Rod for magnum sized soft plastics (that are sometimes weightless)

[MediumMouthBass]

Zoom 7" Magnum/Elaztech 7" flukes, 6" Ochos, 8-12" curly tail worms, 8" Bull Worm, magnum finesse worms, among other 6-12" giant chunks of plastic.

 

Im currently building out my new lineup and am not sure what to do here, theres not much info on rods for these baits. Im guessing i would need a heavy-extra heavy rod just to set the very large and thick diameter hook that will be buried in plastic with these baits, but i dont think casting distance would be very good, or even decent. Sure some of these baits alone weigh 1/2-3/4 but the others might just be 3/8 and are not very aerodynamic, then theres also times i would be fishing them weightless. Adding more fuel to the poor casting fire.

 

Is there any rod that will let me set the hook on these bigger baits but also let me get good distance on weightless ones?

[GreenPig]

My Megabass Braillist handles those duties nicely.

[Reel]

I use a Zodias 7 foot 3 Heavy to do that.

[rangerjockey]

For me, A weightless fluke rod and a 10 inch worm rod are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. 

You could fish the flukes on whatever jerkbait rod you have and the rest on a MH/H.

 

[Mike L]

I throw a Magnum UV Speed Worm usually with a 3/16 weight more than any other. 

I’ve always use just a MH rod but one with the fastest action I own. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[MediumMouthBass]

  On 3/16/2025 at 11:51 AM, rangerjockey said:

For me, A weightless fluke rod and a 10 inch worm rod are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. 

You could fish the flukes on whatever jerkbait rod you have and the rest on a MH/H.

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The Zoom Mag fluke weighs around 3/4oz alone from what i could find, the Elaztech one feels much denser. I will be using 7/0-8/0 hooks when weightless and then 7/0-8/0 screw locks with a keel weight when going weighted. Im guessing (since my scale didnt come yet) the weight range will be from 3/4-1.5oz. The other magnum baits ill be using will range from 3/8-3/4 alone, and then 1/2-1.5oz as well when weighted. I know that a 7'3"ish H-F or XH-XF depending on brand would suite the lure weights, and setting the giant hooks on large plastics best, but the heavies i have at home feel like broomsticks and unless using the heaviest weighs wont load the rod, and cast very poorly. The MH's i have can load it, but its overloading it most of the time. And wont have enough backbone to set the very large hook buried in these huge chunks of plastic.

 

I might just have to give up on the weightless part and just try to find a non broomstick heavy that can load them with lighter weights and heavier

[casts_by_fly]

The Cara amistad would do all of that.  It’s rated down to a half and that’s about right. The tip is soft enough to throw a naked half ounce soft plastic but I fished it with 6” magdraft freestyles also (8/0 owner beast hook). 

[Catt]

Diawa Tatula TTU731MHFB 

7' 3" Medium Heavy Fast 

 

 i also throw Horny Toads, Ribbits, & buzzbaits with it as well as as light punching.

[rangerjockey]

  On 3/16/2025 at 3:21 PM, MediumMouthBass said:

The Zoom Mag fluke weighs around 3/4oz alone from what i could find, the Elaztech one feels much denser. I will be using 7/0-8/0 hooks when weightless and then 7/0-8/0 screw locks with a keel weight when going weighted. Im guessing (since my scale didnt come yet) the weight range will be from 3/4-1.5oz. The other magnum baits ill be using will range from 3/8-3/4 alone, and then 1/2-1.5oz as well when weighted. I know that a 7'3"ish H-F or XH-XF depending on brand would suite the lure weights, and setting the giant hooks on large plastics best, but the heavies i have at home feel like broomsticks and unless using the heaviest weighs wont load the rod, and cast very poorly. The MH's i have can load it, but its overloading it most of the time. And wont have enough backbone to set the very large hook buried in these huge chunks of plastic.

 

I might just have to give up on the weightless part and just try to find a non broomstick heavy that can load them with lighter weights and heavier

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Personally , I've never have thrown a fluke that big. I would just throw a mag draft . Maybe things are different where you fish but I fish the standard size fluke weightless post spawn just like the ol' floatin' worm. 

[Mike2841]

Century weapon jr

 

its an inshore rod, but I use it to throw similar lures off the beach

[Maverick2017]

Loomis NRX+873 CRR

[softwateronly]

Poison Adrena 7'2H/F is my big fluke rod, but I don't like the action on a beast hook, it's too keeled for erratic darting.   And a pa 6'11M+ is my big worm rod w/ gammy g-finesse hybrid hooks.  I prefer the shorter length for tip up cover navigating.  With braid to leader, I haven't had issues with hook ups.  

 

scott

[Brian11719]

I like a 7' dobyns sierra for mag flukes and similar lures. Weight on it comes out to just under 1oz (same as a mag ultravibe and an ol monster comes out a little less than that) so a 704 is what I've been using and I've been happy with it as it still has some sensitivity but also gets the job done if there's grass around. You could probably get the same rod in a casting version if you prefer a baitcaster but I personally prefer a spinning rod for flukes.

[ike8120]

Kastking Speed Demon Pro Mag Swim Bait Rod. This is an 8' rod MF/EH

[woolleyfooley]

Dobyn’s champion extreme hp 745 should work well for that. It handles a wide range of weights.

[little giant]

Crowder inshore salt casting rod. E series: 7'6", fast, 3/8 to 2 ounce. $230

Made in Florida, lifetime warranty.

I use his 7' MH fast for plastics 5/8 to 1 ounce.

Also have 2 others, one for surf, one for trolling for pelagics. Excellent rods!

All those big plastics you want to use seems like you want to fish Florida or Texas!!

You can check out Crowder rods website. Another great brand is Bull Bay rods. Also made in Florida, salt rods.

Note that most salt rods are built with more backbone in the mid section.....