bnkrupt Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 I have went over all the stickies threads for newbies, and I'm still undecided on which rod I should go with. This is my first year trying the swimbait approach. I currently have the Shimano Calcutta 400B, and I'm looking at getting the Okuma Big Bait rod. Now I want to get the 7' 11" but that's as far as I get. I don't know which one I should go with the MH, H, or the XH. As of right now I plan on just throwing Mattlures bluegills, some Hudd 68 special, and maybe some various other lures. What would you recommend that I purchase? Thanks in advance, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anglerboirr Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 I have went over all the stickies threads for newbies, and I'm still undecided on which rod I should go with. This is my first year trying the swimbait approach. I currently have the Shimano Calcutta 400B, and I'm looking at getting the Okuma Big Bait rod. Now I want to get the 7' 11" but that's as far as I get. I don't know which one I should go with the MH, H, or the XH. As of right now I plan on just throwing Mattlures bluegills, some Hudd 68 special, and maybe some various other lures. What would you recommend that I purchase? Thanks in advance, Mike. Hey Mike, I'm a noob to swimbaiting as well my biggest fish to this point is about 7lbs. But as far the gear I've spent way to much money and I know where your coming from when I first started. Before I took a dive into spending all of my lunch money on small and big swimbaits I wanted to make sure I had the right rod to complement the baits. I didn't have to many baits to start with but I had a feeling I would get more. If I had to choose 1 rod in terms of being versatile enough to fish bigger to smaller baits I'd stick with a heavy or XH rod. A 8 inch huddleston might be a little to heavy to fish on a MH rod in terms of casting, hookset and comfort. Trust me you will eventually find the need to have a 8inch hudd in your arsenal if you are now fishing with a 68 hudd. Also you can easily fish a 68 hudd or bluegill bait on a heavy rod by just downsizing to a smaller sized reel such as a curado 200 or curado 300. Hopes that helps a little with your decision. Best regards - Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIMBO Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 The heavy is what you want.... Disclaimer: I have had 3 okumas and all of them shattered on a hookset... But I did get months out of them before that.the heavy will work well for all swimbait in the 3-7.5" range About 3.5oz is maxing it out once you decide to move up into the bigger stuff the xh will work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauknasty Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 I really like my Phenix M1 swimbait rod paired with a lexa 300 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Rider Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Go with the H. I have had great luck with mine for baits up to 4oz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnkrupt Posted February 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Thanks for all the advice. I will probably go ahead and order the rod today. Thanks again, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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