We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n From the first time I saw a 15-inch bass eat a 9-inch glide bait I\u2019ve been fully addicted to swimbaiting. I\u2019ve since caught new PBs and witnessed the savage predatory instincts hardwired into bass of all sizes. In my short swimbait career, I\u2019ve learned that when you\u2019re exclusively throwing big baits, it\u2019s essential to capitalize on every rare opportunity at a memorable fish. One missed bite or the fish that shakes loose could have been that double digit you\u2019ve been hunting. That\u2019s why the right swimbait rod can be so important. They\u2019re also necessary for the basic task of throwing unusually heavy baits, which can range in weight from 1.5 to 13 ounces or more.\u00a0<\/p>\n I spent the spring throwing a wide range of soft and hard baits on nine swimbait rods to find their ideal lure weight rating and evaluate their casting performance. I also photographed each rod\u2019s action and measured handle length to help you compare them. Then I interviewed Mike Gilbert of Working Class Zero<\/a>, who provided insight on choosing the best swimbait rod for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here are the rods I\u2019ve tested so far, and I\u2019ll be adding to this list as I procure more rods.<\/p>\n Premium Rods<\/strong><\/p>\n Budget Rods<\/strong> (Under $200)<\/p>\n The goal for my testing was to find each rod\u2019s ideal lure weight range and provide specs you can use to compare the rods. I also included feedback based on my experience fishing and catching fish with each rod.\u00a0<\/p>\n I counted guides, measured rods, and measured handle length from the bottom of the reel seat to the end of the handle. You\u2019ll find these specs in the key features section of each review.\u00a0<\/p>\n Manufacturer-provided lure ratings range from dead on to way off, so I conducted a casting test to find my recommended lure weight range. I cast weights that ranged from 1 to 6 ounces while noting the feel and ease of casting each weight. I also cast each rod with various swimbaits ranging from a 6-inch Magdraft<\/a> to Deps 250<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n I put the rods in a rod holder and attached a 5-pound weight suspended 24 inches from the rod tip. I then snapped a photo of the rod\u2019s bend to demonstrate its action. This is important because rods that bend deeper into the blank are best for treble hook lures, and rods with a faster action are best for single hook baits.\u00a0<\/p>\n I set targets at 30 feet and 60 feet and made five casts with each rod at those distances using a lure in the middle of the rod\u2019s weight range. This test aimed to evaluate the rod\u2019s close-range accuracy for throwing lures around docks and cover.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sometimes you need to bomb a cast down a weed line or wall to cover water quickly. I did that with a lure in the middle of each rod\u2019s weight range while evaluating the distance and how easy it was to achieve a long cast.\u00a0<\/p>\n I spent time fishing the swimbait rods to learn their nuances and to hopefully put a few fish on them. I fished a variety of baits on each rod, including my own hand pours, Grow Design Works Flag, 86 Baits Doomrider, DRT Klash 9, Working Class Zero Citizens, Megabass Magdrafts, Deps 250, Baitsanity Explorer Gill, Baitsanity Explorer, River2Sea S-Waver, and a three-piece PB Rat.<\/p>\n Read Next<\/strong>: Best Baitcasting Reels<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Omega is light and well-balanced, which makes it a joy to cast big baits all day. I\u2019ve found the ideal lure weight for this rod is 3 to 4 ounces, so your Klash 9, 8-inch Madgraft, and Jointed Claw 230 are all in the sweet spot. But it will easily cast lures in the 2-ounce range and up to a Deps 250. With baits around 6 ounces, you can feel the rod balance shift forward, but a hand at the end of the long handle helps offset the shift. Also impressive was that I could make accurate, short casts with a 6-ounce bait and long over-shoulder bombs. Speaking of long casts, this rod loads up and then launches a bait with very little effort.\u00a0<\/p>\n I also really appreciated the handle\u2019s length and grippiness. The length is great for leverage on long casts, and it fits perfectly under my armpit during the retrieve. The Omega has a fast tip, but it also bends deep into the blank when under load. That action is ideal for working a glide and keeping treble hooks pinned in a fish\u2019s mouth. If I could have only one rod for throwing a glide, this would be it.<\/p>\n Read Next<\/strong>: Best Bass Fishing Rods<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is the ultimate rod for throwing 6- to 7-inch swimbaits around docks. It\u2019s effortlessly accurate and great for skipping too. It throws 1- to 3-ounce baits well but can also throw a 4-ounce lure. It has all the quality build Loomis is known for and the performance you\u2019d expect from a premium rod.\u00a0The handle length is just long enough to use under my arm, but too long for it\u2019s shorter length. <\/p>\n I\u2019ve found the action is a great compromise between a single and treble hook rod. I haven\u2019t pulled a treble yet and haven\u2019t had issues setting Beast Hooks up to 6\/0. If you\u2019re in the market for a rod that can handle heavier baits, also check out the 8-foot, heavy IMX-PRO Swimbait (IMX-PRO 966C SWBR). <\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Megabass Orochi Leviathan is a rod that can fish a 9-inch glide or Beast-hooked bait. It has a powerful butt section that helps it set Beast Hooks, but it also bends deep enough into the blank to make it forgiving for treble hooks. I fish around a lot of hydrilla and use that powerful butt section to rip baits through the grass.<\/p>\n I found it doesn\u2019t throw baits under 3 ounces exceptionally well, and its sweet spot is in the 3- to 5-ounce range. I\u2019ve also thrown lures up to 8 ounces comfortably. This rod isn\u2019t as accurate or light as the Leviathan Omega, but it is more versatile. If you\u2019re looking for a premium rod that can fish a wide range of baits, the Orochi Leviathan is a great option.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This rod can comfortably throw lures in the 1- to 3-ounce range, so if you\u2019re a new Chad Shad 180 owner or a 6-inch Magdraft diehard, this rod will work for you. Like the Daiwa Rebellion, the rod\u2019s balance hinders its ability to cast anything heavier than 3 ounces. I\u2019d describe the action between fast and moderate, making it versatile for various lure types.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Zodias has traditional bass rod ergonomics, which can be positive or negative. When throwing big baits, I tuck the handle under my armpit on the retrieve, reducing fatigue. The Zodias doesn\u2019t have a handle long enough for the armpit tuck, so you\u2019ll hold it like a traditional bass rod, which can be a plus if you\u2019re used to those ergos.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n I\u2019ve been fishing a Fury 806HSB for over a year, and it\u2019s been a staple in my rod lineup. I\u2019ve found this rod is happiest around 4 ounces and can cast lighter baits really well. I routinely fish a 6-inch Magdraft with the Fury 806HSB, then swap to a heavier glide without skipping a beat. I find that 6 ounces is my comfortable max, but it can throw 8 ounces on a lob cast.<\/p>\n It has a classic hard bait action with a deep parabolic bend. That action helped me land several barely hooked fish and drive trebles through the roof of 6.8-pound bass. The handle length might be short for some, but it\u2019s still long enough to comfortably fit under my arm. I\u2019ve used the Fury 806HSB to make accurate short-range casts, and sling long casts down weed lines. If you\u2019re in the market for an affordable rod for treble hook baits, this is one of the top options to consider.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is one of the most impressive budget rods I\u2019ve fished. It\u2019s perfect for throwing a 4-ounce bait, and it\u2019s one of the few rods where I\u2019ve found the manufacturer\u2019s lure weight rating is accurate. It\u2019s definitely a hard bait rod with a deep parabolic bend. Despite its soft action, it has a powerful butt section which I really like for fishing around grass.<\/p>\n The Bass X\u2019s ergos are spot on for me and I really liked the shape and length of the handle. It was one of the more accurate 8-foot rods I casted thanks to its soft tip and good balance. I\u2019ve only caught one fish on this rod but it was a fish that swiped at a DRT Joker and through head shakes and jumps, the fish stayed pinned.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This was my and many other anglers\u2019 first swimbait rod. It\u2019s been such a popular option because, for many years, it was one of the few affordable big bait rods. We now have a lot of great rods under $200, but this classic is still a great one for fishing soft baits. It has a fast action and powerful backbone for setting hooks with authority, even in deep water. I found the ideal lure weight for this rod is 4 to 5 ounces, so it\u2019s great for 7-inch Citizens or 8-inch Hudds.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The 13 Defy Black Swimbait Rod has a thick blank that creates a sturdy backbone for setting hooks on soft baits. I found the extra heavy power to be ideal for casting lures in the 4- to 6-ounce range, but it can cast swimbaits up to 10 ounces. So if you\u2019re looking for an affordable rod for throwing the big stuff, this is a good option to consider.<\/p>\n
\n Published Jun 29, 2023 9:19 PM
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow I Tested the Best Swimbait Rods<\/h2>\n
Specs<\/h3>\n
Lure Weight Rating\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Action\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Accuracy\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Distance<\/h3>\n
Fishing<\/h3>\n
Best Swimbait Rods: Reviews & Recommendations <\/h2>\n
Leviathan Omega Swimbait, Heavy<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/Leviathan-Omega.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
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![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/IMG_0446-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Leviathan](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/Leviathan-Omega-1-scaled.jpeg\")
G. Loomis IMX-Pro 904C SWBR<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/IMX-Pro-904C-SWBR.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
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![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/Loomis-1-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\nMegabass Orochi XX F10-80XX\u00a0Leviathan<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/orochi-leviathan.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
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![\"Megabass](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/Orochi-1-scaled.jpeg\")
Shimano Zodias (ZDC79XHA)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/zodias.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
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![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/zodias-1-scaled.jpeg\")
Budget Swimbait Rods<\/h2>\n
Dobyns Fury 806HSB<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/dobyns-fury-806.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/23\/IMG_0575-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/Dobyns-806-1-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\nSt. Croix Bass X (BAC710XHF)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/bass-x.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
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![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/IMG_0773-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/bass-x-1-scaled.jpeg\")
Okuma Guide Select\u00a0XH Swimbait Rod<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/Okuma-Guide-Select.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Pros<\/h4>\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
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![\"Okuma](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/okuma-guide-select-1-scaled.jpeg\")
13 Fishing Omen Black XH (OB3C8XH-SB)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/13-defy-black.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Pros<\/h4>\n
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Cons<\/h4>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/13-Fishing-Defy-Black-1-scaled.jpeg\")
Daiwa Rebellion<\/a> (7111HFB-SB)<\/h3>\n
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/rebellion.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
![\"Daiwa](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/Daiwa-Rebellion-1-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/IMG_0772-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/29\/bass-1-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/23\/IMG_0569-scaled.jpg\")