What rod, and I'm looking for feedback on the 8 foot kind, or the 7' 11" kind...(ie, no 7.5 footers) can throw the absolute heaviest bait?

Not some blank that you have to get a custom rod built around either.....

I mean, commercially available, who makes the absolute stoutest rod for the throwing the super mongo big baits, the baits that weigh 8 or more ounces. I see rods with rod ratings that go way high, but I think that is more marketing than reality.

Anyone care to chime in on the rods that can throw the biggest baits?

My brother Rod and I have worked with G-Loomis for years. They used our Stocker Trout lures to help design their new swimbait rods. We did a lot of field testing with some prototype rods. You can easily throw 8 to 12 ounce baits on their SWBR957C. The rod is 7 feet 11 inches long. If you need something heavier you could go with the MUR946C. It is 7 feet 10 inches long. It can handle 12 ounces with no problem. The end result of all the testing, is they now have 4 great swimbait rods!!! You can throw big swimbaits all day with these rods!!!
We have links and some info on the rods at www.rodthigpin.com
Good Luck
Todd Thigpin

I will have my swimbait rods availible soon. Should have some at the bass-a-thon. The xxxhvy can throw baits up to 2lbs. Thats not a typo. I had to custom make a giagantiod with extra weight to get it to weigh 2 pounds for testing. For its power the rod is extremly light and it does have some give in the tip. Its not just a broom stick. The rod rating is accurate.

www.mattlures.com

Matt,

Looking forward to seeing you at the Bassathon. I'm very interested in your xxxhvy rod. I thought that I read on another site that your rods are 7'11" with a telescopic rear grip. Could you tell me if that 7'11" is before the grip is extended out? Also wondering if you have decided on a retail price for your rods (sorry, bassathon is to far away, 61 days and counting!) Thanks Matt.

Ive been fishing the G loomis 957C for a year now and absolutley would recommend nothing else, not only can you throw 8-12 ounce baits all day, but they have the backbone to pick-up line from the furthest distances and drive the hook home, especially on the boney mouths of stripers. I got this 33lbr this last weekend at willow beach throwin 10inch stocker trouts and 25lb triple fish. We also got a 27, 21, 15, 14.5, 12, and a 10! One of the smaller fish was hooked about as far as you can cast, and the rod really shined in picking up the line and setting the hook, the fish then got hung in a tree, where it came loose about a minute later and was reeled in with the bait ripped in half. My 33lbr was caught with the bait all the way down the throat and no even hooked! Cannot say enough about these Rods, Baits and Line, thanks guys for making quality stuff!

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/6957-IMG000004.jpg

Attachment #1, (.jpg file)

Dick thats an awsome pic. I am jealous. I have never fished for stipers before and thats one fish thats on my list. Congrats!!
GGR I will have 2 series of rods. The standard rods will be around $170 and the signature series will be around $280. I plan on having some at the BAT so come check them out.

www.mattlures.com

Interesting.

I'm a Loomis 966 addict. I use them for a lot of my swimbait fishing. It makes sense the 957 would be stouter and sounds like they have input from some guys who know whats up. I'm definitely familiar with the name Thigpin and all thing bigbait and trophy. Good feedback.

Matt S., sound like you are doing some forward thinking. Your rod that can throw a 2 pound bait! Shoots bro. I'm gonna have to have me one of those!

Good feedback and thank y'all

Hey Peters, You gonna try to find a way to throw 6 hudds at once?? LOL.

Not a bad idea Mike!

Yeah, just thinking about some baits I have that are too big to throw with my current gear. Getting ready for fall...after I get done with the Clarks Hill event, you know what I'm doing.