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Posts: 230
| Hello everyone,
I am currently looking for a rod to throw small bucktails, topwaters and the occasional glider. I would like to stick with St Croix rods. I have heard great things about the mega swimbait but there isn't much information on it. For those that have it, did you have the rod custom built on that blank or did you purchase the rod new? I already have a rod (slingblade) for double 10's and mag dawgs and such, but I need a smaller rod for downsized baits and topwaters. This will most likely be paired with a Calcutta 400B or a Cardiff 400. I'm not interested in having a rod built on the blank, so as a bass rod, is the standard handle too short on the mega swimbait? Thanks for all the help. |
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Posts: 375
| i have not seen a "stock" mega swimbait rod or a "stock" top n tail so i can't compare but a few years back i had keith at proedge build me a couple rods on the mega swimbait blanks. i knew i wanted longer rods so he built them out to 8' 10" (vs. the stock 7' 9" swimbait rod) with syncork handles...5" foregrips and 15" rears (vs. the stock 2 1/2" fore and 11" rear grip i beleive it is on the swimbait). for me, i like the longer rods period and also like the longer 15" reargrip...fits good under my arm...and the longer 5" foregrip is nice since i switch off from palming and holding the foregrip to give my hand a break. for me the rods are simply great for small to medium cranks, topwaters, bucks up to db 8's, etc. for what it's worth, if i would have bought "stock" i would probably have gotten the top n tail for what i wanted to throw with it since it had more of what i wanted to begin with. i.e. longer overall blank with the longer grips... |
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Posts: 4
| have the mega swimbait rod paired with a curado 300 just for the purpose you are talking about. straight off the rack handle is plenty long. works great for slinging small bucktails. fast tip with plaenty of back bone. haven't hooked up a big girl on it yet but it handled everything a 45 could throw at me. |
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| The mega is the best muskie blank St. Coix has ever built. I heard Jody Dahms 60# Mille Lacs fish was caught on one. |
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Posts: 553
Location: 15 miles east of Lake Kinkaid | Those 3" can make a difference...you know what I mean? Top n' Tail IMO |
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| Thanks for the feedback everyone. The Top N Tail seems like it would be a bit over the top for what I need it for though. Problem is I need a jerkbait/glider rod as well, so I am covering that with "The Jerk." Does anyone have measurements of the length of the rear grip on the stock Mega Swimbait. One other option is to get it custom made, I could get the blank for cheap. I was talking to a coworker and he said it would be around $150 to get the rod cutsom built, is that an accurate price? Also, I want the foregrip, unless if I shell out the cash for a Curado or another smaller reel.
Thanks again,
Zach |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | 15" from butt to bottom of reel seat. I doubt you could get one built for that as the blank retails for $220. |
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Posts: 230
| Thanks. The blank I am getting a good deal on, so that wasn't included in the $150 price estimate. Is this a good price? |
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Posts: 908
Location: South-Central PA | To have that rod custom built, you should be paying in the ballpark of $400. That's a good deal! It pays to have friends that build rods.
jeremy |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | Heck yeah, I was thinking at least $350. Nice rod for smaller blades and big jigs/tubes. |
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Posts: 196
| I have a mega swim bait, it's actually a thorne bros custom, but it is the best rod ever. You can throw everything from small bucktails to 9" grandmas and spinnerbaits with it. I have it paired with a calcutta 400B and love that combo.....I caught a 44 on it fishing a 14 inch tube and it handled the pressure with no issues. My buddy was borrowing it a week ago and hooked into a 50 or 51....he faught it all the way to the boat with no issues. I think it has the best feel of any light rod and yet has plenty of backbone to handle the big boys. |
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Posts: 217
Location: Downers Grove, IL | I have an 8' footer built on a mega swimbait blank for me by Thorne Bros. I've got it paired with a calcutta TE with a power handle. Not a cheap rig, but BY FAR, my best set up. PERFECT rod for small/medium sized bucktails and all topwater baits except WTD's. As said above - plenty of backbone, but a softer tip than the slingblade. |
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| The blank for the Mega Swimbait is 8' as a standard. When you guys say you had the blank built to 8', you're definitely talking about the Mega Swimbait, correct? Because they also have a 7' 9" swimbait rod, rater 1-4 ounces. Which is the better rod for throwing smaller lures? Im talking single bladed bucktails, prop topwaters, small gliders, etc. That is exactly what I'm looking for though, an 8' rod with a softer tip of the Slingblade, but still has the backbone, and maybe a bit of a slower taper. Will I get this combo with the Mega Swimbait?
Thanks! |
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Posts: 217
Location: Downers Grove, IL | Basschamp - I think that the 8' Mega Swimbait blank is exactly what you're looking for. I have the 8 footer and it's perfect. I would not want it any shorter. No skin off my nose, but if I were you I would call TB - they'll help you with all of the options available and get you exactly what you are looking for. I've had two rods built for me by them and in both cases I described the application and my preferred length and they hit the nail on the head. |
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Top N Tail or Mega Swimbait?