I've got a bunch on order for my Asuncion trip in Jan. will let you all know how they stand up to BIG Calicos!

Yes Sir! They designed the Waxwing to be fished on straight braid. What I have found is when they're on the chew it almost doesn't matter with line type or size even. When they're finicky though, I'll dial back my size and go with flouro or mono and a different, less pricey bait. But as William said, with baits like the Waxwing or similar in $, it's striaght braid homie :D

Roger that. Makes sense.

When I do run a leader I bulk it up to 30#. Like when im jigging a lucanus jig shimano recomends running braid to a minimum of 7' mono to avoid tangles and for better abrasion resistance around rough structure...
Wade ive heard good things about zman products and how long they last. I was refering to the big hammers, mc viejos and other weak plastics that are going through the roof price wise. They are not worth the money aby more imo

I am sold on those Zmans! I have had so many tails ripped off of regular plastics when fishing calicoes in the kelp.

I've caught some of my biggest Calico's on the Waxwing. Tie braid directly to it. San Diego or Uni knot. Me, personally, the mackerel pattern is killer. I've found that summer and fall are the best for the waxwing. The rest of the time , I'm playing with the plastics when it's better to go low and slow.

I don't have much patience for fishing calicos in deeper water and mostly fish em in the summer when they're up on top. For top water stuff I like the jumbo slugs type plastics. When the kelp is pulled down just a foot or so below the surface a big light iron, tady 45, candy bar, salas 7x, can produce big fish. Again, its a surface summer thing but you can get a surface iron way back over the kelp and really cover the area. Also with the slugs and light iron you get to see some massive blow ups. Mike

I'd buy 'em.

One of the most popular Big Calico baits by far are the MC Slug or the old 7-9" Sluggos if you can find them.

Has anyone had a chance to fish the Z-man STREAKZ XL 8 inch baits?

I haven't even heard of these things until this came up in the post. Excited to give them a shot though. Went through 5 swimbaits today in SD bay due to tears.

Don't seem to be any Zmans in the local tackle shops, online only?

About to order some ill bet those would be amazing in smojey shad on a dropshot

Tackle warehouse has the best prices, pretty good selection too.