Swimbait Rod

[Carterjig68]

Hey guys I have a saltwater jigging rod that is 6"6 medium heavy (obviously different from a bass fishing 6"6 mh) and it is rated for 50-100 lb braid. Besides the length, would this be somewhat decent for swimbaits?

[Chris at Tech]

I'd look elsewhere...

 

My guess is that it's too beefy of a rod, and it's not likely to be comfortable to cast much on (both due to being too short as well as due to weight)

[WPCfishing]

I would suggest you buying a rod for swim baits.

Be sure to get the proper action for your bait weights.

Good Luck...

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Saltwater rods can often fill a freshwater need nicely, but in this case my guess is that the tip is too stiff to load and cast well. I've used saltwater blanks (surf casting) to build swimbait rods with very good results.

[Big Bait Fishing]

definitely get a swimbait rod , as you stated , that rod is way too short !! you need a rod at least 7 1/2 ft. long preferably longer , my swimbait rod is 9 ft. but it's built for big baits . there are a bunch of decent rods out there in all kinds of price ranges , time to get your research on for a rod that will suit the baits you'll be throwing ...

[WRB]

Salt water rods differ in guides, reel seats, handles and action. Yes you can build a fresh water rod using salt water blanks and some salt water inshore rods can do double duty.

Swimbait rods are unique regarding lure weight and length. A good swimbait rod has a more parabolic action than a musky rod for example because casting distance is more important than upper rod power needed for a typical musky rod. A very good entry level swimbait rod is Okuma Guide Select "A" series ($125). Selecting a swimbait rod you should know the lure weight you plan to use most often, then look at the rods recommended lure weight. To determine what power rod to select add the rods lures weights and divide by 2 for average lure weight. The average lure weight should be slightly higher to the lure weight you use most often.

Tom

[Robert Riley]

Salt water rods differ in guides, reel seats, handles and action. Yes you can build a fresh water rod using salt water blanks and some salt water inshore rods can do double duty.

Swimbait rods are unique regarding lure weight and length. A good swimbait rod has a more parabolic action than a musky rod for example because casting distance is more important than upper rod power needed for a typical musky rod. A very good entry level swimbait rod is Okuma Guide Select "A" series ($125). Selecting a swimbait rod you should know the lure weight you plan to use most often, then look at the rods recommended lure weight. To determine what power rod to select add the rods lures weights and divide by 2 for average lure weight. The average lure weight should be slightly higher to the lure weight you use most often.

Tom

Good explanation! I was about to post up asking the difference between muskie and swimbait rods, thanks!

[Big Bait Fishing]

in my experience, muskie rods are much better for throwing large baits . i ,myself , don't like parabolic rods especially for swimbaits . i like a swimbait rod to have a fast action tip with a powerful backbone for good hooksets on long casts (which are very easy to make on a 8'6'' - 9' rod )   to say that muskie rods aren't good for swimbaits is very inaccurate . muskie rods are the same as "swimbait'' rods but just more powerful and able to handle bigger baits and also made in longer lengths ....

[WRB]

I fished with musky for over 20 years using musky rods and they make poor swimbait rods in my opinion. I started using my musky rod for swimbaits like AC plugs and wooden Huddleston's back in the late 80's early 90's and bought a Lamiglas swimbait rod in 95, what a difference!

What may have happened is swimbait rods are being used more today for musky fishing because the musky lures are lighter weight than the older plugs like Teddy and Bobby baits that weighed 10 to 12 oz. the trend today is double bladed inline spinners and bass type swimbaits. Musky have long sharp teeth that hold a lure from moving, that requires more hook setting force than for bass, plus musky tend to average about 3X bigger than bass.

9' rods do not fit into a bass boats rod locker or not allowed for bass tournaments, making it a very specialized rod for LMB bass anglers. Loomis salmon bounce back 9' rods have been around for several years and popular for both stripe bass and shore bound swimbait anglers. I believe Matt Allen is working with Dobyn's on a new swimbait rod over 8'.

Tom

[Big Bait Fishing]

I fished with musky for over 20 years using musky rods and they make poor swimbait rods in my opinion. I started using my musky rod for swimbaits like AC plugs and wooden Huddleston's back in the late 80's early 90's and bought a Lamiglas swimbait rod in 95, what a difference!

What may have happened is swimbait rods are being used more today for musky fishing because the musky lures are lighter weight than the older plugs like Teddy and Bobby baits that weighed 10 to 12 oz. the trend today is double bladed inline spinners and bass type swimbaits. Musky have long sharp teeth that hold a lure from moving, that requires more hook setting force than for bass, plus musky tend to average about 3X bigger than bass.

9' rods do not fit into a bass boats rod locker or not allowed for bass tournaments, making it a very specialized rod for LMB bass anglers. Loomis salmon bounce back 9' rods have been around for several years and popular for both stripe bass and shore bound swimbait anglers. I believe Matt Allen is working with Dobyn's on a new swimbait rod over 8'.

Tom

that's the point , you talking about rods from 20 -35 years ago !! as far as musky lures go , yes a lot of people throw big bladed baits but a lot of them throw bulldawgs , mag bulldawgs(10 oz. baits) , pounders(1 lb. baits) and double pounders (2 lb. baits) . till you go fish with a Big Nasty , Slingblade , or a Thorne Bros Predator , you just don't have a clue !! these rods fish swimbaits VERY good and make 8' "swimbait" rods obsolete . matter of fact , go check some LDC rods , he builds on 8'6'' and 9' blanks . that they don't fit in boat lockers or are not "legal" in tournaments means nothing . throwing big baits IS specialized .....

[Big Bait Fishing]

by the way , dobyns has a 9' rod , all double foot guides , it says it's rated 8 - 30 oz. , i bet if i tried to cast the new Savage Gear 16'' line- thru(24 oz.) with it , that rod would shatter .....

[WRB]

I could be wrong, you may be the only member on this site that uses swimbaits exceeding 8 ounces. The vast majority use swimbaits under 5 ounces, anything heavier is very specialized.

The tackle may be getting bigger, stronger and longer, the bass or musky are not getting any bigger, longer or stronger.

Tom

[Batson]

So why not a custom fishing rod?? This is how your going to get the perfect swimbait rod for your needs! 

[Big Bait Fishing]

I could be wrong, you may be the only member on this site that uses swimbaits exceeding 8 ounces. The vast majority use swimbaits under 5 ounces, anything heavier is very specialized.

The tackle may be getting bigger, stronger and longer, the bass or musky are not getting any bigger, longer or stronger.

Tom

you really need to try some of the newer musky rods(blanks) made these days !!!

 Rod blanks in 9' & 9'6' are a blast to use and so much more easier on your shoulders and back !

i see a lot more people going to fast action rods as i feel they take a lot of stress of your wrists as that is my major complaint with a rod that flexes too far into the blank . i would almost bet you Tom is that if you used a Big Nasty St. Croix rod (9' heavy/fast) that you would love it !!!