Guru has expanded its baiting-up rod range with a third length. Alongside the existing 10 ft and 12 ft models, the X-Change Bait Up Rod is now also available in an 11 ft (3.35 m) version with a casting weight of up to 220 g. This is a rod designed not for fishing, but exclusively for delivering large, heavy feeders filled with groundbait to the swim, and the new 11 ft model fills the gap between the lighter 10 ft (170 g) and the most powerful 12 ft (280 g) model. It is available now in our web shop.
Why a dedicated baiting-up rod?
Anyone who fishes with a feeder at longer range knows the issue: the quickest way to do the initial feed with five, ten or more large feeders is with a powerful rod, but every such cast with your fishing rod puts strain on its blank, tip and line. That is why Guru, with major input from Steve Ringer, developed a dedicated “bait up” rod. The idea is simple: one rod is used only for baiting up, clipped to the same distance as the fishing rod, so the fishing rod is spared while the feed lands exactly where the feeder with hooklength will later be cast.
Bait Up rods have a powerful blank that loads fully under the weight of the feeder and propels it a long way with precision, plus a fast tip which, after the cast and a short jerk, is used to empty the feeder on the bottom or at a chosen depth. That is why anglers use them both for pre-baiting before a match and for topping up during the session, without needing to reset the fishing rod.
What the new 11 ft model brings
- 30-tonne carbon Power Action blank: a powerful, fast action that loads progressively under the weight of the feeder and sends it further without losing accuracy.
- Fast tip recovery: makes it easier to shake the feed out of the feeder at the desired spot, whether on the bottom or at a set depth.
- Sea-Guide XQG guides with LS Zirconia inserts: an anti-tangle design and strategic guide spacing reduce line wrap and the risk of crack-offs during powerful casting.
- Anti-frap tip guide: fitted to the tip of all Bait Up rods, it prevents braid from wrapping around the tip at the moment of casting a heavy feeder.
- DPS reel seat and Over Cap joint: a solid, proven build that stands up to repeated powerful casts.
- Long handle with Japanese shrink-wrap and Guru EVA butt cap: plenty of leverage for casting a loaded feeder and secure support under the arm on every follow-up baiting cast.
10, 11 or 12 ft – which length should you choose?
All three rods share the same blank, guides, handle and recommended braid, so the choice comes down to the distance you fish at and the weight of the feeders you cast:
| Model | Length | Casting weight | Rod weight | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft (GRD256) | 3.05 m | 1–170 g | 250 g | short to medium distances, smaller lakes and canals |
| 11 ft (GRD385) – NEW | 3.35 m | 1–220 g | 265 g | the versatile choice for most venues, medium and longer distances |
| 12 ft (GRD257) | 3.66 m | 1–280 g | 315 g | the longest distances and heaviest feeders, large lakes and rivers |
- 10 ft if you are baiting up to around 40 metres and fishing with 9 to 11 ft feeders, on smaller commercial venues and canals.
- 11 ft if you want one rod for most situations: long enough for distance casting, yet short and light enough to bait up with all day without fatigue. For most feeder anglers on our lakes, this is the most logical choice.
- 12 ft if you regularly fish at 60 metres and beyond, on big lakes or rivers, and need the largest feeders.
See the Guru X-Change Bait Up Rod 11ft in the shop →
Technical specifications
| Model | Guru X-Change Bait Up Rod 11ft (GRD385) |
| Length | 3.35 m (11 ft) |
| Casting weight | 1–220 g |
| Rod weight | 265 g |
| Number of sections | 2 |
| Blank material | 30-tonne carbon, Power Action |
| Joint | Over Cap |
| Reel seat | DPS |
| Guides | Sea-Guide XQG anti-tangle, LS Zirconia inserts |
| Tip guide | anti-frap, prevents line wrap |
| Handle | long, Japanese shrink-wrap + Guru EVA butt cap |
| Recommended braid | 0.16 mm (Guru X-Change Bait Up Braid) |
What to pair it with
A Bait Up rod delivers the best results when the whole setup is matched. Guru recommends the following combination, all of which is available in our shop:
- Guru X-Change Bait Up Braid 150 m, 0.16 mm (30 lb) – a thin yet very strong braid that the rod was designed around; less air resistance means more distance and more accurate casting.
- Guru Bait Up Window Feeder 40 g + 50 g – large feeders with a “window” that carry plenty of groundbait and empty with a single jerk.
- Guru Bait Up Particle Cap – a cap that keeps particles (sweetcorn, pellets, casters) inside the feeder until it hits the bottom.
- Guru X-Change Bait Up Feeder Heavy Spare Weight Pack – spare 40 g and 50 g weights for quickly changing weight without changing the feeder.
- Guru Groundbait Whisk – a drill whisk that mixes bait-up groundbait lump-free in a minute.
Price and availability
The new Guru X-Change Bait Up Rod 11ft is available now at €129.90 (regular price €145.00). If you prefer a shorter or longer version, the Bait Up 10 ft (170 g) and 12 ft (280 g) are still available too.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I fish with a Bait Up rod as well?
A: The rod was purpose-built for baiting up. The tip is too stiff to register bites properly, so for fishing use a feeder rod with a sensitive tip, and use the Bait Up only for delivering feed.
Q: What does the 220 g casting weight mean?
A: It is the maximum recommended total weight of the feeder together with the groundbait that the rod should be loaded with. When choosing a feeder, calculate the total weight of the loaded feeder, not just the weight of the lead.
Q: What reel and line should I use with it?
A: A size 5000 to 6000 reel with a deep spool and 0.16 mm braid, such as Guru X-Change Bait Up Braid. Braid does not stretch, so the feeder empties more easily with a jerk, and casting is more accurate than with mono.
Q: How does the rod compare with the older 10 ft and 12 ft models?
A: The blank, guides and handle are the same; the 11 ft 220 g model sits right in the middle of the range. For most lake anglers, it is the most versatile length.
