Swim Baits

Hello all! Not as much action on the forums lately as I would like, i guess I need to start a discussion! I am interested to get some takes on swim baits. The conclusion I have drawn from searching the web is that they are productive in the winter and spring for trout and reds when they are feeding on large mullet. I have a few questions: first, how do they fair in the fall? What about the small sizes, say 3-4 inch? In PM, do any of you fish them regularly? Does anyone prefer them to tails, and in what conditions?

I always like to keep my options open, but these baits are expensive! the yum money minnows, for example, are $8-9 for a package of 4 or 5. do they hold up? do they catch fish?