I have a couple articles out there if you have not seen them already

http://www.calfishing.com/freshwater/saltwater_swimbaits/index.html
http://www.calfishing.com/freshwater/big_wood/index.html

If you're trying to get your confidence up, a slow and steady retrieve cannot be beat. Trout usually swim slow and steady so you can take some confidence in that. Set your goal to get 1 bite. The first bite is the hardest to get. It too me many many trips to get my first swimbait bite on a big lure. Fish your favorite spots on the lakes you know best and see what happens. Remember that now-days everyone and their mother is throwing a swmibait. It sure as hell isn't easy to get bit. I go many many trips between swimbait bites some times. It's just one piece of the pie.