Swimbait Rod?

[ELLIS]

I know that everyone is into ice fishing right now (as am I) but I have started thinking about open water again…

Next season I want to get into using swimbaits. I am not targeting any one species as yet. The rig I am using right now is a little to light for swimbaits. I have picked out the reel I want to use for this new rig and it will be the Curado 300E. I haven’t a clue what to pick for the rod. I guess most of the time I will be using lures up to ~3 ounces. I rarely have access to a boat so fishing from the shore will be the norm. I would like to get a two piece rod as it would be easier to transport.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill

[tr21chris]

Hey Ellis, G Loomis has some sweet swim bait rods!! I know Bennett's bait and tackle in Smiths Falls has them in stock, stop in and have a look.

[T Dot]

I know that everyone is into ice fishing right now (as am I) but I have started thinking about open water again…

Next season I want to get into using swimbaits. I am not targeting any one species as yet. The rig I am using right now is a little to light for swimbaits. I have picked out the reel I want to use for this new rig and it will be the Curado 300E. I haven’t a clue what to pick for the rod. I guess most of the time I will be using lures up to ~3 ounces. I rarely have access to a boat so fishing from the shore will be the norm. I would like to get a two piece rod as it would be easier to transport.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill

2 things you will notice about swimbait rods. they tend to be longer, roughly 8ft in range. most have a long handle in comparison to your conventional rods. these 2 aspects help give you leverage in launching those heavy baits. they give you the ability to fish them all day long, if you choose to do so.

off the shelf rods do not come in 2 piece. you will either have to get one cut down, or get a rod builder to build you one.

lastly you will notice swimbait rods load differently depending on the weight of your bait. 3oz is hovering just under the middle of the pack and will be 6-8inches in length. you can get away with the 2nd highest swimbait rod of any manufacturer. these rods will also throw lighter swimbaits as well. if you notice your rod doesnt load right on smaller baits, you will have to get yourself the lowest rod available.

i would suggested looking into the following companies [in no particular order]:

dobyns
okuma
powell
shimano

you rod is your biggest weapon when fishing these types of lures. it will allow you to pin your fish, especially when they hit right next to you. it takes the correct rod to get a good hook penetration, and move a large lure when in a fishes mouth.

when you hook into a big fish, you will be very glad you made the right decision.

[ELLIS]

Thanks for the insight T Dot.

I now realize that a two piece is a no go. I was hoping this was going to be easy process with an all purpose rod and reel.

I have emailed Ed at Paddletales and will be going to discuss various options this at the store.

Cheers,

Bill

[DropShotr]

T Dot,
We can always count on you for the swimbait info. Thanks!!

I've been throwing hollow bodies for 2 years. Picked up a Tru-Tungsten 4" wake/shallow diver at Poultry Palooza. I have a jar I throw spare change into...that's the Matt Lure Jar.

I've already have a reel in the works....but I have been leaning towards a BPS rod......yea......BPS.

I have three rods from BPS and I love them. I was looking at the Nitro series 7' 10" Heavy action fast tip it will throw baits that weigh 1/2 - 4oz.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 00_100-2-6

DS

[T Dot]

np on the swimbait stuff!

i was in ottawa this summer, and did a little frog fishing with borrowed equipment. it was quite fun. in august i plan on going home to toronto this time with all my equipment. if you guys are around, we should try to hookup if at all possible.

swimbaits are a tough subject, its not as easy as it looks. you really have to be mentally tough, and prepared for alot of fishless days. if you stick it out [and some dont], you will be happily rewarded.

do yourself a favor, if someone gives you advise, be kind enough to listen. its not they are trying to prove you wrong [one up you or however you look at it], it will better allow you to prepare yourself for the big bite. there will be fewer of them [far less than you have ever experienced], and you really have to capitalize on each and every one. trust me on this, as i am very hard headed, and am a non believer until i see it for my own eyes. i have been heart broken many times because of going against the grain. in this territory, i have forced myself to learn from the mistakes of others, as well as their experimentation.

to really understand if the rod you choose is capable of the job at hand, you can try this experiment.

SWIMBAIT:
- castaic catch22 / platinum - 6INCH ROF0

the above bait is probably the lightest 6inch bait out there. so really you can throw it with any rod out there, even your existing ones. there is but one way to fish this lure, which is stupid slow. watching the paint dry slow. when you get bit, it will be a train wreck. you will go from 0 - insane in a matter of a split second.

after hookup, if the fish man-handles you in anyway, consider that as a sure recommendation that you need a new rod. keep in mind that this is probably the lightest lure out there, so when you add more fish weight and lure weight, things will exponentially worsen.

I CANNOT STRESS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR YOU TO COMPLETELY CONTROL THE FISH AFTER HOOKUP.

[T Dot]

if you are still in the market for some rods:

LINK:
- http://www.fish-hawk.net/hawktalk/viewt ... 118#307118