Best Big Swimbait Rods For Beginners Under $250!

[@justonemorecast]

I have the tatula rod. It was the only one I could find locally designed for swimbaits. It works great for magdrafts and 160-180mm glides, and I also throw an a-rig on it.

[@maxcole3930]

I can say the diawa rods are great! I have a 7'9" heavy, rated to 6oz. It has worked great for big soft baits. Biggest bait I've thrown was 10" magdrafts which is 6oz & it handles them just fine, I throws 7" citizens & 8" magdraft & difiants 210's perfectly. I think 3-5oz is it's sweat spot. I haven't thrown alot hard baits on it so I can't honestly say how it is constantly with them. But it drives in 8/0 & 10/0 swimbait hooks like butter

[@crazybassfisher]

Nice! Glad to hear the tatula rods are legit for people!

[@TheWaymont]

The Daiwa 7'3" swimbait rod is killer for chad shad and S-Waver 168. Really nicely put together. Great taper.

[@lgonzalez8635]

Medium action catfishing rod. Super moderate bend and rated 1-10oz. Big guides, tough as hell and plenty of great rods on the market for $100. And the butt ends are longer too.

[@deliciouspeanut6572]

One video idea I’d have is just like how to operate a large bait that many of us haven’t really used. What’s the right cast cadence, how do you make the best glide turns, hookset with hard vs soft. That kind of stuff. Whatever you choose, I appreciate your content!

[@crazybassfisher]

Sounds good! Thanks for the feedback!

[@bassinbilliards6279]

I've really enjoyed my 8' Dobyns Swimbait Rod paired with a Curado 300. It's light for how big it is and handled every Largemouth I swung on with ease. Honestly gonna use it for salt water too.

[@crazybassfisher]

Nice! Hear nothing but good things about the dobyns rods!

[@bassinbilliards6279]

@@crazybassfisher It's the only one I own & comparing Zodias or Expride I really like it. It's very sensitive for the price.

[@tannerstephens8109]

What are a couple example baits you would throw on the leviathan?

[@PythonDad]

If it were me, stuff like the Gancraft 230, R2S S Waver 200, Savage Gear magnum Shine Glide, Baitsanity Explorer (and probably the Antidote too, but you could also fish it on something lighter), etc. Basically any big--but not giant--hard baits.

[@crazybassfisher]

A lot of hard baits in the 4-6oz range would be great. Lunker punker, Deps 250, Klash 9, 8-10” magdrafts, Gan Craft 230 would be example baits that I would throw on it!

[@raytubach8988]

@@crazybassfisher you made my day when you started out with the Leviathan. It was a rod I was curious about it but it was out of stock for a long time so when I found one I snatched it. Really glad I did. We have gar in my lake and I’ve been able to hook a couple over 3’ but haven’t landed one yet. Sorta happy about that…

[@bassnakshi]

Great info, Geoff. I've been using the Daiwa Tatula 7'3" matched up with a Shimano Scorpion MD to throw Slide Swimmer 175s, Joined Claw 178s and Bassroids for LMs and SMs. As you'd mentioned, it's got a nice parabolic action to allow the bait to glide easily and to delay the hookset on treble hooked baits. The split grip version has a handle just long enough to tuck under the arm pit but short enough to not get in the way if you want to twitch using your wrist. I especially like that it's got a secondary screw nut on the foregrip to secure the reel to the seat. I may look into one of the ferruled rods you mentioned for when I go for heavier gear. Thanks!

[@crazybassfisher]

Awesome to hear that those tatula rods are legit!

[@MrJesus100]

The irod are great for the price. I’m a Cali boy that grew up fishing saltwater calico bass. I used to use Phenix saltwater bass rods then when Matt came out with the irods I started to fish them. I have the kaimana bass rods and all the swimbaits rods when I got into fishing swimbaits for calicos then freshwater. But now I’m exclusively fishing the gen 3s for everything saltwater bass. I use the bama rig special rod for 1oz lead heads and 4”-7” paddle tail swimbaits like hammers and the SP minnow

[@crazybassfisher]

Awesome! Yeah, those genesis 3 rods are great for the price and cover a wide range of applications!

[@ryanjofre]

I scored a Leviathan like new from a local guy for $150(he used it twice). I’ve never used a swim bait before. I’m psyched. I’m just gonna use 6” Magdraft, Savage Gear Bluegill and maybe a 10” Magdraft to start.

[@PythonDad]

I haven't caught a fish doing this yet, but the XXH Victory is very fun to throw the faster sink 8 inch Savage Gear RTF trout which iirc is 4.75 oz. I definitely recommend getting something beefier for the 10 inch which weighs a full 8 oz even though it's "in spec." I got the iRod jumbo swim for those types of baits and it's great.

[@crazybassfisher]

Nice! Glad you’re liking the Victory rod for the soft baits!

[@corvette_jake7225]

Imma be honest, I've just been using a bass pro fish eagle casting rod in medium heavy or heavy and they seem to work fairly well for only $80. Never felt like they were lacking anywhere

[@Hoveyish]

I've been using a Bass Pro Tourney Special 7'6" Heavy for glides and it seems to work just fine!

[@corvette_jake7225]

@Hoveyish the bass pro brand rods aren't as bad as everyone keeps telling me. I've recently purchased a few expensive rods, and the only difference I've noticed is the weight. Sensitivity feels about the same, but the expensive rods are a bit lighter.

[@Hoveyish]

@@corvette_jake7225 I just handled some of the Carbonlite models and they are light as can be and the reels are very nice! Even the heavier sizes! Not bad for a $200 combo!

[@ryanjofre]

I scored a Leviathan like new from a local guy for $150(he used it twice). I’ve never used a swim bait before. I’m psyched.

[@pdoty13]

Thanks for this!!! Can you do reels next?

[@crazybassfisher]

Will look into doing reels soon!

[@M.Redsky]

the Levante Leviathan XXH can throw soft? If not well, why? I don't understand the subtleties of hard vs soft and what to look for in a rod that throws them.

[@stripervince1]

I'm using a st croix legend glass 7'2 heavy spinner and a daiwa dogfight 5000 reel for my swim and glide baits. And my bait cast set up is a daiwa prorex 400 with a 10'2 skeet reese retractable glass big swimbait double trigger rod. Fantastic rod. Great video by the way. Subbed to your channel. Even though I'm only a striper fisherman

[@rickyrodriguez9831]

I use the 7’9 Heavy Tatula Swimbait rod max 6oz and it can short toss 250s and I easily overhead bomb citizen 7s and K9s

[@Straight_Kash]

I ended up getting the Combat Stick ND180/Wake Bait rod and it’s siiiick! Use it for the PB Rat, Jointed Claw, Tempest Bluegill, even the Deps Evoke Zero top water! Love the rod!

[@crazybassfisher]

That’s an awesome rod from what I’ve heard!

[@justinshaw8594]

I can say for myself, the okuma guide select rods are fantastic. I love them.

[@crazybassfisher]

They are absolute classic rods and still get the job done!

[@azfishkid]

2 rods I would like to add is a savage gear squad around 170 and the six Gil brute I have both and love them

[@crazybassfisher]

Nice! Glad to hear a positive statement for those rods as well!

[@lachlanthomas981]

Trying to decide between the 2-8oz Levante and 1-6oz Phenix M1 swimbait rod. Would primarily be for hard body baits of the smaller and mid-size variety. Feel like the Phenix would be a better bet but any insight or recommendations would be appreciated, thanks!

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

Hey brother definitely do a vid of what size reels, brands and why you go with those models also line. If you haven’t already covered this in-depth.

[@crazybassfisher]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpDWiauNp8aUitU

[@crazybassfisher]

That’s a video I did talking about choosing the right size reels!

[@mleytevidal]

Looking to get in to the game here. Your videos are all so helpful. I’ve got a Lexa300 I was going to put on Levante Leviathan but am curious if that would work for baits under 2oz? I imagine most baits I’ll be throwing are 1-3.5 Oz . Would love any suggestions around this combo or if I should look at other rods instead

[@John_D2]

I wish they would have put a few more guides on the bass x.The fury rods and legit tk and k9 rods. Nice work on the vid.

[@crazybassfisher]

Glad to hear that the Fury rods are legit!

[@joepatrykus4251]

Try a UNITED COMPOSITES SWIMBAIT FINATIC ROD. The XH will be everything you need and more

[@davej582]

I have the Daiwa Rebellion 7' 11" SB rod and I'm loving it sop far. Super lightweight, nice soft tip for getting some good casts. Been throwing S waver 168s, 6" and 8" magdrafts, and gantarell jrs with it and it handles them all really well. Great rod for the money

[@davej582]

Btw im considering picking up either the 7'3' or 7'6" H rebellion for a dedicated 6" magdraft rod. Anyone have experience with either model?

[@crazybassfisher]

Crazy how light that rod is too! I’ve only heard great things about the rod too!

[@kellymoore4517]

@@davej582 What line are throwing on that 6" magdraft?

[@davej582]

@@kellymoore4517 20 lb Sunline Sniper at the moment as I sometimes throw heavier baits with this rig, I think 15 or 16 lb would be ideal for strictly throwing the 6" magdraft though.

[@lilhito9498]

Another good one is a Major Craft Days, it’s rated up to only 3 oz, but I read somewhere you can throw 250s on it

[@crazybassfisher]

Oh nice, I’ll have to check those out too!

[@brianlee9074]

Good video King 👑. I just bought that Okuma Guide Select sb rod, paired with a Komodo reel. 🤞🤞 First time sb combo. ✌🏻😎🎣

[@jasoncarr5867]

Just got the dobyns fury 795 and an Abu garcia maxtoro combo for swimbaits, glide baits etc I cant wait to try them both ive heard good things about the dobyns but never a thing about the maxtoro technically it's a musky rod but its pretty parabolic I think itd be a good small glide bait rod lol

[@crazybassfisher]

Nice setups! Should be able to get the job done!

[@jasoncarr5867]

@@crazybassfisher dobyns no doubt but the Abu Garcia I'm skeptical about it's 7ft rod that's rated 1-4oz the only reason I got it its because it'd fit in an SUV and it was $49 at the time with a $150 reel on it 😂

[@bryanknatz6067]

Do you find the irods too stiff or do they have a nice parabolic bend to them? Looking for a rod to throw tiny clash and/or 8 inch magdraft. Thanks

[@thetravelingmongo]

He’s a king for a reason👑

[@crazybassfisher]

Haha thanks for watching!🙏

[@istaycatchingfish2552]

What reel size and color wise would pair up well with the extra heavy St. Croix Bass X rod? I'm assuming spool it up with 25lb Fluro?

[@FreedomFishing]

Have you guys had any of the BassX Swimbait rods come back with the same reel seat issue that the split handles have? That second gen BassX is clearancing everywhere because of that issue, and I'm wondering if it's worth the gamble.

[@colemangroh5921]

Sick vid Geoff. I’m looking for a new rod to throw the WCZ Citizens. Do you have any recommendations. Pricepoint doesn’t matter to me. Thanks and fish on man!

[@KriticullCTRL]

XXX Orochi Leviathan

[@crazybassfisher]

For the citizens, I would recommend the LDC XH Workshop rod, Leviathan Alpha Soft Swim H/XH, the Megabass Orochi XXX Leviathan, or the ST croix Victory XH swimbait rod.

[@colemangroh5921]

Thanks for the response! I’ll definitely check some of those rods out and make a decision.

[@justinmayer9973]

Awesome video! I'm in the market for a soft swimbait rod and was looking closely at the St. Croix Victory rods. I'm looking to throw 7 inch cititzen's, 8 inch gtrout's and 9 inch battle shads eventually. Which of the Victory swimbait rods would you recommend? Thanks

[@crazybassfisher]

I would suggest the XXH rod since you’re gonna fish 7-9” baits. That rod will drive the hook home when fishing the WCZ baits!

[@justinmayer9973]

@@crazybassfisher appreciate you Geoff, tight lines.

[@Hoveyish]

Do you have any input on the iRod Jr Swim? Looking for something to throw Swavers and Arashi Glides on! Thanks!

[@allenyangie]

Do you think the daiwa tatula 7'3" sb rod can throw the spro chad shad 6inch?

[@VinceNiergarth]

Great video!

[@crazybassfisher]

Thanks for watching!

[@Jon-nz3dm]

Just a heads up, Bass X are covered for 5 years, while the Victory line and higher have the 15 year warranty. I just got a Victory actually and was locking down a reel, not paying much attention and had the lock nut upside down somehow and completely ripped the entire lock nut thread piece off the blank LOL. Good thing I bought it from my work so I'll just return it.

[@tycampbell5623]

Is the dobyns furry swimbait rod better for soft swim baits or hard treble hook glides

[@oflofl7177]

the crack at 13:15 💀💀💀

[@karlpost8674]

I was looking for this Comment to see if anyone else heard it. Haha

[@badzr2]

I have zero complaints about the rebellion rod

[@crazybassfisher]

Awesome to hear!

[@tonyreed1727]

What do you think about the shimano slx swimbait rod

[@andrewvolcom11]

Do any of those rods u mention have double seated guides all the way up?

[@crazybassfisher]

I don’t believe any of them do actually, just single foot guides

[@richshackelford5793]

Great job Geoff

[@crazybassfisher]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidkrumme216]

The 13 omen blacks are the best rods under 300 bucks. Unless you go custom

[@liamcastelo4826]

I remember them levante rods were $200plus tax last year 😅 now it’s the only rod in that line up that retails $250+tax

[@crazybassfisher]

Yeah, crazy the jump!

[@d10dozerman2]

They are over priced and had/have a lot of breaking issues. Don't underestimate the Daiwa Tatula $100 or the Rebellion$200 rods, they are Great rods for the money. Like most of MB stuff IMHO it is over priced. A lot of people are brand bias to a point. I have different brands of rods and reels. A lot of it comes down to your budget and how much $$$ you want to fork out.

[@cgrfishing2373]

Hey bro, quick question for ya, I'm barely getting into throwing those balams 245 and 300 and I would like to know what's the best and lightest rod and reel combo for those baits, been seeing those japanese fisherman handle their rods like it's a finnese rod

[@crazybassfisher]

Those guys definitely like their shorter rods, 7’3-7’9 XH/XXH rods with a 200 size reel or so. Rod wise, it’s tough to find a really parabolic, short rod here in the states that is XH/XXH for the big baits. Reel wise, they like Antares MD style reels or Calcutta Conquest 200/300 size reels

[@danmartinez6439]

What’s the best rod for a DRT

[@bassguido]

Irod gen III 👍

[@Johnnyboy_.]

Is there a rod that can do both ??? Soft baits and hard ?

[@ericreid2645]

I recently bought a Dobyns Champion XP 795 swimbait rod. Do you think that's a decent starter rod for Jackall Gantarells and Gantarells Juniors, Baitsanity Explore Gill and 5inch Bull Gills, S Waivers and 6inch Mag Drafts? I fish big ponds and small lakes mostly but maybe 2 or 3 times a month get out on my homies boat and fish the bigger lakes. Definitely a rod for hard baits only I yhink

[@crazybassfisher]

Yeah, the 795 should definitely get the job done with the baits you mentioned!

[@DaoongVang]

What’s the best softbait rods for 6-7inch citizens/battleshads from price range 150-250$

[@mauritobias8759]

AWESOME VIDEO AS ALWAYS DUDE 🤙🤙🤙MY WALLET IS BURNIN IN MY POCKET ✌✌✌

[@crazybassfisher]

Thanks for watching!🙏

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

👏👏Awesome job Buddy ❤️🤙

[@crazybassfisher]

Thanks for watching!🙏

[@michealbutsko9912]

When did levante rods go up ? No more 200 $ line up from Megabass ? Bummer

[@albertojvel]

I’ve heard Ben say in another video that the Leviathan “will throw your I-Slides and Slide Swimmers”. Do you think he meant the full size 262/250 or the 185/175? I’d love to have a rod that can throw the 2oz-6oz weight class. I have a Dobyns Fury 806 that works great up to 4oz but once I hit that 4.5oz-5oz range it gets gooey

[@tryptaman4315]

Levante. Levante and leviathan rods are different. Ones made by megabass

[@ChairmanMeowBurger]

@@tryptaman4315 Leviathan is a specific rod in the Megabass lineup. Levante and Orochi both have one.

[@crazybassfisher]

The full size baits will handle great on the Leviathan rod, anything in the 5-7oz range will work with it!

[@albertojvel]

@@tryptaman4315 I assumed people would assume I meant Megabass Levante Leviathan since that’s what’s actually in this video. I’ve been told Leviathan brand rods like the omega are pretty sick tho, but I’m just tryna keep the cost down for now

[@bassassinmaster]

Would you be able to find out exactly how long the handle is on the mega bass Leviathan, reel seat to butt length?

[@crazybassfisher]

I believe it is 18” from reel seat to butt length

[@dirtydfishin1578]

What do you think about the phenix m1 inshore 8’2 heavy

[@crazybassfisher]

I heard it’s a pretty solid rod, I think it’s more on the faster side rather than being parabolic though, I could be wrong on it though

[@ReelAZMatt]

I wish that Megabass Cookai casting rod was only $250! Wow is that thing sweet.

[@crazybassfisher]

Those rods are so cool haha

[@Thetruckerfisherman]

What about Phenix swim bait rods, are they any good?

[@crazybassfisher]

I’ve heard good things about the M1 swimbait rods yeah!

[@Nick_88]

I will never not shut up over how salty I am that the Okuma Nomad Xpress rods are discontinued as far as I know. 4 piece swimbait rods that come in a Heavy and Extra Heavy, are super super comfortable in the hand, and retailed for like $110 and often went on sale for like $90 - $85. They seriously gotta bring them back or some other brand has to pick up that concept cause I hate having to fit swimbait rods in my Toyota Prius C. They were truly one of the most underrated rods for guys who travel alot or just a general entry level rod.

[@crazybassfisher]

Interesting, wonder why the discontinued the rod? There needs to be more affordable travel rods on the market!

[@Nick_88]

​@@crazybassfisher 2 Years later and Okuma finally brought them back and better than ever, but they're backordered tf out 😭

[@tou291462]

What would you recommend for a deps 250?

[@crazybassfisher]

The Megabass Levante Leviathan would be the best rod for sure!

[@5.7.0bassin2]

was that 15 yr warranty on the bass x just for the swimbait do you no or all the models

[@crazybassfisher]

I believe all st croix rods have that 15 year warranty

[@rogercastle2434]

How do these rods work with Rats?

[@skiyarr22]

What’s a good and affordable rod that I can throw a deps 250?

[@crazybassfisher]

Either the Megabass Levante Leviathan rod or the IRod XL swim or the ST croix Bass X XXH rod

[@skiyarr22]

@@crazybassfisher thanks my guy!

[@justinshaw8594]

Can you do a video on reels?

[@crazybassfisher]

I can definitely see what I can do!

[@willembry5469]

I know they’re over $250 but I had to ask… Leviathan Omega vs Low Down Customs?

[@crazybassfisher]

Both are great options. The only thing about the Omega I didn’t necessarily like was that they are a little softer than I expected. Great parabolic action for loading baits on the cast and keeping fish pinned, but feels under powered when fighting bigger fish. Other than that, they are both great rods to go with

[@swedishfish2543]

Bassx handle length is too short at 14"

[@crazybassfisher]

I actually believe the Bass X swimbait rods have 16-17” handle lengths.

[@calheugel1883]

What’s your favorite soft bait rod < 450$

[@crazybassfisher]

Currently, I have a custom soft bait rod that I love that isn’t made anymore but those Leviathan Alpha Soft Swim rods are legit for being $360!

[@supfoo3638]

No Dobyns champion?!

[@duanecovert2885]

Reels next plz

[@crazybassfisher]

Will try and get on it!

[@LetsGoGregg]

Snubbed- 13 Fishing Bang for your buck $160 for either 8ft swimbait rod.

[@jeffmorand4796]

You can throw most baits with most rods, within reason, no need to have 6 rods for every type of bait u throw, unless your fishin for money and then your getting help or given the rods for sponsor exposure. DO NOT FEEL LIKE u need 50 rods to fish, a little sick of the specialization and promotion, nothing personal to u, this is my general feeling of the entire industry, cheers

[@crazybassfisher]

Absolutely, but, it’s nice having the right rod for the right situation/bait.

[@leonel5488]

𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙢

[@dfishin4083]

I have been trying to find the specs on the tatula 7,3 vs 7,9 and I am wondering is the difference in length all in the length behind the reel seat or is it longer along the guides. Thanks

[@crazybassfisher]

Both, longer handle and longer rod section