just wondering what reel gear ratio works best for the slammer. I heard the slower the retrieve, the better. Also what line and rod? Thanks for response. D.B.COOPER

Nico is the grandmaster of the Slammer, but I'll try too :) LOL. I don't care too much about retrieve ratio. Faster the better in my opinion. I'll just reel slower when I want the bait to go slower. The dream combo for the 9" Slammer is a Rainshadow SW976 and a Calcutta 300TE. I don't have any 300TE's but I've fished them and they are darn nice. The 400TE is incredible too, but you don't really NEED the 400TE size wise on the 9" and under baits.

In the more reasonable zone, check out the Cardiff or Catala. 300 or 400 size. The 300 is good for the medium sized baits like 7 to 9 inches. The 400 size is better when you're using the big 10 to 12" baits.

EXPERT? Hardly!...ha ha

I have done one very important modification to my Slammer....CHANGE THE HOOKS!

They now sport Owner Cutting points size 1/0. I throw it on a custom made Shikari Rod with a Abu Garcia C5 Mag 6500 and 25lb Big Game.

I loaned this outfit to my buddy because he was heading to Clear Lake.
With this weather we have been having...I want it Back!

Swimbait has the "Ultimate" set up, and I've said in previous posts that I would love to get a 300TE or 400TE...But Wifey would kill me!

Here is a recent photo of my set-up. The total cost including reel was around $337.00. I'm extremely happy with it, especially the Rod.

Now if I can only get those big green guys to cooperate!

Just my 2-cents!

"ROD"

7 inch Slammer
Flippin stick + Shim Curado + 20 lb line

9 inch Slammer
SW967 Rainshadow rod + Shim 300/Abu 5500 size reel + 25 lb line

12 inch Slammer
?? + Shim 400/ Abu 6500 size reel + 30 lb line

Like Rob said, the ideal reel would be the Calcutta TE's. But any other Shimano or Abu in the correct size will work fine. I'd go with the faster 6:1, but I currently have a cheapo 5.3:1 5500C3 on a Rainshadow for my 9 inch plugs and it works great as well.

Heres my 2 cents, and 3 swimbait setups.......

7" baits--Loomis BBR 964--CTE300--20lb P-LINE
9" baits--Loomis BBR 965--CTE400--20lb P-LINE
12"baits--Loomis BBR 966--CTE400--30lb P-LINE

I am sure there are soime "Specialty" rods out there, especially custom wrapped rods, but thee work great for me, and I'll throw em for 8 hours straight...Most of the time without a bite.;-)

Later
Cam

har :) yeah the fish sure don't care what rod you have sometimes! ingrates!! :P