worked well for me this year.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm about to buy some new swimbaits so I will try the Z-man and the hooks.

About storing the Z-man baits, can you store them in Ziploc bags? That's how I store my swimbaits.

About storing the Z-man baits, can you store them in Ziploc bags? That's how I store my swimbaits.

Haven't actually tried that, I just store them in the same ziplocks they come in. I know you can't store them in the same bag with any other kind of plastic baits though.

Looks like they are running out of inventory, a lot of the color choices are out of stock. Hope they aren't discontinued. I might have to learn how to lose gear less often.

I've used a lighter on big hammers and it works ok, but leaves the plastic discolored.
Anybody ever use Mend-it softbait glue? 

About storing the Z-man baits, can you store them in Ziploc bags? That's how I store my swimbaits.

Haven't actually tried that, I just store them in the same ziplocks they come in. I know you can't store them in the same bag with any other kind of plastic baits though.

Looks like they are running out of inventory, a lot of the color choices are out of stock. Hope they aren't discontinued. I might have to learn how to lose gear less often.

I just ordered some from Tackle Warehouse. They had most colors in stock. Was actually cheaper than ordering direct from Z man.