Most versatile swimbait rod? 2025
mcfishing620 reply :
I just got a Calcutta Conquest 400 for big baits and striper fishing, but I want a rod as versatile as possible. I was looking at the Megabass Orochi XX Leviathan, which is rated for 1/2-8oz, or the St Croix Legend Tournament TBC710HF which is 1-4oz.
I will be throwing stuff from 3/4oz spinnerbaits and lipless up to 4-5oz swimbaits, and possibly small to mid size musky lures as well. Most of the time realistically will be 1oz lipless and around 3oz swimbaits, but I don't wanna limit myself if I wanna throw larger. I don't fish large lures a lot so I need that versatility.
Will be spooled with 20-25lb fluorocarbon.
J Francho reply :
1. No such rod truly exists. Though, you could get away with the SC rod you listed. I have a custom build on an SCIV79HF that works great for 1-4 oz. baits. Larger baits require a XH. My suggestion, is to spend the money on the rod you'll use the most, and if you need to add to that, get a reasonably priced rod like the heavier Okuma Guide Select rod. I have one for those times I want to chuck a 2x4.
2. I would NOT use fluoro on a swimbait rod. Most prefer a heavy duty line like CXX in 20-25# size.
mcfishing620 reply :
On 9/15/2017 at 10:27 PM, J Francho said:1. No such rod truly exists. Though, you could get away with the SC rod you listed. I have a custom build on an SCIV79HF that works great for 1-4 oz. baits. Larger baits require a XH. My suggestion, is to spend the money on the rod you'll use the most, and if you need to add to that, get a reasonably priced rod like the heavier Okuma Guide Select rod. I have one for those times I want to chuck a 2x4.
2. I would NOT use fluoro on a swimbait rod. Most prefer a heavy duty line like CXX in 20-25# size.
Why no fluoro?
I'm a die hard St Croix guy, so for me to even consider a different brand is very rare. I did some research into the Megabass rod and it looks like it pretty well addresses what I am looking for and had a lot of thought put into the design. My main concern with their rods since I have never owned one, is the warranty and craftsmanship compared to St Croix. St Croix makes extremely well-made rods with no doubt, but I have heard the Megabass rods are basically mass-produced in China. Lots of stuff I've read about eyelets falling out and rods breaking. They only have a 3 year warranty also compared to 15 years from St Croix. Any input on that? I have no experience at all with MB quality, but I can more than vouch for St Croix.
Unless I get other options it basically a toss up right now. Overall versatility of the MB compared to usefulness, quality and warranty of St Croix. Kinda looking for a one rod fits all.
J Francho reply :
You want a VERY tough, and somewhat stretchy line that absorbs impact shock for bigger swimbaits. One false move, or a over run, and kiss your $100 swimbait good bye. Ask most experienced swimbaiters, and they'll tell you CXX.
mcfishing620 reply :
But the mono floats, and swimbaits I have are slow sinking, almost floating with mono. But that's a whole other topic. I use fluoro bc it's invisible, sinks, and more sensitive.
Do you know much about MB quality? I am very leery.
IndianaFinesse reply :
Mono is pretty much neutrally buoyant... And the only reason flouro is sometimes considered "more sensitive" is because it sinks, so it tends to have a more direct line of contact between the rod and lure. That is not an issue with large swim baits that are usually retrieved somewhat steadily, so mono would be just as sensitive.
On 9/15/2017 at 11:03 PM, mcfishing620 said:But the mono floats, and swimbaits I have are slow sinking, almost floating with mono. But that's a whole other topic. I use fluoro bc it's invisible, sinks, and more sensitive.
Do you know much about MB quality? I am very leery.
mcfishing620 reply :
I'm a crankbait and spinnerbait guy, and this is all fairly new to me. I normally need that sink and sensitivity to ensure the bait doesn't have weeds on it.
I did have an Okuma Guide Select I gave my dad, and it was a good rod for the money. I feel it was on the lighter side of its lure rating, but it was versatile.
The Leviathan seems to be more of a moderate fast from what I'm reading, which I also feel is more versatile bc most of my swimbaits have treble hooks.
MassYak85 reply :
To throw lipless cranks and lures as heavy as 8" hudds on the same rod is asking to much. You might find a rod that can physically do it, for example I COULD do that on my Okuma Guide Select....but it is faaaaaar from ideal for either. The sweet spot on that rod is around 2-3 ounces, even though the rating is 1-6. I think a lot of the big bait rods are kind of notorious for their inaccurate, and usually over-optimistic ratings. You say you'll mostly be throwing 1 oz lipless and 2-3oz swim baits. If I was you I would get a rod aimed at that, something like a 1-4oz rating and a decently parabolic action if you are fishing mostly hardbaits with trebles. Then if you enjoy that and want to get into fishing stuff like 8" hudds, larger glides etc. you just need to add to your arsenal, not replace.
mcfishing620 reply :
On 9/16/2017 at 12:02 AM, MassYak85 said:To throw lipless cranks and lures as heavy as 8" hudds on the same rod is asking to much. You might find a rod that can physically do it, for example I COULD do that on my Okuma Guide Select....but it is faaaaaar from ideal for either. The sweet spot on that rod is around 2-3 ounces, even though the rating is 1-6. I think a lot of the big bait rods are kind of notorious for their inaccurate, and usually over-optimistic ratings. You say you'll mostly be throwing 1 oz lipless and 2-3oz swim baits. If I was you I would get a rod aimed at that, something like a 1-4oz rating and a decently parabolic action if you are fishing mostly hardbaits with trebles. Then if you enjoy that and want to get into fishing stuff like 8" hudds, larger glides etc. you just need to add to your arsenal, not replace.
Very good point. Was just trying to be optimistic ;-)
Can anyone speak for MB quality, warranty, or customer service? That's the biggest thing holding me back from them.
WRB reply :
Welcome to BR. Congratulations on your reel choice, now let's find a rod to match it.
Nearly everyone starts out using under powered swimbait rods trying to be universals D it compromises both ends of the lure weight and type presentations.
1. Your rod needs to match and balance with the large size round reel, you need a foregrip.
2. Select a rod with more not less power than your nominal lure weight and casting distance you plan to use most of the time. Swimbaits are long casts lures and you have the optimum reel for that presentation so select a swimbait rod.
3. Both spinner baits and large lipless lures tend to kit if you over power them trying to cast long distances, swimbait rod is a poor choice.
4. Swimbaits rods should be moderate fast action to achieve maximum casting distance with ease all day long and achieve solid hook sets, a dedicated rid/reel combo.
Next thing you need to decide is what swimbaits, wake baits, rats do you plan to use?
Huddleston 68 & 8", Butch Brown 10" Opimum soft boot tails, 2 oz to 5 oz.
Deps 175 & 250, R2Sea 200 S Waver, MS 9" Slammer, 3 oz to 7 oz.
For the above XH, 8' Mod/fast SB rod 2-10 oz range works good.
Huddleston 6", 68, Deps 175, BBZ-1 50 rat, a H 7'10"-8' SB 1-5 oz range works good and HX works OK.
Also consider Dobyns DC 806 or 807 SB rods in the weight range.
I am not a fan of FC line however Butch Brown who knows more about swimbaits than anyone I can think of recommends Seagaur Abrax 20 lb FC. I use Sunlne Armilo Nylon 25 lb line. You mentioned musky and toothy fish that tend to bite prey by the middle, instead of the head like bass or striper, will bite the lures off and shread soft baits.
Thats my suggestions,
Tom
mcfishing620 reply :
On 9/16/2017 at 12:17 AM, WRB said:Welcome to BR. Congratulations on your reel choice, now let's find a rod to match it.
Nearly everyone starts out using under powered swimbait rods trying to be universals D it compromises both ends of the lure weight and type presentations.
1. Your rod needs to match and balance with the large size round reel, you need a foregrip.
2. Select a rod with more not less power than your nominal lure weight and casting distance you plan to use most of the time. Swimbaits are long casts lures and you have the optimum reel for that presentation so select a swimbait rod.
3. Both spinner baits and large lipless lures tend to kit if you over power them trying to cast long distances, swimbait rod is a poor choice.
4. Swimbaits rods should be moderate fast action to achieve maximum casting distance with ease all day long and achieve solid hook sets, a dedicated rid/reel combo.
Next thing you need to decide is what swimbaits, wake baits, rats do you plan to use?
Huddleston 68 & 8", Butch Brown 10" Opimum soft boot tails, 2 oz to 5 oz.
Deps 175 & 250, R2Sea 200 S Waver, MS 9" Slammer, 3 oz to 7 oz.
For the above XH, 8' Mod/fast SB rod 2-10 oz range works good.
Huddleston 6", 68, Deps 175, BBZ-1 50 rat, a H 7'10"-8' SB 1-5 oz range works good and HX works OK.
Also consider Dobyns DC 805 or 806 SB rods in the weight range.
I am not a fan of FC line however Butch Brown who knows more about swimbaits than anyone I can think of recommends Seagaur Abrix 20 lb FC. I use Sunlne Armilo Nylon 25 lb line. You mentioned musky and toothy fish that tend to bite prey by the middle, instead of the head like bass or striper, will bite the lures off and shread soft baits.
Thats my suggestions,
Tom
So considering I fish in Kansas for bass realistically up to hopefully 8 pound bass (7 come around once a year or so with these smaller baits), and I will be using lures to catch hopefully an 8 or 9 pound fish with bigger, 2-4oz range I'd guess, lures, would the Orochi be a good choice? The rod would be primarily used for that, but would also need to double for throwing swimbaits and large cranks for striper.
I currently have a Got Em Coach bluegill, slow sinking, and a BD Shad, I think 5 inch. I prefer hard baits, but I also have some 5 or 6 inch Huddleston soft baits.
Another thing is, I don't want EVA or any other type of grip. Only cork with a good build quality.
WRB reply :
G. Loomis SWBR 955 MH 7'11" mod/fast, 2 to 6 oz lures, primium cork handle, lifetime warranty $310. I own this rod and it's a little heavy older technology a too stiff for crankbaits IMO.
We have a few swimbait anglers from Kansas that can advise you better than I can for what you are looking for. My advice would be a custom build.
Tom
mcfishing620 reply :
On 9/16/2017 at 1:25 AM, WRB said:G. Loomis SWBR 955 MH 7'11" mod/fast, 2 to 6 oz lures, primium cork handle, lifetime warranty $310. I own this rod and it's a little too stiff for crankbaits IMO.
We have a few swimbait anglers from Kansas that can advise you better than I can for what you are looking for. My advice would be a custom build.
Tom
Since I prefer hard swimbaits over soft, should I be looking at more of a moderate-fast? That Loomis is right in the range, and warranty, but I definitely don't want a broom handle for hard swimbaits.
WRB reply :
You can call Gary Dobyns and ask if he custom builds DC 795 SBMT with primium cork or knows a good rod builder who does. Alex at ALX would be a good choice, offers lifetime warranty and knows Dobyns rod blanks. Or contact DVT, don't know if builds swimbait rods?
Tom
Finnz922 reply :
I'm not a swimbait/ musky guy, but look at the Irod Genesis 2 rods and give Matt a call. I'm thinking the Jr Swim would work well for what you want.
Scarborough817 reply :
i throw most of my swimbaits on a dobyns fury 806sb mainly hudds and bigger glides, for my lighter glide baits i use a bass pro bionic blade 7'6" h/mf it has a 1-4oz rating which is actually pretty good for the price point ($89.99 CAD/$79.99 USD). I have stuck a few fish on it on treble hooked baits as well as a savage gear 3d trout so it does have some nice power too. dont be afraid of trying a different brand there are tons of good rod makers
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 9/16/2017 at 1:29 AM, mcfishing620 said:Since I prefer hard swimbaits over soft, should I be looking at more of a moderate-fast? That Loomis is right in the range, and warranty, but I definitely don't want a broom handle for hard swimbaits.
It's a little different with swimbaits than it is with cranks. The hooks on all but the biggest crankbaits are pretty small and thin so they penetrate easily. With big swimbaits, some of your trebles are nearly as thick as a spinnerbait hook, so it takes more force to drive them in. There's also a lot less playing a fish out on swimbait gear. If you play with a big fish on a swimbait, it's not a matter of if it will come off, but when. They just can get way too much leverage on those big, heavy baits during the fight if you don't land them quickly. I fish baits up to around 3oz on a Dobyn's Fury 795, baits in the 2-5oz range on an Okuma Guide Select, anything bigger goes on a custom build.
clh121787 reply :
I have the orochii xx leviathon and love the rod. It sounds great for the applications you're stating. All my other swimbait rods are customs. But I absolutely recommend the leviathan. I don't like throw much over 5 oz baits with it. you won't have a
problem with 1 ounce spinners.its got good tip. I use 20-25 flouro. And cxx. Keep your line and knots immaculate. You won't have a problem.
mcfishing620 reply :
I wound up getting a St Croix Mojo swimbait rod. Got an even exchange for another rod I didn't use, so I figured I'd give it a try since it was essentially free. 7'10" heavy/fast 1-4oz.
I'm spooling my Conquest with 20lb Seaguar Red Label for now, since Cabelas didn't have any CXX in the store.
Gonna see how my baits react to all this and go from there.
WRB reply :
On 9/17/2017 at 1:38 PM, mcfishing620 said:I wound up getting a St Croix Mojo swimbait rod. Got an even exchange for another rod I didn't use, so I figured I'd give it a try since it was essentially free. 7'10" heavy/fast 1-4oz.
I'm spooling my Conquest with 20lb Seaguar Red Label for now, since Cabelas didn't have any CXX in the store.
Gonna see how my baits react to all this and go from there.
You should buy a Cardiff for the rod and line choice, $580 Conguest is almost embarrassing 
Tom
mcfishing620 reply :
On 9/18/2017 at 5:12 AM, WRB said:You should buy a Cardiff for the rod and line choice, $580 Conguest is almost embarrassing
Tom
I know I know, but it's more just to try out the feel of the rod and get used to swimbaiting. Kinda like my training wheels rod. I'll get a Ferrari when I got it down ? plus I just wasn't sure which rod I wanted, and would rather swap rods at no cost that will get me in the ballpark instead of dropping 300 or so on something I might not like. If I like this then it will most likely turn into a Legend Tournament. Same specs, just a much nicer rod.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
I use a Phenix recon elite 796 with a Lew's super duty wide spool and 65lb braid for my top water rats, slammers and such. And a Dobyns 806 SB with an A3 and 25lb izorline XXX for sinking baits. The izorline is softer than CXX and just as strong. Both setups are very versatile.
mcfishing620 reply :
I was looking at the Phenix classic swimbait. Their rods got really good reviews.
Primus reply :
There are a lot of opinions on this subject , I will tell you what works for me. I have 3 Dobyns 795 swimbait rods , on 2 I have a Curado 301 and the other is a 301 Tranx.
I have 1 spooled with Sunline Shooter Florocarbon, 1 with Stren Hi Impact mono and one with 65 lb Power Pro . I use the mono rod for topwater hard swimbaits and when I 'm trying to keep sinking hard swimbaits higher in the water column .
The 20 lb floro is when I fish sinking hard swimbaits/ glidebaits or line through swimbaits . If your going to use Floro make sure it's a line you can trust, so far this fishing season I have not had 1 break off unless you count a couple of soft swimbaits that the toothy critters stole from me .
I just started fishing straight braid for fishing soft swimbaits through the grass , other than that I prefer the other lines .
The sweet spot for the 795 swimbait rod seems to be lures in the 2 to 3-1/2 oz range , though I will occasionally fish baits as heavy as 4 oz and as light as 1-1/2 oz .
I have fished jig hook soft swimbaits with the 795 and straight floro but I've had too many fish come off and I 'm looking for a stiffer rod next season and I 'm open to suggestions . I've resolved not use braid with a leader because it seems like no matter what connection knot I use I will eventually see a heavy bait go flying off after it breaks so I 'm done with that though I don't have those issues when using the lighter lures that I use with conventional tackle .
My last combo is a Dobyn's 867 , Curado 301 reel spooled with 25 lb Floro . I like to throw the largest baits in my line-up which include lures like the 8" Spro BBZ and Deps 250 slide swimmer. 4 to 7 ozs seems to be the sweet spot . Dobyns claims you can throw baits up to 16 ozs with this rod but I am highly skeptical it can comfortably cast baits anywhere close to it's upper range . That said it is one sweet rod for heavier treble hook lures and I highly recommend it .
I realize that you are not likely to purchase multiple combo's , that said a Dobyns 795 will handle a lot of the medium sized swimbaits . Just choose the line and reel according to the type of baits you like to throw and line preference . Good luck and welcome to the dark side of fishing big baits 
WRB reply :
Instead of replying to the topic title read the OP's question and responses.
Tom
Michaelangelo reply :
On 9/20/2017 at 12:47 AM, WRB said:Instead of replying to the topic title read the OP's question and responses.
Tom
I don't throw anything over 3oz, and need a rod that can double for striper cranking and small mostly jointed swimbaits, as well as handle saltwater. Also need a series that has spinning and casting that match closely in size, action, and power. Been looking at St Croix Avid Inshore. The one I'd use for swimbaits is 7'6" H power, F action, rated 1/2oz to 2oz, or 8' H/F 1/2 to 3oz. Does have a foregrip. Would have a 400 Conquest put on as well. Thoughts?
Looking for versatility as well.
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