Rod for paddle tail swimbaits

[jdr99a]

I’m a bank angler that’s fishes my neighborhood ponds. I’ve been having a lot of success recently throwing soft plastic paddle tails parallel to the shoreline. I’ve been rigging it very simply - a 1/8 oz keel weighted 3/0 hook and a ~4 inch keitech/rage tail/etc. I’m wanting to get a rod/reel set up for this technique. Right now I’m using a 7 foot mh rod with a 7.5.1 reel and 50 pound braid. It seems overkill and that I might be leaving something on the table. 
 

If you were to set up a rod/reel for this purpose, how would you do it?

[PhishLI]

I throw the Megabass Hazedong Shad 4.2 and Spark Shad 4 a lot, both rigged on an Owner TwistLok Light 5/0 3/32oz. Tatula SV on a 7'1 MF. Right now it's spooled with 8lb Sufix Advance as the water is still somewhat open. Once the veg gets a bit heavier I'll kick it up to 10-12lb line. If I'm working those baits through pads or when the grass is really heavy I'll kick it up to 30lb J8 braid.

[OnthePotomac]

I use the same rod and reel configuration as the OP, but 15lb Invizx flouro.

[rangerjockey]

I throw them on the same rod as I would for a swimjig. 7ft 1 MH XFast.  10 lb. Tatsu.

[Grim_Reaver]

7' Medium Power/ Fast Action

7:1 reel

12lb line

My bread and butter set up for 3-4" swimbaits.

[Smalls]

I throw em on my spinnerbait rod. 6'8-7' ish mh. 7.xx gear reel. 

[fishwizzard]

I think 1/8oz swimbait hooks on a ~4" paddle tail can go either way, depending on hook thickness.  I throw nail-weighted Fat Impacts on a Loomis 782c, so a lighter M/F, on 12lb Sniper.  But I use lightwire Owner twistlock hooks.  When I use the heavier/thicker weighted Owner hooks I prefer to step up in power a bit.  The 2 power works well enough of them but the hooksets are not as solid.  

[Born 2 fish]

4 hours ago, jdr99a said:

I’m a bank angler that’s fishes my neighborhood ponds. I’ve been having a lot of success recently throwing soft plastic paddle tails parallel to the shoreline. I’ve been rigging it very simply - a 1/8 oz keel weighted 3/0 hook and a ~4 inch keitech/rage tail/etc. I’m wanting to get a rod/reel set up for this technique. Right now I’m using a 7 foot mh rod with a 7.5.1 reel and 50 pound braid. It seems overkill and that I might be leaving something on the table. 
 

If you were to set up a rod/reel for this purpose, how would you do it?

I think your just about spot on only thing I would change is the line I’d go to 14 lb line I like suffix siege. 

[Teal]

I dont think you have to get to specialized for these... either a medium or mh.  

[VinnyR]

If the the rod is rated for as low as ~1/4ish oz but you still don't think it's sensitive enough, maybe try going down to 30# or 20# braid. In my experience I feel more on that lighter braid. If that's not what you're talking about then ignore me completely

[Cgrinder]

Loomis 843. 12 lb ish fluoro. Copolymer or braid and leader are also fine. Treat paddletails very similarly to other single hook moving baits. 

[zell_pop1]

No need for anything fancy.

7' M St Croix Premier/Triumph rod for 3-4"  or 7' MH for 4.5-5.5"

 I think the 7x reels are to fast for these type lures though.

[Dens228]

You didn't put a price but I throw that on a MegaBass Orichi XX Diablo SpecR and a Daiwa Tatula Elite with 30 lb braid. 

[TBAG]

3 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

No need for anything fancy.

7' M St Croix Premier/Triumph rod for 3-4"  or 7' MH for 4.5-5.5"

 I think the 7x reels are to fast for these type lures though.

 

Same here, either a 6'8" Avid MF or my Dobyns 734c depending on size.

 

What ratio reel do you use? 6?

[Fin S]

For paddle tails that size, I've been using a Dobyns Champion 703c, Tatula CT 6.3, and Powerpro Spectra 20# to 10# mono leader. The 703c is a MH, but it seems to fall on the lighter side of MH.

 

I just swapped in a Curado 70 7.2 reel on the 703c, which balances nicely, but I haven't had a chance to try it yet.

[zell_pop1]

17 hours ago, TBAG said:

 

Same here, either a 6'8" Avid MF or my Dobyns 734c depending on size.

 

What ratio reel do you 

Yes a 6.3 Fuego currently even with that I reel slow depending on the cover.