Using A Bait Caster With Light Lures

[ShawnMull103]

So my main reel at the moment is a bait caster which I typically use Wacky Rigs and Texas Rigs so there are some good weight on there when I cast out.

I have some friends in the area (who have spinning rods) and they have been having some good luck with lighter lures (Top water etc.). I would like to try getting some out there on the water but don't know really where to start for lighter systems on a bait caster. Also distance would be something that is on my mind. Because I fish from shore and where the fish are a good cast is needed.

So to get, say a top water, out there a good distance may be very difficult on a bait caster without a little extra weight on it. Now I'm pretty new to all this (as you may be able to tell from my other posts so I may be thinking of this all incorrectly.

Would a weighted bobber be a good idea here? Or would that destroy the illusion the top water lure creates with the ripples it leaves? Because a wight would just drag it down I thought this might be a good "solution."

Again I could be thinking of this all wrong and that's why I'm asking haha.

Thank for the help guys, I'm really digging looking around the older posts here.

[Michael DiNardo]

What type of topwaters do you intend to use?

Mike

[zip pow]

My suggestion is to learn how to adjust your spool tension to match you lures i use a 7' rod med heavy with bc reel and fish weightless worms all the time with almost the same distance on the cast as i have with a 1/2 oz bait

[Raul]

Casting light lures with a baitacaster is not the problem, it´s a matter of adjusting the brakes and tension knob BUT you got to have the RIGHT LINE and the RIGHT ROD otherwise the rod won´t load and the line will not flow from the reel, the lighter you want to cast the lighter the rod and line you´ll need or the bait will land three ft from you no matter how much you adjust the reel or how much muscle you use when casting.

[flippin and pitchin]

The rule is the same regardless of what lure weight you throw. The lure must travel at or beyond the speed the spool rotates to keep up with the rate the line comes off the spool. If the velocity of the lure pulling the line slows, the line coming off the spool has to go some where. Back lash. When the lure slows, so must the rate of spool rotation. Do it by thumb pressure and or cast control features or both. Smaller diameter lines and softer action rods really help with lighter lures.

[ShawnMull103]

Actually I kind of figured out my problem haha. I was expecting the lure to be a lot lighter than what it was and was able to comfortably get it where I needed.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I do need some help adjusting the break/ tension as I get further into it.

Is there a good vid for advice on adjusting those on the net?

[retiredbosn]

There is one here on bassresource, I think Glenn did the video, either look at the pinned articles at top of page or follow link

 

[WRB]

The type of rod is important when trying to cast surface lures that weigh less than 1/4 oz. The average med/hvy fast action bass bait casting rods (4 to 5 power) do not cast light lures well. You are better off with a rod designed for crank baits; medium action (2 to 3 power). The fast action tip starts the spool too fast, a slower action (more parabolic) allows the reel spool to start slower and helps to prevent back lashing.

Also a more streamline surface lure like Owner's Zip n' Ziggy will cast further with less effort.

Adjust the spool tension knob so the lures weight drags line off the spool and doesn't fall too freely. Use premium mono; 10 to 12 lb, not FC line. Mono floats and will give you better lure control than FC line that sinks.

Tom

[NBR]

I much prefer bait casters over spinning gear. I have a BPS proliteBC rig that I easily use with 1/4 ounce and can go as light as 1/8 ounce but I just don't fight it when I want to fish less than 1/4 I use a spinning rig.

[iceintheveins]

I don't cast lures under 1/4 ounce on baitcasters. But if you set the tension and spool brakes correctly, you can throw 1/4 ounce lures just fine on a baitcaster. I can throw a skitterpop at least 100 feet with my Curado and 10 pound line. Treat the line often with KVD L@L conditioner. Using a glass or composite rod helps too.