Can't Decide On Swimbait Rod!!!

[SGT Rico]

I looking at the the Irod ll Genesis swimbait rod, either the .Jr swimbait rod or the large swimbait rod. I know I want to throw 8'' Hudds, but I don't think the .Jr which is rated from 1-4oz could hold the weight. But if I throw something lighter like the Ospreys and some MS slammers on the large swimbait rod, it would be hard to cast due to how stiff the rod is. What do you guys think? Deep, I know you have some input on this..lol..

[deep]

Deep, I know you have some input on this..lol..

Actually I don't, haha. I've never seen the IRod from up close, let alone fish it. At one point, I seriously considered getting one, because I thought I couldn't carry a rod longer than 7'8" in my tiny sedan. It turned out that I can fit 8 feet rods too, after I make a few adjustments to the position and incline of the passenger seat,

But maybe you'll get some ideas from a few of my setups and corresponding baits I favor on them: (I'm not saying you should get these particular rods, but maybe find some rods that have similar qualities. Also, I like to believe that your preference on how a rod loads up while casting, and fishing, is a very personal thing. I like baits to slightly overload the rod while casting and fishing, some people like it the other way round.)

Mattlures MH (1-4 ozs): great for Matt's bluegills both hard and soft, 6" and 68 hudds, 7" and 9" slammers, 7" ospreys. Basically anything in the 1.5 to 3 oz range. It's working well with Matt's new hardbass too. I have tried throwing a Rago baby tool and a 6" wood punker on it (both are around 3.5 ozs), but either bait loads up the rod too much. I won't want to fish even a treble-hooked big hardbait on it, let alone an 8" hudd.

Okuma H (1-6 ozs): This is the perfect ROF5 hudd rod in my eyes (for my budget). Loads up just enough for me to love throwing hudds on it. Works very well for baits in the 4-4.5 ish oz range. Couple of other baits I love throwing on it would be the Rago baby tool, both floating and the sinking, and the Tsunaga. I used to throw a Mattlures hard perch on it too. For baits lighter than 3 ozs or so, the rod is too powerful. It'd still cast them, but I don't enjoy it.

GGR medium (no lure rating, but 4-9 ozs for a ballpark guess): This rod can chuck a hudd a mile, but the rod is almost too powerful for a hudd in my eyes and for my tastes. The three baits that get fished on this on a regular basis are the real prey trout, the CL8 possum (both around 7.5 ozs), and the Castaic wood trout (around 6 ozs I think)...

[mikeeasttn]

Take at look at the Shimano Crucial Swimbait Rod H. It is 7' 11" in length and should handle baits in that range without over powering the rod.

[A-Jay]

The Okuma Guide Select Swimbait rod is a good choice.

Very reasonably priced and has received decent reviews.

I like mine.

A-Jay

http://www.amazon.co...ha big bait rod

http://www.tackletou...uma711mhsb.html

[North Ga Hillbilly]

For a rod in the ~$100 range I would suggest getting an Okuma H. I use it to throw ROF 0 and 5 hudds, itll throw a 12 but feels alittle underpowered to me. I throw lures down to ~1 oz on it, its not the most comfortable experience, but itll get it done. Feels fine to for 2.5 oz< lures to me. Good warranty and rave reviews. Mine gets 90% of my fishing time and has held up great, Hasn't failed me on a fish yet.

NGaHB

[SPEEDBEAD.]

As was mentioned, the Okuma rods around 100 bucks are impossible to beat for the money.

I have a buddy that throws the Loomis SWBR line and loves them. Look for them on sale and they are a great deal.

I like my LDC rod with two more on the way.

The last two options will cost you more money initially, but will save you money in the long run as you won't have to upgrade.

[Hooligan]

As has been said the Okuma rods are a great rod. In response to your original question the Irod Jr isn't a rod that I liked throwing even rof5 6" hudds on. The big bait rod is more suited to it. They load adequately, and the have enough power to set the hooks on big singles. Hey also handle big wood baits very well. I also feel the Okuma is a better all around rod than the Crucial Heavy. The new Crucials are extremely powerful rods, the a heavy wouldn't be well suited to throwing much under a three ounce bait. Don't get me wrong, it'll do it, but you're going to work at it. The Loomis 7-11 MH is probably the absolute best all around swimbait rod that will handle a variety of baits a d weights most effectively, it's also $240, though. If I were going to buy one stick for a large variety of uses, it would be the Loomis.