There are only two swimbait rods that I would recommend and each choice is based on price.

The best bang for the buck is the Okuma Big Bait series for sure. They make 7'6" and 7'11" models; six rods in total. They each retail for around $100 and with a lifetime warranty; they're hard to beat.  I'd go with the 7'11" Heavy. The MH would probably handle the bait as well, but the Heavy will be more versatile and allow you to use bigger baits as well. For the price, they are very good rods.

The next choice is what I consider to be the best swimbait rod available. It is a custom rod built by David Conway of Conway Custom Rods. He designed a 8' blank for Graphite USA that was built for swimbaits. It isn't a saltwater blank, built to be used for swimbaits.It was designed from the ground up to be the best swimbait blank available. Jerry Rago fishes them; if that says anything about how good they are. A built rod will start out at $200 and is well worth it ifyou are going to spend time fishing the big baits. It's by far, the most versatile blank I've ever fished. It will fish most 6" baits justas well as it will fish big 12" swimbaits. It's just amazing how well the rod can fish so many different sizes of baits. The rod can be built any way you like as well. If you want more info, post your email and Ican get that to you.

There are other rods that are decent for swimbaits, but they are either built wrong or they are priced wrong in my opinion. There aren't too many swimbait rods on the market that are worth a darn that sell for less than $150. The only ones that come to mind are the Okumas. The Shimano Crucial blanks are great, but the handles are VERY short. It would be worth it just to save the extra money and get a custom rod like I recommended.That is what I fish! If it is not for you, you don't need to look any further than the Okumas.

I've noticed that many believe a swimbait rod has to be really heavy; and that isn't true. You want a rod that is heavy enough to fish the baits you will be fishing easily; yet not heavier than is needed. I don't want a broomstick! I want a rod with good backbone, but some flex in the tip. The backbone is to cast the baits and the flex is to keep the fish hooked. The other thing that makes a great swimbait rod is a VERY LONG handle. Most factory rods have too short of a handle in my opinion. My custom rods have 17" handles! That may sound long and they are, but it makes such a huge difference when you're casting the big baits all day. The long handle makes it effortless! It also makes the long 8' rods fish shorter after the cast is made. It's easier to net a big bass when you're by yourself as well. That's really all there is too it! A rod that isn't a broomstick, has some flex in the tip, long handle; and as light weight as possible. That is what makes a VERY good swimbait rod in my opinion.

As for reels, there are many that are capable. I use the Shimano Calcutta 400TE. It is the best out there as far as the US version reels go.Again, it depends on how much you're going to fish them and how large of baits you plan on throwing. For 3 ounce baits, the 400 would be my choice. A 300 size reel will work, but I have a 300TE as well; and it isn't as good as the 400. If you can't afford the TE, go with the Shimano Calcutta 400B. From my experience with them, they aren't quit as durable as theTEs; but they cast VERY WELL. The Cardiff 300 or 400 is another choice;as well as the Quantum Cabo PT30. I've fished all of the mentioned reels and if you have any questions about them; just ask. The reel you use will depend on the line size you will be using. I don't fish swimbaits on line less than 20# and I use 25# most of the time.

World Record and Trophy Bass Fishing