I've read the different reviews on the swimbait rods here so now I'm shopping for a new swimbait stick. I'd like to get the Okuma ($90) in mh because most baits I want to throw wont be that big(yet). I'll get a heavy stick later. The Crucial is available in mh and is a definate possibility but is $60 more. I also found a GLoomis BBR964c at Sport Chalet this morning for $149 which is $20 cheaper than Tacklewarehouse($170) but I think that that is a heavy stick. I like throwing the Storm baits, Big Hammers, and I'm looking into getting some Castaics in 6", Matt's Baby Bass, and possibly trying a few other small to medium sized swimbaits. Your experiences, advice, and places to purchase at decent prices would be very helpful. If you still think I should get a heavy rod for throwing those smaller baits like the Storms then I'll just go ahead and get one.

This look's familiar:-) .

Matt's Baby Bass and the lighter weight baits: 7', 6" Kistler Heavy Helium

Hudds, etc: Okuma Heavy for me
Dan

"Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less"

Deo Vindice

I personally prefer my redington swimbait rod to anything else I've held. The model is RFXC 7911, its a 7' 9" 1-6 oz rod. Its got a ton of backbone with a SLIGHTLY softer tip than some of the other rods. Best of all its a cool 99 bucks! Check it out the specs at: http://www.redington.com/rods/rfx.html
I throw everything from Mattlures bluegills to Huddlestons to big slammers on it and I'm very pleased.

Matt Allen

Matt: Can you compare your Reddinton to the Heavy Okuma? I just got mine and havn't had a hit on it yet so I d/k if the tip is 'soft' enough.

Dan

"Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less"

Deo Vindice

Hello, I'm a newbie to the swim bait fishing scene, but for the fisherman on a budget, like myself, I didn't have the big bucks to lay out for the more expensive rods so I opted for the Bass Pro Shops brand 7' 6" Heavy Action GS76HT-T. It was on sale for $29.99, and it works well with my Shimano Catala 400 reel. I love this setup! I can throw the 6" Storm baits, Castaic 6", and will soon be throwing the MS Slammer 7" & 9". It's light weight, has excellent backbone, and the tip has some give, but not too much. Hope this helps,

Scott

Fish On!!

Lightninrod,
I've held the heavy okuma but have not fished it. From just playing with the rod I know the redington has a slightly softer tip. I know someone with a heavy okuma and as he reads this he'll decide if he wants to let me use it for a little while one of these days to make a comparison for you! }( I'll report back to you or PM you when I've given it a fair enough shot, I.E. hooked a fish on the heavy.

Matt

Thank's Matt. Although, I don't 'need';-) another rod, the Reds sound interesting.

Dan

"Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less"

Deo Vindice

Ya, check them out and I'll get back to you with a report. They're not another no-name company like some. If you're familiar with fly fishing at all, they're an affilliate of Sage fly rods so you know its a good product! ...have to get back to "studying."

Matt

That rod you mentioned is fine for the baits you mentioned, but there is no way you can throw the big rubber baits on that rod and expect to be successful.

Sure, you actually could cast a stocker trout on that rod, but your successes likely would be minimal.

After reading the reviews here I'm leaning quite heavily towards the GLoomis back bouncer in gl2 I found at Sport Chalet. I don't know who wrote those reviews but he sure liked it. Do any of you fish swimbaits with this rod?

I JUST BOUGHT BBR 964C I LIKE IT ITS NICE BUT I PAYED $170

I made a mistake- the 7'6" was $149, the 8' BBR 964c was $165.99 and I picked it up yesterday.

I use a FSR904X/7'6" basis GL2 flippen stick teamed with a shimano Corsair CS 400A. $180 for the rod $79 for the reel. caught a bunch of toads up to 15.3. seems to work good but I havent tried a bunch of others to know if Im missin something.