Swimbait Rod

[Brian Needham]

got to call on the swimbait guys. I am wanting to enter the fray on chunking these and debating the rod I should choose.

 

I want to narrow it down to one rod for general purpose swimbaitin' but know deep down I will wind up with two rods down the rod, but for starters I only want one to make sure I like and enjoy tossing these big baits.

 

Rods I am debating:

 

Dobyns

795 ML or standard

806 ML or standard

 

Lowdown customs (production or custom)

Medium heavy

Heavy

 

here is what I think I might throw

1-1.5oz heads with 5-6" bighammers

6" bull shads mostly but MAYBE the 9" if I like throwing swimbaits

6-8" lunker punkers

blackdog shellcracker

7-9" slammers

Arigs with 1/4oz heads and 4-5" bighammer/grubs/roboshad

and maybe even big 1oz+ swimjigs

 

 

 

[hmongkidBee]

Here's my take on your options.  I haven't bought or used a LDC customs swimbait rod yet so I can't comment on their action, but some people love them.  I have quite a lot of experience with the dobyns swimbait rod line namely the 795ml and the 807magheavy swimbait rod.  I've also used the okuma guide select models as well.

 

In your case, most of the baits that you listed range from a little over 1oz to maybe 2-3oz max.  Therefore I highly recommend you get the dobyns 795ml rod.  The one thing that dobyns rods have is that soft tip action that helps you launch baits quite well actually.  On a side note, the lunker punker topwaters can be cast on almost ANY rod out there as it is a phenomenal casting bait.  However, for general purpose duties like what you plan to use for, go with the dobyns 795ml rod.  You won't be disappointed.  I know I wasn't.  If you want to save quite a bit of money, I recommend you check out the okuma guide select rods.  In my opinion they are definitely the BEST BANG for the buck when it comes to chucking swimbaits.  They're not the lightest rods, but they will get the job done.

 

Hopefully, this helps you a little bit.  Feel free to message me if you would like to discuss about this further.  I'm sure other SWIMBAITERS on this site will chime in with their opinion as well.

[ClackerBuzz]

can't comment on either rod but i can suggest not using braid. braid cuts like butter when backlashing

big baits.  nothing worse than hearing the crack of a backlash and watching ur $50+ lure sail off into the sunset.  i bought a set up and i'm looking forward to casting them more during high percentage windows

(spring/fall and night fishing).

[stkbassn]

I haven't owned any Dobyns rods so I can't comment on how they fish but I don't hear anything bad. If you want to invest that much in one rod that's fine but you don't need to.

 

I've owned Fenwick, Kistler, Mattlures, and Okuma swimbait rods.

 

If you're just getting into it I would buy two of the Okuma Guide Series rods. If you pick up the 7'6 MH and the 7'6 H I think that will cover everything you want to do based on the baits that you described. You could opt for the 7'11 versions instead if you want longer rods but I like the 7'6-7'9 range. That's just me though.

 

They truly aren't that heavy though I hear that from some guys. I guess it's all in what you get used to. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised with those Okumas, sweet rods for sure.

[Brian Needham]

well I am pretty much a dobyns guy so its gonna be a dobyns or the Lowdown...... that said I REALLY wish Dobyns made the 795 in an 8foot.. I know, I know its only 3 inches (that's what she said)

[J Francho]

Saint Croix AVC79HF would handle those baits.  I have a custom build on that blank (main differences are full rear grip and spiral micros) and it works for all that.  Nice, light, and sensitive too.  You can see it on the deck, with an HPH tied on.

 

[CTGalloway21]

I have the Dobyns SMBT 795.  I like the shorter handle since it is easier to handle on a kayak.  Only difference between SMBT 795 and the Mike Long is the handle length by 3 inches.  

[vikingbear8]

well I am pretty much a dobyns guy so its gonna be a dobyns or the Lowdown...... that said I REALLY wish Dobyns made the 795 in an 8foot.. I know, I know its only 3 inches (that's what she said)

You know Dobyns does make an 805 right? That being said I have a 795 and an 806 I love both of them you should be happy with either of them.

[Brian Needham]

You know Dobyns does make an 805 right? That being said I have a 795 and an 806 I love both of them you should be happy with either of them.

 

the 805 is the randy mcabe crankbank rodand the 805 flip/punch. they do not make a 805 swimbait rod that I am aware of.

[Brian Needham]

You know Dobyns does make an 805 right? That being said I have a 795 and an 806 I love both of them you should be happy with either of them.

 

btw, what do you throw on the 806? how light can you realisticly go on the 806?

[vikingbear8]

Yeah the 805 flip will work just fine as a swimbait rod if that is what you want. It doesn't have to say "swimbait" on it haha. One of my swimbait rods is a big flipping stick and I use it as much as the 795 and 806. As far as how light you can go, my buddy throws half ounce swim jigs a mile on his 807, we put swimbaits on as trailers though which usually puts them at an ounce for our smallest ones and he has no problem with that. The 806 is a bit softer than the 807 so you could definitely get down to an ounce with it no problem. The 806 is really suited towards trebled baits on the large ende but has no problem sinking the smaller jig hooks

[Brian Needham]

Viking, you think you can launch the 6 inch bull shad (2oz) on the 806?

If so, I am liking what I am hearing.

 

What I am thinking is the 806 can cover it all,then when I want to go a little more specific I can get the 795?

[vikingbear8]

I used a 765flip for my first swimbait rod that I still use and works great for anything up to 3 ounces. Then I got a 795, that I honestly use for about the same range anything up to 3.5 maybe 4 ounces. Then finally I got the 806. If you are really going to get into swimbait fishing then I would definitely say go ahead with the 806. But if you are unsure about it go with the 795