Swimbait Rod

[Rich Tehan]

Hello All, looking to buy a swimbait rod. I may spend up to $250.  What's a good rod for throwing heavy swimbaits? Will a Pflueger Trion fit in the reel seat?

[Hammer 4]

Depends on what size/weight baits you intend to use.. Define heavy..

[David P]

Heavy to one person can be 2oz, or 8oz, so let us know baits you're trying to throw. 

I wouldn't throw a small low pro reel on a big swimbait rod. They're not built to handle throwing heavy baits over 3oz (if you're intending to use it this way). Shimano Cardiff, Shimano Calcutta 400B, Daiwa Luna, all are great round reels for swimbaits. If you're gonna keep it under 4oz or so, Shimano Curado 300 or Revo Toro can work.

For rod, I really like using a Dobyns 795 for swimbaits under 3 1/2 or so oz. I throw lunker punkers, wake baits, and some slow sinking swimbaits. For the heavier stuff, I use a Dobyns 806 Swimbait rod.

[Rich Tehan]

I'm going to throw baits over 5 oz.  I was actually lookin at the Dobyns 806, good rod for throwing big trout swimbaits and also muskie baits?

[David P]

I don't throw muskie baits living here in California, but I have thrown large trout swimbaits on the rod. The 806 will do the job for a 5oz swimbait, but if you're thinking about getting up into the 6-10oz swimbaits, I'd go with the 807. This is assuming you're also not going to want to throw swimbaits under 2oz on it. If you're going to keep it between 5-10oz the 807 might suite you better.

  I haven't thrown anything over 6oz (Baitsmith Mag Trout) on the 806 so I can't comment on anything above that weight for the 806.

[steezy]

If your goning to throw large swimbaits get a Heavy or XtraHeavy rod and Daiwa Pluton reel.

[Rich Tehan]

I probably won't throw anything over 6 oz., Think I'll go with an 806.  Don't have the money for a Daiwa Pluton.  I probably should trust you but I'm going to see how my wide spool trion does throwin these big baits.  If that doesn't work out, I may get a cardiff...  Thanks for the help all.  Also, what's a good #20 mono for this outfit?

[Hammer 4]

I would go 25-30lb..Line is a personal thing..

I probably won't throw anything over 6 oz., Think I'll go with an 806. Don't have the money for a Daiwa Pluton. I probably should trust you but I'm going to see how my wide spool trion does throwin these big baits. If that doesn't work out, I may get a cardiff... Thanks for the help all. Also, what's a good #20 mono for this outfit?

[David P]

I probably won't throw anything over 6 oz., Think I'll go with an 806. Don't have the money for a Daiwa Pluton. I probably should trust you but I'm going to see how my wide spool trion does throwin these big baits. If that doesn't work out, I may get a cardiff... Thanks for the help all. Also, what's a good #20 mono for this outfit?

For baits that size, 25 is a must, and in some cases 30. I use Trilene 100% 25lb fluoro, and sometimes 30lb CXX. I know a few guys that love to use Big Game and such, but I trust CXX with everything when I'm not sure fluorocarbon.

As for the reel, if you don't mind breaking the reel in a few months, and it can go to scrape, certainly use it til it breaks. But if you could potentially want to keep it for another outfit later on, I highly recommend not even trying it. I know guys who have tried to use Curado 200's, Zillions, and Revos and they start to make funny noises pretty quick. The Cardiff is a low cost reel and can still do the trick just fine.

[Rich Tehan]

Okay thanks, I'll trust you... will get a Cardiff 201. Why such heavy line though, for hooksets?

[David P]

Okay thanks, I'll trust you... will get a Cardiff 201. Why such heavy line though, for hooksets?

Heavy line for big fish, expensive swimbaits, and to avoid losing a trophy fish. No need to take risks. The Cardiff in the 200 size won't really do much, it's just a round reel with a slightly larger line cap than a low profile baitcaster. The 400 size is what the majority of swimbait guys use, whether it be a Calcutta 400B, Calcutta 400 TE, or Daiwa Luna 300 (same size as a Shimano 400).  Tt holds a ton of line, can handle the heavy baits with ease, and really does help you get the bait out there without stressing the reel.

It may sound like over kill, but the second you get a 5oz bait tied on, you'll see exactly why, and be plenty thankful you went with the big stuff.

My 2 swimbait setups right now are a

Dobyns 806 / Daiwa Luna 300 / 25lb 100% fluoro.

Dobyns 795 / Shimano Curado 300 / 65lb braid with 25lb CXX leader. I use the 300 Curado as this is my light swimbait setup, I throw 1-3oz swimbaits for the most part on it, and normally nothing over 2oz.

Make sure you're serious about throwing 5oz swimbaits before going out and spending all the money. It's a totally different form of fishing, and takes a totally different mindset. I personally don't fish swimbaits as much as I used to because I don't get out as often and when I do I just like to go out and catch some fish. It takes a totally different setup as well, 5-6oz is a large bait and requires the right gear.

[Big Bait Fishing]

Revo toro's , Revo toro winch , and the curado 300 will definetly handle baits over 5 oz. , alot of muskie guys use these reels for the baits they throw and their baits weigh ALOT !!!(5-15+ oz.) most swimbaits are easy to retrieve , i feel deep diving crankbaits are harder on a reel than swimbaits no matter what size !!! 

[Rich Tehan]

Okay, I shall go with a Cardiff 401. Don't think I'll spend enough to get a curado 300, not if I can get away with a cheaper reel. The 5.2:1 ratio of a Cardiff 401 won't be too slow will it? Also, do you find 25# fluoro easy to cast with a 4-5 oz swimbait, or is CXX or Mono more manageable in this size?

[Crestliner2008]

Rods & reels for tossing the big baits is a personal thing. Musky fishermen have been tossing them for decades and you'd be hard pressed to find a better rod to toss them with than a standard musky bucktail rod. But, if you want to spend the bucks, there are tons of "new" swimbait rods on the market these days. All vying for your $$$.

That being said, I'd stay with mono for you main line. Triple Fish 25# test is about as good as it gets for this kind of fishing. JMO.

[Hammer 4]

5:1 is fine..

As for leaders..I'd go mono or copolymere..had issues with fluro, but then I could have gotten a bad spool.

[Rich Tehan]

There is a sale on 25# suffix elite on TW so I'm going to get that. Well, thanks all for your input! I shall post pics of all the monsters I catch on this big fish rig! I'm going to put a lot of hours on it in the 1000 Islands hunting trophy bass and muskie! AHH! I can't wait!

[NewAngler]

The cardiff is a great reel. Have the 300 on both my swimbait rods, and you'd hard time to convince me to use anything else. I can't. omment of the rod, but if you wanted to save some money, check out the Diawa heartland or Diawa light and tough. Good luck.