Best Huddleston Rod and Reel Set Up?

[ripbait]

Just wanted to hear some opioions on what you guys think?Looking for the cheapest to middle of the road set up Thanks

[onemorebass]

Hey Ripbait,

One of the best options for your price range would be the Okuma Guide select rods($89.99)...either H or XH for the Hudd(I prefer the XH myself). They are designed to throw swimbaits.

For the reel, a Shimano Cardiff 300A or 400A($99.99) spooled with 25lb mono. The 400A is a little bigger than a Calcutta 400B, but the 300A fits in your hand just right.

A little cheaper reel would be one of the Abu Garcia 5600 series. I think they are around $65-80 depending on which model. Just depends on what brand you favor and price range.

Most of the other popular swimbaiting tackle runs higher in price.

A few ideas to get you started, but I'm sure there will be some other opinions out there.

Good Luck!

[Josh]

Calstar 800 and a Calcutta 400 series. If you commit to throwing a swimbait all day you are going to get a good workout. This may tend to discourage you especially when you make 200 casts without a bite!
I realize that everyone has a budget but I truly believe in good things come to those who wait. So the moral of the story is if you can't afford the gear that will make swinging 5 -8 ozs. of plastic/wood easy for you over an 8 -12 hour day than I would suggest to wait my .02

[Muggler]

Cardiff 300 and the Okuma Guide Swimbait rod is what I was goin to suggest as well

[supermat]

The Okuma is a very popular rod. A lot of my good friends use them but personally that 7'6" Okuma just can't meet my needs. I use the Redington RFXC 7911. (www.redington.com) Its only 10 bucks more at $99 and for me it makes all the difference in the world. No rod is going to keep you from getting bit but we all do things a little bit different and for me, I need the awesome tip action that the Redington provides. If you couple it with the Shimano Cardiff your overall cost will stay really low. Best of luck!

[RipnRog]

Here is a great rod for the price and you can order it from a sponsor of the board(the tackle wharehouse). I just ordered both sizes after using my friends.

as for the real never buy cheap reals as they will cost you more to upgrade in the end.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descpage ... AHSCR.html


Rodger

[lionkiller]

http://www.roguerods.com/swimbaitrods.htm

I use the 808...$, sure, but worth it.

[Sacto John]

Do yourself a favor and look at as many rods in person as you can. Not everyone likes the same things in rods, so look at all the rods mentioned.

I personally love my Okuma 7'6 XH, it is light with a good action and great sensitivity. Okuma also stands by their rods 100% which is worth a great deal.

For the reel I just started using a Okuma IDX 400 and I have no complaints so far. I also have used the Shimano Cardiff 300 and liked it as well, but it was not as smooth.

[MrSkeeter]

For rods, Okuma rod mentioned above is good. Another not mentioned is the Shimano Crucial Swimbait rod (7'10" I believe).

The Crucials are on sale at Walton's Pond (site sponsor) for $110 now.

For reels, ABU 6400C3 are inexpensive and work well. Also for a bit more, the Quantum Cabo CBC30 (or the CBC20 if you're going to use braid) will work good as well.

[Nozmo King]

What do you guys think of a saltwater setup for throwing swimbaits? Seems like you could buy a combo for around $100 that could handle the big baits, but I don’t know if it would be any good.

[lionkiller]

Probably a lot of saltwater blanks being rewrapped as 'swimbait rods' for bassmen. Anything marketed to saltwater anglers as 'inshore' will probably work for (heavy cover/baits) bass as well...FWIW

[StockOption]

This is what the family got me for Christmas:

Rod: Shimano Crucial S711H
Reel: Shimano Cardiff 301A Lefty

I also received a few swimbaits including a Huddleston Clear Lake Hitch ROF 5.

Now I just need to make it up to the lake to give it a workout.

[stan22]

I like the okuma rod and the Shimano cardiff 400a, and you can get the okuma in 7'6 or 7'11

[Steve]

Assuming you will be throwing bigger baits, Cardiff 400 and the Okuma 7'11H. This setup is an excellent starting point.

Like Matt said, the Reddington rod is good as well (well, I did like it the few times Ive used it).

Personally, I would not even think about buying an AbuGarcia.