Hey everyone! I have a couple of questions for those willing to answer. I'm going to be throwing a lot of money at Mattlures tomorrow and on Saturday am going to be going to Hamburg, PA for a Reptile Show and after will be going to Cabela's and maybe Bass Pro and will be throwing them some more of my money and was wondering which rod and reel would work out best. I know Matt recomends Okuma but they dont have the Okuma products he recomends at either Cabelas or Bass Pro.

So I guess the guide lines would be

Casting Reel: Be able to cast out far with heavy line on it.

Casting Rod: Heavy action that can stand the wieght and still be some what sensitive.

LOL You guys prob. already know this LOL

Anyway thanks in advance for your help.

Without Okuma as an option:

Shimano Crucial 7'11" MH Swimbait

Curado 300, Calcutta 300, Cardiff 300.

That should do you quite nicely!

On a slimmer budget:

A Heavy action jig/c-rig rod will make do.

Hope that helps.

By the way, your signature cracks me up!

How much are you willing to spend(invest ) on the rod?  On the reel?

If your budget will stand it, I'd recommend a 7', 6" Kistler LTA Helium rod in Heavy or Extra Heavy(better for Matt's Bluegills) action.

For the reel, I'd recommend a Shimano Calais 200.

For line, I'd recommend 20# test Seaguar Carbon Pro fluro and you will need a tube of Megastrike to lube up the bait, making it slide more easily in a big Bass's mouth for a more effective hookset.

Dan

My Spending limit will be around 500-600

I'm asking myself the same question...

For a big swimbait, is rod sensitivity really that important?  I've never thrown one, but I kinda figured if a bass took a swimbait, you'd know about it

My Spending limit will be around 500-600

LTA Helium Rod--price

Calais reel--price

Close .

Dan

Hey guys I just picked up LTA Helium Rod and the Calais 200.  Thanks for all the help everyone it was greatly apreciated