My lakes and ponds are really starting to open up now, and as the ice melts more and more each day, my desire to catch bass gets stronger. I'm finally equipped for swimbait fishing this year, and looking to catch some huge (for CT) bass. Here's what I got:

7'6" MH Okuma swimbait rod, rated 1/2 oz to 5 oz

Shimano Calcutta 200b reel, 120/14

65 lb yellow Power Pro

1 6" ROF5 phantom rainbow trout Huddleston

2 Mattlures 9" Woody's, rainbow trout & baby bass color

1 Mattlures soft light rainbow trout swimbait

and two more swimbaits I've had since last year:

Mattlures soft bluegill

Mattlures soft perch

I think that's enough to get me started. Absolutely can't wait to catch my first fish on a big wakebait.

Picture of the equipment to follow, hopefully tonight.

;D

That is a great setup.Make sure you tie a long leader of 20-25 pound mono for sinking baits.

I would also choose 80lb over 65lb.

I would say no to braid and get some CXX or Maxima 25# test. I have never personally sent a swimbait flying with braid, but after a birdnest or two from hell you will be wishing you had mono.

I would also try to pick up a Lunker Punker Jr, small Slammer, or a Wake Jr depending on your budget for some good surface action.

Good luck!!!

Yeah i think you should go with mono too.Mono is way better for swimbaits.But if you want to use braid then tie a long leader of flouro or mono like i said earlier.

Awesome man!

The swimbait monkey jumped on my back about a month ago. I ended with the following:

Dobyns Champ Swimbait Rods 7'9" (1 to 5 ozs), put a Calcutta 200GTB and spooled her up with Suffix Elite 20.

Matt Lures hard and soft bluegill

A couple of Matt Shads

165 Sebile Magic Swimmer

Spro BBZ-1

Black Dog Shell Cracker (Flea Market)

So far caught a 3lb on the Sebile Magic and had a huge swirl on the Matt Hard Bluegill, but I can't wait to cast those big boys on some of my honey holes. ;D

Post your first sow on your new setup!

Thanks guys.

fourbizz - I actually haven't gotten the braid yet so I'll go with 80 lb when I get it (probably tomorrow).

I am so used to braid that I don't know what I would do if I got a big strike at the end of a long cast with mono. I would probably pull my back trying to set the hook in a situation like that.

The rod was supposed to come in yesterday, but didn't. I'm hoping tonight...