Is a swimbait rod worth it?

[EGbassing]

2 minutes ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Because he's the one that said he was gonna buy a 50$ lure. I was just trying to warn him of what "could" happen

I was half joking about the $50 ones. I probably would spend $20~ on one though.

[ResoKP]

1 minute ago, EGbassing said:

I was kind of joking about the $50 ones. I probably would spend $20~ on one though.

spend your money the way you want man. you're young, you can spend that money and enjoy and figure out what you like, don't like, what works for you and what doesn't and learn a whole lot

 

what i don't understand is people advising you to spend your money in something you don't even have any interest in

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, EGbassing said:

Thanks! If I don't go with the swimbait rod I'll probably go with the 13 Fishing Defy Heavy. 

 

Edit: It looks like the only Heavy option is a 7'11". Does that sound too long to you?

It sounds too long for me. But maybe not for you. It would lend itself well to the big swimbaits with that extra length.

[Choporoz]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

This rod will do both, and I believe they are on clearance.

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/mat-daddy-helios-review.html

I have this and its surprisingly versatile.  7 11 is long, but not too long for swimbaits, Carolina rigs, heavy flipping and A-rigs.....all of which launch from that rod just fine.

 

That said, I use finesse rods much more often than that rod.

[J Francho]

I have four SB rods, and they are all over 7'9".  One is 8', and is a pain to bring in the house.  The S-waver is slow sinking and under 2 oz., and they way you fish it, it is unlikely you'd lose it, unless you hung on a log.  They are less than $20, and highly effective.  I fish them, along with the similar SG Glide Swimmer from shore all the time, with good luck.  The Glide sinks a little slower than the S-waver.

[CrankFate]

2 hours ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

Not a requirement but definetly a recommendation. If you get hung up from the bank you can kiss $50 goodbye unless you're willing to go for a swim. On a boat you have a much better chance of retrieving your lure in case of a hang up.

You also get the advantage of fishing your bait away from the shoreline structure and probably right over the strike zone the bass are hanging around waiting for things to come over. Instead of unnaturally pulling your bait from no structure up over the structure in the opposite to what the bass are waiting for.....

[J.Vincent]

If the SwimBaits you fish are over 1.5 ounces , then consider a dedicated SwimBait Rod ; otherwise a Flipping Rod or Heavy Cover Punch Rod can serve double duty !

[J Francho]

9 minutes ago, CrankFate said:

You also get the advantage of fishing your bait away from the shoreline structure and probably right over the strike zone the bass are hanging around waiting for things to come over. Instead of unnaturally pulling your bait from no structure up over the structure in the opposite to what the bass are waiting for.....

This often is EXACTLY what bass are waiting for.  Many call it "fishing up hill."  Ask @Catt about it.  It's a mistake, especially with swimbaits to write it off.  Also, often when fishing from shore, you aren't usually casting straight out, unless you're following some underwater element.  And how can there be no structure?  What's holding the water in?  Structure is the bottom of the lake.  We describe structure with words like break, hump, point, drop off, ledge, break line, and many others.

[LionHeart]

Buying a specialty item like a swim bait rod wouldn't be my recommendation if you only own 2 other rods.  With 3 rods total, each rod needs to be pretty dang versatile. 

 

I'd also consider a Heavy power rod in the same category (exclude Dobyns).  Unless you really fish in some thick stuff, I wouldn't go with a Heavy power rod even for jigs.  A good Medium Heavy can do the job, and is more versatile IME.

 

Having said that, if you know for sure that tossing swim baits is something you'll do enough to require a dedicated rod for, sure, do it.  Just ask about my experience buying a dedicated 10XD rod.

[Glaucus]

MH/F casting

M/MF-F casting

M-ML/F-XF spinning

 

Those should be the first rods you own, imo. Meaning get the finesse setup.

[Fishin Dad]

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

This rod will do both, and I believe they are on clearance.

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/mat-daddy-helios-review.html

JFrancho, do you know where these are on clearance?  Thanks

[J Francho]

Probably anywhere you can find them.  They've been disco'd.

[Angry John]

I got a 74hf st croix and it's a triple duty rod.  Punching, frog and small SB up to 2oz.  The s-waiver 168 is great on that rod along with all sizes of mattlures hard gills.  Heavier than 2oz get a dedicated rod.

[WRB]

New swimbait rod needs a swimbait reel, what reel and line are you planning to use with medium size swimbaits like the S Waver? 

Tom

[EGbassing]

14 minutes ago, WRB said:

New swimbait rod needs a swimbait reel, what reel and line are you planning to use with medium size swimbaits like the S Waver? 

Tom

Daiwa Fuego CT with 50lb. braid

[Angry John]

Any heavy duty reel with 15lb yhb will get the job done.  I use a sv103 but any zillion or tatula should do just fine.

[EGbassing]

38 minutes ago, Angry John said:

Any heavy duty reel with 15lb yhb will get the job done.  I use a sv103 but any zillion or tatula should do just fine.

Thanks. Will 50 lb. braid work for that?

[MN Fisher]

25 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

Thanks. Will 50 lb. braid work for that?

50# should be fine for it.

[WRB]

Don't be mislead by anglers who don't fish 2 oz+ med size swimbaits. Your reel isn't well suited for casting S-Wavers swimbaits because of the small diameter spool and line capacity to make 50-60 yard casts.  Braid doesn't work well with treble hook lures, it does increase line capacity.

If you ever plan to use soft swimbaits like Hudd 68 braid without a leader can cut the soft plastic severely if you backlash a cast. Braid with a leader is problematic due to 2 knots to fail.

I would suggest you pass on swimbaits until your working and have enough income to afford losing expensive lures and can afford proper rod and reel.

I suggest you use 9" to 12" soft plastic worms where you fish with the tackle you currently have.

Tom

[Angry John]

2 hours ago, EGbassing said:

Thanks. Will 50 lb. braid work for that?

Braid is not my first choice due to cast offs.  Matt Allen loves braid to leader and it's hard to argue his success.  I use copolly and have no issues with treble baits.  Braid to leader might be a better combo when trying to set large heavy guage jig hooks.  Most 6" baits with those hooks will exceed any weight limit on a rod not designed for swimbaits.

[EGbassing]

39 minutes ago, WRB said:

Don't be mislead by anglers who don't fish 2 oz+ med size swimbaits. Your reel isn't well suited for casting S-Wavers swimbaits because of the small diameter spool and line capacity to make 50-60 yard casts.  Braid doesn't work well with treble hook lures, it does increase line capacity.

If you ever plan to use soft swimbaits like Hudd 68 braid without a leader can cut the soft plastic severely if you backlash a cast. Braid with a leader is problematic due to 2 knots to fail.

I would suggest you pass on swimbaits until your working and have enough income to afford losing expensive lures and can afford proper rod and reel.

I suggest you use 9" to 12" soft plastic worms where you fish with the tackle you currently have.

Tom

My Fuego CT holds ~140 yards of 12 lb. line. (50 lb. braid is 12 lb. diameter) Do swimbaits ever cast that far?

[fishwizzard]

In your situation I would look for a double-duty frog/swimbait rod.  A heavier and more moderate frog rod will be great for an S-waver 168 and I have to assume that you have some good frogging opportunities in Alabama.   The 168 only weighs like an ounce and a half, so it's very doable on a non-swimbait rod.  

 

I didn't see you mention a budget, but if you can do around $150 an iRod Fred's Magic Stick is worth looking into.  I have had one for a year or three now and I love it for both frogs and smaller glidebaits.  It's got a lot of power but will still cast a frog very well.  The handle is bit long for my tastes when it comes to walking a frog but it's well suited for it other then that.  

 

 

 

[blckshirt98]

I would pass on a dedicated swimbait rod and instead go with a heavier multi-purpose rod that'll let you throw small/medium sized swimbaits.  Lots of small/medium swimbait options like Keitechs, G2 Shellcrackers, Little Creepers, 3:16 Rising Sons, etc that you can throw and not have to put money into expensive gear that'll only have one purpose.

[NorthernBasser]

If you're set on getting a swimbait rod, the Dobyns Fury 795SB is recommended by many and at a very fair price point. It's 7'9" and rated up to 5oz baits. You can get 10% at TW within a few weeks or wait for their Memorial Day Sale (15% off).

[Smalls]

If money is tight, maybe check out the Lew’s laser SG1 rod. My wife bought one for large crankbaits/small swimbaits, and I’m impressed with it, for $50. Comes in a 7’4 heavy, moderate action (which you want for treble hook baits) and is good for 2 oz’s. I’ve thrown a few a little over 2 oz, and it didn’t seem to mind