Ultra Swimbait
Casting rods designed for large swimbait and big-bait bass fishing
The Phenix Ultra Swimbait (USB-C) series is a casting-only lineup built for large swimbait fishing, primarily made for trophy largemouth bass with soft-body swimbaits, hardbaits, wakebaits, and multi-hook rigs like the Alabama rig. These are not general-purpose bass rods; the moderate-fast action and heavy blank construction are dialed for lobbing heavy lures (1–8 oz range) and managing big fish on heavy fluorocarbon or monofilament. Techniques requiring finesse or fast action are outside this series' scope.
Blanks use Toray M40J 55Msi carbon fiber blended with T-series graphites, a construction Phenix describes as balancing tensile strength against compressive loads from heavy lures and fish pressure. All four models carry moderate-fast action, Fuji Alconite guides, Grade AA cork handles, and Fuji ECS reel seats. The lineup is consistent in purpose; variation is in weight class and length, not application type. All models are 7'9"–8' casting rods. The USB-C 711ML handles 10–25 lb and 1–3 oz, the lightest swimbait slot, suited for 3–5 inch soft bodies and smaller wakebaits.
The USB-C 711MH (12–30 lb, 1–5 oz) covers mid-size baits including popular 6-inch swimbaits. The USB-C 790H and USB-C 800H both handle 15–50 lb but vary by length, the 7'9" is more manageable in tight quarters while the 8' provides added casting arc for heavier lures like the Huddleston 68 or large hollow-body swimbaits.
Shaded band: the spread of the lineup's 4 models, as percentile rank among same-type rods. Solid line = series median · dashed ring = catalog median.
- Models
- 4 casting
- Length
- 7'9"–8' 2.36–2.44 m
- Power
- MH–XH 3 classes
- Inferred
- Action
- MF
- Line
- 10–50 lb
- Released
- 2010
Rods in this series
4 models| Save | Model | Length | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C 790H | 7'9" | XHI | Buy from Phenix | |
| USB-C 711ML | 7'11" | MHI | Buy from Phenix | |
| USB-C 711MH | 7'11" | HI | Buy from Phenix | |
| USB-C 800H | 8' | XHI | Buy from Phenix |
I Power rating inferred from the lure / line-weight recommendation — not specified by the manufacturer.
Model notes
2 of 4 modelsSame power as the 800H but shorter; marginally easier to load on a forward cast and handle in confined fishing positions. Functionally near-identical to the 800H, choice comes down to personal casting preference.
Entry point in the lineup, lighter line and lure ratings suit 3–5 inch soft swimbaits and smaller wakebaits. Useful when fish are pressured and smaller profile baits outperform the big guns.