I am starting to add swimbaits into my repertoire more this year. I have the most success using 4-6" baits that are 7/8-1 1/4oz. Reason being is that the bass by me don't grow as big. A 5#er is a trophy in my waters. Anyway I am looking for a rod that is capable of handling the smaller baits. I have it narrowed down to a Abu Garcia Veracity, Veritas, Fenwick HMX, Skeet Reese or Carrot Stix. I am limited to at most $150 which of these would you choose or is there a better rod out. Please no Shimano suggestions.

Any reason you're looking at those brands? Sponsor discount from a club or something? Is there a length you prefer? Treble or single hooked baits? Cork or EVA? Pepsi or Coke?

There is no particular reason. These are the rods I'm used to using. I have used carrot stix, veritas, and I'm in the past. I don't care if the grip is foam or cork. I don't want to go longer than 7' 3" and I have a mixture between treble and single hook but mostly I have treble hook. OH and Coke

I would consider the Dobyns Fury 735, the Daiwa Tatula 7'4" H (if you can swing the extra inch), and the Okuma TCS 7'3" H. The Tatula may come in at close to $150 but the other two should be well under. Slightly outside your budget is the Loomis E6X 884 swimbait rod; it would be $160 with a 20% sale. However it's pretty much ideal for your needs. Unless you equate Loomis with Shimano, in which case please disregard.

4 minutes ago, Cgrinder said:

I would consider the Dobyns Fury 735, the Daiwa Tatula 7'4" H (if you can swing the extra inch), and the Okuma TCS 7'3" H. The Tatula may come in at close to $150 but the other two should be well under. Slightly outside your budget is the Loomis E6X 884 swimbait rod; it would be $160 with a 20% sale. However it's pretty much ideal for your needs. Unless you equate Loomis with Shimano, in which case please disregard.

Thank you I like G Loomis but they are always out of my price range. Also I was looking at the Fury and it seems like a really good rod. I'll look at the Daiwa and Okuma as well

For efficiency purposes I went with a 7'11" MH graphite crank bait rod. I throw from XD10's to A-rigs to 6" Hudds and all the way up to 8" glide baits on it. 

Unless you're a swimbait guy and throw them constantly it's good to have a big and little setup and kind of cover everything between 1-1/2 to 8oz. 

I can't use a rod longer than 7' 3" I can't fit in my suv. I planned on using this rig for flipping and swim baits

If you like the veritas, the veracity is right up your alley. It does have micro guides which I like but it comes down to preference.