Hey all, looking to get a rod that will serve 2 purposes:

 

1. Glide baits/swimbaits, wake baits like rats, maybe mess around those funny huge topwater things they have now, stuff like that

 

2. "Deep sea" fishing for rockfish in California ("deep" = less than 100 ft). So 2-3oz swimbaits, bigger spoons and jigs, and live/cut bait (instead of renting gear on party boats).

 

I think for both applications I need something long and bendy that won't rip out treble hooks. I think I'm looking for a swimbait rod here? New to this type of fishing. Plan to pair with a daiwa coastal 200 size reel.

 

Flexible on the budget, I guess I expect to spend $100-150. Not sure how much I'd benefit from spending more. Open to it though! Thanks

At the 150.00 price point, really tough to beat the Irod Genisse II. Just go to TW and read the reviews. I have 2 and another on the way..Rods are light, well built, look good, and the customer service in second to none 

Dobyns fury 806 is another great option at 120 ish, also comes in a 795 if you plan on throwing smaller baits

Fitzgerald is my favorite, and favorites for many down south. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-FITZFRODS.html?from=basres

 

 

I really like my dobyns 795 I throw spro rat 50s 9” slammers basically up to 3.5 oz baits.

4 hours ago, BlackwaterPark10 said:

Fitzgerald is my favorite, and favorites for many down south

Except... they don't make a swimbait rod. Looking at their site, I only see one rod that might possibly work, but it maxes out at 3 oz. Weight ratings are never spot on, you usually leave yourself some cushion room. 

I own two IRods and they are very nice sticks.  They fish like Dobyns in that they are more fast than moderate action.  I like bendy rods for treble hook baits and so I find myself reaching for my Okuma Guide Select more.  Its heavy but the bend is right.

Daiwa DX swimbait rods 

10 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

At the 150.00 price point, really tough to beat the Irod Genisse II. Just go to TW and read the reviews. I have 2 and another on the way..Rods are light, well built, look good, and the customer service in second to none 

Glad you brought this up because it gives me a chance to complain that I recently broke the tip on my fiber Fred's magic stick and I really liked that rod. Used it for small swimbaits inshore, probably caught 100+ spotties on that rod with big hammers. So I'll definitely check it out. Do you have the "Bailey's swim" or "jr swim" or something else?

 

As for the FMS, I replaced the tip myself with one of those cheap tip repair kits, I think it's probably just a broomstick frog rod now with ~3" missing off the top, but haven't taken it out yet. 

 

Thanks everyone else too, going to check all these out. Love this forum! 

2 hours ago, VinnyR said:

Glad you brought this up because it gives me a chance to complain that I recently broke the tip on my fiber Fred's magic stick and I really liked that rod. Used it for small swimbaits inshore, probably caught 100+ spotties on that rod with big hammers. So I'll definitely check it out. Do you have the "Bailey's swim" or "jr swim" or something else?

 

As for the FMS, I replaced the tip myself with one of those cheap tip repair kits, I think it's probably just a broomstick frog rod now with ~3" missing off the top, but haven't taken it out yet. 

 

Thanks everyone else too, going to check all these out. Love this forum! 

I have the Jr. swimbait rod. But in  your case, I'd go with something heavier..possibly the Bailey's.

I'll probably get that Bailey's or daiwa dx heavy. I like the irod brand and quality of my last rod, and never had a daiwa rod, but it's nice to see reviews on TW about rockfish & inshore for the daiwa. Discovered irod also has a kaimana inshore swimbait series but not a lot of info/reviews on that one, so maybe something to ponder but probably not.  Anyway, thanks as always Hammer