I'm looking to start some swim-bait fishing and need to get opinions on a good swim-bait rod, I'll be pairing the rod with a curado 300E. I think I'll mainly be throwing 6-8 inch hudds. I really don't want to spend too much so lets say under 200 but any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

There are quite a few posts on this website asking this same question if you use the search feature. 

 

In a short answer:

 

Dobyns Fury 795

Okuma Guide Select 7'11" Heavy

Yeah, the Fury and the Okuma are probably the best you'll find for the money. You can save some money and buy some more swimbaits.

Thanks for the replies! Those are the ones I was looking at, I believe I'm going with the Okuma.

21 minutes ago, JLPRICE92 said:

Thanks for the replies! Those are the ones I was looking at, I believe I'm going with the Okuma.

First look at Dobyns FR 806 SB, Irod Gen II 8' XH swimbait rods, if you plan to use 8" Hudds.

Tom

4 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

There are quite a few posts on this website asking this same question if you use the search feature. 

 

In a short answer:

 

Dobyns Fury 795

Okuma Guide Select 7'11" Heavy

both those rods are under powered for 8'' Hudds ( ROF 12 & 16) , if you go with an Okuma , you better get the XH and like Tom said , get the dobyns 806 ..

The Okuma Guide Select XH is a good rod for a good price. I have that and the Fury 795, the Fury will be very under powered for an 8" Hudd. I know what the specs say, but the one to three ounce range is the sweet spot for that rod. 

It was interesting I read a post by Gary Dobyns that the Fury FR795 is the #2 selling rod for them. He also has said that the 806 is a beast of a rod with swimbaits. I think I would go with the FR806SB.

I have the Okuma Guide Select 7'11" H and it's plenty for most of the hudd 8" swimbaits.  it's rated 1-6 OZ and the Hudd swimbaits are less that 5OZ.  I recommend it, and it's not badly priced either at just over $120.00

 

Dug

Thanks for all the responses, I really like the dobyns 806 but that just a little bit out of my price range unless I can find a good deal on one. I guess I'm going to look into the iROD gen II, they are only 149.

I just realized I was looking at the Dobyns Champion series, the fury line is within my price range. Has anyone fished both fury and Irod?

This is straight from the Dobyns site it doesn't look like the Fury 806 is out of your range.

FR 806SB   /  8'0"   /  $119.99

I have own and fish both Irod Genesis II rods and Dobyns and so do some of my friends.  Unfortunately I do not fish swimbaits but I can tell you both guys make really nice rods.  It is a toss up between them.  You can choose between a Dobyns Fury FR806SB and an Irod. They have at least 3 that should work. Look at the 794sb and 795sb rods. 

10 hours ago, JLPRICE92 said:

I just realized I was looking at the Dobyns Champion series, the fury line is within my price range. Has anyone fished both fury and Irod?

The Fury FR806 SB just came out this month, it's new to the line up.

I own the Irod XH 8' swimbait rod and it's perfect for 8" Hudds, little over powered for 6" Hudds, OK for 68 Hudds. The Bailey model has a litgher tip and maybe a better choice. You are better off being over powered than under powered with swimbaits. 

Tom

If you go with the Okuma get the XH if you plan on throwing 8" hudds. It says 1-6 it's really more like 1-4. 

wait till the Fury 806 comes out ...

Thanks guy for all the help, I think I'm going to go with the fury 806. This will be my first time throwing big swimbaits so I'm pretty excited even though it might take more than a few trips to get a good bite.

2 hours ago, JLPRICE92 said:

Thanks guy for all the help, I think I'm going to go with the fury 806. This will be my first time throwing big swimbaits so I'm pretty excited even though it might take more than a few trips to get a good bite.

stick with it , bring only that rod with you 

I use a Shimano 7'11" Crucial XH, Shimano Teramar 8' XH and two Daiwa 8' DX's in XH & H. The Crucial is the most sensitive, the Teramar has the "it" factor and the DX's are the best value.

6 hours ago, JLPRICE92 said:

Thanks guy for all the help, I think I'm going to go with the fury 806. This will be my first time throwing big swimbaits so I'm pretty excited even though it might take more than a few trips to get a good bite.

Let us know how you like it! I might pick up one myself this season but I have yet to hear many reviews yet. I want to make sure it can actually handle the upper end of it's lure rating. 

I just ordered a FR806SB from tackle warehouse!  They won't be in until Feb 21. Pairing it with a Shimano Cardiff 301a. Can't wait to try it out this spring. 

Can't wait to hear what you think about it! Make sure to let us know! 

I was talking to John (maybe? I forgot already) from Dobyn's today and he said they are selling pretty d*mn well.

I'm getting into swimbait fishing and I wanted to see opinions on braid I want to throw braid with a leader but don't know what lb to throw, is 17 lb flouro good for a leader for 8" swimbaits? 

1 hour ago, CamS said:

I'm getting into swimbait fishing and I wanted to see opinions on braid I want to throw braid with a leader but don't know what lb to throw, is 17 lb flouro good for a leader for 8" swimbaits? 

No! Not a fan of braid with swimbaits, it's too easy to break off a leader and line cut soft swimmers. Go with 25 lb mono for a leader or use 25 lb Sunline Armillo Defier Nylon as the main line. What reel do you plan on using?

Tom

I'd probably have to agree with Tom. I won't say never use braid to leader because there are some really great swimbait fisherman that swear by it but it's not a very forgiving setup, so it might not be the best choice if you are just getting into it. If you insist I'd second using 25lb mono as the leader material.