So I finally tested the IRod Genesis III Swimbait Jr., for $150 it is a great rod but not as moderate as I’d like, it doesn’t really load up on casts well. Any suggestions for a Swimbait rod that does?

[LrgmouthShad]

This thread oddly makes me want to get a Swimbait Jr rod. 
 

OP, anyways, I’ll confess that my most awkward rod is an iRod. It’s the Stone Cold Swim and Vibrating Jig Rod. It’s anything but stiff, and anything but lifeless. However, it loads and casts a little differently than the rest of my rods. I keep it around because the hookup to land ratio is so ridiculously good. It was my spinnerbait rod for a long time, and it was a never-miss

 

My current spinnerbait rod is a Falcon Expert Head Turner. Also a moderate fast, and also good for casting similar lure weights, but so so different than the iRod. 
It’s more whippy

 

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

OP, anyways, I’ll confess that my most awkward rod is an iRod.

You don't know it, but you've just planted the seed that will germinate into the next run-on thread starter title 3 weeks from now. Ready? Here it is:

 

Last question! I swear it on my two-panty aunty, tree frogs, chipmucks, and everything else I find precious! I'm not sure if I dreamt this, or if I heard "somebody" say it, but do you guys or any of your distant kinfolk find the iRod Jr SB to be awkward? It seems a little awkward to me, I think. TIA!

[Tatulatard]

Its a casting technique issue much like the issue with the shoulder fatigue.  Your are likely casting a big bait relying on your right arm and shoulder to do the work instead of the rod.  When using heavy baits like this you want to load the rod like a spring and then let the rod fire off the bait.  You do this by pulling down on the rear grip as the rod tip is pulled down by the weight of the bait on the back swing.  This loads the rod like a spring and then you swing the loaded spring through the air and release the spool.  This prevents fatigue to your arm, wrist and shoulder when throwing big baits.  Ita probably not a casting technique you have utilized before.  Casting 3 oz like you would cast a normal bait is what was wearing you out with your last rod and this stiff swimbait rod is meant to be cast as I described above.  

 

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, Tatulatard said:

Its a casting technique issue much like the issue with the shoulder fatigue.  Your are likely casting a big bait relying on your right arm and shoulder to do the work instead of the rod.  When using heavy baits like this you want to load the rod like a spring and then let the rod fire off the bait.  You do this by pulling down on the rear grip as the rod tip is pulled down by the weight of the bait on the back swing.  This loads the rod like a spring and then you swing the loaded spring through the air and release the spool.  This prevents fatigue to your arm, wrist and shoulder when throwing big baits.  Ita probably not a casting technique you have utilized before.  Casting 3 oz like you would cast a normal bait is what was wearing you out with your last rod and this stiff swimbait rod is meant to be cast as I described above.  

 

You don’t have a video link by any chance do you?

[Tatulatard]

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

You don’t have a video link by any chance do you?

I don't 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

This is a common issue when people their first traditional surf rod, most of which are mod or mod/F.  If you try to arm cast like you're throwing a weightless worm on a 7ft FW bass rod, all your going to do is get discouraged at the poor distance and wear yourself out.  You have to learn how to load the blank on the back swing and unload on the release.  

If you cant find any videos tutorials on casting swimbait rods, there are loads of tutorials for surf casting, the principles are the same.

[LrgmouthShad]

Am I missing something? Why are y’all s**tting on OP so bad? The man’s just trying to understand his rod. I made a confession that one of mine seems awkward too. I’m not an expert on rods either. 

[J Francho]

It's called real advice. Sometimes it's hard to swallow. Casting 3 oz baits is a bit of an acquired skill. It takes practice. 

[Jar11591]

59 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Am I missing something? Why are y’all s**tting on OP so bad? The man’s just trying to understand his rod. I made a confession that one of mine seems awkward too. I’m not an expert on rods either. 

I don’t think anyone means to s*** on OP, but OP seems to be overthinking everything so much that any advice given will be overthought to the point of creating a whole new set of problems and questions and it doesn’t seem to go anywhere. The advice received may answer one question but then create 10 more, over and over.

OP, don’t take it too hard. I think people are just poking fun. If someone loses patience they don’t have to open the thread. The best advice I can give though is just go fishing and catch some fish and have fun at this point. 

[Ohioguy25]

No worries y’all, I have thick skin! I know I overanalyze quite a bit and ask a lot of questions, sorry if it gets tiresome I’m just trying to learn! Lots of good knowledge to absorb here.

[Hammer 4]

My last reply on this thread. I suggest that OP go on you tube, and type in Bait, and or swimbait casting techniques. That should help you along.

[txchaser]

On 4/19/2023 at 12:00 PM, Tatulatard said:

Its a casting technique issue much like the issue with the shoulder fatigue.  Your are likely casting a big bait relying on your right arm and shoulder to do the work instead of the rod.  When using heavy baits like this you want to load the rod like a spring and then let the rod fire off the bait.  You do this by pulling down on the rear grip as the rod tip is pulled down by the weight of the bait on the back swing.  This loads the rod like a spring and then you swing the loaded spring through the air and release the spool.  This prevents fatigue to your arm, wrist and shoulder when throwing big baits.  Ita probably not a casting technique you have utilized before.  Casting 3 oz like you would cast a normal bait is what was wearing you out with your last rod and this stiff swimbait rod is meant to be cast as I described above.  

 

Thanks TT, this explains why this Deps 250 (even on the correct rod) is leaving me wondering how this is even possible to do for more than an hour.

[Hammer 4]

Just 1 more post. Go on Tactical Bassin, and watch Matt Allen throw big swimbaits, he does it corectly.

[Ohioguy25]

On 4/18/2023 at 1:07 PM, WRB said:

The casts OK but doesn’t bend enough to smoothly launch 3 oz lures.

Longer require a slower longer back swing to load up, too short and fast doesn’t work with crank baits or swimbaits 

 

I will say that the Armilo defiler works beautifully and is some of the best line I’ve ever used! Incredibly smooth and strong, very resistant to line twists as well.