Make-do Swimbait/Glidebait Rod

[UmairF]

Hey everyone,

 

I’m looking to get into throwing 6” magdrafts, s-waver 168s, spro chad shads, and baitsanity explorer gills. Don’t have a dedicated swimbait rod and reel but trying to see if I can make do with the heavier rods I currently have. Heaviest I got are a dobyns champ xp 734, expride b 7’2 heavy, and another expride b 7’3 EXTRA heavy. I know the chad shad and explorer gill might be a little heavy of a bait but just curious to see if I can make do with what I have.

 

Also not sure if I absolutely need a 300+ sized reel with a gear ratio in the 5’s or 6’s. Lowest gear ratio I have is a tatula 6.3:1 I think but it’s a 100 sized reel that I really only use for crankbaits. Others I have are in the 7’s and 8’s and no bigger than a 150 size (I like my compact profile reels clearly lol).
 

Don’t really use mono much more of a braid to fluorocarbon guy but if needed I can grab a bulk spool of heavier lb test mono for the stretch for the treble hook baits I listed. 

 

If none of the rods or reels I listed above absolutely won’t work, please feel free to suggest other options. Just looking for something that’ll get the job done without over/underpowering the hooks/weight. Just trying to dip my toes into swimbaits so not looking for a dedicated combo at the moment (maybe one day!). I fish primarily in Illinois and southern Wisconsin so size of fish are a little smaller than the ones you lucky ones south of us get to catch haha.

 

Any help would be appreciated!

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, UmairF said:

Just trying to dip my toes into swimbaits so not looking for a dedicated combo at the moment (maybe one day!).

I have "real" swimbait rods and reels out the wazoo. However, I really can't use them in several tree lined lakes where I like to fish. No boats are allowed, so my only advantage is to wade, but I can't get too far off the bank in many cases. This leaves me close enough to overhung tree branches above and shrubs behind me which excludes all of my longer, dedicated swimbait rods. With those I'd clip branches overhead or get snagged on bushes during the back cast.

 

For these occasions I have a Tatula Elite 6'9" HF rated to 1 1/2oz and a Tatula XT 7'3" HF also rated to 1 1/2ozs. I use the JDM equivalent of the current '18 Zillion HD which is called the Catalina TW 100. The length of those rods limit casting distance, so line cap isn't a problem. 20lb Big Game mono provides adequate stretch while being stupid strong, and properly set drag does the rest. Together it works well enough for throwing treble swimbaits up to 1 1/2ozs and occasionally some baits up to 2 ozs. I very rarely lose hooked fish because of the rods, and I haven't broken either one. I bought the XT in '17.

 

So yes, use what you've got to see if you like this type of fishing. If you do, go nuts buying "proper" gear. Everyone here will be happy to help you spend your money.

[WRB]

The shorter HF rods will be a little difficult to load up to launch a medium size swimbait although the weight is near the top of it’s rating. 

Your drag set properly will prevent treble hook pull out before any stretch occurs with FC or Mono line. Your issue is line capacity and braid helps that problem. What leader you choose is up to you and knot tying skills, mono has stronger knot strength.

You might consider IROD IRG 754 F, 7’5” rated 1/2 to 2 oz or IRG 783 SB 7’8” Jr Swimbait rod rated 1 to 4oz. both $150 each.

Tom

[softwateronly]

I almost have all those rods and baits.  6" magdraft is probably gonna be best on the EX7'2H.  You could throw it on the DC734, but you'd have to really really lean into a bite, a DC735 would also work great.  A 6" magdraft freestyle should definitely be thrown on your EX7'3XH.  It's the perfect rods for 6-7" beast hook, weedless soft baits, imo.  Swaver 168 would be perfect for the 7'2H.  The chad shad and gill are gonna be best on the EX7'3XH.  I throw over 2oz very frequently with that rod, you'll be fine.  They're both heavy enough where you might wanna make sure you sidearm lob it early till you get the feel of the rod.

 

I have "real" swimbait rods, but I end up usually preferring heavy jig rods for certain lures, ie a magdraft and 168 I never tie on to my large reel rigs.  

 

scott

[webertime]

St Croix 710Hf Bass X is $80 shipped from st croix.

Basically any reel for baits of that weight (for baits listed). 6 or 7 ratio.  No need for 300 size

Braid to leader is fine too.  I'd suggest 65 to keep from digging in. 17lb Izorline XXX would be great as well.

I use a Shimano Citca E for similar baits (budget stud reel).

 

[softwateronly]

@UmairF  If you're pond hopping around the suburbs, this rod might be perfect for you.  Costs @$140

https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/5/4573236260358

 

It's a 2 piece powerful progressive taper, listed 3/8-3oz.  I've thrown up to 4.4oz on it, and I'm pretty sure there's a japanese video with that rod slinging something as heavy as 6oz.  Even though it's only a 7'er, I've had great casting distance.  200 size reel works great, I flip between a tat 200 and a bantam because I'm throwing braid to leader and have enough spool capacity.

 

scott

 

 

[waymont]

I use a Champion 736 for those baits. It’s works well.

[UmairF]

Thanks so much for everyone’s input! Looks like I’ll be primarily using my exp b 7’3 XH for magdraft freestyles and chad shads and the 7’2 H for the swaver 168.

 

As far as reels go, I’ll probably grab something in the 6.1:1 ratio for the magdraft. When I first tested it, seemed to work better at lower speeds. Got a high speed bantam A that ill be throwing the chad shad on 65 lb braid to maybe 20lb mono leader? Gonna crank back my drag a little too so im not yanking the treble hooks out when i catch a biggin. The 7’3 is my frogging/flipping rod so just gotta remember to tighten that drag back up once I swap back to frogging 😂

[waymont]

1 hour ago, UmairF said:

Thanks so much for everyone’s input! Looks like I’ll be primarily using my exp b 7’3 XH for magdraft freestyles and chad shads and the 7’2 H for the swaver 168.

 

As far as reels go, I’ll probably grab something in the 6.1:1 ratio for the magdraft. When I first tested it, seemed to work better at lower speeds. Got a high speed bantam A that ill be throwing the chad shad on 65 lb braid to maybe 20lb mono leader? Gonna crank back my drag a little too so im not yanking the treble hooks out when i catch a biggin. The 7’3 is my frogging/flipping rod so just gotta remember to tighten that drag back up once I swap back to frogging 😂

Consider a Tatula 150. I have 4 seasons of beating mine up and it’s as smooth and great casting as day one. It’s a good size with pretty good line capacity. I only use  40 or 50lb braid so it has plenty of space for me.

[txchaser]

On 1/22/2024 at 3:14 AM, waymont said:

Consider a Tatula 150. I have 4 seasons of beating mine up and it’s as smooth and great casting as day one. It’s a good size with pretty good line capacity. I only use  40 or 50lb braid so it has plenty of space for me.

I use a tat 150 for a-rigs and magdraft size baits, generally anything up to 2oz. It's fine, I have a tat 300 on the big rod for 4+oz, but I really dont feel like the 150 is under-done for the entry-level weights.

 

Said another way fish whatever you have for a while, it's not going to just break all of the sudden. You'll be much better informed when you decide to buy something.

 

 

[BayouSlide]

I use a Falcon Lowrider Swimbait (LFC-76H) for up to 1 oz.

and a Okuma Guide Select Swimbait Stick (GS-C-7111Ha) for 1 - 6 oz. and don't feel I've compromised with these reasonably priced rods. Caught some nice fish on both, including my PB on the Okuma.

[NathanDLTH]

Tatula 7’3 H swimbait rod. It’s rated to 4oz and I think it would fit the bill for what you’re doing. 

[MN Fisher]

15 minutes ago, NathanDLTH said:

Tatula 7’3 H swimbait rod. It’s rated to 4oz and I think it would fit the bill for what you’re doing. 

There's a bit of talk about this rod from a couple months ago - most agree that 3oz is pushing it

 

[Fat Ika]

On 1/21/2024 at 2:26 PM, UmairF said:

Hey everyone,

 

I’m looking to get into throwing 6” magdrafts, s-waver 168s, spro chad shads, and baitsanity explorer gills. Don’t have a dedicated swimbait rod and reel but trying to see if I can make do with the heavier rods I currently have. Heaviest I got are a dobyns champ xp 734, expride b 7’2 heavy, and another expride b 7’3 EXTRA heavy. I know the chad shad and explorer gill might be a little heavy of a bait but just curious to see if I can make do with what I have.

 

Also not sure if I absolutely need a 300+ sized reel with a gear ratio in the 5’s or 6’s. Lowest gear ratio I have is a tatula 6.3:1 I think but it’s a 100 sized reel that I really only use for crankbaits. Others I have are in the 7’s and 8’s and no bigger than a 150 size (I like my compact profile reels clearly lol).
 

Don’t really use mono much more of a braid to fluorocarbon guy but if needed I can grab a bulk spool of heavier lb test mono for the stretch for the treble hook baits I listed. 

 

If none of the rods or reels I listed above absolutely won’t work, please feel free to suggest other options. Just looking for something that’ll get the job done without over/underpowering the hooks/weight. Just trying to dip my toes into swimbaits so not looking for a dedicated combo at the moment (maybe one day!). I fish primarily in Illinois and southern Wisconsin so size of fish are a little smaller than the ones you lucky ones south of us get to catch haha.

 

Any help would be appreciated!

The expride 7'3" xtra heavy would be fine for 6" magdrafts and 168s. For the chad shad and explorer gill, definitely need a swimbait rod rated to 4 oz.......most of them won't handle more than 3 oz well. Repetitive casting of those baits would be risky on the expride xtra heavy blank, potentially leading to microfractures, 1day leading to the last straw breaking the rod. Once you start catching em on the chad and gill, you'll get addicted and want a dedicated glide bait rod. 

[JediAmoeba]

I used to throw 5 oz swimbaits on a heavy flipping stick before I had a dedicated swimbait rod. You can't throw it traditionally but you can make Lob casts just fine. Get better gear when you can, just set your drag accordingly and have fun!

[softwateronly]

7 hours ago, Fat Ika said:

The expride 7'3" xtra heavy would be fine for 6" magdrafts and 168s. For the chad shad and explorer gill, definitely need a swimbait rod rated to 4 oz.......most of them won't handle more than 3 oz well. Repetitive casting of those baits would be risky on the expride xtra heavy blank, potentially leading to microfractures, 1day leading to the last straw breaking the rod. Once you start catching em on the chad and gill, you'll get addicted and want a dedicated glide bait rod. 

 

5 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:

I used to throw 5 oz swimbaits on a heavy flipping stick before I had a dedicated swimbait rod. You can't throw it traditionally but you can make Lob casts just fine. Get better gear when you can, just set your drag accordingly and have fun!

 

Very true, but that chad shad and gill are relatively light, definitely under 3oz.  You can lob it on the 7'3XH and fish it effectively imo.

 

scott

[Big Hands]

The Explorer Gill weighs 2.5 oz. That isn't going to be fun on anything you've ;listed, not to mention it could damage a rod like the XH Expride (that would bring me to tears). 

 

Rods that won't break the bank that would be very appropriate for such baits would include (some have already mentioned some of these): 

 

7'11"  - Okuma Guide Select

7'9" - Irod 794SB

8'0" - Dobyns xx806SB (Fury or Champion)

 

Something with a moderate bend. I know Dobyns claims the 806SB to be a fast action rod, but I respectfully disagree with that assessment. I wouldn't even classify them as Mod-Fast. I think they are more of a moderate action rod.

[Bigbox99]

If you really want to be cheap about it the $60 Lews SG1 74H and a $48 Johncoo Ares are about as cheap as casting 1 to 3 oz swimbaits gets.  I'd know, I have both.    

[Ryan Smith]

On 1/22/2024 at 2:37 AM, UmairF said:

Thanks so much for everyone’s input! Looks like I’ll be primarily using my exp b 7’3 XH for magdraft freestyles and chad shads and the 7’2 H for the swaver 168.

 

As far as reels go, I’ll probably grab something in the 6.1:1 ratio for the magdraft. When I first tested it, seemed to work better at lower speeds. Got a high speed bantam A that ill be throwing the chad shad on 65 lb braid to maybe 20lb mono leader? Gonna crank back my drag a little too so im not yanking the treble hooks out when i catch a biggin. The 7’3 is my frogging/flipping rod so just gotta remember to tighten that drag back up once I swap back to frogging 😂

You will be fine with exactly what you have you got great advice from Softwateronly. Spot on