Considering to get a Deps Slide 175/250. Advice needed

[freelancer27]

Hi guys,

I started fishing glide baits recently and I really like it. I have been using the S-Waver 168S (Party Crasher), Jack Gantarel (RT Bluegill) and a Duel Hardcore Twitch'n Ninja Glider (Rainbow Trout).

Now I am considering getting a Deps Slide Swimmer.

If possible, I was hoping to get some feedback from people that have been throwing them in northern California. The lakes where I am fishing have mostly trout and bluegill. 

Also my equipment plays a role here. I do not necesseraly want to upgrade my gear right now, so I have to see what works with what I have.

I am using a Phenix M1 Inshore  SMX-79H which is rated for 3-8 oz. My reel is a 401 Calcutta Conquest, line is 25 pound Maxima Green (after I lost a 8 inch hudd after the line broke of with 25 pound Big Game (the line literally burst in two halfs...).


What I am hoping to get feedback on is:

* What size would you choose given my equipment? 

* What color would you choose given the fish that are present in the lakes and also seeing what other colors I already have


As always, Thank You for your thoughts!

Cheers,
Seb.

[WRB]

The Butch Brown 250 Bluegill is out and looks like the bass color. 250 wt is 6.5 oz, 2 oz heavier than your 8" Hudd. I personally like the 250 over the 175 but not familiar with your rod. 

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

Not in California, but I've had good success with the Ayu colored 175. I have thrown it on a rod with the same specs and it did fine.

[freelancer27]

3 hours ago, WRB said:

The Butch Brown 250 Bluegill is out and looks like the bass color. 250 wt is 6.5 oz, 2 oz heavier than your 8" Hudd. I personally like the 250 over the 175 but not familiar with your rod. 

Tom

I found the 175 in Butch Brown Blue Gill, though you seem to prefer the 250 (as many others). In theory my rod should handle it, though the 8inch Hud feels already heavy on it. 

Hmmm...

[Big Bait Fishing]

this is my opinion , sell the M1 and get a Phenix Ultra Swimbait rod , the USB 800H , has the same 2-8 oz. rating but will throw that 250 great as it's a little more stout .

swimbait rods are one technique rod that are best to have custom as i have found everybody has there own unique preferences which you rarely find in factory rods . most noticeably the short handles on factory rods !! i prefer a pretty long handle at 18'' , you need the extra leverage for making long casts and it also eliminates wrist fatigue .

 another option is to look into using a musky blank as they have them in longer , more powerful blanks , like 8'6'' and 9' blanks , once you use one you won't want to use an 8' or shorter swimbait rod ...

[Big Bait Fishing]

also buy going with a custom , you could bling it a little with gold thread highlights in the  wraps to match that Conquest ...

[freelancer27]

17 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

this is my opinion , sell the M1 and get a Phenix Ultra Swimbait rod , the USB 800H , has the same 2-8 oz. rating but will throw that 250 great as it's a little more stout .

swimbait rods are one technique rod that are best to have custom as i have found everybody has there own unique preferences which you rarely find in factory rods . most noticeably the short handles on factory rods !! i prefer a pretty long handle at 18'' , you need the extra leverage for making long casts and it also eliminates wrist fatigue .

 another option is to look into using a musky blank as they have them in longer , more powerful blanks , like 8'6'' and 9' blanks , once you use one you won't want to use an 8' or shorter swimbait rod ...

Thank you very much for your opinion!

Can you help me understand what I would get from switching from the M1 to the Ultra Swimbait, particularly if they have the same rating?

I have to transport the rods in a little car, so I can not go too long, around 8 feet is max. Also since I would need to sell my M1 with some big loss (it has some little scratches), I am not sure if it would make much sense to trade against a rod with the same rating.

But I am new to the game, so I might have missed something.

Thanks,
Seb.

1 minute ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

also buy going with a custom , you could bling it a little with gold thread highlights in the  wraps to match that Conquest ...

I am not into bling. I would have bought the Conquest if it was silver, black, etc.. as well.  

[Big Bait Fishing]

6 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

Thank you very much for your opinion!

Can you help me understand what I would get from switching from the M1 to the Ultra Swimbait, particularly if they have the same rating?

I have to transport the rods in a little car, so I can not go too long, around 8 feet is max. Also since I would need to sell my M1 with some big loss (it has some little scratches), I am not sure if it would make much sense to trade against a rod with the same rating.

But I am new to the game, so I might have missed something.

Thanks,
Seb.

the M1 maxes out at around 6 oz. , the USB 800 H can throw up to 8 oz. without the rod feeling taxed out . weird with the same rating , same company but that's how it is ..

 keep the M1 for small baits like the S-waver and similar sized baits and get a heavier set up for 8'' hudds , Deps 250 , & other bigger baits

[freelancer27]

8 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

the M1 maxes out at around 6 oz. , the USB 800 H can throw up to 8 oz. without the rod feeling taxed out . weird with the same rating , same company but that's how it is ..

 keep the M1 for small baits like the S-waver and similar sized baits and get a heavier set up for 8'' hudds , Deps 250 , & other bigger baits

I think if I went for another swimbait rod then it should be something where I can throw even bigger baits and should not max out at 8oz. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

8 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

I think if I went for another swimbait rod then it should be something where I can throw even bigger baits and should not max out at 8oz. 

that was my thinking when i had my dream rod made for swimbaits , i have a St. Croix Big Nasty , a 9' heavy powered rod that is rated for 3-8 oz, but that is waaaay off as it will throw the Mattlures 13'' dead twitch trout which weighs a little over 14 oz. , it's rating should be 4 - 15 oz. as a ROF 8'' hudd barely loads into the blank .

  a rod that is pretty good for a factory rod is the Dobyns 807 , a 8' rod with a lure rating of 3-10 oz . has a nice handle , designed by Mike Long .

[freelancer27]

7 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

that was my thinking when i had my dream rod made for swimbaits , i have a St. Croix Big Nasty , a 9' heavy powered rod that is rated for 3-8 oz, but that is waaaay off as it will throw the Mattlures 13'' dead twitch trout which weighs a little over 14 oz. , it's rating should be 4 - 15 oz. as a ROF 8'' hudd barely loads into the blank .

  a rod that is pretty good for a factory rod is the Dobyns 807 , a 8' rod with a lure rating of 3-10 oz . has a nice handle , designed by Mike Long .

Thanks!

I think I need to learn a bit more with my current set up and swim-and glide baits before I upgrade. Better is always the enemy of good, but I feel that my M1 Inshore will have me covered for a while.  Looks like a 175 is a better bet then for me.

What colors are people's favorite?

 

[Big Bait Fishing]

1 minute ago, freelancer27 said:

Thanks!

I think I need to learn a bit more with my current set up and swim-and glide baits before I upgrade. Better is always the enemy of good, but I feel that my M1 Inshore will have me covered for a while.  Looks like a 175 is a better bet then for me.

What colors are people's favorite?

 

i live way down south in San Diego , i know they have a lot of Hitch up north  , try baits with alot of silver maybe the blue back herring

[freelancer27]

3 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

i live way down south in San Diego , i know they have a lot of Hitch up north  , try baits with alot of silver maybe the blue back herring

Nope, not in the lakes I usually fish (trout, bluegill and some shad), that is all. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

3 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

Nope, not in the lakes I usually fish (trout, bluegill and some shad), that is all. 

get that Butch Brown stocker trout in the water !!!

[freelancer27]

13 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

get that Butch Brown stocker trout in the water !!!

Will keep my eyes open for it. Have not found a place where I can buy it for a reasonable price..

 

[j bab]

I have a Daiwa 8' H Zillion that I like. The handle is 18" from butt to fore grip, perfect for tucking underneath my armpit.

(it's frustrating that you can't rotate photos when uploaded directly to a thread from your phone...)

I've thrown from Hudd 68s to Deps 250s on it, but I feel like the 250 is a little too heavy for that rod even though I can get away with it.

Get on the Swimbait Badlands page on FB to find a 175, just check regularly because they always sell fast

[Big Bait Fishing]

39 minutes ago, j bab said:

I have a Daiwa 8' H Zillion that I like. The handle is 18" from butt to fore grip, perfect for tucking underneath my armpit.

(it's frustrating that you can't rotate photos when uploaded directly to a thread from your phone...)

I've thrown from Hudd 68s to Deps 250s on it, but I feel like the 250 is a little too heavy for that rod even though I can get away with it.

Get on the Swimbait Badlands page on FB to find a 175, just check regularly because they always sell fast

a true rod handle measurement is measured from back of reel seat to rod butt , that handle is 13 1/2 , here's a pic of my St. Croix -

you'd be suprised how much better the rod casts with a longer handle

a really great line that is super strong , not much memory is Izorline XXX , i would use 25lb. line for baits up to 7 oz. , 30lb. for baits up to 10 oz. and 40lb. for baits up to 16 oz.

another line that is ridicilously strong (strongest out there ) is Gamma Co-poly , has some memory but is still not that brittle to where it gets kinks (like p-line CXX ,that stuff will cause unexpected breakoffs down in the spool , i quit using that stuff years ago , learning the hard way ...)

[freelancer27]

1 hour ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

a true rod handle measurement is measured from back of reel seat to rod butt , that handle is 13 1/2 , here's a pic of my St. Croix -

you'd be suprised how much better the rod casts with a longer handle

a really great line that is super strong , not much memory is Izorline XXX , i would use 25lb. line for baits up to 7 oz. , 30lb. for baits up to 10 oz. and 40lb. for baits up to 16 oz.

another line that is ridicilously strong (strongest out there ) is Gamma Co-poly , has some memory but is still not that brittle to where it gets kinks (like p-line CXX ,that stuff will cause unexpected breakoffs down in the spool , i quit using that stuff years ago , learning the hard way ...)

I am trying Maxima UltraGreen. Heard good things about it. 

[Big Bait Fishing]

9 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

I am trying Maxima UltraGreen. Heard good things about it. 

good line but has a lot of memory., next time you make a TW order , try a 300yd spool of the Izorline XXX

[deaknh03]

Start with a 175..they can be had on ebay for $35-45 if your patient. Get one in a natural color, get it in the water, and see if it suits you..if so, you'll have a decision as far as getting a 250.

[j bab]

8 hours ago, Big Bait Fishing said:

p-line CXX ,that stuff will cause unexpected breakoffs down in the spool

Is that so? I use CXX all the time and haven't had this happen (yet). It would be a serious issue if my 250 broke off

[Big Bait Fishing]

4 hours ago, j bab said:

Is that so? I use CXX all the time and haven't had this happen (yet). It would be a serious issue if my 250 broke off

a lot of brittle lines do that , CXX will weaken big time when you get a kink in the line . yeah it's a strong line but throwing big swimbaits will reveal that weakness and it will happen down in the spool . i had lost numerous Hudds with 20 yards of line flying behind it . after too many of those episodes i made the switch to Izorline XXX and never had that happen . when i needed a stronger line , i went with Gamma Co-poly , using 25 & 30 lb. lines though Gamma has a little more memory ..

Gamma Co-poly

25lb.- break strength @ 42 lb.

30lb.-break strength @ 51lbs.

[WRB]

Dobyns, Irod, G.Loomis, Okuma all offer 8' swimbait rods rated 3-10 oz., with 18" or longer handles. The Huddleston rod uses XH Irod blank with spiral guide train and cork handle/fore grip, custom off the shelf rod. The Irod Gen 2 8' XH is under $150 and casts the Deps 250 or Hudd 8" swimmer with ease.

You can also consider the 200 S-Waver using your current tackle to get some time on the water, plus it's a good glide bait, bone is universal color.

Regarding line your 400 size reel can handle anything you desire. 30 lb Blackwater Toray BAWO Polyimide+ is an excellent casting line for swimbaits. I personally don't like Pline CXX in cold temps, tend to increase it's memory and stiff line to start with.

The BB Deps 250 trout should be out soon, he has made a few upgrades in the glide design and I would wait.

Tom

[Big Bait Fishing]

48 minutes ago, WRB said:

Dobyns, Irod, G.Loomis, Okuma all offer 8' swimbait rods rated 3-10 oz., with 18" or longer handles. The Huddleston rod uses XH Irod blank with spiral guide train and cork handle/fore grip, custom off the shelf rod. The Irod Gen 2 8' XH is under $150 and casts the Deps 250 or Hudd 8" swimmer with ease.

You can also consider the 200 S-Waver using your current tackle to get some time on the water, plus it's a good glide bait, bone is universal color.

Regarding line your 400 size reel can handle anything you desire. 30 lb Blackwater Toray BAWO Polyimide+ is an excellent casting line for swimbaits. I personally don't like Pline CXX in cold temps, tend to increase it's memory and stiff line to start with.

The BB Deps 250 trout should be out soon, he has made a few upgrades in the glide design and I would wait.

Tom

the Irod has a rear handle of about 13-14'', the Okuma has a 14-15'' handle, the Gloomis has about a 14'' handle , the only rod you mentioned that have an 18'' handle is the dobyns mike Long rods .

 TW doesn't measure the handles on the rods they sell correctly , rear handles are to measured from the rear most portion of the reel seat  to the butt of the rod . TW measurement includes the fore grip and reel seat , so if you had a rear handle of actually 7'' and a 6'' foregrip ,also adding in 3 1/2 '' for the reel seat, you'd have a 16 1/2 '' handle by TW's saying , but in actuality you'd still have a 7'' rear handle . ask any rod builder and they will tell you the same .

 using shorter handled rods while throwing big swimbaits will wear you out a lot quicker than a longer handle , plus the better casting distance due to better leverage to get that rod moving with a big bait .

[WRB]

TW clearly illustrates how they list handle lengths and like so many things with rods no standard exist. If you measure from the trigger to the end of the butt the lengths are about 3" less than TW lists is true. My 8' rods have 15"-16" from trigger to rod butt.

My fore arm is about average and I don't like the butt sticking 3"-5" beyond my elbow as it gets in the way of my clothing etc. Dobyns offers long handle LH as a option to his swimbait rods and he will tell you that only few anglers like longer handles and he doesn't, it's a personal choice.

I cast swimbaits all day long when swimbait fishing without getting tired. To me the most important factor is proper rod loading to launch the swimmer with ease, longer handle only gets in the way when retreiving the lure and hook setting, both outweigh the extra 5 yards in casting distance.

The OP is interested in using what he has and asking advice on lure choices and this has turned into a rod thread.

Tom