Curious as to what people are using for a swim bait rod for the 3:16 rising son and maybe a little smaller bait.

Dobyns Champ 795ML

G. Loomis IMX Swimbait Rods

I use the IMX 904C SWB and I LOVE it! I contemplated between the IMX and NRX and I'm glad I went with the IMX. I own 10 NRX rods and they are the best rod on the market if you ask me. HOWEVER, I went with the IMX for 2 reasons: 1. When you think about it, with reaction baits, cranks, and swimbaits, you don't need the most sensitive rod on the market because you're not really "feeling" for bites. The fish hit your bait hard (especially swimbaits) and you're not really contemplating whether or not you're getting a bite. 2. The IMX series of rods are PLENTY sensitive! I own every single series of G. Loomis rods and to be 100% honest, there's not much difference in sensitivity between the IMX, GLX, and NRX rods. The main differences in these rods are the components and reel grips; not a whole lot of difference in blanks (they're different, but not a lot). The IMX 904C SWB is the best swimbait rod I've ever used, hands down. The rod is well balanced, the tip is true to form, and the full grip handle makes it easy to launch a swimbait. Definitely worth the money! Pay the extra cash and get the IMX 904C SWB. I promise you'll be happy!

Dobyns 806 HSB is a great rod that doubles as an a-rig rod and I even use it as a 10xd rod. The parabolic action and backbone are matched up great for this bait. You can go up from there to a Dobyns 867 or G Loomis Big bait series... But, if you really get into it you need to look into custom rods with Phoenix blanks.

If you go look at what the west coast swimbait crowd uses, the Dobyn's Champion 806 HSB (heavy swimbait, 2-8 oz.) is the defacto standard. That's generally considered a little stout for the Rising Son, so the 795SB MT (swimbait, mag topwater, 1-5 oz.) is probably a better choice for what you ask. The "ML" rods from Dobyn's are tailored for what Mike Long likes, and they are the same rod as another model, but with a longer handle setup for tossing really large stuff. (Mike Long is famous out west.) I don't think you want an ML series rod for the Rising Son.

As for eventually needing some custom rod, I must chuckle as I've had in-depth conversations with two of the great names in the swimbait world, and both told me that I should not bother collecting rods beyond the 795SB MT and 806 HSB - there is just no need because they are that good. They are also not cheap.

If you need to spend a bit less, the Okuma Guide Select swimbait rods are a decent economical choice. I have a couple of those in addition to several Dobyn's rods, and I find them acceptable. Tackle Tour's review on them wasn't bad.

Dobyns 795
Falcon Cara swim bait rod
Loomis 8ft Salmon bounce back rod.

Irod Genesis swimbait rods are awesome! The jr swim will handle the 3:16 with ease. I throw 6 Huddleston's with it and has plenty of back bone. Par it with a Lews Super Duty reel and your set!!

I have several Dobyns Champion series rods and really like them. I was getting a swimbait set up but didn't want to invest a lot of $$. I bought the Dobyns Fury 795SB. Was a little skeptical of a Dobyns rod for $120 because of how high most of their rods are but am very pleased. Great swimbait rod for medium to heavy swimbaits! Also doubles as a great A-rig rod. I coupled it with a Diawa Luna 253 reel and 20lb Big Game mono and it is really a sweet set up. Got the reel at a great discount from Carlos @ River A Tackle here on the TFF. Very happy with the complete set up. Note: for smaller swimbaits that fall well under the 2oz mark just use a heavy action rod you may already have.

Kistler Mag-2. I have the 7ft Heavy Moderate/Fast. It's rated 1/2-3 oz. They also make a 7'3" in the same power and action. I went 7' because I am throwing the weedless up shallow and needed accuracy.

Imo Rogue has one of the strongest blanks around. They build 3 swimbait rods. I buy the blanks and get them built to my preference. They are designed around salmon and steelhead sized fish. I have one built by the late Bobby Feazel back in 2007 and it has caught probably a thousand pound of fish. It has had 65-80lb braid on it for 10 years and it is still as strong as it was the first day.

Thanks for the suggestions. Anyone else

Phoenix rods I have heard are good

I got my Phoenix maxim in the mail today and it feels great. Gonna use it tomorrow. Will report back

Dobyn's 806ML SB gets my vote every time.

Phenix MX-UR80H best swimbait rod Imo or the phenix classic swimbait