Looking to buy a new rod for swimbaits in the 5-8" range weighing anywhere from 1.5oz-4oz and already have a shimano calcutta reel to pair with.  I'm looking at a couple of rods right now on TW thinking about buying them on the 20% off promo they have right now.  Rod #1 is Genesis II Cast Rod 7'8" Jr. Swimbait  and Rod #2 is TFO Gary Loomis Tactical Swimbait Casting Rod 7'11 MagH.  Both of these rods are identical in price and have nearly identical features, they both have a limited lifetime warranty.  So my question is simple, which one would you lean towards, actual experience with either rod would be useful!

Thank you!

 

I don't have either of the two rods you're asking about.  I do have a 7'9" Fenwick Aetos that easily throws 4 ounces or so of A rig.  It is also a good frog rod.  Like all top of the line Fenwick rods,  it has a limited lifetime warranty.  I am happy with this rod, especially since it was a replacement that Fenwick gave me for a Technica AV rod that I snapped the tip on earlier this spring.   Price wise, it is comparable to the two rods you've mentioned.  Also, I use a Calcutta on this rod, a several years old 7 ball bearing Calcutta 200 TE.  Just another option.  I don't think that you can go wrong with any of the rods mentioned.

Be sure and check out the Okuma Guide Select swimbait rods.  They come very highly recommended and won't break the bank.

If you are in the market for a cheap swimbait rod an Okuma Guide Select is about the only thing I could recommend. A lot of guys with extremely high end rods and custom rods will still use them, plus they have an amazing warranty. If you are thrifty you can get some used Dobyns and Loomis rods for that price range also.

I have a St. Croix mojo 7'9" Heavy/Fast for my swimbait rod. My swimbait lot consists of baits under the 8" length and under 6oz, so this rod handles them perfectly. The rod is rated for 1-4oz but you can go a bit heavier in my opinion. Rod can be had at $130 retail, and with all the sales you could get one for ~$100. Great starter rod in my opinion.

I was actually also considering the Okuma Guide Select so given all the feedback I may have to consider that one a bit more.

Probably not going to beat the Okuma Guide Select at that price point. I love my Dobyns 795 but will readily admit it was quite a bit of money for a swimbait rod.

I own Loomis and Okuma swimbait rods, there is very little performance difference. The Okuma 7'11"" heavy swimbit rod is a great all around swimbait rod for lures up to 6 oz.

Tom

Okuma guide select is what i started out with for swimbaits and i now own 3 two hvy and 1 m-hvy