What is everyone out using as far as reel , line # ,rod length, and how are  you working it?

Shimano Crucial 7'11" Heavy, Shimano Calcutta 400B, 25lb Pline CXX, slow

Okuma Guide Select 7'6" EX Heavy, Shimano Cardiff 400A "                                            "

Okuma Guide Select 7'6" Heavy, "                                                                      "

Looking for another rod though.

Biz I know Matt  uses the Redingtons but you gotta check out the 7"11 okumas they are extremly nice

I've thrown the 7'11 Okuma a little bit. I dig it. I like the action of the Crucials, Redingtons, and Powells (have not go to fish it, just handle it) a little more though. I'll probably end up with another crucial, or powell, but I am interested in the dobyns. Have you got to use one of Mike's?

I use the 7'11" Okuma rod and it does it's job well. I havn't really used other swimbait rods so I can't compare it, but it seems just fine to me. It has alot of backbone (i have the Heavy) and the split grip helps with casting.

I use a Browning Six Rivers LP casting reel with 30lb Power Pro. The Browning is acualy made for steelhead so its pretty sturdy. Everything is aluminum exept the left sideplate. I throw Mattlures Bluegill and so far I have been running them close to the surface. I had some massive hits but have missed them for one reason or another and have yet to catch my first swimbait fish.

Shimano Crucial 7'11" Heavy, Shimano Calcutta 400B, 25lb Pline CXX, slow

Okuma Guide Select 7'6" EX Heavy, Shimano Cardiff 400A "                                            "

Okuma Guide Select 7'6" Heavy, "                                                                      "

Looking for another rod though.

Nice selection you have there.  I just ordered the 7'6" Okuma guide select XH.

What is your experience with this rod?

thanks

avid

Its a freakin broom stick! It has the unique abilitity to throw the absolute heaviest baits available ( at least "on the market")

I don't use it much. Just Hudds and the big 3:16 hardbaits. It was my first "dedicated" swimbait rod. Its heavy, and uber stiff. But its durable, throws heavy stuff with ease, affordable, and it plain gets the job done!

You will probably have a hard time throwing matt's baits, mission fish under 7", and light hard baits with it. But your hud will fly like you have never seen before!

Totally worth the price and a good rod too.

Thanks, that's exactly what I want.

the mattlures and mission fish fly just fine on my Loomis BCR804.

It was the huds that were crippling me.

Go get em big guy.

avid.

Matt... I watched a friend break an Okuma 7'11" heavy on a 4 pounder yesterday! Then again, I snapped my Redington Flippin' stick on a 5 a couple months back. Just a reminder to everyone... even with the big rods, don't high-stick your fish into the boat, it will cost you big time! You think those rods can handle them but if you swing 'em in and that rod tip is too high even swimbait rods can't handle that load!

On a side not, I've handled that 7'11" Okuma and I was impressed by it. Its a nice rod and has resolved a lot of the issues I had with the 7'6". Getting away from the super stiff tip was the best thing they could do, its pretty sick now. Heck, I even stuck a big smallie on it since there was a Mattlures 6" hanging on my buddies rod and I didn't want to tie one on my Redington. Really, there aren't a lot of bad rods anymore, just rods with slightly different actions that can be matched to each individuals exact style of fishing/fighting fish.