I'm pondering getting a setup for throwing swimbaits that won't break the bank.  I don't throw them a ton yet, but I don't think the combo I've been using for it is well suited for the job.

I was thinking about a BPS Extreme 7'6" H rod with an Abu Garcia 5501 or a Shimano Cardiff.  The telescoping feature of this rod is rather attractive as my "bass boat" is a 15 ft jonboat.

Anyone have any input on this rod for this purpose?  At this point, I have no intention on throwing the real big swimbaits.  This rod is rated up to 2 oz, and for the time that rating should suffice.

Yeah, the swimbait specific rods look really nice, but I'm not ready for that plunge yet

you might want to look at the Okuma big bait series.

http://www.***.com/descpageRDCOKUMA-OGSBBR.html

I have teh 7'11 MH.  It's loads up nice and has the long handle that you can put under your arm.  

It is going to also depend on what type of baits you intend to throw.  I throw a lot of matt lures baby bass series(great swimbaits) and it performs great.  I have a cardiff 301 paired with it.  

If that 7'6" is as stiff as a  flippin stick, you'll probably have problems throwing these types of baits.  

Chris, That should be fine for smaller swimbaits. I borrowed one today to try out since I knew they were on sale on line and threw an eight inch triple trout (over two ounces) on it with no problem.  I am thinking about getting a couple for the same reason you are. Its just hard to put a seven and one-half to eight foot rod in my boat without it getting in the way sometimes when there are three people in there. The butt section going in the handle saves some extra space. It's in no way the best rod for the job but it will work in limited space. I also have a seven foot inshore rod I use for the bigger baits that works on saving space but forces me to make much shorter casts than I would like to.

i believe you should still get the okuma .... there is a 7ft6 med heavy that would serve you well ///

Chris, That should be fine for smaller swimbaits. I borrowed one today to try out since I knew they were on sale on line and threw an eight inch triple trout (over two ounces) on it with no problem. I am thinking about getting a couple for the same reason you are. Its just hard to put a seven and one-half to eight foot rod in my boat without it getting in the way sometimes when there are three people in there. The butt section going in the handle saves some extra space. It's in no way the best rod for the job but it will work in limited space. I also have a seven foot inshore rod I use for the bigger baits that works on saving space but forces me to make much shorter casts than I would like to.

Good to hear.  How did the action of the rod behave?  Was it more F, or hopefully a bit more moderate?

Chris, That should be fine for smaller swimbaits. I borrowed one today to try out since I knew they were on sale on line and threw an eight inch triple trout (over two ounces) on it with no problem. I am thinking about getting a couple for the same reason you are. Its just hard to put a seven and one-half to eight foot rod in my boat without it getting in the way sometimes when there are three people in there. The butt section going in the handle saves some extra space. It's in no way the best rod for the job but it will work in limited space. I also have a seven foot inshore rod I use for the bigger baits that works on saving space but forces me to make much shorter casts than I would like to.

Good to hear. How did the action of the rod behave? Was it more F, or hopefully a bit more moderate?

It's a fast but still has enough flex in the tip to be an ok small swimbait rod. I went back to Bass Pro today and played with a few more rods trying to decide what I want. I am leaning toward more of a fast action with a bend in the top 1/3 for my swimbaits now getting away from heavy moderate rods that had a bend farther down. I have that inshore rod that I have lost zero fish on and it has a fast action so I think I am going to go more in that direction now until I lose some fish. ;D I think a couple of the more moderate rods I was using was giving to the really big fish to much allowing them to shake their head more on top and causing me to lose a couple of teen size fish that I should have caught. I am thinking about the Extreme for the KM and Mattlures and using braid more often insted of the fluro to bring the fish in faster.

Sounds good, Randall.  Let me know when you have some trips available