Bass anglers are well aware of swimbait lures as they’re the number one choice when fishing for bass. You can catch trophy largemouth bass, or striped bass with ease if you have the right swimbait, line, and of course, the best swimbait rod.

Many Pro tournament bass champions can attest that swimbaits can imitate baitfish perfectly, and with a good rod, you'll feel every bite. Continue reading to learn all there is to know on swimbait rods so that you can catch a trophy bass fish for yourself. 

One of the best things about swimbait lures is that you can use them in just about every fishing environment. You can cast specific swimbaits above grass, around wood, or in open water. Larger swimbaits can be used in saltwater, too. Be sure to get a rod that’s corrosion-resistant or saltwater friendly if you plan to take it to sea.

Swimbait rods need to be extremely durable since the main goal is to reel in large bass, rainbow trout, perch, herring, and more. There are a ton of rods that say they’re up for the challenge but snap when under pressure. Be sure to get a rod with high-quality materials, and maintain the guides, and reel, and reel seat after each use.

Bigger brands that produce fishing rods tend to have at least a 1-year limited warranty with their products. Other brands offer a lifetime limited warranty. Whether you're spending $60 or $600 on your new piece of equipment, it's worth knowing if you’re covered for any defects in production.

The Guide Select Swimbait Rod is great for many reasons, and one of those has to be the price. On top of that, this 7’11” rod is incredible at casting large topwater swimbaits far away in waterways. It’s the best rod for Huddleston swimbaits as well and comes in a range of line weights.

We believe this rod was a perfect match for larger swimbaits in the medium-heavy power rating. There are other power ratings available if you intend to pull in a bigger size fish. You can stick a swimbait, up to 10 ounces onto your hook, and can catch up to 30 lbs without hesitation. The blank is incredibly strong as it’s made with IM-8 Graphite. With Fuji Alconite guide inserts and a Fuji reel seat accompanying the blank, you’ll be able to use braided lines for the most durable set-up.

Saltwater fishing won’t be a bother with this model, either. The Guide Select swimbait rod has stainless steel hook keepers on all models, so they're corrosion-resistant. Lastly, the handle is an impressive 23" in length and has a split grip design. We prefer a full handle with swimbaits, but it was still very comfortable to hold after a long day at sea. Choose between any 3 models, and you’ll have yourself a great 7’11” rod for big swimbaits.

If you’re looking for a rod that’s ready for the water, and at an affordable price, then the KastKing Speed Demon Pro is the one for you. KastKing has produced some top of the line rods at great prices in the past, and the speed demon pro for swimbaits one isn’t any different.

The new KastKing Speed Demon Pro has a lightweight body, weighing only 0.406 pounds. Don't be fooled by its lightweight features; the frame is made of elite carbon fiber, which gives a durable and sturdy feel. The level of sensitivity is great for a rod with a little bend, and the tip does most of the action.

Only the finest Fuji guides and reel seats are used in the production of this rod. You won’t have to worry about your reel coming out of place, or for your line to be frayed by inferior guides.  The Speed Demon Pro comes in 16 technic-specific sizes and actions, but the one we love for swimbait fishing is the 7’6” medium-heavy casting rod is the perfect match for most medium and small-sized swimbaits.

Freshwater and saltwater friendly, this rod was designed to suit as many fishing environments as possible. There's an anti-corrosion film, so wear and tear should be at the back of your mind with this rod. The Speed Demon Pro proved that sometimes more money doesn't always higher a rod's performance. You can own this rod on the cheap and learn to fish with swimbaits like a pro.

Using Keitech swimmers can land you some killer catches. Whether you pick up Keitech's in sizes 2.8, 4.5, or 5.8 oz, you'll be able to cast them effectively with the 806HSB-LH Champion Series Swimbait Rod by Dobyns. This medium-heavy action casting rod will have you casting and reeling with a braided or monofilament line, all day long.

The Dobyns Rods Champion Series rod features a proprietary high-modulus graphite blank that sets a new standard for Dobyn. This 8’6” light powered rod is more sensitive, lower in weight, and has better balance than its previous model. The zero Tangle Fuji guides with Alconite Inserts and Fuji graphite reel seats are somewhat expected on a rod that’s a bit pricier than the early rods we reviewed, but what makes it different is the long handle that allows you the ultimate ease of use. It’s well-balanced, so it’s quite simple to maneuver even with some of the biggest fish.

Finish this handle with AA grade cork grip and Kevlar wrapping, and you’ve got yourself a casting machine with accurate, powerful casts. Choose between black, black/blue, or black/white depending on your style and enjoy a Champion series rod that's perfect for Keitech baits. 

Setting up your swimbait rod will be easy, as long as you follow our tips and tricks. Of course, if you’re fishing in a specific environment or going after a particular species, then rigging your swimbait rod may need tweaking. However, these tips will help most rod swimbait rod set-ups.

Connect the rod and reel and start putting the line down the blank. On most rods, you will need to connect the 2-pieces by rotating or sliding the reel onto the reel seat. Feed the line down the guides, and onto your spool.

Fishing for swimbaits can be fun, or adventurous, depending on what you’re looking for. Many anglers will agree that there’s no feeling quite like pulling in a big bass with a large swimbait. But what makes them more fun than any other bait? Like crankbaits, for example?

Swimbaits have a very realistic look with a lot of natural movement. Tournament Bass Champion, Niggemeyer, has said they’re the “best baitfish imitators in clear water." Other traditional lures may need a lot more jigging and gliding, which gets tiring on the angler after a while. There's a variety of swimbaits available, too. So you can enjoy lakes, ponds, and rivers with a range of various swimbaits.

From line weight to hook sizes, and from reel seats to tips. We’ve covered all the need-to-know info for swimbait fishing. The Dobyns Rods 795SB Champion rod is a perfect match for swimbaits small, or large. So you’ll carry home your bass, or trout with pride. If there’s another rod that suits your needs more, then go for it! We loved every rod on our list, and we’re sure you’ll love your new rod, too.