Best Budget Small To Medium Swim Bait Rod

[alathrop721]

so I'm new to swim bait fishing mainly because its not wildly popular in my area but i feel as tho i've had enough success on hallow body swim baits that i want to maybe try small hard body swim baits. what would be a good set of guide  lines maybe not so brand wise but what weight action length rod should i get and keep in mind budget friendly because it won't most likely be used as much. i have looked at the irod jr swim bait rods as a base point. any help would be appreciated

[hatrix]

Those are reasonably priced as are the okums or diawa DX rods. As a general rule you want a stouter rod for top hook baits and more or a parabolic type bend for trebles. If you only had one I would go with a stouter rod so you can slam the hook home on a hudd or something on a super long cast.

[a1712]

I really like my Daiwa DX's, lot a rod for the money. I do think the factory lure ratings are a bit overrated. Brian.

[FishTank]

I have seen the Shimano Crucial swimbait rod clearanced out for $60 at Dicks.  At that price you can't go wrong.

[fisherrw]

Phenix maxum

[webertime]

If Cabelas still has the Tourney Trail with the cork grips for $29.99, then game over.  They have a 7'6" H 1-3oz model that is really nice and I've owned Okuma's, Quantums, Phenix, and St. Croix swimbait rods.   This rod is everybit as useful as the much higher dollar models I've used.

[gobig]

The Irods are not bad. I own a few of them. However I would go with the Okuma 7'11' Heavy Guide Select. It will handle smaller baits all the way up to 8in hudds.  

[alathrop721]

i don't know how many large swim baits i would thro to really warrant a really heavy rod.  but thats good to know about the single hook and the treble hook i never thought about that

[fishinphilly]

depending on the size swim baits i got the daiwa s casting rod 7'4 heavy 1/2 to 2 oz for smaller swimbaits, great rod for the money 

[hatrix]

i don't know how many large swim baits i would thro to really warrant a really heavy rod. but thats good to know about the single hook and the treble hook i never thought about that

I have heard it a million times. People say I am only going to throw baits up to X amount. Don't sell your self short cause that won't last. It's better to be a bit overpowered and not limit yourself then be vastly underpowered. The baits have enough weight that you can easily cast them with just there weight alone even if the rod is heavier. It's not like trying to cast 1/8 oz on a flipping stick. It has no weight behind it to get it going. On the other hand I can take a 2oz bait and bomb it on a actual broomstick "that's so cliche to use that expression" but it's the truth this time. Get a H swimbait rod and anything under say 2oz you can throw on a jig rod. I thought the same way you did or everyone does. I live in Ohio and 5# fish are amazing here, but don't fool yourself that the 2-3# won't eat that 8-10" bait.

[alathrop721]

ok thats actually a very valid point because i know myself hahaha i never just keep it simple and stick with the size i say i will.  i live in new york and 6lber is big for the lakes i fish.  but having two rods is that much extra gear to have hahaha not that its a problem. so what rods do you guys think i should consider then?

[matuka]

I know a lot of guys out on the westside who use the okuma for the reasons stated above. A lot of rod for the money.

[TorqueConverter]

The BPS H Extreme has a softness in its taper that works well with treble hook baits and is rated up to 2 oz for $100.  The $60 BPS Musky Graphite Series comes in a 1-4 oz rating if you're looking to throw something bigger. 

[Sherlock 60]

A 7'6" MH muskie rod is what I use. A store brand rod in the $60-70 range should work fine.

Mine is a Gander Mtn Guide Series paired with an Abu C4 5600 reel spooled with 50 lb braid. I picked it up about 10 years ago. Also use it for medium-sized muskie bucktails.