![]() It has all the quality build Loomis is known for and the performance you’d expect from a premium rod. The handle length is just long enough to use under my arm, but too long for it’s shorter length. It throws 1- to 3-ounce baits well but can also throw a 4-ounce lure. It’s effortlessly accurate and great for skipping too. This is the ultimate rod for throwing 6- to 7-inch swimbaits around docks. ![]() If I could have only one rod for throwing a glide, this would be it. ![]() That action is ideal for working a glide and keeping treble hooks pinned in a fish’s mouth. The Omega has a fast tip, but it also bends deep into the blank when under load. The length is great for leverage on long casts, and it fits perfectly under my armpit during the retrieve. I also really appreciated the handle’s length and grippiness. Speaking of long casts, this rod loads up and then launches a bait with very little effort. Also impressive was that I could make accurate, short casts with a 6-ounce bait and long over-shoulder bombs. 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. But it will easily cast lures in the 2-ounce range and up to a Deps 250. I’ve 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. The Omega is light and well-balanced, which makes it a joy to cast big baits all day. ![]() The Leviathan Omega is one of the best glide bait rods. Daiwa Tatula wiggled a bit in the bottom reel seat connection (Shimano Tranx fit perfectly).Read Next: Best Baitcasting Reels Best Swimbait Rods: Reviews & Recommendations Leviathan Omega Swimbait, Heavy 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. I spent time fishing the swimbait rods to learn their nuances and to hopefully put a few fish on them. I did that with a lure in the middle of each rod’s weight range while evaluating the distance and how easy it was to achieve a long cast. Sometimes you need to bomb a cast down a weed line or wall to cover water quickly. This test aimed to evaluate the rod’s close-range accuracy for throwing lures around docks and cover. 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’s weight range. 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. I then snapped a photo of the rod’s bend to demonstrate its action. I put the rods in a rod holder and attached a 5-pound weight suspended 24 inches from the rod tip. I also cast each rod with various swimbaits ranging from a 6-inch Magdraft to Deps 250. I cast weights that ranged from 1 to 6 ounces while noting the feel and ease of casting each weight. Manufacturer-provided lure ratings range from dead on to way off, so I conducted a casting test to find my recommended lure weight range. You’ll find these specs in the key features section of each review. I counted guides, measured rods, and measured handle length from the bottom of the reel seat to the end of the handle. I also included feedback based on my experience fishing and catching fish with each rod. The goal for my testing was to find each rod’s ideal lure weight range and provide specs you can use to compare the rods. How I Tested the Best Swimbait Rods The author with a bass caught during testing. Here are the rods I’ve tested so far, and I’ll be adding to this list as I procure more rods. Then I interviewed Mike Gilbert of Working Class Zero, who provided insight on choosing the best swimbait rod for you. I also photographed each rod’s action and measured handle length to help you compare them. 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. They’re also necessary for the basic task of throwing unusually heavy baits, which can range in weight from 1.5 to 13 ounces or more. That’s why the right swimbait rod can be so important. One missed bite or the fish that shakes loose could have been that double digit you’ve been hunting. In my short swimbait career, I’ve learned that when you’re exclusively throwing big baits, it’s essential to capitalize on every rare opportunity at a memorable fish. I’ve since caught new PBs and witnessed the savage predatory instincts hardwired into bass of all sizes. Learn More ›įrom the first time I saw a 15-inch bass eat a 9-inch glide bait I’ve been fully addicted to swimbaiting. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
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