Swimbait Rod

[719BassFishing]

Im looking for a good swimbait rod in the $100-200 price range. Ill be throwing 1/2-3 0z swimbaits on the rod so I don't need something super heavy. Any suggestions??

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Okuma Guide Select 7'11" MH

[719BassFishing]

Okuma Guide Select 7'11" MH

The 7'11" has a 24" handle on it. i would imagine this gives the rod good leverage but does it get in the way? 

[5dollarsplash]

I've only played with one in shop, but the Okuma Guide Select has almost universally positive reviews.  If I was in the market that's where I'd begin and probably end my search.

 

I have fished musky and pike quite a bit, and using the longer handles is something you'll do almost instinctively after a couple of casts.

[WRB]

The 7'11" has a 24" handle on it. i would imagine this gives the rod good leverage but does it get in the way?

The longer handle aides in casting, you simply tuck the handle under your fore arm during the retreive and it's out of the way.

Tom

[NorcalBassin]

Dobyns 795... I picked up the standard SB MT version with the shorter handle (easier for me to work Punkers) but other people love the longer handle on the Mike Long version. Wait for a 20% off sale by BTD or someone else and it's in your budget.

[gulfcaptain]

I use a BPS 7'6"XH bionic blade and it handles the 2-3oz swimbaits really well. 

[Jrob78]

Okuma Guide Select 7'11" MH

This is what I would recommend as well.

[buzzed bait]

i just received a 7'6" MH Okuma Guide Select… fish from a kayak so that smaller handle/rod makes a difference for me.  haven't thrown the rod yet, BUT made well and feels incredibly light and balanced more so that i imagined…. after a long time looking and reading around the guide select has the best overall reviews of swim bait rods on the market

[WRB]

Dobyns 795... I picked up the standard SB MT version with the shorter handle (easier for me to work Punkers) but other people love the longer handle on the Mike Long version. Wait for a 20% off sale by BTD or someone else and it's in your budget.

$260 retail, if you can get this for $150 go for it!

[CJV]

Check out the iRod genesis 2 rods on TW there priced at around $150 and you get a great rod I've been using there jr. swimbait rod and it's a great big bait rod without the big rod feeling.

[mikeeasttn]

I use the Shimano Crucial swimbait rods the older ones with the full cork handles.  The H rod should take care of all of your needs and you can possibly find a good used one at a good price.

[bucketmouthbeatdown]

I use a BPS 7'6"XH bionic blade and it handles the 2-3oz swimbaits really well. 

I have wanted BPS to make the Bionic blade in longer lengths....WHERE or WHEN did you get that stick? Just checked both spinning/casting old/new versions and their is nothing.

[gulfcaptain]

I have wanted BPS to make the Bionic blade in longer lengths....WHERE or WHEN did you get that stick? Just checked both spinning/casting old/new versions and their is nothing.

I believe it's the 2011 model.  I'm thinking I may have listed the rating wrong too.  Sorry happens when you buy lots of rods, but I do fish it often as now it's my dedicated A-Rig/Small swimbait rod (throw the 6" and 68 huddleston's on it)  It may be a 7'6"mh tele.  But with that said, it still handles the 6" hudds, the 6" bbz's 7" AC minnow, and my 6"rago jrs as well as the a-rig.  

[frogflogger]

This is what I would recommend as well.

I love my okuma

[WRB]

Check out the iRod genesis 2 rods on TW there priced at around $150 and you get a great rod I've been using there jr. swimbait rod and it's a great big bait rod without the big rod feeling.

This is a very good rod for the $$, the short foregrip is a problem for me, most folks don't use fore grips today.

Tom