Toallhisdoom Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 So I ordered 2 savage line throu trout 6" swimbaits and 1 8" after watching this video Just looked so real to me! First swimbaits I will be trying Now the 6" are 1oz and 1 1/4oz. While the 8" is 3 1/3oz So I do not really want to buy a new rod if I don't have to... I have a couple rods I am thinking might work for the little guys. I have an Abu Garcia black max/vengance combo, MH rated for 1/4-1oz so this should work for the 6" guys. What about throwing the 8" on this? I only paid $50 for this setup so if its not necessarily good for it but will work then that is fine with me. Or I have an ugly stick gx2 7' MH rated for 1/4-5/8oz. Both of these rods are seen to me as disposable. The abu baitcaster was just a cheap setup so I could see how I liked bait casting. Have always been a spin casting guy. So I am thinking the Abu would be a better choice for the 8" I know that is over loading it but if I am gentle with it on the casts will it be alright? If you think it will just destroy the rod/reel pretty quickly what is a decent swimbait setup? Would like to keep it as cheap as possible. Would like to not go over $200 max. $100 or $150 would be ideal. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 20, 2015 Super User Posted March 20, 2015 Sometimes it's hard to see exactly what you'll need totally based on others suggestions & recommendations. Perhaps you should try what you have and see what YOU think. You might be happy with it. If not, then it may be easier for you to understand & believe why others may advise that they've made the move to a dedicated set up. The Shimano Cardiff A Series 300 & 400 size and the Okuma Guide Select Series Big Bait Casting Rod have received very favorable reviews here; especially as an entry level rig. I have, fish and really like this rod though I have matched it with a Calcutta 300D Reel. Good Luck A-Jay 2 Quote
stkbassn Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 I would suggest a Shimano Cardiff 300, $109 I think..maybe cheaper on Ebay. And an Okuma 7'6 H Guide Series Rod. Go to the Tackle Warehouse website for the rod, $5 2nd day air shipping...Around $140 total for that...the reel you can get from them or Ebay, probably on a 10 dollar difference. This set up will be a bit more than $200 but not much and will be ideal for most all swimbaits you're going to throw...pretty awesome set up. A 3 oz bait isn't going to treat any of the set ups you have very well or be much fun to cast either. You'll want heavier line for those baits so you have to consider capacity issues there. Good luck. I'm no expert on these things but I love swimbaiting and have had quite a few set ups in my time. I have one now and getting the very same one I suggested to you for a few specific baits I throw. I feel I need two set ups these days. 2 Quote
Toallhisdoom Posted March 20, 2015 Author Posted March 20, 2015 Well I just want to see how I like these swimbaits before I go an buy a dedicated rig ya know? My worry with what I currently have was just that with the 3oz bait will it break the rod tip? Ahh yea I have read a ton of people saying the Okuma! I will have to look into that! Do you by any chance know the model number for that specific rod? Appreciate the feedback! Quote
stkbassn Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 7'6 Heavy (GS-C-761H) is the model number...this is on Tackle Warehouse website. Go to Casting Rods, then select Okuma and you will see the Guide Series Big Bait rods... This set up is a good way to get into this cheaply but I understand your hesitation. This style is notorious for not yielding immediate results or great satisfaction right up front. The baits are awesome and fun to have and the set ups are cool..but, by no means is this a huge numbers producing style most of the time. It can be a quality producer and often is. All I can tell you is that once you hook your first fish on one of these baits you will be hooked as well. Good luck and post pics! That big girl in my pic there was caught at night on a 9 inch King Kong wakebait 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 20, 2015 Super User Posted March 20, 2015 Well I just want to see how I like these swimbaits before I go an buy a dedicated rig ya know? My worry with what I currently have was just that with the 3oz bait will it break the rod tip? Ahh yea I have read a ton of people saying the Okuma! I will have to look into that! Do you by any chance know the model number for that specific rod? Appreciate the feedback! I use the Okuma GS-C-761H. Great all around big bait rod with the power you need to throw heavy lures and the action that will allow you to fish lighter baits as well. A-Jay 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 20, 2015 Super User Posted March 20, 2015 7'6 Heavy (GS-C-761H) is the model number...this is on Tackle Warehouse website. Go to Casting Rods, then select Okuma and you will see the Guide Series Big Bait rods... This set up is a good way to get into this cheaply but I understand your hesitation. This style is notorious for not yielding immediate results or great satisfaction right up front. The baits are awesome and fun to have and the set ups are cool..but, by no means is this a huge numbers producing style most of the time. It can be a quality producer and often is. All I can tell you is that once you hook your first fish on one of these baits you will be hooked as well. Good luck and post pics! I use the Okuma GS-C-761H. Great all around big bait rod with the power you need to throw heavy lures and the action that will allow you to fish lighter baits as well. A-Jay There appears to be a Trend developing here . . . . A-Jay 2 Quote
Super User tomustang Posted March 20, 2015 Super User Posted March 20, 2015 Well I just want to see how I like these swimbaits before I go an buy a dedicated rig ya know? My worry with what I currently have was just that with the 3oz bait will it break the rod tip? Ahh yea I have read a ton of people saying the Okuma! I will have to look into that! Do you by any chance know the model number for that specific rod? Appreciate the feedback! One thing I do when looking at new combos is see what else I can use them for. My swim bait rod doubles for A-rigs and is my striper rod. Okuma did their homework before releasing the big bait rods and they have an excellent price. Even if you turn to not liking the whole experience you can resell it fast. Quote
Toallhisdoom Posted March 20, 2015 Author Posted March 20, 2015 Yea every where I have looked people have said 7'6 okuma! But never put a model number or any other identifiers haha. Hey would that rod work for stripers as well?? Then maybe I could justify is to my wife..... lol! None on ebay....and it looks like $139 on tackle-warehouse. What about a revo winch reel? Found one going for cheap on ebay.... Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 20, 2015 Super User Posted March 20, 2015 Yea every where I have looked people have said 7'6 okuma! But never put a model number or any other identifiers haha. Hey would that rod work for stripers as well?? Then maybe I could justify is to my wife..... lol! None on ebay....and it looks like $139 on tackle-warehouse. What about a revo winch reel? Found one going for cheap on ebay.... Here you go ~ Now you KNOW BR's is the Best ... http://www.amazon.com/Okuma-Select-Swinbait-Casting-30-Pound/dp/B001TPPIE8/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426868115&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Okuma+Guide+Select+Series+Big+Bait+Casting+Rods A-Jay 1 Quote
Toallhisdoom Posted March 20, 2015 Author Posted March 20, 2015 Yea just found that same price on fishusa.com! Thanks! Wife is gonna kill me....lol! Quote
stkbassn Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Yea every where I have looked people have said 7'6 okuma! But never put a model number or any other identifiers haha. Hey would that rod work for stripers as well?? Then maybe I could justify is to my wife..... lol! None on ebay....and it looks like $139 on tackle-warehouse. What about a revo winch reel? Found one going for cheap on ebay.... I've ne Here you go ~ Now you KNOW BR's is the Best ... http://www.amazon.com/Okuma-Select-Swinbait-Casting-30-Pound/dp/B001TPPIE8/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426868115&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Okuma+Guide+Select+Series+Big+Bait+Casting+Rods A-Jay Nice price! Good looking out A-Jay... 2 Quote
stkbassn Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Update, found Cardiff 300 A for $85 on Ebay...good price!! If you buy that used 7'6 on Amazon for $95 and the Cardiff for $85 you are doing very well! That's under $200 bucks and you can use it for stripers, absolutely. I catch stripers all of the time on my smaller bass rods with no issues so this rod will handle them very well. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 20, 2015 Super User Posted March 20, 2015 Update, found Cardiff 300 A for $85 on Ebay...good price!! If you buy that used 7'6 on Amazon for $95 and the Cardiff for $85 you are doing very well! That's under $200 bucks and you can use it for stripers, absolutely. I catch stripers all of the time on my smaller bass rods with no issues so this rod will handle them very well. Though the price seems fair, I'd be a little Leary about purchasing that "Used" stick offered on Amazon - when reading the "Condition" it notes that "The packaging will be damaged" - Don't know what that actually means but it doesn't sound good. A-Jay 1 Quote
stkbassn Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Yes, "damaged" is a poor choice of words. I just understood it to mean that the rod had been used and was being put back in the original plastic that it came in, just that the plastic obviously wouldn't be perfect after tearing it to remove the rod. Personally I would spend the extra 30 to get a new one but in the interest of saving the OP a few bucks I just suggested it. I doubt the rod is hurt if they aren't advertising it to be damaged itself. I understand the concern of course. Quote
Toallhisdoom Posted March 20, 2015 Author Posted March 20, 2015 Where are you 2 catching these 11-12lb personal best bass at?! lol Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted March 20, 2015 Super User Posted March 20, 2015 Where are you 2 catching these 11-12lb personal best bass at?! lol Mine came from Lake Baccarac in Mexico last year ~ A-Jay 1 Quote
Toallhisdoom Posted March 20, 2015 Author Posted March 20, 2015 woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow Quote
Super User WRB Posted March 20, 2015 Super User Posted March 20, 2015 Okuma is coming out with new line of swimbait rods in the fall, lighter weight rod blanks and improved reel set, guides and handles. If you are not in a hurry my suggestion is wait. Try the 6" swimbaits and get used to fishing with those, then you will know what you need. If you can't wait take a look at the IROD Gen 2 swimbait rods. Tom Quote
OneShotOneKill Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 Glad I decided to read this thread today, I was about to buy the 7'11"XH Guide select off of TW for full price to match up with a Cardiff 400A. Thanks to you guys i just got it for $95 instead of $135 Edit: and it wasn't a used model, the 7'11" started at $105 new, and for some reason amazon took another $10 off at checkout for some kind of okuma special. 2 Quote
Toallhisdoom Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 Sooo seeing as how I know very little about bait casting reels.... Why the shimano cardif? Why a round reel compared to like a abu garcia revo? I found a revo winch display model going for pretty cheap. But want to make sure I get the right reel. Is the rounder shimano meant for bigger fish or? Quote
gr8outdoorz Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Sooo seeing as how I know very little about bait casting reels.... Why the shimano cardif? Why a round reel compared to like a abu garcia revo? I found a revo winch display model going for pretty cheap. But want to make sure I get the right reel. Is the rounder shimano meant for bigger fish or? You want a round reel for the line capacity. You will be using big line (20-25lb mono) and making long casts with swimbaits. I have an Okuma rod. I used to use my revo winch on it. On a good cast I could almost spool it. Got a Cardiff 301...problem solved. If you go with a low profile reel you need to step up to a 300 series like a curado 300 or revo toro winch. Quote
Toallhisdoom Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 Ahh great! Thats exactly what I NEEDED to know! thanks! Quote
Toallhisdoom Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 Woops.... Was on amazon.... ordered the okuma, cardiff, and then picked up a minn kota 55lb thrust.... lmao Signed up for amazon card and got $30 off, then used amazon store card i already had and got 6 months free financing, and minn kota has 20$ mail in rebate offer currently... so around 400$ total for everything ah well its worth it right?? Quote
Matthew2000 Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 A 55lb thrust for that cheap is a heck of a deal I think we payed close to 400 for ours alone. Quote
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