I am looking to buy a new combo for swimbaits, my budget is $400.00. I like St. Croix rods and very open to any brand baitcaster.

Thanks

I think Okuma is the best rod for the money. I don't like the 7.11 series b/c for me the handle is too long, I think the 7.6 are superb. I have fished with the Shimano Crucial E-H, it is a good rod but heavy and the tip is too stiff for my taste.

Powell Max 7.11 is a super rod, specially for the bigger lures.

http://tackletour.com/reviewpowellsb711h.html.

For reel any low profile with high capacity, like Daiwa TD-Z Big Bait or Curado 300 or a round reel in a 300-400 size. Shimanos Calcutta, Cardiff,Corvalus or Daiwa Luna or Millionaire, Abu Ambassador or Quantum Cabo.

This is what I use.

Okuma 7.6 MH with Daiwa TD-Z BB for up to 4 oz ( About $ 450.00 retail )

Powell Max SB 711 H with Cardiff 301 for > 5 oz ( About $ 300 ).

Best luck

shimano crucial 7'11"xh $149 with an over the counter life time warranty.

cardiff 300 or 400 $109 or curado 300 $249.

i use a crucial with a calcutta 300 can pretty much throw any swimbait available.

This rod will serve you well for swimbaits and much more.  I caught my PB, a 9 lber on mine using Matt's Baby Bass.  That leaves you with about $150 for a decent reel.

Video and another place to buy one

Dan

<--------- Shimano Crucial H, Calcutta 400

both okuma handles are 15" trigger to butt according to http://www.***.com/descpageRDCOKUMA-OGSBBR.html

Shimano does not make the Calcutta in a 300.

I use a crucial H also, but i have a shimano curado 300.

Calcutta only makes these sizes: 50, 100, 200,400,700

<---------

both okuma handles are 15" trigger to butt according to http://www.***.com/descpageRDCOKUMA-OGSBBR.html

For your information, the Okuma BB 7.6 MH has a 12" handle I own 2 of them.

The 7.6H and 7.11 have a 15", I used to own one and I didn't like it for that reason.

Shimano offers a CTE300, but that's going to run you about $340.

http://www.***.com/descpageRLCSHIMANO-SHCTE.html

sorry i didn't clarify that i have a TE.didn't realize they didn't make a 300 in the base calcutta.

im almost sure st croix is making  swimbait rod in thier legened tourney bass series ..... this may not be a bad rod option ....  there is also a new rod line out in calli i believe they are called dobyns rods ,,, i know there is a whole rod series .... i hear Mike Long is using these sticks .....  other than that a callcutta should do the trick ......

I use the Redington RFXC 7911 coupled with a Shimano Calcutta 400B. That will leave you a tiny bit of money to buy an extra swimbait!

www.redington.com

mikebat,  Mike Long not only uses the Dobyns Rod swimbait rods he designed them for Gary Dobyns.   ;D  

Here is a pic of part of the rod

http://www.swimbaitnation.com/forum/toast.asp?sub=show&action=posts&fid=1&tid=9153

Mike

Dan,  That Kistler rod is only rated for 1oz baits???  Tiny by most swimbait enthusiast.  Need more beef