Do I need a designated swimbait rod to throw treble and jig hook baits in the 1-2oz, 6-7in range? Or will a 7’4 work in a pinch. I’m trying to see if I like fishing them before I go all in. 

Need?  No. Depends on what rod you have now and how heavy of a swimbait. A 6” Magdraft goes 1.25oz.  A 6” freestyle with a 3/8oz belly hook isn’t much more. I fished both last year on my heavy setups (rated 1/2-1.5) to good effect. If you are going bigger and heavier then you’re going to push the limits of most heavy rods. Then you might need one. 

Yea, like you eluded to, I’d recommend throwing them on your heavy rod/jig rod first before committing to a dedicated rod. I did the opposite and decided buy a dedicated swimbait rod and larger reel and I didn’t use it much so I sold it at the end of the season a few years ago.
 

Now if I have the itch to fish a Gantarel Jr or S-Waver I just toss it on my heavy rod

 

4 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

7’4 work in a pinch

7'4" what? as long as the baits are in that rods ratings you should be fine, if its over depending on the rod it will either be fine or it wont. Theres plently of cheap swimbait rods out there, look for catfish rods if you really want to save money. I have 3 of those for swimbaits that i purchased all together costing around what one actual swimbait rod for bass would.

I wouldnt suggest throwing 1.5-2oz on anything thats max ratings arent atleast slightly above that more than just a few times to try it out though.

44 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

 

7'4" what? as long as the baits are in that rods ratings you should be fine, if its over depending on the rod it will either be fine or it wont. Theres plently of cheap swimbait rods out there, look for catfish rods if you really want to save money. I have 3 of those for swimbaits that i purchased all together costing around what one actual swimbait rod for bass would.

I wouldnt suggest throwing 1.5-2oz on anything thats max ratings arent atleast slightly above that more than just a few times to try it out though.

7'4 heavy fast Tatula, my current frog rod.  Rated up to 2oz. Do you think I could throw something like a Chad Shad on that?

3 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

7'4 heavy fast Tatula, my current frog rod.  Rated up to 2oz. Do you think I could throw something like a Chad Shad on that?

That rod should be fine for throwing most stuff under 2oz then with those ratings. My main actual swimbait rod is a 7'4" H Moderate Lews KVD rod, i use it alot to throw 6" Daingerous (Magdrafts) with a 1/4-3/8 Owner Beast. Its rated up to 2oz as well. When i go up to the 7" however i can feel the rod being overloaded a bit and my casts result in a loss of distance. It doesnt feel very good so i usually cut it off and go back to the 6". The 7" with the hook and weight added pushes the 2oz mark.

Only way to know for sure if the rod can handle it is to tie something on it, and test it gently a few times. If it feels odd, off, or not right i would suggest cutting it off and going with something lighter, if not you should be fine.

 

But for your question i wouldnt, a Chad Shad weighs 2.4oz. Thats really pushing it, but again it really depends on your rod. Some rods are very under rated and can handle much more, others cant.

10 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

7'4 heavy fast Tatula, my current frog rod.  Rated up to 2oz. Do you think I could throw something like a Chad Shad on that?

 

You'll probably be fine.  Don't shoot for the moon and use a softer lob type cast.  It won't be optimal, but it will fish.  I used to throw alabama rigs that were 2.5oz on my amistad which was a 2 oz rod.  I onyl quit because A rigs don't work, not because the rod wouldn't work.

Thanks everyone. I will hopefully end up buying a nice rod if I like fishing them, I just want to test it out a bit first. 

I throw 6 inch magdrafts of 7 foot Medium Heavies with no problem.

Bait Monkey says yes.

 

13 hours ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

7'4 heavy fast Tatula, my current frog rod.  Rated up to 2oz. Do you think I could throw something like a Chad Shad on that?

Yes, you can definitely use that rod for a Chad shad

If you want you can get an entire "swimbait" rod and reel for around $80.  

 

76H Vengence from Walmart for - $50

Seasir Megacuda from Aliexpress - $30

 

It handes 2oz baits just fine and I will be trying out a hudd 68 special rof12 this spring.

 

3 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

76H Vengence from Walmart for - $50

 

Most Walmarts are selling Vengeances now around $20.

But dont expect it to last very long, i got mine for $15 and if i get a season out of it i will be thrilled. For the price they are on clearance for country wide the bad reviews dont even matter, especially since you can get the 2 year warranty (insurance) from Walmart for $3. Make sure you check the rod out good, the one store was bent guides and crushed tips for every rod. The others looked like they were brand new,

1 hour ago, Bigbox99 said:

If you want you can get an entire "swimbait" rod and reel for around $80.  

 

76H Vengence from Walmart for - $50

Seasir Megacuda from Aliexpress - $30

 

It handes 2oz baits just fine and I will be trying out a hudd 68 special rof12 this spring.

 

That’s kind of what I want to avoid doing. I’d rather test it with my 7’4 and then but a nicer setup if I like it. 

Bait Monkey says you're going to like it.