WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST SIZE & WEIGHT SWIMBAIT ROD

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:37 pm

WHAT LENGTH ??????

WHAT WEIGHT ????????

Would be the best size swimbait rod for a guy that is

5' 10" weighs 200 lbs arm span is 72" can basiclly lift easy maybe 30 to 40 lbs , has weak shoulders, can not hold arms up long periods of time . age 60 plus a few ??

7' 10"
weight for 1/2 to 2 oz baits or 3/4 to 4 oz baits or 1 oz to 6 oz baits ...xh....h...or mh ?? any ides or thoughts or ??

Thank you
JIGS

BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER · Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:18 pm

Jigs,,,, week shoulders, can't hold arms up ets...... stay away from casting big baits..... they will wear you out. But you may wanna get in to trolling them

as for rods... I (like a lot of others) have gone to the Okuma 711 XH for any medium to large bait... it's my #1 swimbait rod and what I throw Slammers, Huds, Wake Jr'S & BBZ's on. It's a great performing rod, fairly light weight (for a big stick) and definately the best bang for the buck on the market..... the Dobyn's, Powells and others are all good too but considerably more $

My second big rod is a Lami 807 Big Bait Special (basically an 8' hvy). I use this for med/light baits like top hook Osprey's, Baitsmiths, 7" AC plugs etc..... it's a great rod, but agin more $ than the Okuma............. and really, I would be just as content w 2 Okuma 711 XH's..............

for the little stuff (like 5" bodies on a jig head) you don't need a swimbait specific rod. Personally I think all the med/hvy swimbait rods on the market are better suited to deep crankin than swimbaits,,, but thats just me

match the 711 XH w a 6500 ABU C3 and yer in business

Alex M. · Post by **Alex M.** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:28 pm

Jigs...

The rod that you mentioned that can handle 1-6oz baits will be the most versatile. I know that there more than a few guys who really like the Okumas, and Blue Ranger wasn't kiddin' when he said best bang for the buck on the market. If you're only planing on purchasing one rod, make sure you get the most applications out of it...

J.B. · Post by **J.B.** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:59 pm

I think the Okuma 7'11" with a Shimano Cardiff is a great place to start and if its not what your into you wont be out alot of $$$$$

I have been tossin swimbaits with mine for a year with a healing rotator cuff injury without a lot of problems.

Its not the rod that will hurt ya, its the 10lb+ pig you stick.

Good luck, Jigs

RMANZO · Post by **RMANZO** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:48 pm

for the $$$$$$,,,,,,,okuma "FOR SURE"!!!!!!!!!!! 7'11 heavy for slider ......... 7'11 xheavy for hudds..............

Jason Milligan · Post by **Jason Milligan** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:18 pm

They're not available in the U.S. yet but I'm using a Damiki Craft Dark Angel 8' Swimbait rod paired with a Revo Inshore reel. The combo is amazing and the rod is very versatile. I'm throwing baits from Ospreys, Slammers, Huds etc. on it. The rod is priced at $209.00 and is better than ANY of my custom rods. They'll be available soon and you can check them out at tackletour.com.

Mike Tuck · Post by **Mike Tuck** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:03 am

You can't cover all of your swimbait needs with just one so as I tell everyone who asks.... You need one for 80% of your SB? Big bait needs, were talking 7" osprey type baits, most wake baits (ac minnow, 3:16 wake jr), 5 and even 12 huds, tripple trout types, and the like, and for your mission fish types when your aroung heavy cover; I use the Powell SB7'11 MH for all of these and even some buzzbaiting when I'm around big fish or need to make extra long casts... then for your super sized/weight SB needs you need a rod built just for that, the new Powell 800 will handle any of your punkers, 9" osprey types, 12 and 16 huds, 10" Tripple trouts, and when you need to go punching, its got plenty of muscle for the thickest of cover.

Mike Tuck

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:55 am

Sounds like the consensis, except for Big Dady Blue Ranger , who may have the best idea. "Don't do it with my arms and shoulders, just troll it". That I should just get a big 7'11" or 8 ft rod and start swinging ?? I was wondering most about comfort, ease, non fatigue etc..Like golf (they match you to the clubs size. height. arm length. weight etc etc .(I think anyway)?? I can fish a jig and spinnerbait all day now since I have my perfect match to me with my Dobyns 704C and 734C rods without fatigue and stress etc on arms etc.......they match me fine... guess I need to try out a few rods and rigs hud sizes first to see which are comfortable..........I have tried a few and they do not fit well !!

Thank you all
JIGS

DPetty · Post by **DPetty** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:38 pm

Jigs,

You are already on the right track being matched up with Dobyns Rods. That being said, I would recommend a 795 ML SB it is an awesome well rounded swimbait rod. With the likes of a Gary Dobyns and Mike Long design, how ya' gonna' go wrong? It is my understanding that Mike throws Huds with this rod so, yes it will do that job. Some others choose the 807 MAG HSB for heavier stuff and there's nothing wrong with that. We all have our personal choices. Heck if you want to throw the big stuff with little effort you may want to try out the 866 HSB.

You mentioned trying a few rods so, I thought I would give you a few choices. If you have any other questions I'll be glad do what I can to help out.

Good fishin' to ya', Don Petty

mvanguilder · Post by **mvanguilder** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:22 am

Jigs just go to the Bait Barn and check out the St. Croix swimbait rods that Manny has up front. There is two Tournament series swimbait rods. XH 8' for hudds, etc. and the heavy for the smaller swimbaits. These are the rods I am using at Pedro, McClure, Delta, etc. Lifetime warranty and built here in the USA. I have them as well, maybe when I get back to Pedro in the next couple of weeks we can go out and you can use mine. (209) 604-8222 www.fishwrangler.net

St. Croix pro staff - Mike Van Guilder Jr.

plungers · Post by **plungers** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:14 am

Jigs From what I understand is you want a rod you can throw without to much effort. The extra heavy rods are nice rods however you would probably be better off with a little softer rod.
For a little more money Loomis makes a nice rod in 3 diffrent power levels that work real well. The Okuma rods are great for the price. The Mike long rod from Dobyns is a rod you can throw with the least amount of effort however You won't get the really long cast like you can with the stiffer rods.
Bottom line is it really comes down to what YOU want, there are several really good choices out there. If you would like to throw a couple diffrent ones let me know I have three diffrent ones I can let you toss. hope this helps jim

Rod Martin · Post by **Rod Martin** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:33 am

Jigs, I had Steve Beachman make up 2 rods for me, I throw Hudds on one and the lighter stuff on the other. They are shorter than other rods [made to be easier on airlines]. If we get together, you can try them. Or if you want I can run them up sometime and you can try them for a week or 2.

bassindon69 · Post by **bassindon69** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:51 am

plungers wrote:Jigs From what I understand is you want a rod you can throw without to much effort. The extra heavy rods are nice rods however you would probably be better off with a little softer rod.
For a little more money Loomis makes a nice rod in 3 diffrent power levels that work real well. The Okuma rods are great for the price. The Mike long rod from Dobyns is a rod you can throw with the least amount of effort however You won't get the really long cast like you can with the stiffer rods.
Bottom line is it really comes down to what YOU want, there are several really good choices out there. If you would like to throw a couple diffrent ones let me know I have three diffrent ones I can let you toss. hope this helps jim

Good point Jim.
I will go with Jim on this one. I have a Bunch of XH Okuma's , One Okuma Heavy and one Dobyns ML 806. In your case I too would say go with Dobyns. The tip will help get the bait out there and still have enough back to get a big one in. My wife doesn't have the mussel I do to toss them way out there. The Dobyns rod helps her get the bait out there better (less effort).
You are welcome to try these rods I have also Phil.

Don.

aNNieNsaLTIE · Post by **aNNieNsaLTIE** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:21 pm

8 foot rainshadow custom wrapped!!......can't beat it! i got one and love it. great all around topwater or hudd type rod.

also got a custom GL3 BBR rod, it's only a 4 power but i that throw a BBZ, don't perfer it. same as the rainshadow but i perfer the wake jr, shellcracker, lunker punker, MISSION FISH..

I LOVE THE MISSION FISH!

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:38 am

Thank you guys !
Mike, Rod and Don, I will take you up on your offer. I think I need to try before investing again. Had a few different types when I had the store, but none of which helped me or were comfortable to fish with at least a half a day ! Maybe one of the 3 would be good for me.

Thanks again

JIGS

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:05 am

I think Jim had it just right.
Remember, you have to be able to load the rod in order for it to do the work for you.
I have a Crucial 8' extra heavy that I use for really big baits, but I'm still not able to huck it a mile, because I'm not strong enough to really load it. I've got a buddy who is a bull, and he can throw it a country mile. I'm more of a 5'9" jackass, so it's not a good fit for me.
I have a Crucial 8' heavy that throws 8" hudds great.
And I have a couple of 7'6" med. swimbait rods that I love for punkers, and for paralleling the shore with 6" and 8" jointed swimbaits, because they're easier for me to cast accurately, and most hard swimbaits are allergic to rock.
I can throw almost any lure sidearm with my Okuma. I have the 7'6" med. heavy, and a Cardiff reel. It loads like a crank rod, so it does the work, not me.
Try a few different lenghts and actions out before you buy.
I bought before I tried, and now own a few rods that I can't use very well.

sean alarid · Post by **sean alarid** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:26 am

I love my okuma 7'11" heavy and ex heavy swimbait rod. It can handle all the big baits and at the same time it does great with the little smaller baits. It handles the big stuff with effortless cast.

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:36 am

Technique is crucial... if you do it properly, you won't wear your shoulder as they don't really come into play if you use the fulcrum method. I learned it years ago on the salt, and can chuck a Salas 6X Jr. as far as anybody. Same with the bigger, heavier swimbaits such as the Huddlestons, Orsos, etc. It's a simple lever, so use it as such - pull with your bottom hand, and push with your top hand to "swap positions" and it is nearly effortless.

I love the Lamiglass Big Bait Special (I have three), and picked up one of the Okuma rods last year and feel it is probably the best value in its class. Either will cast big baits well.

Roger