mojojojo

I tested the flex and it felt very similar to the Avid I was comparing it with as far as stiffness, so they may be slightly on the heavier side. They had two of them one in medium fast and the other medium heavy fast and I looked at the guides in detail and they both were very clean. These have excellent guides on them. I know what you mean about the other Cabelas branded rods and somewhat sloppy guides, but these Arachnids are top notch.

12" Manns Jelly worm or whats becoming my favorite big worm, the Yum Mighty Worm rigged on a carolina/split shot style rig.

Strike King and Rapala of course, but 6th Sense is becoming my favorite.

I haven't used it, but Phenix makes excellent rods. But like a previous poster stated, the Okuma Guide Select swimbait stick is a fantastic rod for only $110. It even comes with Fuji K series Alconite guides.. I have the heavy action model rated for 1-6oz baits and it chucks 8" huddlestons perfect. Its a great swimbait rod for the money. But Id be absolutely sure the Phenix Classic swimbait rod will be a great one. I was about to buy that one but a local store had the M1 Inshore series on sale so I picked up a 7'11" model.

Then that Phenix M1 7'5 extra heavy may be the one...but its rated as an extra fast action, thats going to be geared more towards bottom baits like big heavy jigs. With a swimbait rod you want more of a softer tip..especially if your throwing big treble hook baits. If your going to be throwing big swimbaits like 8" huddles tons then your going to need a big rod. But if you're mainly going to be throwing baits up to around 3oz then you can get away with something smaller. Like I said, I have the Gloomis E6X 7'5" heavy moderate fast and its rated up to only 2oz baits but I throw 3oz on it all the time and it feels just fine. I really like this rod for glide baits.

http://www.***.com/Phenix_M1_Swimbait_Casting_Rods/descpage-PMSS.html

Yes the Phenix M1 Rods are great. I own GLoomix E6X swimbait rod rated up to 20x baits that I use for small to medium swimbaits and I really like it...a lot! I don't know why there are quite a few negative reviews on the E6X...but anyhow I also own a Phenix M1 and its a better rod and a little less expensive as well. I also own an Okuma Guide Select swimbait stick in Heavy for 1oz-6oz baitsand for $110 this rod can't be beat in my opinion.. But if you're going to be spending in the $200+ range definitely look at the Phenix M1. I bought one in their inshore series (roughly $185) and use it for a swimbait, big swimjig, and big 1oz+ jig rod and this rod just flat out rocks...

Doesn't exist like others have said, but a good reel for under $100: Look on Ebay, you can pick up a Daiwa Tatula brand new for $95 and a Lews tournament MB for around $100 (maybe a few bucks more) You will not find two better reels for that price anywhere. I own both but prefer the Tatula.

I haven't tried it on the normal sized lizard, but on the zoom magnum lizard it works great. Lots of action. I wacky rig it a little off center, more towards the head

That rod should be just about perfect for pitching around 3/8oz baits. I have a 7'3" Duckett MH Fast and it works great for pitching

If you're going to throw crankbaits with the XF tip, then Id definitely get mono. You're going to want that stretch since your rod isn't going to have much forgiveness with that extra fast action

Ive also read a lot of bad reviews on it, but I like it so far. Ive only used it in 20# for a swimbait rod and it casts great and I personally don't see any memory problems with it. Ive had zero breaks offs and not one single backlash with it yet. I like it. Don't know how well it works in lighter weights like 10# though.

you got it backwards. The faster the action the shorter the bend, the slower action the more of a parabolic bend (the majority of the rod will bend). Rods designed for crankbaits have what you're looking for...a softer tip. I throw a lot of different baits on my fiberglass crankbait rod..even texas rigged worms, But like Yudo said, the softer tip will make it harder to set hooks on baits like heavy jigs, T-Rig creature baits..etc where there is a lot of plastic the hook needs to penetrate through. I use it only for T-rigged worms and it works good. I like rods with a moderate action than a fast action. But if Im using bottom baits where I need max sensitivity then Ill use something like medium heavy fast action

thanks for the replies. I tried the Manns 12" worm like papa joe recommended by T-rigging and pegging the weight and it works real well. I didn't realize those worms float so the tail stands straight up so no need for a shaky head jig. Didn't get any bites last night but I can tell its going to work good.

What Crestliner said is definitely true, but a basic slow retrieve (just enough to get the tail moving) will generally work no matter what time of year. Keitechs on swim jigs are great.