Hollow Body Swimbait Rod

[FLAGATOR49]

I'm looking for a better rod for 5 inch hollow bodies and a 1/2oz - 3/4oz jig head. Right now, I'm using a Dobyns 735C which works great with straight fluro, but its too stiff when using braid to a fluro leader.  

[webertime]

That's about an once- once and a half. You're right in that rods wheelhouse.   Save $$ and just keep fishing it with fluoro? 

I have a custom build on an NFC MB 807 that handles the same weights very well, with none of the braid drawbacks. 

[FLAGATOR49]

Thanks Webertime, I forget the weight but its over an ounce. The 735C is the best rod I have found, and I've thought about the custom route. I prefer the braid main line as its nearly 100% once the hook is in the fish but the downside is way more drops and spit outs.

 

Maybe the expride 7'3 XH has more flex to it? I just bought the DX746 but I'm not a fan of the shorter handle for hollow bodies. 

[webertime]

That expride is a whole lot of rod.  Like a piece of rebar.

Just a nugget to think about.  The spit outs and drops might be a result of the hook tearing a big hole in the fish thus the hook falling out.  I've been there with swimbaits and Jackhammers with braid.  

 

I have a first generation Tatula 7'6" MH that is a good swimbait (paddle tail) rod, the straight braid route would work on that rod.  They appear to have the same blank/rod in the second generation. 

[WRB]

On August 4, 2019 at 11:12 AM, FLAGATOR49 said:

I'm looking for a better rod for 5 inch hollow bodies and a 1/2oz - 3/4oz jig head. Right now, I'm using a Dobyns 735C which works great with straight fluro, but its too stiff when using braid to a fluro leader.  

You got your answer, don't use braid and improve your hook setting technique.d

Tom

[FLAGATOR49]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

You got your answer, don't use braid and improve your hook setting technique.d

Tom

Glad to hear from you Tom, i've seen you answering questions on here for years!☺️ You think straight fluro is the way to go?

 

Good to know on the Expride Webertime, it looks like longer leaner is a good route for braid as the mainline.

 

Toonjitsu nice call on the Sierra 765 vs the champion for baits up to 2oz. Do you feel that model has more flex than the champion series? 

[WRB]

17 minutes ago, FLAGATOR49 said:

Glad to hear from you Tom, i've seen you answering questions on here for years!☺️ You think straight fluro is the way to go?

 

I use straight Sunline Deifier Armillo Nylon 25 lb (.016D) for all my swimbaits including 5" and 6" hollowbodies if using a swimbait rod. If I using my jig rod for hollowbodies I use straight 14 lb (.012D) Sunline Shooter FC and reel set with rod sweep technique I use for jigs. Make sure the jig hook is very sharp.

Tom

[FLAGATOR49]

Just now, WRB said:

I use straight Sunline Deifier Armillo Nylon 25 lb (.016D) for all my swimbaits including 5" and 6" hollowbodies if using a swimbait rod. If I using my jig rod for hollowbodies I use straight 14 lb Sunline Shooter FC and reel set with rod sweep technique I use for jigs.

Tom

Interesting! I see the Armillo is sold out on TW, it has less stretch and the better knot strength of mono. Do you prefer one line over the other for swim baiting, or is that just what you keep on those rods typically? 

[WRB]

18 minutes ago, FLAGATOR49 said:

Interesting! I see the Armillo is sold out on TW, it has less stretch and the better knot strength of mono. Do you prefer one line over the other for swim baiting, or is that just what you keep on those rods typically? 

I have 3 swimbait rods H and 2 XH with the same line 25 lb Armillo now for about 4 years, it makes it easier to know what line I have and it's a long casting line with good reliable knot strength. Being small diameter for it's lb test it has less drag in the water then 20 lb CXX or Big Game at .018D.

Tom

[FLAGATOR49]

Just now, WRB said:

I have 3 swimbait rods H and 2 XH with the same line 25 lb Armillo now for about 4 years, it makes it easier to know what line I have and it's a long casting line with good reliable knot strength. Being small diameter for it's lb test it has less drag in the water then 20 lb CXX or Big Game at .018D.

Tom

What kind of swimbait rods are you working with Tom? Anything name brand or did you build customs like Weber?

 

I would think 25lb Armillo would do well as a leader for topwater/swimbaits have you ever tried that out!? 

[Frog Turds]

I dont have a 765MH champ to direct compare, dont think there would be much of a considerable difference but the extra length is gonna make it softer/slower in the sierra and not broomsticky like your experiencing...i have 734 champs and Sierra 734's and i dont notice much diff to be honest, same with my champ 766 & 766 sierra...but the 765 for me has been a solid hollowbody stick, i love it...and i throw them a ton, pretty much never not have one rigged...

[FLAGATOR49]

11 minutes ago, Frog Turds said:

I dont have a 765MH champ to direct compare, dont think there would be much of a considerable difference but the extra length is gonna make it softer/slower in the sierra and not broomsticky like your experiencing...i have 734 champs and Sierra 734's and i dont notice much diff to be honest, same with my champ 766 & 766 sierra...but the 765 for me has been a solid hollowbody stick, i love it...and i throw them a ton, pretty much never not have one rigged...

Interesting I'll have to give the 765 a shot, I have it in the 765C FLIP. One concern is (braid to fluro) vs (braid to copolymer) is the fluro leader bent out the hook. The feel was important with the fluro leader, and I thought it lead to more fish overall.

 

The 734 is an amazing rod, I imagine a rod with the 734's action into a 7'4" rod with a little more backbone able to handle lures up to 1.5oz ? Would be a perfect frog/hollow body combo imo, the 735C is very stiff. 

 

The 7'6 length messes with my swing a bit on those bomb casts for a 1/2oz revenge XL + Zoom hollow body but it does help with some heavier outfits like an Osprey TT.    

[WRB]

1 hour ago, FLAGATOR49 said:

What kind of swimbait rods are you working with Tom? Anything name brand or did you build customs like Weber?

 

I would think 25lb Armillo would do well as a leader for topwater/swimbaits have you ever tried that out!? 

I have no use for braid with leaders, 2 knots fail 100% more then 1 knot.

The H swimbait rod is an older 7'10" Okuma GS that works for lighter swimmers and treble hook glides up to 3 oz. The XH are actually an older Loomis 8' Heavy that works good for 8" Hudds and a Irod XH 8' swimbait rod with added foregrip that I use for nearly everything up to 7 oz. These are not high rods and the big bass population where I fish isn't worth upgrading rods for, very few DD's anymore.

Tom

[FLAGATOR49]

12 hours ago, WRB said:

I have no use for braid with leaders, 2 knots fail 100% more then 1 knot.

The H swimbait rod is an older 7'10" Okuma GS that works for lighter swimmers and treble hook glides up to 3 oz. The XH are actually an older Loomis 8' Heavy that works good for 8" Hudds and a Irod XH 8' swimbait rod with added foregrip that I use for nearly everything up to 7 oz. These are not high rods and the big bass population where I fish isn't worth upgrading rods for, very few DD's anymore.

Tom

I agree with you on 2 knots vs. 1 knot but I've done a year of trial and error on braid to leader and have it down pat. The leader combo can be beneficial at times but tedious as well because a nylon leader will weaken in the sun. The knot to your lure needs frequent re-tying, and you also need a touch of drag with a leader that isn't bullet proof. Fieder's super FG knot hasn't broke on me once (knock on wood)?. 

 

Thank you for sharing your rod selection, I'm going to put straight fluro on one swimbait setup and do a side by side comparison! The lines drag you mentioned certainly makes a better presentation than braid to leader for swimming techniques.

 

I did catch my PB on a hollow body in 08' (easy in FL since they had never seen one before) using a 7'6 MH, 6 speed reel, and 15lb big game...nylon line may let a big girl play with it longer/get it down better. I think your on to something there.  

[WRB]

UV or O-Zone shouldn't degrade premium mono with VU protective additives with some coloration like grey or green. Heat over 105 degrees is more of a concern with mono, FC has a much higher heat deflection temp. Remember it takes time at temperature for the line to heat, Nylon is a insulator. Knots tend weaken over several hours of constant pressure tends to cold flow all polymers and do to wear, abrasion and strain.

Re tie is a learned habit. Knot failures seem to occur at critical moments.

Tom

[FLAGATOR49]

Unfortunately I get that 105F on a sunny day during the FL summer, fishing on an aluminum Tracker boat. It can be hell but helps build cardio/endurance. I typically use the Ultragreen as a leader that has a green additive, and you can see it get cloudy. The best one I've heard is the worn out rubber band analogy for degraded nylon line, eventually it gives and breaks.

 

Until TaticalBassin shared the Sunline FC 100 leader with us I would avoid fluro leaders like the plague. The Sunline Armillo you suggested seems like its better quality than the ultragreen and has less stretch...one would assume.