For Swimbait rods, do you generally want a slightly longer handle for leverage when casting?

[Ohioguy25]

I’ve seen a variety of lengths but generally these rods tend to have longer handles. Is that the reason for this?

[J Francho]

My custom build has an 11" rear grip which reaches exactly to my bicep when I'm holding the rod comfortably. I didn't want a long handle to interfere with big floating twitch baits and 11" gives plenty of leverage. 

[WRB]

Personally I like swimbait rods between 7’10” to 8” with handle measured from the back of reel seat to the butt about 14” or just beyond my elbow. 

Too short a handle  you lose leverage 2 handed casting, too long the rod butt gets caught in your cloths.

I am old school when using baitcasting reels and hold the rod by the fore grip with 2 to 3 fingers, index and thumb on the line during the lure retrieve. The longer rod butt resting against my forearm, this give me leverage hook setting and helps balancing the rod when using it for hours.

IROD swimbait rods tend to have the right handle length for my preference.

Tom

[Dwight Hottle]

Swim baits rods are geared towards two handed casting with heavier baits just like a musky rod or surf rod. Hence the longer handle.

[T-Billy]

Long rods with long handles, and plenty of backbone, take a lot of work out of tossing and working heavy baits. My recent muskie addiction has changed my perspective on rods for some techniques. I've come to like a 9 footer for glides and jerks as well as swimmers.

Tucking that long handle up under your armpit makes working big, heavy, glides and jerks a breeze. The long rod also requires smaller movements than a shorter rod to get the same action out of the bait, thus keeping you in better position to quickly set the hook. With swimbaits it gives you more distance with less effort, and moves more line when setting the hook at long distance. 

If I were gonna throw big swimmers for bass, I'd forget about those 7'6" - 8' bass rods and get a 9' MH muskie stick. Nearly all have telescoping butt sections these days, so they store like an 8 footer, and fish like a one piece. 

[Ohioguy25]

On 11/18/2023 at 1:03 PM, WRB said:

Personally I like swimbait rods between 7’10” to 8” with handle measured from the back of reel seat to the butt about 14” or just beyond my elbow. 

Too short a handle  you lose leverage 2 handed casting, too long the rod butt gets caught in your cloths.

I am old school when using baitcasting reels and hold the rod by the fore grip with 2 to 3 fingers, index and thumb on the line during the lure retrieve. The longer rod butt resting against my forearm, this give me leverage hook setting and helps balancing the rod when using it for hours.

IROD swimbait rods tend to have the right handle length for my preference.

Tom

Yeah I have been using the SB Jr and I like it pretty well I guess I just wish it was a tad bit more moderate, I was thinking this would allow me to sling shot baits better?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Casting, balance, bait working all factor into handle length. You can add personal preference to the list if doing a custom. 

[WRB]

Define “slingshot” casting?

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

9 hours ago, WRB said:

Define “slingshot” casting?

Tom

Letting the rod load up and “springing” the bait. Is this not how it happens when you have a little more bend?

[Darth-Baiter]

I understood what you meant.  

 

maybe more, trebuchet!  I found if you add a tiny "yank" to the butt end at the right time, it will fling the heck out of bait.  just a basic class-1 lever.