So as the titles says. I’m not sure what to throw my swimbaits on either my MH/F action or my M/XF .. I’m using 3.8 and 4.3 keitechs for smallmouth in shallow water. Using swimbait heads with an open hook. I was using my M/XF but I felt like I missed to many fish or they were barely hooked.. not sure if maybe. I could go to a heavier rod or just how it goes with swimbaits.  And wonder what line . I was using 12 pound floro but broke off once and wonder if maybe 14 would be better.  Maybe @A-Jay could chime in to.  

What size swimbait head? and what kind of cover in "shallow" water? If theres no cover at all I'd probably be using a 1/4 oz and 8 or 10 lb leader and not be concerned about breaking off. I'd think a M/XF would be perfect. Maybe you need to change your hooksetting technique or go to a thinner wire hook that penetrates better without as much force.

 

If you're fishing it in heavier cover and need a beefier hook and such then I'll let someone else chime in since that's not my expertise.

For those size baits, I use a M or MH, fast or moderate rod depending on the company.  I also went to sunline Defier Armilo and my landing percentage has gone up.....I like the MBR flex and works well with treble hooks too

I use 10-12 mono and a St Croix m/f.

How are you setting the hook?

Early season swimbaits of that size are fished on M fast spinning gear, (St Croix LTB) 10-20 lb braid and and 8-10 lb mono or fc leader. Of particular concern is the hook wire size.  Can't be too beefy.  

As water warm and the smb fight harder and live deeper, I go to a little heavier head and hook wire, 20lb braid and 12 lb mono or fc leader on MF spinning gear and straight 12 lb fc on MHF casting gear.  (St Croix LTB)

 For me, when presenting swimbaits on jigheads, the hooksets are All Reel sets, regardless of the gear I'm using.  Feel the bump, keep reeling, rod loads up, keep reeling, I come 'tight' on the fish, keep reeling and fight the fish accordingly.

Finally, in a couple of the deeper clear water lakes I fish, this Is The Go To Presentation.

Hope that helps.

A-Jay 

 

I use a medium fast spinning rod, 20lb braid and a squadron 1/4 oz jig head that has a heavy wire hook.  I'd use mono with a lighter wire hook.  The fish basically hook themselves

I have been setting the hook harder , like a soft plastic hard hookset .. maybe that’s why ? @Wildbillb

I do what Ajay says.  Just keep reeling and let the rod load up.  Don't do an actual hook set.