Curious
 

Am I the only person to always hang a big bucktail with a large shad, just in case there is a big pig looking for a meal? Since I have been trolling, I use a large bucktail, about 10-12 oz., for my short line, just hoping there is a BFF out there. The funny thing is, I team it up with a 1-2 oz bucktail, and every time it hits, I get pie eyed, hoping it is the big one.

Joe

Joe, I know you say you are fairly new to trolling and that you have tweaked your spread off of information gleened from some of the fishing sites. Here's the good news;). There is no "right" answer to your question.
You have been successful with your spread. It works for you.
Just as you like to hang a big lure among your small stuff, some others might want to run one spoon among parachutes. Or, hang one Tomic lure among bucktails.
You have been pretty successful. If I was having a bad day, I might switch out the big lure to "match the hatch" and improve my odds.
On the charter boat, I always look for ways to improve my spread during the day. I have a set spread I put out in the morning, but if the bait is deeper on the screen, I can add weight. If I see bait busting the surface, I can drop weight.
On my boat last year, I put out an umbrella with a Tomic lure on it just to #uck with a buddy of mine. It caught a really nice fish:eek:
Have fun with your spread, but don't over think it. Fishing is supposed to be fun, when it isn't, it's time to buy golf clubs:D
5th (Marty)

By 'large' shad do you mean 9"? If you do mean a 9" that would be a fairly large profile bait for this time of year (Sept/Oct). But, if you are catching fish with it who can argue:D

I will generally use a 6" or various sized grub/twister tails, or pork rind if blues are being pests.