I want to buy a new swimbait rod for huddlestons and ms slammers and occasionally spro bbz1 rated up to 8 oz lure weight. My price range is $200-$300. The new megabass orochi xx leviathan looks good and the dobyns champion and g loomis mossyback at the upper end of that range. Which rod is best for huddlestons?

Look into lowdown customs production line of rods. They come up for sale on SU pretty regularly too,if used is an option for you.

Look into lowdown customs production line of rods.

X2 this is the same advice I'd give. I have one of them one I purchased direct from Ben and it's an amazing rod. I'm getting a custom made just gotta get in line and wait due to the demand he get's for his rod's. Can't go wrong with LDC

If you've got that type of price range, I would definitely look into getting a rod from LDC.

 

Been fishing with them for quite some time now. Very nice rod. If you're going to fish a hudd with a BB rig, the XH production would be ideal. In your price range, you can have him use the production blank and add some "custom" treatments to the rod to personalize it. If you're going to stick with the jig hook, I'd maybe step up to the LDC Custom as it has a stiffer backbone for single hook baits. You'll be a bit over your top end but you won't regret it for a second.

 

Look up his website and shoot him a message. Good dude that I consider a friend.

G. Loomis 7'11" Heavy is the a excellent swimbait rod in your price range for swimmer up 8 oz.

Irod 7'9" heavy swimbait rod GII series is $150 excellent Hudd rod,put the money into a upgrade reel or a few swimmers.

Tom

If you've got that type of price range, I would definitely look into getting a rod from LDC.

 

Been fishing with them for quite some time now. Very nice rod. If you're going to fish a hudd with a BB rig, the XH production would be ideal. In your price range, you can have him use the production blank and add some "custom" treatments to the rod to personalize it. If you're going to stick with the jig hook, I'd maybe step up to the LDC Custom as it has a stiffer backbone for single hook baits. You'll be a bit over your top end but you won't regret it for a second.

 

Look up his website and shoot him a message. Good dude that I consider a friend.

Of course speedbead nailed it. What your talking about is almost a 2 different rod type of thing. The productions are great rods but I think they are a little weak when it come to top hook baits. For the price they really can't be beat. You can find them used on SU but I have not seen anything but XXH come up for a while. I am sure if you asked someone has it though.

Not being familiar with LDC Low Down Custom rods have a few questions.

Does LDC make their rod blanks?

If not who's rod blanks do they use?

Tom

Not being familiar with LDC Low Down Custom rods have a few questions.

Does LDC make their rod blanks?

If not who's rod blanks do they use?

Tom

 

Tom, as far as I know, the custom rod blank is made by Phenix. I'm not sure where the Production rod blank comes from but I'm fairly certain it is Phenix as well.

The Phenix rod co isn't the original west coast co., bought and moved to FL. The early swimbait rods were inshore salt water rods, heavy but but strong. The newer Ultra Swimbait rod is lighter and hasn't become a popular rod out west and you can find some good sale prices on the 7'9" heavy model, the 7'11" MH is a little more popular.

Tom

If you've got that type of price range, I would definitely look into getting a rod from LDC.

Been fishing with them for quite some time now. Very nice rod. If you're going to fish a hudd with a BB rig, the XH production would be ideal. In your price range, you can have him use the production blank and add some "custom" treatments to the rod to personalize it. If you're going to stick with the jig hook, I'd maybe step up to the LDC Custom as it has a stiffer backbone for single hook baits. You'll be a bit over your top end but you won't regret it for a second.

Look up his website and shoot him a message. Good dude that I consider a friend.

Not to derail the thread but I am going to rig up a few Hudds and had some questions about the BB rig, should I use braid or steel? How far back for the hook, I've seen behind the head and behind the dorsal fin. And what size treble?

Not to derail the thread but I am going to rig up a few Hudds and had some questions about the BB rig, should I use braid or steel? How far back for the hook, I've seen behind the head and behind the dorsal fin. And what size treble?

 

I use a size 2, 2x or 4x gammy. Butch uses VMC. Fish Chris uses Owner ST36. Pick your poison.

 

As far as braid or seven strand, depends on the length. Going to the dorsal, I'd use the braid. Going behind the head, seven strand.

 

If I'm rigging for muskies, always seven strand or crimped heavy fluoro.

 

 

*Disclaimer* I still am not a hudd "guy" but I fish them if that's what they'll eat. More musky than bass for me with hudds.

Out of all the rods you have listed, Orochi XX is going to have the best time handling the most diverse weight range. It does cost 325, so if you don't mind spending additional 25 dollars, I would go with that.

The BB rig is top of the head hook and it works.....but it tears the Hudd's head up.

Keep in mind bass strike the head of a swimbait 90% of the time to kill it! head hook work!

If you add a stinger hook use wire, less chance of a failure. I like the STX-58 size 1 stinger hook for 8" Hudds. Behind the dorsal fin.

Muskies could tear up a Huud!

Getting off topic.

Tom

The Phenix rod co isn't the original west coast co., bought and moved to FL. The early swimbait rods were inshore salt water rods, heavy but but strong. The newer Ultra Swimbait rod is lighter and hasn't become a popular rod out west and you can find some good sale prices on the 7'9" heavy model, the 7'11" MH is a little more popular.

Tom

About that 7 ft 9 hvy? New model. I have the opportunity to get one 40% off should I go for it? Seems like a good deal to me. How does the rod compare to the g loomis?

Muskies could tear up a Huud!

Tom

 

LOL, they do.

 

LOL, they do.

 

 

 

At least yours still works...

About that 7 ft 9 hvy? New model. I have the opportunity to get one 40% off should I go for it? Seems like a good deal to me. How does the rod compare to the g loomis?

Can't help you with today's Phenix swimbait rods.

Loomis IMX 955C SWB, 7'11" is the ideal rod for 2-6 oz lures (Hudds etc.) and the rod others are judged against.

IMX 957C, 7"11" heavy, 4-10 oz lures for the big swimmers.

If price is an issue then Okuma swimbaits are a good choice.

I like fore grips, so rods without are not for me.

Tom

Price isn't an issue as long as its under $300. Basically it's phenix ultra vs g loomis imx or mossyback vs dobyns champ. Reel is shimano Calcutta b 400.

Price isn't an issue as long as its under $300. Basically it's phenix ultra vs g loomis imx or mossyback vs dobyns champ. Reel is shimano Calcutta b 400.

If you haven't bought one yet you can tryout Moam Sticks 51/50. Just send him a pm on facebook. Ben from LDC likes his work as well.