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excellent A-Rig rod that doubles as a solid swimbait rod. The Champion XP DC 794.5 will handle rigs and swimbaits up to 3 and ½-ounces.
St. Croix is another rod brand with a wide range of options for all types of fishing, including swimbait fishing. In the Victory lineup for around $260, you can get a 7-foot, 10-inch extra extra heavy capable of throwing 4 to 8-ounce baits. The new revamped Mojo Bass series has several swimbait options with Trigon handles for around that same price. The largest of the bunch, an 8-foot, 3-inch extra extra heavy, has the unique Grasp handle that helps aid your grip when fishing big baits at slow and constant speeds.
To handle a heavy bait, you also need a beefed-up reel. A standard-sized reel will do in a pinch but won’t handle enough of the heavier line you need and will impact your casting distances. They also won’t hold up for years of abuse casting and reeling these big baits. A good option for the big bait fan is the Daiwa Lexa or Tatula, both offered in a larger 300-size. Some prefer a round reel, but these low-profile reels are great options for anglers used to the profile of a standard baitcast reel and both the Lexa 300 and Tatula 300 are beefed up and ready to hold a bunch of heavier line.
For line, anglers are relatively split between monofilament and fluorocarbon; both are solid options. If you prefer mono for swimbaits, the P-Line CXX in 20 or 25-pound test is virtually bulletproof. Another great option with many fans is Berkley Big Game, which is very strong and easy to cast.
For fluorocarbon, using Seaguar’s AbrazX in those same pound tests will give you plenty of abrasion resistance and excellent casting distance, thanks to the thin diameter of this line. Seaguar’s Tatsu fluorocarbon is another great one that is exceptionally strong and thin.
PROVEN SWIMBAITS
There are some great swimbaits available now, with some hard-to-find garage baits being some of the hottest sellers right now. They work great, but finding them can be a challenge. Thankfully, some excellent baits are available at many stores, and they will do the job for you.
One of the most popular is the Deps Slide Swimmer lineup. These glides have excellent drawing power and account for giant bass every year. The Slide Swimmer 175 and 250 are good options if you are looking for a proven bait that will get bit. Also from Deps is the bluegill-imitating Bull Shooter. The 160 size is the original and a large bait available in floating and sinking models. They also have the smaller Tiny Bullshooter that looks like a little bluegill.
One more good option comes from Japan: the Madness Balam 245 and 300, multi-jointed baits that can be fished at breakneck speeds. They were made for fishing fast and for the “Eight-Trap Method,” which triggers followers to commit to the bait.
Swimbaits and swimbait gear have come a long way over the years, and some really great gear is available now. With some of the best swimbait fishing coming soon, now is a great time to stock up on this proven gear. •
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Winter 2024
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