Swimbait Rod?

[Zeeter]

I'm in the market for a new rod. Currently when I go out as a rider I bring seven rods. 5 casting and 2 spinning. That's really pushing it for a rider, so if I want to bring another rod I'll either need to leave my 2nd spinning rod or my flipping stick home. 

 

Looking at the g.loomis swimbait rod that is on sail right now. That's if you call $26 less than $294 a sale. Problem is that as a rider I can only bring so many rods, while the boater has a whole assortment of rods, pre-rigged, at his disposal. So while we're coming up on a great spot I may need to change my lure. Even in the 30-60 seconds it may take to change out we could be past the spot where I wanted to switch up for. 

 

This almost always happens when it comes to retrieval type lures like crankbaits and spinnerbaits. I have two crank-type rods and am looking for a 3rd. Presumably, a swimbait rod will work fine with a crankbait - though maybe not optimally. They seem a little sturdier at 3 oz lure weight compared to 1/2 oz on the spinnerbait rod. 

 

So what do you all think? Swimbait rod or another crankbait rod? And what's the retrieval rate? I'm thinking 6.3:1 should be fine. 

[Big Swimbait]

I've used my Okuma Guide Select swimbait rod as a flippin' stick on several occasions. And they won't break the bank!

 

[Zeeter]

4 minutes ago, 1201vilbig said:

I've used my Okuma Guide Select swimbait rod as a flippin' stick on several occasions. And they won't break the bank!

 

 

I've been giving okumas a lot of thought lately. May be something for me to look into.

What reel do you use with that?

[Mike son]

It sounds like you want to throw crankbaits on a swimbait rod. If you're throwing heavy swimbaits get the swimbait rod. If you're throwing heavy crankbaits, ~1oz, I'd get a heavy crankbait.

 

 

[Zeeter]

On 4/21/2017 at 8:33 AM, Mike son said:

It sounds like you want to throw crankbaits on a swimbait rod. If you're throwing heavy swimbaits get the swimbait rod. If you're throwing heavy crankbaits, ~1oz, I'd get a heavy crankbait.

 

 

 

It's not that I want to throw crankbaits on a swimbait rod. I want to get a swimbait rod and possibly dual purpose it.

 

[Mike son]

On 4/21/2017 at 8:34 AM, Zeeter said:

 

It's not that I want to throw crankbaits on a swimbait rod. I want to get a swimbait rod and possibly dual purpose it.

 

You're going to have to let us know if you're throwing single hook swimbaits or treble hook and the weight range of the lures, also the weight range of the crankbaits you'll be throwing.

 

I'll go ahead and assume treble hooked swimbaits. I believe the 904 swbr is the lightest swimbait rod with a moderate fast taper from g loomis, you'll want the mod-fast taper for the trebles on the swimbaits and cranks. I believe it's rated 1/2-3oz. If the swimbaits and crankbaits you think you'll be throwing fit that lure weight range, I'd get that rod. Though it is not on sale.

 

If the swimbaits are say at the heaviest up to 1.5-2oz, you may be able to get away with a heavy or extra heavy crankbait rod.

 

 

[Zeeter]

On 4/21/2017 at 8:44 AM, Mike son said:

 

You're going to have to let us know if you're throwing single hook swimbaits or treble hook and the weight range of the lures, also the weight range of the crankbaits you'll be throwing.

 

I'll go ahead and assume treble hooked swimbaits. I believe the 904 swbr is the lightest swimbait rod with a moderate fast taper from g loomis, you'll want the mod-fast taper for the trebles on the swimbaits and cranks. I believe it's rated 1/2-3oz. If the swimbaits and crankbaits you think you'll be throwing fit that lure weight range, I'd get that rod. Though it is not on sale.

 

If the swimbaits are say at the heaviest up to 1.5-2oz, you may be able to get away with a heavy or extra heavy crankbait rod.

 

 

 

Those two rods go up to  5/8 and 1oz. Apparently they don't make an IMX crankbait rod. 
 

Most of my stuff is under 1 oz, but I'd like to have the option to throw up to 2oz. Not planning on treble hooks at this time.

I could get another jig and worm rod and use my mag bass rod for swimbaits. It only goes to 3/4 oz but that may be fine.

[Mike son]

On 4/21/2017 at 9:01 AM, Zeeter said:

 

Those two rods go up to  5/8 and 1oz. Apparently they don't make an IMX crankbait rod. 
 

Most of my stuff is under 1 oz, but I'd like to have the option to throw up to 2oz. Not planning on treble hooks at this time.

I could get another jig and worm rod and use my mag bass rod for swimbaits. It only goes to 3/4 oz but that may be fine.

 

What two rods go up to 5/8 and 1oz? The only rod I mentioned in the quoted post was the 904 swb which is rated 1/2-3oz with a mod-fast taper.

 

There is no IMX crankbait rod, I mentioned in the previous post, before the one you quoted, the g loomis fiberblend rods which are crankbait rods.

 

If I were you I'd get the IMX 904 swb*. It will throw cranks and swimbaits that weigh 1/2-3oz. You want the mod-fast taper to keep those trebles from ripping out when you use a heavy crankbait on the rod. On the flipside, keep in mind with the mod-fast taper, it will require a longer sweeping hookset with the single hook swimbaits. It will also be perfect for heavy treble hooked swimbaits.

 

* - G loomis also makes this non-IMX swimbait rod: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/G_Loomis_Swimbait_Rods/descpage-GLSR.html

 

The only reason I'm replying to this thread is that I just went through the same search for a g loomis swimbait rod and I only use g loomis rods. I want to throw Jackall Girons and Gantarels, R2S S-wavers, and the Megabass I slide 135. All those are treble hook swimbaits and weigh from 3/4-2.5oz. All things considered, I settled on the IMX 904 sbr. Now I'm just waiting to find one for a good price, ~$200 like they had nearly all other IMX models priced at around the Bassmaster Classic.

[Zeeter]

On 4/21/2017 at 11:04 AM, Mike son said:

 

What two rods go up to 5/8 and 1oz? The only rod I mentioned in the quoted post was the 904 swb which is rated 1/2-3oz with a mod-fast taper.

 

There is no IMX crankbait rod, I mentioned in the previous post, before the one you quoted, the g loomis fiberblend rods which are crankbait rods.

 

If I were you I'd get the IMX 904 swb*. It will throw cranks and swimbaits that weigh 1/2-3oz. You want the mod-fast taper to keep those trebles from ripping out when you use a heavy crankbait on the rod. On the flipside, keep in mind with the mod-fast taper, it will require a longer sweeping hookset with the single hook swimbaits. It will also be perfect for heavy treble hooked swimbaits.

 

* - G loomis also makes this non-IMX swimbait rod: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/G_Loomis_Swimbait_Rods/descpage-GLSR.html

 

The only reason I'm replying to this thread is that I just went through the same search for a g loomis swimbait rod and I only use g loomis rods. I want to throw Jackall Girons and Gantarels, R2S S-wavers, and the Megabass I slide 135. All those are treble hook swimbaits and weigh from 3/4-2.5oz. All things considered, I settled on the IMX 904 sbr. Now I'm just waiting to find one for a good price, ~$200 like they had nearly all other IMX models priced at around the Bassmaster Classic.

 

The two rods you mentioned at the end of your post are the ones I was referring to.

 

I had the 904 in my cart, but switched to the IMX worm/jig rod instead, intending to use the mag bass which I currently use for jigs and switch it over to using soft swimbaits. 

 

I'm rethinking, because if I eventually do get a swimbait rod then the mag bass will be idle. Though it's an all around rod and so could be used for almost anything. So basically I'm on the fence. If I was to be realistic I'd say I'm in more need of a second worm/jig rod than a swimbait rod. Most of my fishing is done on the bank and I like to switch it up between plastics and jigs. Realistically that rod will get more usage, and the mag bass can handle the light swimbaits I have now. If it's best to have the right tool for the job, then it ought to be the right tool for my most common fishing.

[Big Swimbait]

5 hours ago, Zeeter said:

 

I've been giving okumas a lot of thought lately. May be something for me to look into.

What reel do you use with that?

I use the Lews BB2HZ wide spool. I prefer the low profile reels for my swimbaits.

[Caliyak]

7 hours ago, Zeeter said:

I'm in the market for a new rod. Currently when I go out as a rider I bring seven rods. 5 casting and 2 spinning. That's really pushing it for a rider, so if I want to bring another rod I'll either need to leave my 2nd spinning rod or my flipping stick home. 

 

Looking at the g.loomis swimbait rod that is on sail right now. That's if you call $26 less than $294 a sale. Problem is that as a rider I can only bring so many rods, while the boater has a whole assortment of rods, pre-rigged, at his disposal. So while we're coming up on a great spot I may need to change my lure. Even in the 30-60 seconds it may take to change out we could be past the spot where I wanted to switch up for. 

 

This almost always happens when it comes to retrieval type lures like crankbaits and spinnerbaits. I have two crank-type rods and am looking for a 3rd. Presumably, a swimbait rod will work fine with a crankbait - though maybe not optimally. They seem a little sturdier at 3 oz lure weight compared to 1/2 oz on the spinnerbait rod. 

 

So what do you all think? Swimbait rod or another crankbait rod? And what's the retrieval rate? I'm thinking 6.3:1 should be fine. 

I just bought the heavy Shock rod for this very reason. I can use it for swimbaits, cranks, flipping, pitching and punching. Plus, at $50, not a bad deal for a rod with a lure weight of 3/4 to 3oz. 

[NHBull]

I have a GL swimbait rod and also use it for flipping, pitching, big surface and deep swimmers.

Heck I have used it for large spinners.

that said I use braid and swap out leaders

[Zeeter]

19 hours ago, Mike son said:

I only use g loomis rods. 

 

 

I'm the same way. If I'm going to suck at fishing it's not going to be due to my equipment. G. Loomis and Shimano all the way. I'm even going up to the Chronarchs, now, because they're getting rid of the previous model at great prices.

[fishnkamp]

Zeeter here is a good suggestion. Take a ride over to Hunt Valley. Go take a walk into Anglers Express. Talk to Eric. Her is the owner and a BIGTIME swimbait user. Ask him to show you some of the rods he has in stock and talk to him about one for double duty.  You probably live no more than 30 minutes from an amazing tackle shop.  All of his staff fish hard and are very familiar with the equipment in the store.