Impressions: When it comes to fishing big baits Shimano is one of the leaders when it comes to reels, and reels like the Conquest, Antares, and Tranx are standard issue for swimbait anglers. However, when it comes to rods while Shimano has offered many swimbait rods in the past they have always been met with somewhat limited enthusiasm. While these rods were certainly serviceable, they often lacked the characteristics, ergonomics, and performance that enthusiast swimbait anglers look for in their big bait sticks. I’d also argue that while many of these rods certainly could sling a big bait and possessed the necessary action to work baits effectively, they often didn’t feel very fun to fish.

The Outlier is built on the company's proprietary Spiral X - Hi Power X blank technology

A few seasons ago I met Sam Kennedy in Florida, a young and enthusiastic Product Manager at Shimano, who was tasked with updating and expanding numerous rod lines within the Shimano portfolio. I liked Sam right away as he was a swimbait enthusiast, and we talked about his arsenal of favorite big baits which included both JDM DRT baits and US customs like the Hinkle Shad. He hinted that he was helping to develop a new series of swimbait rods that would be optimized for popular baits and techniques in the US. These rods would ultimately be known as the Shimano Outlier series.

There are six different Outlier rods which handle baits from 1/2 ounce to 14 ounce big baits. There are many that are great options for full sized glides

The Outlier rods immediately reminded me of Shimano’s higher-end rods, with a clean layout that reminds me of the Expride Series, but they also look much more custom than any Shimano swimbait rod to date. This is primarily due to the split grip design which features longer handles for balance and leverage and the use of spiral heat-wrapped spiral EVA handles which are much more along the lines of what you expect to see from custom swimbait rods builders like F5 and Nameless.

The 7'11" rod is rated 1-5oz. and is a good option for topwater swimbaits like Illude rats

There are a total of five rods in the Outlier lineup, and all but one of them feature a removable handle. All come with a branded neoprene rod sock, which also adds to the rod’s enthusiast overall package. I handled the rods for the first time at ICAST and knew that I wanted one, not just to write about but to personally fish. The problem was that I wasn’t the only one. 

Time to see what the Outlier can do

Real World Tests: The Outlier rods have been popular since they were launched, with many big bait anglers excited to pair their favorite Shimano reel with a in-house rod. I tried to get an Outlier rod for months, and ultimately was able to buy the 7’10” from Tackle Warehouse last season. Since then Shimano also provided a second rod, the 7’11”, shortly after the launch of the Gravitator glide baits which I have fished side by side with my first Outlier and other swimbait sticks.

Shimano's own Tranx reels are a great pairing with the Outlier. I like to configure my swimbait specific reels with oversized handles and knobs

Over the last year I have run both of these rods in my primary swimbait rod arsenal, always having them at the ready in the boat locker and while traveling. I’ve fished a variety of reels on them, mostly Shimano reels, but also the occasional Daiwa or Bates offering (sacrilege I know). Most of the time I fish with braided line, either tying direct to wakes and topwater baits, or using a heavy fluorocarbon leader when fishing glidebaits and crank downs. I’ve tied a wide range of swimbaits on the line, casting glides, wakes, and a bunch of different rats.

Both the 7'10" and 7'11" rod handled the Gravitator 220 glides which measure 8.66" and weigh in at 3 3/8oz.

Casting: Casting swimbaits, perhaps more than any other bass presentation outside of an A-Rig, can often feel more like work than fishing. The combination of oversized baits and the stiff, unforgiving rods designed to throw them can quickly wear on an angler over the course of a day. There's a reason many swimbait rods have earned the nickname "broomsticks." In the pursuit of casting ever-heavier baits, many sacrifice blank loading and parabolic action, resulting in rods that are powerful but not particularly enjoyable to fish.

Even after fishing the rods for a few hours I started to really appreciate how the Outliers cast

The Outlier rods I tested simply don't fall into that category. Both the 7'10" and 7'11" models are true Heavy-power rods, yet neither feels cumbersome. In fact, they're surprisingly easy, I'd even say comfortable, to cast. The 7'10" loads a little deeper with its slightly more moderate taper, making it especially smooth when launching larger baits, but both rods feel crisp, controlled, and very refined whether making overhead bombs, sidearm casts, or gentle lob casts with glides and wakes.

The Outlier is no broomstick and handles smoothly and comfortably, reducing fatigue over repeated casts. These are big bait rods that actually feel fun to fish

Much of that refined feel comes from Shimano's Spiral X and Hi-Power X blank construction. Like other Shimano rods built on these technologies, the blanks resist twisting under load, transferring more casting energy directly into the bait instead of dissipating it through blank torque. The result is improved casting distance, better accuracy, and perhaps most importantly with large swimbaits, a greater sense of control throughout the cast.

The tips on these rods are also excellent, making accurate pinpoint casts with swimbaits easy as well

The bottom line? These Outliers are far from broomsticks and make throwing big baits feel less like work and more like what it should be… fun.

Of all the swimbait-specific rods I've fished from Shimano and G.Loomis, the Outlier series is the best-casting options to date. These rods inspire confidence with every cast while remaining remarkably comfortable to fish, making long days of throwing big baits feel far less taxing than they have any right to.

Next Section: Bringing big baits to life with the Outlier