I took up making my own swimbaits as a hobby to get my fishing fix in the winter months while I wait for open water up here in the Midwest. I’ve been looking for hooks on this 4” and am considering the 4/O Beast and 3/O Flashy Swimmer. I’m a little conflicted on which direction to go with the rod and line. I know I’ll get comments to stay within rod weight limit and I’ll be fine but I’m hoping for a little more than that. I also do not have the luxury of time or rod collection to just test around and see what feels right. Do I want a softer tip with the single weedless hook? Can I get away with FC? I know these are a little thicker hooks and would guess I would want a stiffer rod if I’m running FC. Maybe a softer tip with braid? The Beast is weighing in at 14g and the Flashy Swimmer at 17g. Any specific rod recommendations? I have zero experience with paddletails. Be gentle lol. Thanks for your time. 
 

 

Edit: I have one of the new Daiwa Tat SV TWs that I’ll be using for the rod. 
 

 

So you are right at 1/2 oz at 14 grams and 17gramsput you at .6oz.  I think you will be ok with a Med and a fast action if you are not in thick cover but a MH and a fast action would be best in this case for all purposes.  If you are in or around thick grass or brush, dont be afraid to tie the half oz swimmer on a heavy action rod.   I do this sometimes.  Most of the time I use a Powell 723.  Which is a 7 2 mh extra fast.   (Its more like a mag medium tho) 

 

You say soft tip, alot of rods today have a soft tip but still maintain a fast action.  I like rods with a soft tip more or less for casting purposes.  I personally wouldn't use a moderate action rod, you are gonna want a faster action to be able set that thick hook.  

 

As far a line, yes...FC would be great.  Depending on what cover you are throwing to, a 12 to 16lb test in a good FC like Sunline or Seaguar would be good.  I like the FC on moving baits, it has a little less stretch and is more incognito than mono.   You can even use braid to FC leader of you want.  That's what I do alot.   

 

 

I fish the Beast Hooks a lot in my weedy, pike filled lakes. 16lb test Sunline FC System Leader is fantastic. 15lb Invisex leader is what I used for years and still do. System Leader is just better in all categories except price and availability.

 

MH is my preferred for paddletails if using mainstream rods , no qualms with throwing it on a heavy though. Or XH if I'm punching with it. I said mainstream because my favorite rod for this is an oddball 3/4H Kodiak by Big Bear Rods. 

2 hours ago, Midwest Big Bass said:

Do I want a softer tip with the single weedless hook? Can I get away with FC? I know these are a little thicker hooks and would guess I would want a stiffer rod if I’m running FC. Maybe a softer tip with braid?

That Beast hook is a mutha to drive through, especially if you hit the bite plate. It's like a monster jig hook. I lost two tanks as I brought them close when using 17lb Siege. The stretch was insane, and both of those fish were only mid 6ers. I've never come close to losing one using 50lb braid once the hook penetrated. I won't use anything less than 20 lb Big Game now. And yes, you need power to drive it home. A heavy fast will get you there most of the time. Anything less and it's sketchy.