Reaction Bait Rod... Suggestions?

[Rich Tehan]

Hello All,

I want to get a new rod to devote to reaction baits, largely, the ABT Lures "Banshee" swimbaits that I just got and am very impressed by (caught a fish on my 2nd cast with it), I just can't cast them very well on the 7' MH Crankbait rod I was using. I will also use this rod for spinnerbaits and perhaps crankbaits. I want to get a rod that will be able to throw both my 4" (1/2 oz) and 6" (1.5oz) banshees, so I need it to be able to cast baits in that range, 1-1.5oz. I would like it to be between 7'2"-7'6" and I think I want it to have a moderate-fast action, and preferebly full cork handle, no split grip. My budget is, ideally, < $200 Can anyone give me any advice or criticism for this setup? Or, any rod suggestions? So far I've considered these:

Dobyns Savvy Micro Casting Rod 7'3" Mag Heavy < F action, lure weight .25-1oz (not what I want), but it's reccomended for small swimbaits and spinnerbaits (which is what I want)... never used micro guides- a bonus?

Dobyns Savvy Micro Casting Rod 7'3" Heavy < reccomended for small swimbaits, but the action is XF! could this work for me?

Kistler Micro Mag Crankbait Casting Rod 7'9" Med Hvy < a tad long, a tad pricey

St. Croix Rage Cast Rod 7'8" Med Hvy < a tad long, a tad light.

Lamiglas Excel Cast Rod 7'3" Med Hvy < split grip but, satisfies the other categories, and good price. I'm leaning toward this one

None of those offer exactly what I want, but perhaps I will like one of those for what I want to do. Any thoughts?

Tight lines,

Rich

[Rich Tehan]

Let me also add to my considerations:

Powell Endurance Cranking Rod 7'2" Heavy 726CB

Powell Max Swimbait Casting Rods

[flippin and pitchin]

First off, The Excel won't even come close to handling 1.5 ounce. The Savvy 734 can. My buddy throws a 1.5 ounce hard swimbait with his all the time. That rod will handle your spinnerbaits easily and can also do double duty with squarebills and jigs. I prefer the 5 power for 1.5 ounce baits. None of the Savvys except the flippin has a full rear grip. Good luck.

[Rich Tehan]

Thanks flippin and pitchin. On Tackle Warehouse, the Excel 735C is rated for 3/8 - 1 1/2 oz, whereas the Savvy 734 is rated for 1/4 - 1 oz, but you're saying that these ratings are wrong?

[flippin and pitchin]

Man, When you said medium heavy Excel I figured you looked at the 734. The jump from the 734 to 735 is HUGE. The 735 has the action of a pool cue. I had one and used it for hollow body frogs with heavy braid. It's more like a mag heavy or a Dobyns 6 power. The Excels are a great 100 dollar rod but the power ratings are inconsistent and some guys were dissappointed when they got a rod with too much power or not enough. As long as you knew what action was coming, most Lamiglas owners including me were pleased with the Excels. Dobyns ratings are much more consistent and there is a progression in the powers. That is one of the factors that impressed me to go with Dobyns products. The Savvy 734 rating is accurate. I'm just saying my buddy Tom throws Rago BVD3's and River2Sea S-Wavers with his and that model handles the load pretty well. I just preferred a rod with more power for those baits and found the 735 could launch them. Sorry to be long winded.

[Rich Tehan]

Thanks for your advice. I definitely don't want a pool cue. I'm now deliberating between the Dobyns savvy 734 and the two Powells I mentioned (endurance crankbait, or max swimbait). I'm leaning toward Powell because they have mod. fast action, but which one....

[smalljaw67]

I really don't think you have much to change as far as your rod goes. The 1/2oz Banshee is a great little swimbait but you found the same problem everyone else has, it is hard to cast. The rods you listed will all be too heavy for the small Banshee but should work with the larger one. The Excel 735 was going to be a flipping stick for me until I got a good deal on a Fenwick HMG 7'6" HX-F and telescopic, it is rated for 3/8oz up to 2oz, the nice thing is the tip is just a hair softer than most fast action flipping sticks which makes it great to cast and work frogs and I'll bet it could hanle swimbaits in its range.

[Rich Tehan]

I ordered the Powell Endurance Cranking Rod 7'2" Heavy 726CB. Any advice on a reel for this outfit? I specifically want casting distance.

[guest]

I ordered the Powell Endurance Cranking Rod 7'2" Heavy 726CB. Any advice on a reel for this outfit? I specifically want casting distance.

Lews tournament speed spool, or tournament pro speed spool. Great reels for the price.