Big Bait Fishing

Phenix Ultra MBX blanks ........

yozuri hybrid in 6 lb. is the size of most brands 10lb. , so breaking at 12 lbs. is nothing to write home about ....

for those smaller swimbaits you are planning to use , a standard low profile bait caster will be fine . you will be able to spool up enough 17-20 lb. line . 1-4 oz. baits can be thrown on 15 lb. line actually . a pretty decent reel that will work good is the abu orra winch , on sale at TW for $70 ....

if i were you i'd look at a Phenix Ultra MBX 700MH ( i use the 7'7'' models) the blank is light , sensitive , and plenty of backbone .

i have that same blank , ISWB 945 , they rate the rod as having a fast action but is really a moderate action . for hudds you might want a more faster action with a little more backbone . it can throw a 8'' hudd but the rod flexes almost to the handle . great for treble hook baits but i prefer a stiffer rod for jig hook baits . i now have that rod designated for catfish . everybody has their own take on what works for them , me i prefer a more powerful rod . by the way , that rod throws 10XD's pretty well , so you can say it is like a big crankbait rod . a good blank that will throw the baits your talking about is the Phenix USB800H , very popular for a custom build for swimbaits ...

excellent info !!

if you want thinner and smoother , try some YGK G-SOUL X8 , consideribly thinner and smoother than smackdown ...

i've tried lot's of braid , in my opinion , sunline makes the best braid in the SX1 and FX2 , i use 10 lb. on spinning set up , 20 lb on Ml rod , 40 lb. on H rod -all SX1 . 80 lb. on punch rod (FX2) .. i hate overly coated lines and lines that flatten and fuzz ...

Gamma Torque spectra , after two-three trips it gets pretty soft

haven't yet but a have a pack in my next tackle wharehouse cart , looks promising though i think the need some different colors ....

sufix 832 does fray some ....

the Recon Elite's are a slow fast , i was just at Phenix yesterday and was checking out all the models (blanks) , looking for a stout flipping blank ( ended up getting a Ultra Swimbait 7'9'' blank ) the recons have power but it's farther back into the blank making it feel underpowered . for me and my fishing style , i like blanks that shut off in the first third of the blank no matter what power it is .

the Phenix recon Elite 7'6'' heavy and 7'9'' heavy are flipping rods ! i would go with the 7'6'' MH .

overall best stick bait i've used , BPS stick-o !! i buy the 50 packs and they last quite awhile

for night fishing , it's time for rat's and buzz frogs that savage gear rat is money ...... .

all the rods i use are $350 and up customs , though all my reels but two ( Revo Toro 51 & Revo ALX ) are $200 or less . as most others have said , you need the action , power , and sensitivity in the rod , that's were you get what you pay for . as long as you get a good quality reel that performs to your expectations , you should be good without spending a lot .

the bottom one is a JSJ snack size trout ....

football head or arkie style head . then again if you're catching fish , use what's working ...

here in southern california , this what the crawdads look like and this is what i use

Pro -Cure is the best scent/swimbait lube on the market , PERIOD !!! i use crawfish , rainbow trout , trophy bass , and shad . this stuff stays on the lure and is made of what is on the label . i use it for plastics , swimbaits , and even crankbaits .

post this in '' other species '' , this is the custom rod section of the forum ....

80 lb. braid ...

5 gear ratio ....