Hello All, This is my first post, but I have been reading posts off these boards for a long time. I have a question for the many swimbait enthusiasts on this forum...
I know there are many options for swimbait rods, but I have opportunity to get a swimbait rod free through employee an recognition program at work so my selections are limited to what is available on the catalog. There are no Okuma sticks which seem to be pretty popular, but there is a Bass Pro Extreme in 7'10" heavy (EXR710HT) that looks like it would be a good one. Can handle 1/2 to 3oz lures which appears to be able to handle soft baits up to about 8 inches. I also have enough points for a reel and can get the Shimano Cardiff 200A, they do not have any sizes larger than this available. I understand this does not hold a ton of line, but the price is right. Does this sound like a decent setup to get started with mid range swimbaits? I have already pulled the trigger on the reel, but wanted to know if there are others that have experience with this rod for swimbaiting, or if there are other suggestions for rods from Bass Pro that would be more suitable. The internal work choice catalog has a large Bass Pro selection.
Additionally, when it says a rod is rated up to 3oz's I am kind of guessing I might be able to push this a bit, maybe closer to 4oz's on the heavy side if I needed to. The 8 inch soft baits from Savage Gear are really what I would like to be able to throw, but I understand that once I start down this path things start to get a bit addicting. Any suggestions sincerely appreciated.
Also, planning on lining it with 20# YoZuri Copoly so I am guessing I will only be able to get about 70 yards of line the reel. I have already snapped off spinnerbaits using braided line so I am not interested in going that route and 15# test sounds a bit light to throw 3oz baits. Thanks in advance
