Finesse Swimbaiting Rod Action and Length

[Fat Ika]

Hi Fellow Fishing Friends,

 

After 30 years of fishing, I finally have the privilege of fishing a decent smallie lake from an actual boat. For LMBs I've always finessed swimbaited successfully with Dobyns Champ Extreme 742. This year I tried a casting and a spinning setup for 2.8 - 3.3 keitech fats and 3" spark shads. Mostly used Stephan's 1/0 guppy heads from 1/8-1/4 and Coolbaits 1/0 underspins in 3/16 oz. Casting Dobyns Champ Extreme 742 (Med/Fast) & Spinning was a St. Croix Victory 7'3" Med/Xfast. Most often straight 8 # flouro on either setup. I had a little better success with the Dobyns 742 casting versus the St. Croix this year for smallies, but both landing percentages were pretty terrible. I understand there's an infinite amount for variables hear. What ignorantly stands out to me is my lack of experience of a smallie swimbait bite plus there tough mouths. I'd feel the little ticks, not react as I perceived they didn't have the bait mouthed yet, patiently maintain my cadence, lean into them with a vertical or oblique angled hookset when I thought they really had the bait. 1/2 the time they'd spit the hook on the first jump. I'm looking to use as long of a rod as possible. I asked a rod company if a longer moderate action graphite would work better, as I'm looking to get a longer/moderate graphite rod for shap rap style baits, and interested if it could double as a finesse swimbait rod. A very experienced smallie fishermen from a very reputable rod company told me that a 7 - 7'2" moderate rod was probably my best bet.  He did not recommend a very long moderate/parabolic rod as he said you'll have trouble there will be too much slack when setting the hook due with the longer moderate bend? 

 

What are your confidence finesse swimbait setups? 

[roadwarrior]

Mine is a G.Loomis GLX MBR842C/ Shimano Aldebaran/ Tatsu #12

[T-Billy]

I use an Ark Tharp, One Eyed Jack for finesse swimmers and grubs. 6'10" Med Moderate. Normally a fan of longer rods but I really like this rod for this application. Fitted with a Curado BFS. 8# Trilene XT. Loads up clear into the butt section and does a great job of keeping them pinned. Designed as a jerkbait rod, it also does a great job with those.

 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

St Croix Avid 8' medium light moderate spinning rod. I feel its a fantastic rod for 1/8 jighead and 2.8 fat impacts. Do use 8# nanofil or braid so hooksets are helped a bit with the no stretch lines while letting the rod be the shock absorber if needed. Oh my jig heads of choice use Trokar hooks very sharp.

[ABrugs]

Thanks for posting, @Fat Ika. I’ll be following responses here as well as I plan on throwing a lot of these for smallies next year on LSC. While this setup wouldn’t be completely dedicated to finesse swimbaits, I’m highly considering the NRX+ 842 MBR w/ an Aldebaran MGL 50 and 12# Tatsu as my versatile casting setup, which sounds very similar to the suggestion RW gave you. If I decide to go spinning, I would be leaning most towards the St. Croix Legend X 6’8 MXF w/ a Stradic FL 2500 and 8# Tatsu.

 

 

 

[Fat Ika]

Thanks roadwarrior. No experience with any GLXs, but a have tinkered back and forth with the my Aldebaran vs. Steez SV TW for finesse swimbaiting on my casting setup.  I'm gonna keep giving Daiwa Samurai a shot and if I'm not happy, I'll try out Tatsu. I'm sure you've tinkered to settle with 12# Tatsu. What are your thoughts and experiences with 10# Tatsu

 

T-Billy - That's a fun rod. I actually own that rod and I mostly use it for winter jerkbaiting on a pike infested river. I'll have to audition it it for finesse swimbaits next year. Thanks!

 

QUAKEnSHAKE - Super interested in that rod! Thanks so much for the info. I just looked it up. I'll have to call Croix and see when they have it back in stock. Do you think that rod can handle up to 1/4 oz heads with 2.8 - 3.3's? Right on with Trokar.

[Fat Ika]

@ABrugs - Thank You. Sounds like 2 super comfortable setups. I am also considering Tatsu for my spinning option for optimal line management. How's your experience been with the 8# Tatsu? 

[ABrugs]

I actually haven’t used 8# Tatsu yet as I’m still torn on deciding which of those two setups to invest in. If I DO decide to go spinning, that’s what I’ll be starting w/ based on a lot of research I’ve done on the best handling FC for spinning reels. I know that doesn’t give you actual experience w/ it, but it seems like it’s the favorite of most who go straight FC on spinning.

[Hook2Jaw]

I use a Daiwa Tatula XT 7' MLR paired with a Tatula Elite 6.3:1 spooled with Yo-Zuri Topknot 10#.  I bought the rod for specifically throwing the Strike King 3XD, but it handles ⅛-¼ ounce Big Bite Baits BBJ finesse jigheads paired with 3" Z-Man Slim Swimz perfectly.  I caught quite a few fish testing that jig and head out this year and lost none.  I didn't use it often, but when I did it always scored me a fish.  You might have different results.

[WRB]

I think your tackle set up is excellent and suggest don’t change it.

My thought is your hook set technique isn’t penetrating the Gamakatsu hook beyond the barb. Dirty Jigs Guppy head is good. 8 # FC is getting strikes so it’s good.

Try the reel and rod sweep hook set to move more line fast loading up the hook point then finishing the hook set with firm rod sweep and keep the rod loaded. Set the drag at 2 1/2-3 lbs and trust it.

Tom

[Fat Ika]

Thanks Tom. I appreciate the advice! 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

The 8' ML/Mod Avid I wouldnt use any line that stretches so if you are wanting Tatsu dont feel the rod will have the hook setting power for 1/4 jigheads that most likely have thicker hooks. 1/4 with 3.3 is out of weight range I have used 3/8oz Rocket shad spinner baits with the rod but the hook is rather thin on those.