![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Hacienda Heights, CA
Posts: 427
|
Swimbait Rod
Hey dudes,
This is a long-shot, but does anyone have any experience with the newer Okuma Guide Select A-Series Swimbait rods? I'm trying to decide between the Heavy (15-30/1-6oz) or the X-Heavy (15-40/2-10oz). I just got a Curado 300e and I hope to use the rod to get me into swimbaits into the 7-9" range. I weighed some 9" MC Viejos w/1.5oz heads and found them to be 3.5oz overall. I'm not sure I would need to cast more than that, but maybe you guys can tell me. Big swimbaits w/heavier leadheads (2oz+) are for vertical jigging? I was thinking maybe the Heavy would be a good move, so I could still have enough bend to throw stuff like weedless 7-8.5" Swimbait with weighted wide-gap hooks. Ability to fish a light iron with calicos, cuda, bonito would be cool too, but it's my secondary goal and not as important. I really don't have enough experience with calicos and the kelp beds to figure it out. Any guidance y'all can offer is appreciated. Best regards, Dave |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Hacienda Heights, CA
Posts: 427
|
I forgot to mention that I have a heavy bass rod rated to 1.5oz that was designed for frogs and heavy vegetation. This time around I really need a rod that will fill the void beyond 5"-6" paddletails w/1 oz heads, which is pretty much the top end of my 7' H Mojo Bass' ability. That rod would probably suit me fine for weedless baits.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Encinitas
Posts: 200
|
Don't have experience with your rod in particular but when targeting calico you can tie yourself off on kelp fish a dropper loop with a mackie and cast your plastic at the same time. The other way I typically do it is I sit at the top of the kelp line so the current pulls you right through the kelp and then just find casting lanes, try a few casts deep a few mid column and a few shallow. If they aren't biting switch spots and if they still aren't biting go to a smaller plastic I use 4" sardine patterns.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 63
|
I own both of those rods. Go with the xheavy. Both rods are great but the x heavy is more versatile. I also have the medium heavy and that is a great calico rod. It's rated 1/2 ounce to 5 ounces
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|