Which Rod To Choose

[BassMaster#1]

Ok I'm looking for a rod that can throw the huddlestone ROF 5 , 1oz and ROF12 which is 2oz, and still be used to throw other lures like crankbaits and spinnerbaits. I can't afford to go out and buy lots of rods for different occasions, as least at the moment, so I would like something that is versatile. What do you guys think of these options below or is there something else to recommend for my price range of 120.00 - 150.00? Thanks

Dobyns Savvy Cast Rod 7'3" Med Heavy 735 1/4 - 1 1/4 7' 3"

Powell Endurance Series Rods 7' 2" 1/4oz. - 1-1.5oz

Okuma Big Bait Rod 7'6" Med Hvy 1/2 - 5 $129.99

St.Croix Mojo Rods Slop-N-Frog Heavy 3/8 - 1 1/2 7'

or buy a Abu Garcia REVO SX Casting Reel from tackle warehouse - $169.99 and get a free Abu Garcia Vengeance Casting Rod 7'6" 3/8-1 1/2oz.

Sort of leaning towards the Okuma or Dobyns. Please help me out i'm going to have my wife order it for me for Christmas.

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

Dobyns.

Helluva rod for $170.

[BassMaster#1]

Dobyns.

Helluva rod for $170.

I really want the Dobyns but not sure as it only goes up to 1 1/2 oz and the Hulddlestone ROF 12 is 2oz. Not sure it this rod will hold a swimbait of 2oz when the rating is listed for 1 1/2. what do you think?

[J Francho]

I don't think you are going to find a rod that throws that large a range of baits real well.

[MN Bassin' nOOb]

I don't think you are going to find a rod that throws that large a range of baits real well.

Agreed...you want a rod that will throw 1/2-1 oz spinnerbaits AND 2 oz swim baits!?!?

Maybe a broomstick will work, but I doubt you'll find any rod that will do both of those WELL.

[webertime]

Get a Daiwa VIP Smallmouth 7'3" H for the Hudds, et al. then get a 6'9" MH for the other stuff. $120 total shipped. There is no one rod that will do what you want to do.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

The rated range on this rod is like what you want but I know nothing about it just give you info. The Moderate-Fast action might give a little boost to the lighter stuff.

MOJO BASS

MBC711HMF Flippin' 7'11" H Mod. Fast, 1pc, 14 - 30#, 1/2 - 2oz, 5.3 $ 130

[J Francho]

Mod-fast just means more of the rod bends, when it bends. It takes a lot of force to get that rod to bend.

[BassMaster#1]

Well I already have a bass pro carbonlite 6' 10" mh 3/8 - 1 oz and a cabelas prodigy rod 7' MH 1/4 - 1 oz. I was just wanting to get the most out of my rod however my main focus is on a swimbait rod. I think I got it narrowed down to these rods below. Which would you guys choose ? Any info on these rods would be great. Thanks

Dobyns Savvy Cast Rod 7'3" Med Heavy 735 1/4 - 1 1/4 7' 3"

MOJO BASS

MBC711HMF Flippin' 7'11" H Mod. Fast, 1pc, 14 - 30#, 1/2 - 2oz, 5.3 $ 130

Okuma Big Bait Rod 7'6" Med Hvy 1/2 - 5 $129.99

Daiwa V.I.P. SM Cast Rod 7'3" Heavy 1/2-1 1/2oz

[deep]

Of the rods you mention, there's only one I'd even consider for regularly throwing swimbaits. The Okuma.

There's a lot of stuff that makes a swimbait rod, a swimbait rod. Lure ratings aren't everything. Remember this bit of wisdom from Bill Siemantel: A good flipping stick makes a lousy swimbait rod.

Other than the Okuma, I'd also consider the Lamiglas Excel 7'3". The Excel is primarily designed for hardbaits; specifically the Spro BBZ-Jr. The Okuma has a pretty moderate taper too. Both might work for small hudds if you use braid. I had the Okuma 7'11" heavy for 8" hudds until I broke it last week. Looking to get another one.

For small soft swimbaits, the rod you really want to buy is the Dobyns 795ML. It's out of the price range you mention, even with the usual 20% black friday discount. But I heard a rumor than the Gen1 rods are being clearanced for $100 + shipping.. I might get one for myself if the rumor is true.

[J Francho]

Okuma would be the one I'd get too.

[basscrusher]

Okuma got a very favorable review by Tackle Tour for some of their swimbait rods:

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewokuma711mhsb.html

this might be a slightly different rod, but it may help you get a sense of the brand's overall quality.

[North Ga Hillbilly]

Im currently using a flipping stick to throw my swimbaits... its miserable. If your looking to throw hudds get a rod that will handle them well, the Okuma would fit perfect. You can also go to bass pro and look at some musky rods, those guys throw baits that make a 8" hudd look like a weightless worm.

NGaHB

[via]

you could try lamiglas excel 735. i know that it can handle swimbaits because bill siemantel uses it to throw his 6in bbz and it might be able to handle to handle those types of spinnerbait

[BassMaster#1]

Thanks for the help think im going to get the okuma. Thanks again for the help

[FourCorners]

Thanks for the help think im going to get the okuma. Thanks again for the help

If you're interested in the Okuma, Amazon has the swim bait rods on sale. Although I've heard Amazon isn't the best at shipping rods, I went ahead and ordered the 7'6" Heavy. If you want, I can let you know how well they packaged it once I receive it tomorrow.

[BassMaster#1]

If you're interested in the Okuma, Amazon has the swim bait rods on sale. Although I've heard Amazon isn't the best at shipping rods, I went ahead and ordered the 7'6" Heavy. If you want, I can let you know how well they packaged it once I receive it tomorrow.

Man $88 is a nice price. I was going to order at *** $104 after 20% off, but may change my mind. Can you tell me when you get your rod or any one else is this rod really stiff? Would I still be able to throw a 3/8 oz jig and feel the bite with this rod. I also noticed that the handle is 20" long, does that become a promblem to anyone? All my currents rods have a handle of 13" to 15" inches long.

If you could let me know how the packing from amazon is and if you think the H is to stiff to throw a 3/8 or 1/2 lure. thanks

[FourCorners]

Man $88 is a nice price. I was going to order at *** $104 after 20% off, but may change my mind. Can you tell me when you get your rod or any one else is this rod really stiff? Would I still be able to throw a 3/8 oz jig and feel the bite with this rod. I also noticed that the handle is 20" long, does that become a promblem to anyone? All my currents rods have a handle of 13" to 15" inches long.

If you could let me know how the packing from amazon is and if you think the H is to stiff to throw a 3/8 or 1/2 lure. thanks

Well I came home this afternoon and surprisingly found the rod a day early. Unfortunately, Amazon lived up to their poor rod packing ability. I cannot believe believe this thing wasn't broken; they literally cut up and taped three boxes together wrapped them around the rod. If you decide to get the rod, it may be better just to order from TW as they'll actually ship it in a tube.

As for the rod, I don't think there's any way you could throw a 3/8 ounce lure on it. I'm pretty new to swimbaits but I think a lot of guys like the longer handle for easier two handed casting; you can also keep the longer handle under your arm for setting the hook and fighting the fish. But this rod serves one purpose, throwing big baits. It may be hard to find a rod than handle swimbaits and also throw stuff under an ounce comfortably.

[BassMaster#1]

Well I came home this afternoon and surprisingly found the rod a day early. Unfortunately, Amazon lived up to their poor rod packing ability. I cannot believe believe this thing wasn't broken; they literally cut up and taped three boxes together wrapped them around the rod. If you decide to get the rod, it may be better just to order from TW as they'll actually ship it in a tube.

As for the rod, I don't think there's any way you could throw a 3/8 ounce lure on it. I'm pretty new to swimbaits but I think a lot of guys like the longer handle for easier two handed casting; you can also keep the longer handle under your arm for setting the hook and fighting the fish. But this rod serves one purpose, throwing big baits. It may be hard to find a rod than handle swimbaits and also throw stuff under an ounce comfortably.

Any reason why you went with the 7' 11" over the 7' 6". It seems like the 7' 6" can go throw a lighter bait like 1/2 oz and go up to 5oz. Now I'm not real sure if this is true because it seems like that is two ends of the spectrum. Maybe someone can chime in on this before I pull the trigger on the 7' 6 over the 7' 11.

[BassMaster#1]

Well I started looking on amazon again and saw that they only had one of the 7' 6" MH rods in stock so I pulled the trigger. Cost me $63...For that price I'll take the poor rod packing and hope It gets to me safe.

[deep]

Well I started looking on amazon again and saw that they only had one of the 7' 6" MH rods in stock so I pulled the trigger. Cost me $63...For that price I'll take the poor rod packing and hope It gets to me safe.

Good deal. Post some hudd fish pics when you get the rod (and fish it)..

[FourCorners]

Any reason why you went with the 7' 11" over the 7' 6". It seems like the 7' 6" can go throw a lighter bait like 1/2 oz and go up to 5oz. Now I'm not real sure if this is true because it seems like that is two ends of the spectrum. Maybe someone can chime in on this before I pull the trigger on the 7' 6 over the 7' 11.

I actually got the 7'6" so it would fit in the bed of my truck. My bed is only 6' long, so the 7'6" barely fits diagonally. But enjoy your new rod and lets hope amazon does a better job packing than they did with mine!

[deep]

Ordered an Okuma big bait 7'11" heavy today. Let's see how this one holds up. In all fairness, the one that I broke (on a little fish too) was bought used.

[stevecastle]

Thanks for the help think im going to get the okuma. Thanks again for the help

if you still want to get the dobyns savvy, there is a 7'6 heavy flippin rod, it is rated from 1/4 to 2 ounces and it looks great for the job you mentioned. it may have a fast action tip but i use a swimbait rod with a fast action tip and it seems to be ok for me considering i have caught a ten pound largemouth on it. i think you should get the dobyns because i have read reviews that it is almost as sensitive as the dobyns champion.

good luck with what ever you get.