smaller swimbait setup

[aggiebassin]

i do not need another rod/reel but i just want one. and the only thing i am not really set up to do is throw some swimbaits. i will not be throwing large swimbaits. mostly the hollow bodied/tube swimbaits like the bass magic/money minnow. and maybe some other soft plastic swimbaits up to maybe 5" like the mattshad or the mattlures baby bass.

what kind of setup to you guys suggest for this. i was thinking something like a 7' Heavy/fast rod, since i won't be throwing large swimbaits i do not think i need a rod much over 7' and definitely nothing over 8'

i think i have the reel already, i have a calcuttta 200 that is a few years old that holds enough line, and i think the slow gear ration will help these types of baits swim better.

thanks in advance.

[roadwarrior]

The heaviest swimbait I throw is Mattlures Baby Bass, 1.3 oz.

For this lure I am using a 7' MHF baitcasting rod without any

issues. Specifically a St. Croix Legend Elite EC70MHF.

8-)

[.ghoti.]

I use a Setyr 7' medium fast rod designed for spinnerbaits. It has a soft tip that turns into backbone rather quickly. I think you neeed a softer tip to let the fish get the bait in it's mouth before the rod pulls it away. I use the same rod for Swim Senkos.

Not to hijack the thread, but, the Swim Senko has outproduced the Money Minnow by at least 20/1 this year.

I doubt seriously that I'll be buying any more of these over-priced hollow body tube shad baits and the ridiculously over-priced weighted hooks to go with them.

[aggiebassin]

anybody else have any suggestions??

[slomoe]

I don't think you need any specialized equipment to throw smaller swimbaits. But if you think you might want to step it up a little, I have an Okuma 7'11" MH that is rated for 3/4-3 oz. Very nice rod.

[Chris at Tech]

You could throw them on an existing rod you have since they're not particularly heavy.

I used to, but then I picked up a 7'6" rod for extra distance.  Face it...swimbaits are not subtle when they hit the water.  So I think the extra distance a longer rod provides is worth it.

I didn't go expensive -- BPS Extreme on sale

[T-rig]

I use a Graphiteleader Bosco.

[lubina]

Okuma Big Bait Rod 7'6" Med Hvy

[beze1124]

I am fairly new to these baits, and have been using my frog rod, a daiwa L&T. I am sure there is much better out there, but I have no complaints.

[mattm]

I have a G-Loomis SWBR904C I bought just for the purpose of using on smaller swimbaits.  Its a M 7'6" rated for 1/2-3oz.  In my opinion perfect for smaller swimbaits.  Recently took it on a guided fork trip.  Like an idiot I let my buddy use it.  We were fishing Bass magics and I thought a MH with a little lower lure rating would cast better. I was WAY wrong.  He could out cast me and the stick set the hook better and handled the fish better.  I was using a MH St.Croix Legend Tournament series.  

The guide, who is sponsored by G Loomis, also just raved about the 904.  He said he was going to buy a swimbait rod, but thought they would be to much of a broom stick for the smaller baits.   After the trip he said if I don't have one of those the next time you go out with me the trip is free. Hope he doesn't get around to buying one.

[mattm]

That rod T-rig posted looks real sweet and has similar stats as the rod I suggested above.  I was really trying to find a 7' rod.  The 7.5 won't fit in the back of a SWB Ford.  I think the extra 6" helps with the casting though.  I don't know what a Bass Magic with a weighted hook weighs but it can't be much over 1/2oz if any.  I was shocked to see that  a rod rated for 1/2oz-3oz cast those little bitty swimbaits so well.

[David P]

I love to use a flipping stick for smaller swimbaits.

Not sure how much jig fishing you do, or flipping or pitching for that matter, but getting one would allow you to do more then just throw small swimbaits.

Although you can "throw" smaller swimbaits on a 7ft MH rod, long casts and hook setting power with some rods is tougher then others.

a 7'6 flippin stick you can do just about anything with. swimbaits, frogs, jigs, beavers, buzzbaits.

[SissySticks]

x2 on all counts.  Except  I use a rod made by Scheel's All Sports.

I use a Setyr 7' medium fast rod designed for spinnerbaits. It has a soft tip that turns into backbone rather quickly. I think you neeed a softer tip to let the fish get the bait in it's mouth before the rod pulls it away. I use the same rod for Swim Senkos.

Not to hijack the thread, but, the Swim Senko has outproduced the Money Minnow by at least 20/1 this year.

I doubt seriously that I'll be buying any more of these over-priced hollow body tube shad baits and the ridiculously over-priced weighted hooks to go with them.