Throwing Swimbaits on Saltwater tackle

[waka789]

The idea of throwing the larger hard swimbaits always seemed interesting to me as I've always enjoyed fishing big baits. However I don't have any baitcasting gear heavy enough to handle really any swimbaits properly. So I was thinking if it would be possible to use the heavy inshore setup I already have with an 8ft rod rated to baits up to 5oz and an 8000 saragosa with 65lb braid on it already. Is there something i'm missing about swimbaits or are the drawbacks the same as the usual spinning vs baitcasting tradeoffs?

[Hammer 4]

I would say your rod would work, however most, if not all who fish  for Bass use a baitcasting reel. You have more leverage vs a spinning reel, but it would work. Keep in mind you would be chucking and winding a bunch, and the reel you have may take it's toll on you after spending a few hrs fishing. Try it, you have nothing to lose.

 

BTW, Welcome to BR..

[camman]

When I first started tossing bigger swimbaits I was in High School and didn’t have the $ to get a specializes  big swim bait rod/reel.  I used a similar SW set up you mentioned and had no issues.

[webertime]

It'll work, watch the ipt with  a reel that big.

[Johnbt]

 The biggest drawback might be holding a 22 oz reel, plus line, and heavy rod. But if you're used to it already it won't be a problem.

 

I've been tempted for 20 or 30 years to take a 10' or 11' surf rod out in a small lake or river and anchor in the middle so I can fish both sides with plugs or jigs without moving the boat. I wonder if a shiner would survive a 100+ yard cast.

[waka789]

Well now that I know the rod and reel won't be an issue all I got left to do is to pick up a swimbait or two and see what these big baits are all about

[NHBull]

Seen more than a few big SB'S lost on braid.

I have gone to Armilo for bigger baits

[WRB]

Big salt water spinning reel at 22 oz weight and 42" IPT. Sure you will be able to cast swimbaits with your outfit, retrieving effectively and knowing what the lure is doing will be marginal.

I haven't ever used a salt water size spinning reel with braid line and heavy lures. I would think your finger tip holding the line during the cast will get sore quickly.

The rod guides will handle any leader knots, in fact you could use a 30' leader to eliminate braid cutting into your finger while casting.

Sunline 25lb  FC100 leader line would be a good choice.

Tom

41 minutes ago, waka789 said:

Well now that I know the rod and reel won't be an issue all I got left to do is to pick up a swimbait or two and see what these big baits are all about

Start with S-Waver, works at various retrieve speeds and reasonable price.

Light trout 168 and bone 200 works everywhere.

Tom

 

[waka789]

43 minutes ago, WRB said:

Big salt water spinning reel at 22 oz weight and 42" IPT. Sure you will be able to cast swimbaits with your outfit, retrieving effectively and knowing what the lure is doing will be marginal

I was wondering what you mean by that is the setup just too heavy, and the reel too fast to really work, and what do you mean when you say I won't really know what the lure is doing?

[WRB]

1 hour ago, waka789 said:

I was wondering what you mean by that is the setup just too heavy, and the reel too fast to really work, and what do you mean when you say I won't really know what the lure is doing?

You will know as soon as you use your outfit. It wil become crystal clear.

The reason swimbait anglers evenrually get away from heavy musky rods and buy swimbait rods is contact with the lure and ease of casting hours on end. The reason you see swimbait bait spinning rods is the big heavy reels capable of holding enough line and stronge enough to withstand casting a heavier lure is the weight and size of the reel. 42 IPT is 50% faster the a 400 size bait casting reel, meaning you must reel very slowly a high % of the time to prevent the lure from rolling over, they are designed not swim slowly like a easy meal.

You can't feel your line using a big spinning reel therefore you can't feel what the lure is doing, it could be collecting weeds or missing subtitle strikes if you rely on the big heavy rod for feedback.

Give it try you have nothing to lose but time on the water.

Tom

[MartinTheFisherman]

I've never had problems using a spinning reel with a swimbait, a couple months ago I forgot my baitcaster I normally would use for swimbaits so I used the next best thing I had with me, a 6'6 Abu Garcia Vengeance Medium Heavy Fast Action Spinning Rod paired with a Abu Garcia Silver Max Spinning Reel Size 40 with a Max Drag of 14lbs, and 30lb Spiderwire Stealth braid. I was using a 7in Lunker City Fluke on a 7/0 Swimbait hook, I manged to catch a 2.8lb LMB and a 3.2lb pickerel with zero issues. The braid did cut my fingers a bit while casting. It was a great day of fishing!

 

I personally think the spinning combo you would use would work fine!