Rod selection for swimbaits?

[Nepatizz]

Hello everyone! 

 

With pre-spawn season fast approaching, I'm starting to get together some gear that will help me catch bass  during this time. I know that swimbaits absolutely kill bass in the prespawn (this I've observed through experience and gotten several recommendations on). That being said, I'm in the market for a new rod. What specifications should I be considering if I want to get into swimming small to medium sized soft swimbaits, maybe 2-4 inches in length with 1/4 to 3/8 shaky head/similar weights on the end? How would specific length, power etc. help aid me in using this type of lure? 

 

Also, it would be great if the rod could work for other lures of course. What else could I fish on a swimbait rod? 

 

Thanks for your suggestions, and any advice at all will help!  

 

 

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

Dont think your going to need a swimbait specific rod for the baits and weights listed, I'm using a Dobyns 795Flip as my light weight swimbait stick. Very versatile rod, weightless stick baits through swimbaits to about 1.5oz.

[fishballer06]

For what you're throwing, a standard 7' MH powered rod with a fast action tip will work perfect for you. 

 

I'd recommend the Dobyns 734 for what you're trying to do. It's a great do it all rod. You can buy this rod in the lineup that suits your budget. 

[JediAmoeba]

1 hour ago, Nepatizz said:

swimming small to medium sized soft swimbaits, maybe 2-4 inches in length

Medium sized swimbaits mean something totally different to me and I live in the dink lands of Pa.

Any 6'10"-7'6" MH rod will work for you - pick the action you like best.

[WRB]

Medium Heavy fast jig & worm rod, you are technically fishing a swim jig.

Tom

 

[Bluebasser86]

I fish those sized baits like the 3.8 Keitech on either a 6' 8" M/F spinning rod or a 6' 10" MH/F casting rod depending on overall weight and what I'm doing with it.

[Oklahoma Mike]

As for length, that is mostly going to be based on personal preference and situation (a longer rod might help you get a little more distance on your cast, for example, but if you're going to be bank fishing in tight quarters around a bunch of trees, you will want something shorter). But the length isn't really going to affect your technique for fishing those baits.

 

As others have said, MH/F is ideal, although I would also consider an extra fast action.

 

You can use it for a number of other lures, like smaller jigs, senkos, etc. 

[TBAG]

I recently started throwing swim baits in the length and size you are talking about and I used my Dobyns Sierra 734c and it seemed to do great. It's a pretty versatile rod from what I've read on here.

[Nepatizz]

Thanks everyone, very helpful!!