Swimbait rod suggestions? 2024

deep reply :

I plan on throwing some swimbaits next spring, and started looking for a rod.

Now, I'll mostly be throwing the Mattlures soft bluegill, a 6" Hudd, and a 7" Slammer. At least, these are the baits I'm looking to buy.

The ROF 12 Hudd is 2.4 oz, everything else is less than/ equal to 2.0 oz.

I found two rods I liked:

#1. iROD Genesis Series Cast Rod 7'8" Jr. Swimbait, moderate action, 1-4 oz.

#2. Okuma Big Bait Rod 7'11" Med Hvy, moderate-fast action, 3/4 to 3 oz.

The okuma is probably out of question, since it wouldn't fit in my car I wish it was telescopic.

Anyone ever used the iRod rod? I was wondering how well it would cast sub 2.0 oz lures.

Any other suggestions? I'm not really looking for any rod less than 7'8", and don't want to spend more than $150; anything longer than 7'9" or so, it needs to be telescopic.

Also, I'd like to take a look at the Mattlures rods, though they are about $100 over my budget. Anyone's got a link for those?

mikeeasttn reply :

Look at the Shimano Crucial swimbait rods. I have 3 of them in different weight actions and they are 7' 11" long. I really love mine. They will throw any size swimbait you want to use and they are around the price you are wanting to spend.

deep reply :

Quote
Look at the Shimano Crucial swimbait rods. I have 3 of them in different weight actions and they are 7' 11" long. I really love mine. They will throw any size swimbait you want to use and they are around the price you are wanting to spend.

I did. They are all 7'11". A couple of inches too long.

Triton12 reply :

Okuma has a 7' 11" telescopic swimbait rod, try tackle warehouse. It is labeled T or Tele.

webertime reply :

7'9" Shimano Clarus at TW

7'9" Quantum Tour Edition Swimbait on ebay

2 nice, very reasonably priced rods for you to try out swimbaits. I got a Quantum last week for less than $40.

Iowa Matt reply :

I bought a G. Loomis SWBR904C for medium swimbaits this year and really like it. Its 7'6" so a little shorter than the Okuma. I know its not "technically" a swimbait rod, but I used a 7'2" Shimano Cumara MH for a year to fish 6" soft swimmers and Spro BBZ Jrs before I got the Loomis and it worked pretty well.

Matt

deep reply :

Thanks for all the suggestions.

What's the taper like on the Clarus? In any case, the description says it's perfect for swimbaits upto 4 ozs. I won't be throwing anything that heavy, and I wonder how well it would load up on a 2 oz lure.

Is the action on that Quantum an XF?

The G Loomis swimbait line looks good, but it's more than what I can spend.

webertime reply :

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Thanks for all the suggestions.
What's the taper like on the Clarus? In any case, the description says it's perfect for swimbaits upto 4 ozs. I won't be throwing anything that heavy, and I wonder how well it would load up on a 2 oz lure.

Is the action on that Quantum an XF?

The G Loomis swimbait line looks good, but it's more than what I can spend.

I don't know about the Clarus, but it seems to me when TW does those little write ups under each model they are pretty spot on with their assessments. If it's rated to toss 3/8oz it should be able to get at least a 4" Spro out there.

According to everything I've read on the Quantum its an XF, however it's 1-5oz rating may be over stating what it should be used for, that's fine for me, I'll rarely be tossing anything larger than ~2.5oz. When it arrives this week I'll be glad to let you know more.

Primus reply :

If your biggest baits are in the 2 oz. range you could try a BPS Extreme flipping stick which they offer in a telescopic model. I used it this summer with 20 lb Floro spoooled on a Curado 301 and it did a great job throwing the 6" River To Sea Live Eye Bottom Walker which weighs about 2 ozs, the rod could handle a little heavier bait in my opinion if need be. The price is also very reasonable.

Dockhead reply :

I'd say go with the Okuma....and buy a bigger car.

webertime reply :

Quantum Pro Tour Edition weighs in at 5.8oz. Not what I would call an XFast action, it is actually has a slightly softer feeling than my Heavy Carrot Stick and that is called a Fast action. I'm pretty happy with it so far (it's November in VT and I've had it out of it's shipping tube for 3 hours.)

fishermantony reply :

Quote
Look at the Shimano Crucial swimbait rods. I have 3 of them in different weight actions and they are 7' 11" long. I really love mine. They will throw any size swimbait you want to use and they are around the price you are wanting to spend.

X2........love all Crucial Rods.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

I think you might want to try and fit that 7'11" Okuma in your car.

What kind of car is it?

I can fit my 8' Loomis in the wife's Mazda3. Put it in the passenger side door and extend it through the back seat. It may bend the rod a bit, but it won't hurt it.

deep reply :

Speedbead, it's a four door 97' Nissan Altima.

I didn't know that keeping the rod tip bent for 40-50 minutes at a stretch wouldn't hurt it. If it doesn't, that solves the problem I think.

My 7'8" rods only just fit in, without the tip bending while leaving 1 to 1.5 inches of air to spare.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Don't go breaking the dam thing. ;D

Seriously though, it won't hur them being bent. I have an Explorer and all my swimbait rods rest against the roof while I am driving.

IMO, if they can't take that little bit of stress then they are not a rod I want to use when throwing big baits.

weewilly reply :

huh

Grey Wolf reply :

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huh

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Vinny Chase reply :

Quote

Quote
Look at the Shimano Crucial swimbait rods. I have 3 of them in different weight actions and they are 7' 11" long. I really love mine. They will throw any size swimbait you want to use and they are around the price you are wanting to spend.

I did. They are all 7'11". A couple of inches too long.

You have one listed in your list that is 7'11".....

Look into the Dobyns champion line; they have a few that will work for swimbaits

ib_of_the_damned reply :

I recently got a Bass Pro Nitro Big Bass rod thats 7'10" MH/F that is rated 3/8-2oz, for $89 and change. So far im loving it. I am able to fit in into my '07 Camry, just put the back seat down, and put the rod in through the trunk and rest it on the center armrest. I can actually fit a longer rod if I need to and put it up on the dash if it is that long. (I dont have a rod that long, and dont really plan on getting one). The Altima is probably roughly the same size as a Camry and I do not think that it would be a problem for you, provided your car has a 60/40 split backseat.

deep reply :

Hi guys, I'm really short of free cash right now, and my plans got sort of derailed. I'm not looking to buy the rod before March, and in any case, I won't be able to do any fishing before ice-out.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Let's see how it all works out.

FishinTN reply :

Just sat in at the bass university. One class was B. Velvick on swimbaits. For that size bait he uses the Duckett micro guide model that is full cork handle, 7'6" I think it said ex hvy. He has a signature model coming out which may be picking it out easier, but I think as long as you get the full cork handle model in 7'6" hvy or ex hvy and it's the he uses. I'm in the market for one too.

deep reply :

Quote
Just sat in at the bass university. One class was B. Velvick on swimbaits. For that size bait he uses the Duckett micro guide model that is full cork handle, 7'6" I think it said ex hvy. He has a signature model coming out which may be picking it out easier, but I think as long as you get the full cork handle model in 7'6" hvy or ex hvy and it's the he uses. I'm in the market for one too.

7'6"?

I was browsing SBnation's forums the other day, and found Matt Servant recommending the 7'11" Okuma over the 7'6" Okuma. (I know he's sponsored by Okuma and all, just wondering if longer isn't better when not bed-fishing.)

FishinTN reply :

That was what Velvick said he uses/recommends for that weight swimbait.

Also, do most of you guys like a rod with a mod action like a crankbait rod, or a xf action with just a softer tip?

.ghoti. reply :

Quote
Just sat in at the bass university. One class was B. Velvick on swimbaits. For that size bait he uses the Duckett micro guide model that is full cork handle, 7'6" I think it said ex hvy. He has a signature model coming out which may be picking it out easier, but I think as long as you get the full cork handle model in 7'6" hvy or ex hvy and it's the he uses. I'm in the market for one too.

That rod went home with me from Bass U. Kent won it in a raffle. And, since it didn't say GLoomis on it, he wanted nothing to do with it, and sold it to me. Made us both happy.

I obviously haven't fished it yet, so I can't say much about it. I did a quick comparison to the only rod in my arsenal that is at least somewhat similar; a Dobyns 7'6" H-F rod.

Dobyns is heavy power, Duckett is Extra-heavy

Both are 7'6"

Duckett rod is noticeably lighter in weight.

Dobyns rod has a little faster action when flexed.

Duckett rod has a LOT more power when flexed.

I know how the Dobyns rod fishes. It's great.

My opinion on the Duckett will have to wait.

One peculiar thing is the lack of line weight and lure weight ratings on the rod. It simply says Extra Heavy, and that's it. No indication of action. No weight ratings at all. TW does not list line/lure weight ratings for this rod, and neither does the Duckett website.

What's up with that? This is data most of us use when making rod purchasing decisions.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

Quote

Quote
Just sat in at the bass university. One class was B. Velvick on swimbaits. For that size bait he uses the Duckett micro guide model that is full cork handle, 7'6" I think it said ex hvy. He has a signature model coming out which may be picking it out easier, but I think as long as you get the full cork handle model in 7'6" hvy or ex hvy and it's the he uses. I'm in the market for one too.

That rod went home with me from Bass U. Kent won it in a raffle. And, since it didn't say GLoomis on it, he wanted nothing to do with it, and sold it to me. Made us both happy.

I obviously haven't fished it yet, so I can't say much about it. I did a quick comparison to the only rod in my arsenal that is at least somewhat similar; a Dobyns 7'6" H-F rod.

Dobyns is heavy power, Duckett is Extra-heavy

Both are 7'6"

Duckett rod is noticeably lighter in weight.

Dobyns rod has a little faster action when flexed.

Duckett rod has a LOT more power when flexed.

I know how the Dobyns rod fishes. It's great.

My opinion on the Duckett will have to wait.

One peculiar thing is the lack of line weight and lure weight ratings on the rod. It simply says Extra Heavy, and that's it. No indication of action. No weight ratings at all. TW does not list line/lure weight ratings for this rod, and neither does the Duckett website.

What's up with that? This is data most of us use when making rod purchasing decisions.

So, we gonna throw some big stuff in Kentucky this year or what? ;D

.ghoti. reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
Just sat in at the bass university. One class was B. Velvick on swimbaits. For that size bait he uses the Duckett micro guide model that is full cork handle, 7'6" I think it said ex hvy. He has a signature model coming out which may be picking it out easier, but I think as long as you get the full cork handle model in 7'6" hvy or ex hvy and it's the he uses. I'm in the market for one too.

That rod went home with me from Bass U. Kent won it in a raffle. And, since it didn't say GLoomis on it, he wanted nothing to do with it, and sold it to me. Made us both happy.

I obviously haven't fished it yet, so I can't say much about it. I did a quick comparison to the only rod in my arsenal that is at least somewhat similar; a Dobyns 7'6" H-F rod.

Dobyns is heavy power, Duckett is Extra-heavy

Both are 7'6"

Duckett rod is noticeably lighter in weight.

Dobyns rod has a little faster action when flexed.

Duckett rod has a LOT more power when flexed.

I know how the Dobyns rod fishes. It's great.

My opinion on the Duckett will have to wait.

One peculiar thing is the lack of line weight and lure weight ratings on the rod. It simply says Extra Heavy, and that's it. No indication of action. No weight ratings at all. TW does not list line/lure weight ratings for this rod, and neither does the Duckett website.

What's up with that? This is data most of us use when making rod purchasing decisions.

So, we gonna throw some big stuff in Kentucky this year or what? ;D

Big Stuff? You betcha. I'll throw you in the water, and you can throw me in the water. ;D ;D ;D

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

LOL, oddly enough I can see that happening on Saturday.

.ghoti. reply :

Speedbead, my only experience with swimbaits is soem time I spent part of 2009, and a little of 2010 throwng the paddletail plastics.

You got any bait recommendations for me, other than the paddletails?

Velvick seemed really impressed with the inline type.

I don't have a clue.

FishinTN reply :

.Gohti. I got one of the J raggo BVD's from TW, which Vlevick said was one of the few he didn't tinker with out of the package(course it's his sig. line bait). Not sure about the color I got though(litch hitch). I plan on trying this swimbait thing too on KY.

SPEEDBEAD. reply :

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Speedbead, my only experience with swimbaits is soem time I spent part of 2009, and a little of 2010 throwng the paddletail plastics.
You got any bait recommendations for me, other than the paddletails?

Velvick seemed really impressed with the inline type.

I don't have a clue.

If I were him, I would be impressed with them too. Considering how much money he won with them last year and having Jerry Rago name an inline bait after him (Rago BV3D), I don't see why he wouldn't wear them as earrings. ;D

Favorites of mine (hard baits) include the Mattlures Hardgill, Randall's High Power Herring and 3:16's Freestyle Shad. Another one I started using last year on bed fish was the 5" Tru Tungsten, bluegill color. A little smaller profile for when the Mattlures stuff was too intimidating to a fish.

Soft baits would be the 6" and 8" Hudd, Mattlures Ultimate Gill. Going off recommendations, I will be putting time in with the 3:16 Rising Son this year as well.

All the baits will be making the trip. We'll talk.

.ghoti. reply :

Thanks, mon. Don't leave your swimbait boxes laying around where I can get at "em. ;D ;D ;D

deep reply :

Thanks to everyone who posted.

Picked up a 7'7"/7'11" MH Mattlures signature series swimbait rod for $100 shipped off ebay.

Rated for 10-20 lb line, 1-4 oz lures.

A special thanks to webertime who mentioned ebay. (This was my first purchase off ebay.)

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