Swimbait Setup Help

[Lunker Huntin]

First and foremost I have been wanting to get a swimbait setup for a while, I got a few 5-6in baits (top shelfs) and a s-waver that I have been throwing on my flipping rod (dobyns 735). It does the job ok but I really want a dedicated rod for this duty something I can grow into (looking to throw some 68 specials, lunker punker, opspreys 6-7 inch)

 

So far I have been doing a lot of reading but I cant make up my mind so I am hoping for some impute from you guys here.

 

Rods I am interested in

 

-Irod Genesis II 7'8" Jr. Swimbait (like what I have read about this one and with a sale I could grab it for around $120

-Phenix MX-UR80H (couldn't find to much info on this one but I have seen it mentioned and I like the weight range)

-St Croix Mojo Bass swimbait (buddie of mine said they are discontinuing this line and found one for $90 online again don't know much about this one) 

 

Reels that I am looking at

 

-Shimano Curado 301 E (Pretty easy choice here tried and true but I am not crazy about the price)

-Okuma citrix CI-364LXA (good price and great drag/line capacity found one on amazon for $129 shipped)

 

trying to keep my budget close to $300 

 

I know a lot of guys will say get the okuma guide select and a Shimano Cardiff, I am NOT interested in either of these

 

 

[WIGuide]

-St Croix Mojo Bass swimbait (buddie of mine said they are discontinuing this line and found one for $90 online again don't know much about this one) 

 

 

The Mojo Bass line is not being discontinued. They are discontinuing the Rage series and the Mojo's are getting a redesign with an upgraded blank and I believe components as well. 

[fishindad]

I don't throw big swimbaits like the ones you listed but, I do use Dobyns rods to toss Keitechs and am not sure why you don't just give Gary and Richard a phone call and ask them? From what I read, their selection of Champion swimbait rods should give you exactly what you need. Their pro staff (Mike Long, Matt Allen) do almost nothing but fish big swimbaits so they know how to build the perfect rod for whatever bait you want to chuck. The Champs are a bit outside your budget but if I were you, I'd not mess around and just get the right rod. This will make the whole experience much better as well as your success with swimbaits.

[stkbassn]

Not sure why you aren't interested in the Okuma, I've had 4 or 5 and they are awesome rods. The Irod Swimbait Jr I liked too.. The Guide series is a pretty impressive rod in hand, looks and feel. Wasn't in love with the 300 Curado E at all, didn't impress me with casting at all. I like the DSV 300 much better and wish I could find one. I would look at the Tatula HD for what you're throwing, it will be a great casting reel for you. Not familiar with the Okuma reel.

 

Good luck!

[Lunker Huntin]

Thanks for all the advise so far, I checked out the okuma before in a local sportsmans, it felt like a very stout rod, but I am so used to how light my dobyns are I just couldn't get over how bulky the rod felt. This is why I was more interested in the irod or a Phenix there rods seem to be super light in the hand. I would love to get a dobyns swimbait but the price is just to high for me, truth be told this rod is not going to get a ton of use where I live nothing close to how much I throw my 735 champ, but I was hoping I could pick something that could serve double duty like a heavy c-rig when I'm not chucking bigger baits

[WRB]

The Okuma A series swimbait rods are a lot lighter in weight and have a new handle design. I use the Okuma heavy for both 6" and 68 Hudds, rats, wake baits, glide baits between 1 to 3 oz with a Cardiff 300 series reel and Sunline Armilo Deifer Nylon 25 lb line. Originally this outfit was for my son and a backup outfit, now I use it as much as the XH Loomis / Calcutta combo with the same line.

If you like the IRod rods the Gen2 series is a good choice, I would go with a rod rated 1-5 oz for your lure weights and at least 7'5" long, 7'10+" is better for swimbaits.

Tom

[stkbassn]

The Okuma A series swimbait rods are a lot lighter in weight and have a new handle design. I use the Okuma heavy for both 6" and 68 Hudds, rats, wake baits, glide baits between 1 to 3 oz with a Cardiff 300 series reel and Sunline Armilo Deifer Nylon 25 lb line. Originally this outfit was for my son and a backup outfit, now I use it as much as the XH Loomis / Calcutta combo with the same line.

If you like the IRod rods the Gen2 series is a good choice, I would go with a rod rated 1-5 oz for your lure weights and at least 7'5" long, 7'10+" is better for swimbaits.

Tom

I was so looking forward to the new Okuma A but very disappointed that they didn't make a 7'6. I just don't want anymore 8 foot rods myself. They look good and price is right though.

[poisonokie]

Have you looked into the Daiwa dx swimbait rods on TW? They'll free up funds for your reel.

[poisonokie]

Or the Major Craft NanoAce swimbait rod. It's 7'10" and rated 3-5 oz and probably a very nice rod for 130 bucks.

[Jrob78]

It might also be worth checking at Dick's if you have a store close by.  The stores here have the G Loomis GL2 rods at right around $100, including the swimbait rods.

[Big Bait Fishing]

Phenix ultra 8' H 2-8 oz. swimbait rod .

 

as for a reel , since you are going to be throwing small baits and won't use anything more then 20 lb. line max , you can use a baitcaster you probably already have , you don't need a big (300 size) baitcaster to hold a hundred yards of 17-20 lb. line . you will regret buying a rod you settled for rather than buying one that you like and it is a quality rod that will do it's job , don't learn the hard way ....

[WRB]

Swimbaits rods have 3 basic functions; cast heavy lures a long distance with ease, be able to detect strikes and get solid hook sets. The lure weight is the first consideration and the OP has stated lures in the 2 to 2 1/2 oz being the max weight he plans to use and would also like to use the rod for multiple use with A-rigs etc.

How long a cast is depends on the angler, 12o' or 40 yards is a good casting distance for swimbaits,50+ yards being along cast.

A 200 size reel can hold 120 yards of 15 lb mono (.015D) line. Casting 40-50 yards reduces to reel spool diameter by 50%, reducing the IPT by more than 50%, making recovering enough line to get a good hook set

difficult. The reason a 300 series reel is it hold more line, increasing the IPT and recovering line faster to take up slack line for good hook sets. Braid helps this issue, however backlashes are a disaster, braid wrapping around the lure in mid flight cuts the soft plastic, the reason mono is popular with swimbait anglers. Braid does improve distant hook sets, so it's another choice to make.

I use 300 series reels with 25 lb (.019D) Sunline Armilo Diefier Nylon line, it works for me with most swimbaits, wake baits, rats and A-rigs. Agree a heavy or Xheavy rod is a good choice if you plan to use lures 4+ oz like 8" Hudds.

Tom

[MidwestF1sh]

I've heard great things about phenix and even had them sponsor a tournament trail I did and got to test a couple rods out and really liked them. I stick to "my" brand rods which is Powell but if I had to switch it'd be for a Phenix rod.

[VolFan]

"A 200 size reel can hold 120 yards of 15 lb mono (.015D) line. Casting 40-50 yards reduces to reel spool diameter by 50%, reducing the IPT by more than 50%, making recovering enough line to get a good hook set "

That is inaccurate, otherwise some good advice in that post.

[WRB]

"A 200 size reel can hold 120 yards of 15 lb mono (.015D) line. Casting 40-50 yards reduces to reel spool diameter by 50%, reducing the IPT by more than 50%, making recovering enough line to get a good hook set "

That is inaccurate, otherwise some good advice in that post.

Thank you.

Try pulling off 50 yards of line from a 200 series reel and measure the IPT. For example a 26" IPT at full spool drops to about 15" -16" IPT with 50 yards of 15 lb line out. Not 50% (40%) but a good ball park number and that was my point.

Tom

[VolFan]

My issue is that there are many different configurations and sizes of spools on 200 sized reels, from wide and shallow to narrow and deep. Having half the line off does not necessarily decrease your spool diameter by half. In some cases it does by more than half. I fish Curado 200Ds for my smaller (1/2 to 3 oz) baits and it works well for me. It depends on the spool, the reel, the line and how the manufacturer measures the IPT.

[WRB]

My issue is that there are many different configurations and sizes of spools on 200 sized reels, from wide and shallow to narrow and deep. Having half the line off does not necessarily decrease your spool diameter by half. In some cases it does by more than half. I fish Curado 200Ds for my smaller (1/2 to 3 oz) baits and it works well for me. It depends on the spool, the reel, the line and how the manufacturer measures the IPT.

Agree, no standards exist all you can do is generalize, most 300 series reels used for swimbaits have larger spool then the average 200 size low profile bass reel.

Tom

[Big Bait Fishing]

get a good quality rod with a good warranty , you can get a bigger reel when you do decide to get some bigger baits. trust me when i tell you that a regular baitcaster that holds around 140-160 yards of 12 lb. line will hold plenty of 15 or 17 lb. line that you need for baits that weigh 3 oz. or less , been there done that ....