How Heavy Does a Swimb8 Rod Need to Be?

[mhood]

I mean, what does the typical swimb8 weigh? Matt's Baby Bass or Ultimate Bluegill...a Shellcracker? I'm still trying to determine if a 3 oz. upper range on a rod is enough. Thanks.

[arbogastjunkie]

I purchased the dobyns 795 ml swimbait rod. It has rating of 1-4 oz. Being a northeast guy, I think this will be plenty. I will be throwing the Matts Ultimate Blue Gills, Baby Bass, and some R2Sea Kongs. I am more than happy to give a review....once the rod comes. I have not heard any word recently, but I think the last estimate was mid october.

[Cal]

I'm still trying to determine if a 3 oz. upper range on a rod is enough. Thanks.

if 3oz baits are all you're going to throw, then yes... if not, then no.. it's that simple.

do you prefer the chicken or the egg?

[Lucas]

I mean, what does the typical swimb8 weigh? Matt's Baby Bass or Ultimate Bluegill...a Shellcracker? I'm still trying to determine if a 3 oz. upper range on a rod is enough. Thanks.

I threw a Mattlures Bluegill on my flippin stick for a couple trips until my swimbait rod arrived. I was able to toss the lure but I found (and this might just be me being a crappy fisherman) I was missing fish cause while the rod could throw the lure, it didn't have the backbone to pull a giant hunk of rubber and effectively set the hook. So while you may be able to toss the lures with said rod, you might being doing yourself a disservice. Also, should you choose to get a dedicated swimbait rod, you will give yourself the opportunity to throw more styles of swimbaits.

[Sully]

It's not always, "can it be thrown on a rod?", many times it's, "How well is it thrown on a rod?"

I could throw my bbz on my H rated to 6 oz...But I throw it on my XH rated to 10oz. If I spent a day throwing it on my H I wouldn't be able to get out of bed the next morning. More work from your rod = less effort and energy form the angler.

[mhood]

I'm having a heck of a time figuring out what the various SB8s weigh. I finally saw that a Shellcracker weighs 3.5 oz. but it seems that the SB8 Industry by and large doesn't report weights. That makes it hard to settle on a rod. I'm hoping to find a two piece rod that is worthy but nobody....and I mean NOBODY is making one. It seems that the reel I bought for SB8s (Calcutta DC250) is too light and that the one two piece SB8 rod I found (a Major Craft Days DC-732X 3/8-3oz) is too light. Fishing with a broom stick and a winch really doesn't appeal to me at all. This is all pretty confusing...

[GamblerHydra]

marc.... how about just getting a swimbait rod XX-XXX H that is under 7ft. I know it defies conventional thought , but there are a few that could handle 1-3oz and get you in the game, and accomadate your rod locker. I also think knowing your style of fishing more enjoyable to you. I initially got caught up in seeking the 8ft sticks, and huge 5-8oz baits, but just was not digging it. I scaled back to rods/reels and swimbaits I was comfortable with, could catch fish consistently with , and still enjoy the craze somewhat. Also, consider some of the JDM XXX H sticks longer than 7ft rated to 4 oz utilizing the grip installation system. They might fit in your locker as well, I forget how big your rod locker is.


For baits Gancraft Jointed Claws, OSA, s-songs is about all I throw anymore. I got huge confidence in the baits, and they catch fish. I also do not need a 8ft rod to throw them.

[bpm2000]

i think if you want a 2pc you are going to have to find a blank and get a custom made. thats the route i went after searching far and wide for a 2pc swimbait rod.

[mhood]

marc.... how about just getting a swimbait rod XX-XXX H that is under 7ft. They might fit in your locker as well, I forget how big your rod locker is.

6'11" is it without bending. Can you verify that a MB F8-78DG Super Destruction 78XX is in fact a telescopic rod? If it's built like my Destroyer F7-711X (telescopic), it will collapse into the rod locker just fine. I was hoping to find a two piece so it would fit in the Jetta's trunk for trips to Padre Island. All I could find was the Major Craft Days DC-732X (3/8-3oz.) I guess it would work if I stuck to the smaller <3oz. SB8s...and you're right, I'd probably enjoy fishing the small side of the SB8 craze anyway. Thanks.

[BillyBass]

Mhood,

I'm having the same problem, but, I ran onto the Major Craft Arrival Side Seven, it goes to 4 ounces, I was looking at the 7' XX, I think there was a 7'2" or 7'3" also though, that was on Plat, good luck.

[Cal]

Can you verify that a MB F8-78DG Super Destruction 78XX is in fact a telescopic rod?

Suffering from CRS Mhood? LOL ... i gave you the collapsed dimension on that rod at some point. I THINK it was 6'10" or 6'11" ... i forget... i do remember it was right at the limit of your locker though.

A rod like the Balista, with the removeable handle section will fit in your rod locker, but you won't be able to stow it rigged. That's the only problem.

[Florian]

It seems that the reel I bought for SB8s (Calcutta DC250) is too light and..

Don't be silly Marc a 250 size Shimano is more than enough to throw any size swimbait. In Germany we use a lot of 200 and 250 size Shimanos for Pikefishing with heavy lures up to 10oz and they seriously handle it well even over a long period of time.

[mhood]

Don't be silly Marc

You sound like my wife. I've been cruising the swimb8 sites and checking out the swimb8 reel reviews and threads and I haven't seen the DC250 mentioned even once. Lots of talk about the Calcutta 300 & 400 and the Curado 300 and BBS but nothing about the DC250.

I'm going to take Gambler's advice and focus on the <3oz. swimb8s. I'll leave the 36 oz. 18" super trouts to those cali guys and their farm fed bass.

[RobRaven1]

Here u go http://www.olympic-fishing.co.jp/g_rod/ ... c_72x.html

[mhood]

Thanks Rob...gr8 find. What a good price too. I'm reading all I can about the Graphiteleader Bosco sticks right now.