What's an Appropriate Entry Level Swimbait Setup?

[TotalNoob]

I currently have a couple Swaver 168s, a couple Savage Gear 135s, several 5 & 6" trout plastic swimbaits, and a couple packs of 5 1/2" GT360 Searchbaits. I basically picked these off on various sales throughout all of last year, knowing I wasn't quite ready to throw them but knowing the time would eventually come.  

 

I've seen some folks say to throw swimbaits on something like 7'6" H flipping sticks. I've seen others say it's a good idea to get the proper equipment.

 

I can see myself eventually throwing the 2.3oz Savage Gear 185s and/or the 3.5oz Swaver 200 - and who knows what else.

 

Any thoughts on a rod/reel combo here? Not looking for over-the-top gear, but definitely looking for solid functionality. 

 

Additionally I'm curious if there's a difference in swimbait rod properties as it relates to whether or not you're throwing big treble hook hard baits or big plastic baits with the single hook? 

[CroakHunter]

I plan on dippong my toes into big swimbaits this year. I have been researching cheap rods to start out with. I plan on buying a bps Muskie rod. 

[rangerjockey]

I like the Fury 795 as well. I have a Tranx 300 on mine.

[BoatSquirrel]

When a fish eats a single hook lure, you have to drive home the hookset so a heavy or extra heavy, fast action rod is necessary.  For treble hook baits, these require a rod with a little slower action and more of a “reel and sweep” hookset so as to not pull the lure away from the fish.  

For treble hook lures like BullShads and SWavers, I using an Okuma Guide Select in 7’ 11” heavy, with a moderate-fast taper.  $140 on Tackle Warehouse and I love it.  It is a very well made stick that I would buy again tomorrow.  Paired with a Curado 200 since I hate round reels, and good old 65 lb PowerPro braid, its perfect for my needs.

Hope that helps!

 

[TBAG]

Following this as I'm looking to get a setup too, I've looked and held the Fury 795SB and it's probably going to be what I go with....

[Deleted account]

17 hours ago, TotalNoob said:

I've seen some folks say to throw swimbaits on something like 7'6" H flipping sticks.

Yeah, hit some fishing flea markets and get some older ones, or second tier ones, they'll have the action you want. I would suggest to look in the salt water section, but in Colorado and abouts, that's probably not an option.

A rod for single hook baits ideally will be somewhat different (stiffer, faster) than one for trebles, but not a deal breaker.

[the reel ess]

I'm going to use my frog rod for starters.7'3" Hvy-XF. But ideally I would like a longer rod and a reel with wide spool and slower retrieve. I've also used this rod for the A rig (to no avail-yet).

[MassYak85]

For what you have now and mentioned, I have and can recommend the Dobyns Fury 795. It can handle what you have all the way up to the S-Waver 200 (it starts to top out at the 4oz mark). I would first take an honest assessment of what you think you will be throwing like a year from now though. If you're pretty certain you are going to stick to throwing big baits you might want to invest in something like a Dobyns 806. I don't have one but I've heard from others that it's extremely versatile and can still throw almost anything the Fury 795 can while giving you room to move up to bigger baits. For the smaller jig hook baits like the GT360 you can always throw them on a jig rod or something. I don't know what your budget is, and for me the 806 was out of my price range when I started using big baits a couple years ago, but if you think swimbaits are going to be something you'll stick with and expand on it may be worth the investment.

[Drew03cmc]

I have a Dobyns 806 I'd sell, but really don't want to ship. Where are you at? 

[rippin-lips]

In no particular order...

Dobyns Fury

Okuma Guide Select

Daiwa Kage

Spiralite Rods

Daiwa DX 

 

 

[FishTank]

If I were setting one up...  

 

Rod: Okuma TCS 7'11'' Heavy goes up to 2 oz > about $120 or less on Amazon or the Daiwa DX Rods (seen one in action but not used it).  This is a beast of a rod. I think the one I saw went up to 6oz.

 

Reel: A few I would consider ..... Shimano Cardiff 300, Abu Garcia C4 5600, and the Daiwa Millionaire (new version classic)

 

 

I have looked into getting a dedicated swimbait setup many times but once I start looking into the cost of the baits, the equipment and transporting them, I get gun shy.  I do have to admit, it is really cool to see a bass explode on a big 5'' to 6'' swimbait. 

[redmeansdistortion]

21 minutes ago, FishTank said:

If I were setting one up...  

 

Rod: Okuma TCS 7'11'' Heavy goes up to 2 oz > about $120 or less on Amazon or the Daiwa DX Rods (seen one in action but not used it).  This is a beast of a rod. I think the one I saw went up to 6oz.

 

Reel: A few I would consider ..... Shimano Cardiff 300, Abu Garcia C4 5600, and the Daiwa Millionaire (new version classic)

 

 

I have looked into getting a dedicated swimbait setup many times but once I start looking into the cost of the baits, the equipment and transporting them, I get gun shy.  I do have to admit, it is really cool to see a bass explode on a big 5'' to 6'' swimbait. 

I'd probably go with a 5500 over a 5600.  I know the thumb bar is preferable to bass fishermen as is the higher gear ratio, but thumb bars do break on those reels and they can't be replaced.  When they do break, the only options are to Dremel off the thumb bar and cut the side plate to accommodate a push button release, or buy a new frame. 

 

It doesn't take much to break the thumb bar, even a drop on the ground will do it.  A 5500 can have the 5.3 gears swapped out for 6.3 with the set running around $25.  I do love the 5600 reels, even owning a few myself, but you can't be as careless with them as a 5500.

[WRB]

If you don't already own a flipping rod I would aviod it for swimbaits, it isn't designed to cast heavier lures and will beat you up using it....too stiff upper section.

My suggestion is to go up in power when in dought. Look at the rod lure weight min/max rating, add them and divid by 2, if your lures exceed the nominal weight then go up in power.

I would add Irod swimbait rods to your list of choices.

Tom

[long island basser]

Powell Inferno swimbait 7’6” cork grip, $20 less then the fury.

Rated up to 3 oz and shorter handle which I like best.

 

[TotalNoob]

I'm going to start out throwing the baits I already own (in the OP) on a 7'6" H/F Bionic Blade rod w 15 fluoro.

 

Being able to cast from a boat now (vs shore) I'm hoping to be able to see more clearly how they move in the water and how I can work them.

 

I think I prefer this route for the time being until I know more about how I like this style of fishing. Hopefully this isn't too terrible of an idea and doesn't end up backfiring!

[MarkH024]

13 hours ago, TotalNoob said:

I'm going to start out throwing the baits I already own (in the OP) on a 7'6" H/F Bionic Blade rod w 15 fluoro.

 

Being able to cast from a boat now (vs shore) I'm hoping to be able to see more clearly how they move in the water and how I can work them.

 

I think I prefer this route for the time being until I know more about how I like this style of fishing. Hopefully this isn't too terrible of an idea and doesn't end up backfiring!

Thats a good idea because you may not like throwing big baits. Best not to invest in something youre not 100% into doing.  If you do get into it, be prepared to start shelling out some dough. Big bait game gets expensive. Have fun!