Okay, I know that most (all?) of the folks who regularly throw swimbaits use casting rods, as do I. I understand the reason for doing so and also realize that most of the rods marketed for fishing swimbaits are casting rods. I've got a friend who got hooked throwing big swimbaits, on 8 - 9' spinning rods, at northern pike in the Baltic (he was stationed in Germany) and wants to get outfitted here. The sticky part of it is that he has tried to use casting reels and just isn't into them...he'd rather stick with spinning gear.

Here's the question. Can any of you recommend a spinning rod in the 8 - 9' range that would work for throwing swimbaits from 1 - 3 or 1 - 4 oz?

Thanks!

- Prescribing a steady diet of steel to the local fishes -