Noob needs help with small swimbaits

[Swiss0419]

Just getting back into fishing after probably 20 years of not fishing. I will be using a lot of swimbaits (3-5in anywhere from 0.5-2.5oz) this year on mostly shallow clear river. Does get murky at times and some holes are 10ft or more. Was curious to line to use. The rod and reel I Wil be using is a 7'3 m/h fast action baitcasting rod with a higher end baitcasting reel at 6.3-1 ratio...mostly bass some walleye...any help would be greatly appreciated thank you

[WRB]

Welcome back. You can named names of rods, reels and lures.

I don't know of a MH 7'3" standard rod capable of casting and getting good hook sets with swimbaits exceeding 1 1/2 oz. Irod IRG754F Freds Magic Stick comes to mind and Dobyns FR 795 SB rod will also perform well.

My choice for swimbaits is Sunline Amilo Defier Nylon 25 lb line for swimbaits 2 oz and heavier. 1/2 to 1 1/2 swimbaits I consider swim jigs and use a 5 to 6 power H jig worm rod with 19 lb Armilo Defier.

Less expensive line would be Berkley a Big Game 15 & 20 mono line.

Tom

[Swiss0419]

The reel and rod would both be from six-gill wraith reel and myakka baitcasting rod...Did plan on using swim jigs. Line I have but haven't put on yet is spiderwire #17 mono

[MickD]

Understanding your question to be about smaller swim-baits, your rod should work fine, maybe a little overpowered.  I say maybe overpowered based on my experience with 4 " swim-baits on 3/8 oz darter head jigs.  My best technique for these on both LM and SM bass in MI is to drop them to the bottom, then get into a cadence of twitching them off the bottom, sometimes aggressively, sometimes more subtle.  Sometimes even just nudging them along.  Stiffer rods make it harder to get the right twitch, often leaving too much slack as I reel down after the twitch.  With a slower action, lighter power, I can get a little more progressive, less aggressive,  twitch that often works, and it keeps me in better contact with the lure on the drop.  If the fish want a steady retrieve, any rod will work fine if it casts them well.  I use white almost exclusively simply because it seems to work well on all waters and clarities.

[Swiss0419]

That makes sense... Thanks you for feedback

[Paul Roberts]

You already have the rod, and it is rated for certain line weights. Staying in that range I'd go with the lightest (that is, thinnest) you can get away with. With 1/2oz baits, you'll need to stay up around the 14+lb range. If really going up to 2oz, you'll prob want to go 20lb or more. Sounds like the 17lb mono is not out of line. To add versatility though, you might consider braid, and then you can use any leader diameter -within range of rod power and hook wire size.

 

However, bass and walleye (are these smallmouth?) in a river no more than 10ft -without knowing more- I might seriously consider a lighter rig.