Setup For Swimbaits

[tritz18]

Heys guys I planning on getting some swimbaits soon (first one is in the mail now  ;D ) But I was wondering if the rod and reel I have now could deal with big swimbaits. I have a 6'6 Medium Heavy Rod, and a 6.3:1 gear ratio baitcaster spooled with 20 pound braid. This setup has worked for me when fishing soft plastics, crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits. But I really haven't fished with anything bigger than 5 inches. Thanks and if they setup isn't suited for swimbaits, could I maybe get some suggestions for a better setup. Thanks

[wisturkeyhunter]

Depends on the swim baits. I can throw mattlures baby bass on a 7.5 foot medium heavy rod but I wouldn't want to go any heavier. I'm waiting on some hudd shad too they are only supposed to be .5 ounce and should easily be doable with your setup. Just buy baits your stuff can handle till you decide you want a new setup thats what I'm doing it hard to find good ones though under or around an ounce. If your going to use braid I'd go heavier though. If you are throwing heavy baits and you get a tangle theres no stretch so your line could break easier than a mono of equal breaking strength sending your expensive bait into the water never to be seen again.

[Masshole Mike]

i would say that a 6'6" MH rod is too light to be throwing most swimbaits on. anything that has significant weight, 1oz or more, will most definitely be above the lure rating for the rod and will result in a broken rod tip (just ask LBH!). even the mattlures baby bass series weigh in around 1.3oz, and they're only 5" baits.

like wisturkeyhunter said, stick to baits that are within your rods lure rating and you should be fine. not saying you CAN'T throw smaller swimbaits on your setup, you'd just be pushing the limits of your rod and might end up having to buy a new anyways.

i just picked up a 7'6" H okuma guide series swimbait rod and i've got it paired with a shimano cardiff 301A. the rod has a lure rating of 1-5oz and it throws the mattlures baby bass easily. i've only thrown the setup on one trip so far but it feels great. the rod retails new for $110 and the reel goes for $100, but if you search around i'm sure you could find a good used setup for much cheaper than that.

good luck! 8-)

[Aaron]

I have two swimbaits (Matlures ultimate bluegill and baby bass) waiting on me when I get back to KY in a few weeks.  I recently bought a Calcutta 300TE to use and will pair it with my 7'6" BPS Bionic Blade flippin stick for the time being.  After the first of the year I am going to try to get an actual swimbait rod but the flippin stick will have to do for now.

[roadwarrior]

For smaller swimbaits like the Baby Bass, a MH or Heavy Baitcaster will work. I have no problems using a St. Croix EC70MHF rated for 1 oz lures. However, I am careful to lob the bait so that the stress is spread through the rod, not focused exclusively on the tip.

For a heavier lure, different equipment would be required.

8-)

[tritz18]

thanks for the suggestions. just wondering if anyone has used the bps nitro reel. Its made for big baits and it reasonable priced.