Opinions on rod and reel set up needed

[geckel]

I'm going to put together a rod and reel for large swimbaits, 6-10 inches. My current spinning setup wears me out. I have never owned a casting real setup before but I've been researching it quite a bit. Need heavy/extra heavy power with fast action....I'm thinking 8-9' long paired with a casting reel with a large wide spool. I would prefer to spend $300 or less total. If anybody has any advice to offer or recommendations for a particular make/model, I would really appreciate the input. Thank you.

[Jmmiller33]

I'd look into salt water rigs and keep the ratio on the reel up to move line faster. Out of curiosity what setup are you getting away from?

[Pookie]

I'm going to put together a rod and reel for large swimbaits, 6-10 inches. My current spinning setup wears me out. I have never owned a casting real setup before but I've been researching it quite a bit. Need heavy/extra heavy power with fast action....I'm thinking 8-9' long paired with a casting reel with a large wide spool. I would prefer to spend $300 or less total. If anybody has any advice to offer or recommendations for a particular make/model, I would really appreciate the input. Thank you.

While I don't fish large swimbaits, I do occasionally fish Alabama rigs and frogs. My set-up is a 7'9" Powell Heavy action rod with a Shimano Calcutta 201 reel. If you're interested in Powell rods, I can hook you up with one of their pro-staff guys and buy them at a discount.

[blink]

I have a St. Croix Mojo Swimbait rod, 7'-9" rated 1-4oz.
It really doesnt handle anything over 2.5oz very well.

i have an ABU C4 reel rigged with it. I like it.

The Lamiglas Swimbait rods are supposed to be awesome for the money. $90. supposedly can handle up to 8oz.

Also, the Daiwa Lexa 300 is supposed to be a great low profile, high cap reel. lots of swimbaiters love it.

[agelesssone]

Greg, get yourself a 7'-9" Skeet Reese (yellow rod) medium heavy with a Shimano Chronarch reel, 6.2 retrieve ratio. Spool it with Power Pro Super Slick 30-40 lb. test line.

It will cast a mile with your swimbaits, has a low enough gear ratio that it won't wear you out. Best thing is.....the rod will float if it goes overboard somehow. I know, mine did when a 7 lb cat jerked it over board. I turned the boat around and picked up the rod and brought in the fish.

Skeet Reese rod....................$90.00
Shimano Chronarch...............$200.00
Power Pro Super Slick............$20-35.00
Plus tax

Tally comes to $355 but you'll have a setup that will last until you pull a Bill dance and close your rod in a door or stick it in a ceiling fan or you slam the rod locker down on it.

[Travis C.]

http://southernswimbait.com/

http://southernswimbait.com/2012/04/24/the-g-loomis-966-bbr-the-bigbait-rod/

geckel, here's a very good resource site for those big baits you want to throw.

[Pinwheeled]

I recently bought a setup for the same thing and came in around $250. I ended up getting an Abu Garcia Vertias 7' 9" Heavy action that's rated up to 3oz for $99 and a Shimano Cardiff 300 for $119. Add a spool of P-Line CXX in 25lb and I came in right about $250.

It handles 6" Hudds easily. I've also made up some Alabame rigs that weighed around 6oz just to see if it could handle it which it did although not ideal. It's still small enough though that I can use it for a flipping stick or for Carolina Rigs.

[geckel]

I really appreciate all of the replies to my post. After researching the rods that were suggested on here I feel I have learned a lot, which makes me much more confident. I stumbled across a rod that I think fits my style perfectly...the shimano crucial swimbait 7'11" heavy action. This rod has a good length, rated for 5-8oz lures, stiffer action then most (something I like), and it caries a limited lifetime warranty. If anyone has experience with this rod then what did you like and/or dislike about this rod?

....also what reel do you guys recommend? Merv mentioned that a lower gear ratio was desirable and from what I've read that is true...it helps with creating a natural presentation. Also, I liked the idea of a floating rod. I ordered blakemore rod floaters for all of my setups (I lost a pricey one in the caney this year). Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks

[geckel]

I pulled the trigger and bought the shimano crucial swimbait rod with a shimano cardiff 400a reel....and I came in exactly $0.02 under budget haha! Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

[Pinwheeled]

I pulled the trigger and bought the shimano crucial swimbait rod with a shimano cardiff 400a reel....and I came in exactly $0.02 under budget haha! Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Great choice... Except don't you know there's nothing big enough in TN to hit a 10" bait ;)

[txnative]

Great choice... Except don't you know there's nothing big enough in TN to hit a 10" bait ;)

I agree, nothing at all...


Chris

[geckel]

Haha...challenge accepted!