Rod Suggestions: 2 Ounce Plastic Swimbait

[Corey T]

I have a few molds and am looking to take on the big (to me) swimbait world. The hook and plastic weigh 2 ounces. I fish a lot of finesse presentations and, consequently, have little knowledge of rods and reels on the upper end for weight. I usually put around $400-$500 into a rod and reel. Again, that is for finesse presentations where contact is important. Not sure if this is as important in this presentation. I’m assuming I want a slow retrieve but I could be wrong. Anyone have any insights or starting points for me? The swimbait I will use is attached. I’ll run a 10/O Owner Beast hook. 

[Phil77]

I would go with a Cardiff or Calcutta if your budget allows. I think dobyns and daiwa both have low priced swimbait rods that will handle that weight if you don't want to spend a ton on a rod. 

[MN Fisher]

10 minutes ago, Phil77 said:

I think dobyns and daiwa both have low priced swimbait rods that will handle that weight if you don't want to spend a ton on a rod. 

Dobyns Fury 795SB - 7'9", rated 1oz to 5oz lures - $140

Diawa DXSB 801MHFB - 8'0", rated 1oz to 6oz lures - $100

[RDB]

Great job on your molds.  I just switched to the Phenix M1 swim bait rod (~$200) and I really like it.  I got the 8’ H/MF which is rated from 1-6oz and use it with Alabama rigs as well.  It is light and definitely not a pool stick.  I would also plan to go above 2oz as you may want to use weighted beast hooks as well.

[Hammer 4]

I would highly recommend taking a look at the Irod  Jr. swimbait rod. Would work perfectly tossing that 2 oz. bait I use mine the throw 1 1/2 oz to 3 oz baits. Check out the reviews on TW, plus Matt the owner is great when it comes to customer service. The Irod gneiss III runs $ 149.99. 

[Bass Rutten]

In order to drive that 10/0 beast hook through plastic and fish I'd seriously consider going up a power over most recommendations, you're going to need it as most swimbait rods have a moderate to mod/fast taper and are designed to deal with trebles not meat hooks. I'd look at heavy or xtra heavy rods where the total lure weight is near the lower end of the rods weight rating, for dobyns that'd be the 806sb (2-8oz), or the daiwa dx heavy/fast (2-6oz). St. croix has a xtra heavy/fast rated 2-5oz in their new victory series. Any of these rods paired with the new shimano 300 size reel will come in somewhere between 300-500.

[Oklahoma Mike]

Diawa, irod, Okuma all have good budget-minded options on Swimbait rods. I will second a Calcutta for the reel. I grabbed a 200 size 21 model from Japan Lure Shop for around $400 OTD. 

[PhishLI]

I'll second @Bassjam2000's recommendation regarding rod power for that size hook, and length at 8'.

Have you considered your line choice? If you're thinking braid to leader then exclude any rod with microguides. If you're thinking straight heavy mono or fluoro then I suggest you take a hard look at the Daiwa Tatula 300. Once you get up to the larger diameter plastic lines the T-Wing, while not essential, is a difference maker, IMO. It's a powerhouse reel that's better suited for heavier plastic lines than any of the other big bait reels I have including the Tranx line. Paired with the Daiwa DX or the Fury 806sb you'll be right near $400.

 

P.S. Have you tested your bait without a keel weighted beast hook yet?

[Hammer 4]

I'll second the recommendation for the Diawa Tatula 300 reel. $ 269.99 at TW, better price if you get during the sale.

[GreenPig]

Shimano Tranx 300A 5.8:1 and the Daiwa DXSB MH 8' would put you at $400 and is a fine combo

[Corey T]

Clarifying from earlier, the hook I will use is a weighted version. To @Bassjam2000’s point, I am concerned about the taper for some of the rods I’m seeing. I see moderate and get nervous with the size of that hook. That might just be my inexperience with swim baits showing though. 
 

@PhishLI, I just assumed I would want to run straight braid but maybe that isn’t the best option. I really don’t know. My thought process was that I would want the responsiveness of braid to drive the hook home. I am also leery of toothy critters steeling my bait if I use anything else. Maybe this isn’t as much of an issue with heavier lines? Again, I’m usually fishing a lot lighter with 8# being my “heavy” line. My experience is obviously a little skewed on this topic. 
 

I’m going to read up on that Victory. I usually use Daiwa reels (Alphas Air,  Steez CT SV, Zillion SV TW, etc… “lighter”) but that doesn’t mean I have to if there is a better option for this application. 
 

Thanks @Phil77, @MN Fisher, @RDB, @Hammer 4, @Bassjam2000, @Oklahoma Mike, @PhishLI and @GreenPig for jumping in the conversation. I really do appreciate the feedback. 

[softwateronly]

My swimbait rods don't drive weedless hooks home well enough for me, better with open and trebles.  At 2oz, I'd throw it/lob it on my frog rod, especially if that was my only braid set up.

 

scott

Should have read through before commenting, lots of good advice here, as usual.  Side note, I also vote for the Tat300.  By far my favorite big bait reel I've ever tried and I usually fish shimano.

 

scott

[RDB]

1 hour ago, Corey T said:

I’m going to read up on that Victory. I usually use Daiwa reels (Alphas Air,  Steez CT SV, Zillion SV TW, etc… “lighter”) but that doesn’t mean I have to if there is a better option for this application. 

Others have given good advice on hook penetration.  I typically use line through swimbaits and a 10/0 hook is big.  I personally use 20lb fluoro because it serves as my Alabama rig rod as well and I don’t throw the massive swimbaits.  If it was swimbait only, I would throw 65lb braid.

 

I throw it on a Steez with a Hawgtech handle.  Not perfect but it works for my needs.

[Phil77]

2 hours ago, Corey T said:

Clarifying from earlier, the hook I will use is a weighted version. To @Bassjam2000’s point, I am concerned about the taper for some of the rods I’m seeing. I see moderate and get nervous with the size of that hook. That might just be my inexperience with swim baits showing though. 
 

@PhishLI, I just assumed I would want to run straight braid but maybe that isn’t the best option. I really don’t know. My thought process was that I would want the responsiveness of braid to drive the hook home. I am also leery of toothy critters steeling my bait if I use anything else. Maybe this isn’t as much of an issue with heavier lines? Again, I’m usually fishing a lot lighter with 8# being my “heavy” line. My experience is obviously a little skewed on this topic. 
 

I’m going to read up on that Victory. I usually use Daiwa reels (Alphas Air,  Steez CT SV, Zillion SV TW, etc… “lighter”) but that doesn’t mean I have to if there is a better option for this application. 
 

Thanks @Phil77, @MN Fisher, @RDB, @Hammer 4, @Bassjam2000, @Oklahoma Mike, @PhishLI and @GreenPig for jumping in the conversation. I really do appreciate the feedback. 

Straight braid 50-60# or 15# or higher mono or co poly would be fine. Nice looking bait, just glue some eye's on and put a black dot on the sides.

 

 

[BlakeMolone]

I don’t have anything to add but that swimbait came out great man! 

[PhishLI]

5 hours ago, Corey T said:

I just assumed I would want to run straight braid but maybe that isn’t the best option. I really don’t know.

If you'll be primarily throwing your own plastics in that weight range then losing them to occasional backlashes with braid isn't a big hit. When you begin losing pricier hard baits that way it'll be much less fun.

 

Shock at the knot during even a small over run and lock up is the biggest issue with braid and heavy baits. A few weeks ago I blew off a 1/2oz chatterbait on 50lb braid. No big blowup or birdsnest, just one loop around, lockup, then seeya later. I fish with a few obsessed big bait guys, including my brother. He finally made the transition from braid to heavy mono after he casted off a brand new custom painted 6" Bullshad on the first cast using 65lb braid. The look on his face was priceless, and I needed to bite my cheeks and hold my breath to avoid busting out adding insult to injury. If he was a cartoon character the top of his head would've blown off from a steam jet accompanied by a train whistle. I'm wiping tears just recalling it. I've witnessed another fishing buddy cast off so many expensive baits...you really wouldn't believe it. Insane. He finally smartened up, made the change, and I haven't witnessed him casting off a bait since. Don't doubt the strength of heavy mono or fluoro. Even 20lb mono is remarkably strong and it's knot- shock resistance is great. Step up to 22-25lb and you're not breaking off easily. Combined with a fast-ish heavy power rod you'll have no problem setting hooks and just the right amount of delay which will help from ripping baits free and losing fish when they shake or throw slack

 

Very big pickerel up to 30" are a problem here, but not an everyday problem. I've been lucky so far, but I've had close calls. This past summer I would've lost a 6lb bass without a doubt had I not grabbed my bait and tested my 20lb Big Game by stretching it after a pickerel catch. I fingernail tested it first and felt nothing, but it popped on the pull test. I retied and bagged that bass on the next cast. Good thing because it would've been gone for sure along with my Gantarel Jr. If you're dealing with pike on a consistent basis then I advise searching out short wire leader posts by @A-Jay. He found something he trusts. Perhaps he'll chime in.

[A-Jay]

14 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

 If you're dealing with pike on a consistent basis then I advise searching out short wire leader posts by @A-Jay. He found something he trusts. Perhaps he'll chime in.

 

Right here ~ 

However the 26 lb test might be a better option to match the mainline strength .

https://www.amazon.com/American-Fishing-Wire-Surflon-Stainless/dp/B000EOK6HO/ref=asc_df_B000EOK6HO?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80058245652964&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583657822006805&th=1&psc=1

A-Jay