Overview
Ideal for throwing swimbaits, umbrella rigs, oversized topwater, and more, the Shimano SLX Swimbait Casting Rods expand the popular SLX lineup with versatile technique-specific series of rods that won't break the bank. Featuring Shimano's new DIAFLASH technology, each blank is diagonally wrapped with carbon tape in opposite directions on the outermost layer of the butt section to form an array of x-shapes that prevent twisting and enhance the angler's pulling power.
Donning premium titanium-oxide guides, a custom reel seat, and a lightweight full-grip EVA foam handle, the 24-ton carbon blanks deliver exceptional strength and durability for casting big baits and fighting large predators. The perfect entry-level option for the angler looking to get into swimbait fishing, the Shimano SLX Swimbait Casting Rod is designed for the weeknight tournament angler and those in the pursuit of the next personal best.
- 24-ton Carbon Construction
- DIAFLASH technology
- Titanium Oxide guides
- EVA Full Grip Handle
- Custom Reel Seat
- Limited 1-Year Warranty
Specifications
| Model | Length | Power | Taper | Line Wt. | Lure Wt. | Guides | Handle Length | Handle Type | |
| SLXC78HSBA | 7'8" | Heavy | Fast | 15-25lb | 2-8oz | 9+Tip | 23" | Swim B | Buy Now |
| SLXC73MHSBA | 7'3" | Medium Heavy | Fast | 15-25lb | 1-4oz | 9+Tip | 19-1/2" | Swim A | Buy Now |
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Customer Reviews
7” 3 Medium Heavy is greatPurchases to use in place of my broom stick Okuma Swimbait rod as I fish out of a NuCanoe kayak. Living in northern NH I have found that throwing baits over 6 inches for bass is not always an effective time on the water and often leads to pike eating your expensive swim baits. On top of that a large bass here is around 6lbs if you are lucky. I was looking for a more compact option to through smaller Huds, Magdrafts, etc and this is really the only option out there that I have seen. Excellent rod, stiff enough in the mid section for 1-4 oz baits and a decently soft tip for treble hooks and jig style hooks. Highly recommend. No quality issues unlike the other reviewer here but I don’t drag my rods off rocks, step on them, or trash them and expect them not to be damaged, I’d buy an ugly stick for that!
Excellent rod, highly recommend!
3 Broken guide insertsI’ve owned two of each the 7’3MH as well as the 7’8H and I’ve had 3 broken guides on 3 out of the 4 rods. Not sure if I’ve just been really hard on them or if anyone has had similar issues, but I’ve had rods a lot longer that I’ve beaten into the rocks and dirt and no issues like this before.
SLX MH 7’3” SBAOver time I believe we all come to realize that Shimano is just a great brand and out does everyone else but there are products all over from different companies that make something special!
I own (3) Shimano Zodias rods (2) Bantams (1) DC and (1) 300 Tranx more and more I just keep going back to Shimano! I haven’t messed around with the SLX line up of rods & reels but always hear good things and since Shimano is bringing some of there higher end performance into there lower end models I figured why not for $100 lets see what this SLX Swimbait Rod is all about. I’m 6’3” and I love longer handles with either full cork or EVA.
So I grabbed the 7’3” MH SBA since TW didn’t have the SBB! I just got it and haven’t fished it yet but already I’m very skeptical on it rating 1-4oz this isn’t my first Swimbait Rod as I own (3) other Swimbait rods Doybns Champion 806 & 807 & Phenix Ultra Swimbait Classic C800H. I feel like lve learned the hard way but I’ve learned when it comes to companies and there tapers unfortunately they are all so different which makes it hard to find that perfect rod for throwing both Soft and Hard baits!
Now getting back to this “ SLX “ ….. first off impressions are they really did a great job on cosmetics this rod looks very nice! Along with guides, reel seat, and lock but it’s what it is ….. a MEDIUM HEAVY no MAG effects and I wouldn’t throw anything over 2.8oz on this rod! This rod will be great for throwing 1-2oz hard baits very soft tip! Great rod for MegaBass Vatalion, River2Sea 168, 5” Sparkshad, etc….. baits similar to these mentioned on the other hand this rod would be great for Umbrella Rigs on the lighter side, oversized spooks or Whopper Ploppers, also what I really like it this would be a great lite flipping stick in mid range conditions! It’s feather light and probably has great sensitivity from what I can feel!
This would be a great rod for a beginner starting point for throwing swimbaits and a great multi purpose rod for the experienced angler! All around for $100 buck you really get a rod that has so great potential, for what it is Shimano did a pretty good job considering it’s a lower end rod!
I’m looking forward to having some fun seeing what I can get away with using this rod, and I got it mainly because of its short length in tight situations where a normal swimbait rod might be too much like hiking around a local body of water!
I want to give this rod 3.5 out 5 stars if Shimano put a mag taper to this rod it would be 5 out 5 stars!
WowI purchased the 7'3 mh and it is lighter than most of my normal rods.
It’s ultra sensitive and works good for hard and soft baits it is parabolic but you can still drive a jig hook into the roof of a basses mouth with ease. Tatula 200 fits perfectly on this setup, the rod can throw exactly the weights it says it can perfectly. Shimano really hit it out of the park with the slx Swimbait rod
Definitely a winnerI own both the 7'3 and the 7'8 and fish both of them. If I had to chose one I'd go for the 7'8. I've throw everything from spro Chad's to huddlestons on it and they're on the short list of "budget" swimbait rods that can handle treble hooks and jig hook style baits well. The 2-4oz range seems to be the sweet spot. Even handled two musky on them this past year. The only downside is that they're a little heavy but no cheap swimbait rod is going to be feather light.
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Comments: This is my first swimbait rod. I do own a few shimano expride and poison adrena rods and I can say that this SLX swimbait rod is very light and sensitive and a great buy for the price. And although this is a freshwater rod, I have actually used it for salt water inshore applications throwing flyline sardines, hookup baits, and colt snipers; catching calico bass, bonitos, and barracuda out here in Southern California with no issues at all. This is a great workhorse rod at the right price point.
From: Unknown: 9/30/22
Comments: Impressive with the new blank. Feels way better in terms of sensitivity and quality than the Dobyns Fury.
From: Brian: Ohio 9/9/22