Swimbait Rod????

[Tigerbass]

OK....swimbaits seem to be the hot item and of course swimbait specific rods seem to be popping up from all of the manufacturers. I've never fished a swimbait so I have several questions regarding appropriate rods:

1. I know swimbait rods are generally long and heavy or x-heavy power, but what are the actions? Somewhat moderate so as to not pull treble hooks out?

2. Can a flipping stick be used as a good/decent swimbait rod for small to medium (1 - 3oz ?) swimbaits? Or are the actions too fast?

3. OK, here's the tough one....I would like to find a rod that is approximately 7'-6" that can be used for the small/medium swimbaits, c-rig & football head jigs (approx. 1oz), and medium cover flipping (wood and sparse grass)!!! I would prefer great sensitivity for the contact baits. Does such a rod exist or am I asking for too much?

I would prefer domestic (loomis,kistler, dobyns, powell,etc.) but am considering a JDM stick sometime in the future anyway.

[fishin'vince]

the action on swimbaits rods are moderate to moderate fast with soft, sensitive tips that band into the mid section of the rod. flipping sticks do not make good swimbait rods. the action is not right. i would recommend a daiwa heartland rod. they are very versatile and value priced. here's a link http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descpage ... AHSCR.html. this was originally designed for salmon fishing. i have the 7'9" rod. its great for smaller swimbaits, big crankbaits, c-rigs and frogs. i don't flip much, but it would be a decent rod for that.

[Lightninrod]

Consider an Okuma rod in the MH power. Excellent, moderately priced rod with an above average warranty.


Dan

[Sledgehammer]

I was wondering if anyone has ever tried a fiberglass rod for swimbaits. I only plan on throwing ones in the 1 - 1 1/4 range and thought it might work. Anyone tried it?

[Golferpimp1]

Dobyns makes some great swimbait rods. A few to try out
for smaller swimbaits, up to about 1.5 ounches id use the Champion 735c, Have heard great things about this rod, ill have one on order soon!
and for larger swimbaits, up to near 4 ounces, id give the Champion 795ml a shot. There are several other swimbaits rods out there, but for quality and price, these are both great deals! If you were looking for a lower end swimbait rod, the Okuma will work, have heard good things about it, but for 70 or so more dollars, hook up with the dobyns. For what your asking in a rod (swimbait, footballhead, and Crig), I think the 735c fits the bill~

[TravisNY]

Golferpimp1

I don't like golf nor pimps but your rod choices are impeccable.



best regards, T

[Lubina]

Consider an Okuma rod in the MH power.

I use it for all my small lures, up to 3 oz, great rod. I recently broke mine during an act of stupidity, for $ 14.95 I got anther one at my door, no questions asked.

[leo33]

shimano crucial 7'11" H.$149 with a life time over the counter warranty.

[BillyBass]

Sorry to Threadjack, but, shouldn't the action of the rod be different If you only plan on throwing Open hook model swimbaits, especially the ones with Weedguards, not saying I'd never try one with trebles, however, I don't plan on it at this moment, thanks.

[Tigerbass]

Thanks for the help everyone. I've read good things about the okumas and I'm really thinking about trying a Dobyns or Powell rod. I think my eventual solution would be to get one rod for swimbaits with moderate/mod-fast action and a second rod for footballheads/c-rigs and light flippin & pitching.

Billybass, I would think that you are correct in that you would want a moderate action rod for the swimbaits with treble hooks and a fast action for single hook or weedless type baits.

[flukemstr]

I'd go with one of the Mike Long Swimbait Rods by Dobyns. With those two guys putting their heads together to make a rod you know it's got to be awesome.

[bigfish2]

Can the dobyns ML rod handle the 316 wake baits, armageddon tool etc?
or is it better suited for the smaller baits

[davej]

Can the dobyns ML rod handle the 316 wake baits, armageddon tool etc?
or is it better suited for the smaller baits

Here is the specs on the Gary Dobyns Bass Rod 795 ML SB
7'9", 1pc, 15-30lb, 1-4oz, Med/Hvy Fast Action Mike Long Swimbait Casting Rod

[Shinerking]

The Crucial 7'11 Heavy action swimbait rod is a GREAT all around rod. I use it for the MattLure Ultimate Gills for the most part. I have also used it for pitching a 3/4 - 1 oz jig. Great rod! I happened to break my Medium heavy 7'11 Crucial the first week I had it (stepped on it) and sent it back. I had a new one in less than a week! I feel the rods are hearty rods built too last, unlike alot of these new, overnight rod companies that won't be around in a few years. Go with the a Crucial!

[GamblerHydra]

I think your going to want different actions depending on the type of baits your throwing. I think your going to want a moderate action stick with a soft tip for the hard baits. The softbait single hook baits your going to want something faster and stiffer.

I see a lot of people on all the SWB boards on the web saying get this rod, or that , but not many people saying what makes that rod the one to pick. I see some of these rods built for SWB are stiff fast action sticks, and I just can not fathom how that is going to be any benefit with hard baits. The soft baits yes, but with the hard baits I think you will get better hookups, and keep the fish buttoned with a different choice.

You almost need 2 rods.