Gonna try throwing swimbaits so I can hopefully start catching bigger bass. What would be a good cheap way to start that I could buy at Bass Pro? Any advice helps. Thanks

there are many different kinds of swimbaits , gambler big ez , sebile , huddleston ,spro bbz ,etc.

if you're throwing 1oz to 4oz baits, st.croix makes a good one, mojo bass MBC79HF ($130)

general rule of thumb stay within the lure oz rating on the rod.

Okuma big bait series paired with a shimano cardiff wont break the bank. i bought the set up last fall but haven't had much success with it. anyone feel to chime in on my theory: big swimbaits are more a deep water technique and deep water success skyrockets with sonar/electronics. i know i will do MUCH better with them once i pick up a humminbird. then i can swim an 8" Hudd over the right point, creek bed, structure etc. without that deep water knowledge its like i'm wasting alot of energy tossing a huge bait in a giant deed ocean (sometimes i go old school and pre-fish the area with a 3/4 oz football jig and come back with the Hudd later--alot of work now a days when you can literally see the bottom with sonar and mark a GPS point). i do have limited success with them where shallow water meets deep but its not worth the effort b/c i can get the same results with a swimjig, spinnerbait etc. If i could do it over (being on a budget)...i'd buy electronics first (they would help ALL of my fishing techniques) and buy a swimbait set up next season (vs spending money on one specific technique).

I throw my Hudds with a REVO S and Fenwich Elite Tech Swimbait rod....it's a perfect set up and I paid around $215 total.

You could pick up the REVO ORRA Inshore on Fishermans Factory Outlet for about $88 refurbished from the manufacturer...This is a good reel and will do exactly what you want...Look at the OKUMA Guide series in 7'6 Heavy or MH or the 7'11 MH....I prefer the longer rod. You could get into that set up for around $200 or under I believe.

Trust me, it's not fun throwing swimbaits on the wrong equipment, not one bit.

Here's nice rod: