Weld's Largemouth Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 Hey all, I'm getting into swimbait fishing and I've been looking at the OKuma Guide Select Series Big bait casting rod.. I want to throw up to 8" hudds, but also be able to through as light as the new hudd bluegill and the mattlures ultimate bluegill. Is there a compromise in one rod or not? The heavy 7' 11" lure weight= 1-6oz The extra heavy 7' 11" lure weight= 2-10 oz Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 25, 2015 Super User Posted January 25, 2015 The new hudd gill and the ultimate gill weigh 1.7oz. The rod loads ok with a bait of that weight. I throw the g2 shellcracker on mine. It'll also handle the 8" Hudd and the likes there of. Anything up to 3.5-4oz it does ok with. After that I'd go with the XH. Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 I had both. the tip on the H loads a lot w/ 8" Hudds and potential backlashes get scary and/or expensive. that being said the H is much better for 2 oz lures...and you'll likely be casting them a whole lot more than 4 oz 8". Casting a 4 oz Hudd gets tiring and discouraging fast. you'll get more bites on 6" baits. and even those bites can come far and few in between. the Okuma is a really big rod for small to medium swimbaits. I'd much rather recommend the 795 Dobyns. it's hands down one of my favorite rods. you'd have to be careful with 8" Hudds but it casts 68 specials like a dream. along with MS Slammers, Hardgills etc. 1 Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted January 25, 2015 Author Posted January 25, 2015 I had both. the tip on the H loads a lot w/ 8" Hudds and potential backlashes get scary and/or expensive. that being said the H is much better for 2 oz lures...and you'll likely be casting them a whole lot more than 4 oz 8". Casting a 4 oz Hudd gets tiring and discouraging fast. you'll get more bites on 6" baits. and even those bites can come far and few in between. the Okuma is a really big rod for small to medium swimbaits. I'd much rather recommend the 795 Dobyns. it's hands down one of my favorite rods. you'd have to be careful with 8" Hudds but it casts 68 specials like a dream. along with MS Slammers, Hardgills etc. Which dobyns 795? I saw the dobyns 795 MH on TW, its out of my price range but i found a really nice deal on a dobyns 795 sbmt. What is the difference between these rods? Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 yes buy the 795 sbml! it's Mike Long's rod so it has an extra few inches on the handle. it casts 2 oz lures like a dream. I'd skip the 8" Hudds for now. I take my 6" 68 specials and 7" ms slammer night hunting along the shoreline of my local reservoir. I have to be very careful with my casting form or after 2 hrs it's very easy to put a hurting on my wrists, elbows or shoulders with 2 oz swimbaits. and like i said it can be come discouraging fast. lots of times I'll only take 2 rods: my 795 with a 6" swimbait and a senko rod. I'm hunting for Bubba with the swimbaits but if that doesn't work I'm humble and willing to take anybody that comes alone for a senko snack. there will be plenty of 25% off sales from now till spring so you can pick up any Champion rod for $195. but can do even better used in the forums. The Okuma is a decent rod but I'd spend the extra few dollars on the Dobyns. even if you don't stay with swimbaits you can use the rod for catfish, musky or live bait for bass Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted January 25, 2015 Author Posted January 25, 2015 yes buy the 795 sbml! it's Mike Long's rod so it has an extra few inches on the handle. it casts 2 oz lures like a dream. I'd skip the 8" Hudds for now. I take my 6" 68 specials and 7" ms slammer night hunting along the shoreline of my local reservoir. I have to be very careful with my casting form or after 2 hrs it's very easy to put a hurting on my wrists, elbows or shoulders with 2 oz swimbaits. and like i said it can be come discouraging fast. lots of times I'll only take 2 rods: my 795 with a 6" swimbait and a senko rod. I'm hunting for Bubba with the swimbaits but if that doesn't work I'm humble and willing to take anybody that comes alone for a senko snack. there will be plenty of 25% off sales from now till spring so you can pick up any Champion rod for $195. but can do even better used in the forums. The Okuma is a decent rod but I'd spend the extra few dollars on the Dobyns. even if you don't stay with swimbaits you can use the rod for catfish, musky or live bait for bass Its the 795 SBMT not SBML.. Is the SBMT different? Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 SBMT handle is 3" shorter. at this point it's splitting hairs. if you found a good deal forget about the +/- 3". the action is the same on both rods and you'll love it. Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted January 27, 2015 Author Posted January 27, 2015 SBMT handle is 3" shorter. at this point it's splitting hairs. if you found a good deal forget about the +/- 3". the action is the same on both rods and you'll love it. snagged this deal: 2 Quote
Jaiden Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 I have the heavy and it handles 2 oz baits like 6" hudds very well. I've thrown the 8" hudd on it also, but I'd say anything over 4 oz should be thrown on XH. 1 Quote
BR1AN Posted September 15, 2015 Posted September 15, 2015 What do you guys recommend for a reel for the Okuma Guide Select Series Heavy?? I am also new to swimbaiting. Quote
sprint61 Posted September 15, 2015 Posted September 15, 2015 What do you guys recommend for a reel for the Okuma Guide Select Series Heavy?? I am also new to swimbaiting.Okuma citrix 350, Okuma Komodo 350, lexa 300, revo toro, or curado 300. Quote
Super User WRB Posted September 15, 2015 Super User Posted September 15, 2015 The 8" Hudd is at the very top end of a Okuma Original Guide Select heavy, the HX is a better choice, not sure how the new A series compares, definitely go with the upgrade A series. The Hudd Gil is a ligher casting lure then it weighs and better suited for a MH swimbait rod or a heavy crankbait rod. Reel, Shimano Cardiff 300 series. Tom Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted September 16, 2015 Super User Posted September 16, 2015 The 7'11" H was designed for throwing hard baits and has a more moderate action. The 7'6" H is faster and better suited to 8" Hudds. Per the rod designer. Quote
Super User WRB Posted September 16, 2015 Super User Posted September 16, 2015 The 7'11" H was designed for throwing hard baits and has a more moderate action. The 7'6" H is faster and better suited to 8" Hudds. Per the rod designer.Not available in the A series, and a poor choice for the 1 1/2.oz lures.Tom Quote
Super User Big Bait Fishing Posted September 16, 2015 Super User Posted September 16, 2015 get the Okuma Citrix 7'11'' extra heavy and pair it with a Okuma Citrix 364 reel ........... Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted September 16, 2015 Super User Posted September 16, 2015 Not available in the A series, and a poor choice for the 1 1/2.oz lures. Tom The OP didn't ask about the A series. I doubt any of the H powered rods would be very good for 1.5 oz lures and I doubt the MH would be very good for the 8" Hudd. I have the 7'6" H but never tried to throw anything that light. Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted September 16, 2015 Super User Posted September 16, 2015 I hate to hijack a thread, but I'm looking at these same rods right now. What would be the recommended rod for throwing the Jackall Gantarel? I'm thinking the 7'6" H-MF which is rated 1-5oz. Quote
Super User WRB Posted September 16, 2015 Super User Posted September 16, 2015 Most anglers that use the Okuma guide select rods with the pistol end grip cut it down and sand it round, why buy 5 year old rod technology today when the A series is available soon? The only reason would be a sale discount. I use the heavy 7'10" original guide special, same blank as the current 7'11" H rod for swimmer between 1 1/2 oz to 4 oz and it works for me. 8" Hudds weigh 4 1/2 oz and cast heavier, the H series Okuma rods are marginal, XH are good. Haven't tried a 7'6" Okuma swimbait rod for the 8" Hudd, same blank as the 7'11" cut shorter, less tip length and may help a little, the XH is a better choice IMO. The 8" Hudd makes using 1 rod difficult when considering 1 1/2 oz lures, I would go with the XH 7'11" "A" series. Tom Quote
John105 Posted April 28, 2017 Posted April 28, 2017 Is the XH going to have any noticeable downside when throwing hard baits with treble hooks? Quote
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