Just sat in at the bass university. One class was B. Velvick on swimbaits. For that size bait he uses the Duckett micro guide model that is full cork handle, 7'6" I think it said ex hvy. He has a signature model coming out which may be picking it out easier, but I think as long as you get the full cork handle model in 7'6" hvy or ex hvy and it's the he uses. I'm in the market for one too.

That rod went home with me from Bass U. Kent won it in a raffle. And, since it didn't say GLoomis on it, he wanted nothing to do with it, and sold it to me. Made us both happy.

I obviously haven't fished it yet, so I can't say much about it. I did a quick comparison to the only rod in my arsenal that is at least somewhat similar; a Dobyns 7'6" H-F rod.

Dobyns is heavy power, Duckett is Extra-heavy

Both are 7'6"

Duckett rod is noticeably lighter in weight.

Dobyns rod has a little faster action when flexed.

Duckett rod has a LOT more power when flexed.

I know how the Dobyns rod fishes. It's great.

My opinion on the Duckett will have to wait.

One peculiar thing is the lack of line weight and lure weight ratings on the rod. It simply says Extra Heavy, and that's it. No indication of action. No weight ratings at all. TW does not list line/lure weight ratings for this rod, and neither does the Duckett website.

What's up with that? This is data most of us use when making rod purchasing decisions.

So, we gonna throw some big stuff in Kentucky this year or what? ;D

Big Stuff? You betcha. I'll throw you in the water, and you can throw me in the water. ;D ;D ;D

LOL, oddly enough I can see that happening on Saturday. 

Speedbead, my only experience with swimbaits is soem time I spent part of 2009, and a little of 2010 throwng the paddletail plastics.

You got any bait recommendations for me, other than the paddletails?

Velvick seemed really impressed with the inline type.

I don't have a clue.

.Gohti. I got one of the J raggo BVD's from TW, which Vlevick said was one of the few he didn't tinker with out of the package(course it's his sig. line bait). Not sure about the color I got though(litch hitch). I plan on trying this swimbait thing too on KY.

Speedbead, my only experience with swimbaits is soem time I spent part of 2009, and a little of 2010 throwng the paddletail plastics.

You got any bait recommendations for me, other than the paddletails?

Velvick seemed really impressed with the inline type.

I don't have a clue.

If I were him, I would be impressed with them too. Considering how much money he won with them last year and having Jerry Rago name an inline bait after him (Rago BV3D), I don't see why he wouldn't wear them as earrings.  ;D

Favorites of mine (hard baits) include the Mattlures Hardgill, Randall's High Power Herring and 3:16's Freestyle Shad. Another one I started using last year on bed fish was the 5" Tru Tungsten, bluegill color. A little smaller profile for when the Mattlures stuff was too intimidating to a fish.

Soft baits would be the 6" and 8" Hudd, Mattlures Ultimate Gill.  Going off recommendations, I will be putting time in with the 3:16 Rising Son this year as well.

All the baits will be making the trip.  We'll talk.   

Thanks, mon. Don't leave your swimbait boxes laying around where I can get at "em. ;D ;D ;D

Thanks to everyone who posted.

Picked up a 7'7"/7'11" MH Mattlures signature series swimbait rod for $100 shipped off ebay.

Rated for 10-20 lb line, 1-4 oz lures.

A special thanks to webertime who mentioned ebay. (This was my first purchase off ebay.)