Best Bait Casting Reel For Light Lures And Line?

[Refined N Focused]

Is it a must to use a spinning reel set up when throwing light line or wieghtless lures? Or is there a bait casting reel available that's specifically designed for light line/lures or is it always dependent on how you set up your bait-caster which will enable you to throw light line/lures?

[roadwarrior]

Mostly it's the rod or a balanced combination. I have Yo-Zuri #6 on a

BCR 893/ Curado 50E.

[Refined N Focused]

Ok cool. I've got an Abu Garcia Blue Max combo. It's the only combo I have that match. But I've never tried to use light line on. I'll give it a shot thanks Roadwarrior

[WRB]

With 6 Lb mono/FC line and a bait casting reel to cast effectively you needs a slower action rod with less power; medium action 2 power is ideal for 1/8 to 1/4 oz lures. The rod needs to be able to bend under the weight of the lure at 1/2 the length of the rod to start the spool to rotate at the proper speed, then the lure must continue through the air with enough energy to pull line off the spool to archive distance. If the rod is too stiff and the lure too light the spool starts faster then the lure speed and you have a backlash as a result or the lure only travels a short distance.

Spinning reels have a stationary spool, can't backlash, the casting distance is only affected by line friction and lure weight, the rod stiffness isn't a major factor as it is for bait casting reels.

Tom

[scaleface]

I have a Curado on a 6.5ft med light action Shimano Compre. . It will cast1/8 ounce lures with 10 lb test. I quit using it because big bass kept getting off.I just could not get a good hookset with it.

[WRB]

I have a Curado on a 6.5ft med light action Shimano Compre. . It will cast1/8 ounce lures with 10 lb test. I quit using it because big bass kept getting off.I just could not get a good hookset with it.

10 lb test line (mono or FC) is hold be strong enough to get a good hook set with hooks up to 3/0 IF you don't rely on the rod to apply all the force to the hook. The Compre series rods have a lower power rating than makes, medium light deoesn't tell what power rating the rod is.

I believe If you learn to reel set and use a firm rod sweep, you would eliminate. Most of the hook setting problems.

I use 10 lb mono/FC line often with jigs that have 5/0 hooks, the rod is 5 power and lure 1/2 oz, and use the reel set with rod sweep on giant bass...10 lb line isn't the issue.

Tom

[aavery2]

Is it a must to use a spinning reel set up when throwing light line or wieghtless lures? Or is there a bait casting reel available that's specifically designed for light line/lures or is it always dependent on how you set up your bait-caster which will enable you to throw light line/lures?

If you are looking for a LP baitcasting reel that will handle baits lighter than 1/4 oz. Daiwa makes some of the best. The Daiwa Pixy is top of the line, the Sol and Alphas 103 series reels also do a very nice job with a few minor mods. The nice thing about the Daiwa reels is that there are a lot of custom aftermarket parts to make these things realy run well. The Shimano 50E does a good job and is quite a bit cheaper than most of the Diawa reels not as many aftermarket parts but they run good for what they are. I have not used one, but have heard good things about the Revo ALT and MGX with an upgraded spool, but again you are starting to get into some big money.

As RW said, the reel is only half the equation, finding a rod to match is the other half.

T

[WRB]

Is it a must to use a spinning reel set up when throwing light line or wieghtless lures? Or is there a bait casting reel available that's specifically designed for light line/lures or is it always dependent on how you set up your bait-caster which will enable you to throw light line/lures?

We should ask what you mean by light weight lures. The dividing line between bait casting rods, not reels, is lure weights under 3/16 oz or line strength under 8 lb. A 3 power rod is far more common than a 2 power rated for 1/8 oz lures; Dobyns 682C or 702C. When you go up to 3/16 oz then several rod makers make 3 series.

RW suggested a 3.series rod for example, that can be used with most light weight low profile bait casting reels. 6 lb line with 1/8 lures with a 3 power rod works good IF you have very good casting skills. 8 lb with 3/16 oz lures with a 3 power rod is easy to cast with modest casting skills.

Tom

[kickerfish1]

Like others have said once you dip to say 3/16 or 1/8 oz lures it requires a pretty special reel, rod, and line combination but the key is the reel. It would be hard to find a good reel for this for less than $200 unless you use a curado 50e. Most of your finesse specialty reels like the Calcutta 50 and the pixy will cost you a pretty penny. Special spools, upgraded bearings, and supertunimg can all aid in casting lighter baits. You may be able to find a rod for finesse applications for $150-$250. The phenix recon and dobyns 701 or 702 would be good alternatives to other rods like the NRX, z-bone, and even specialty JDM rods. As far as line a good quality 6-8# floro line is best.

If your budget for a finesse combo is less than $300-$400 then yes you would be best served getting a spinning outfit.

[Silas]

With 6 Lb mono/FC line and a bait casting reel to cast effectively you needs a slower action rod with less power; medium action 2 power is ideal for 1/8 to 1/4 oz lures. The rod needs to be able to bend under the weight of the lure at 1/2 the length of the rod to start the spool to rotate at the proper speed, then the lure must continue through the air with enough energy to pull line off the spool to archive distance. If the rod is too stiff and the lure too light the spool starts faster then the lure speed and you have a backlash as a result or the lure only travels a short distance.

Spinning reels have a stationary spool, can't backlash, the casting distance is only affected by line friction and lure weight, the rod stiffness isn't a major factor as it is for bait casting reels.

Tom

I actually stumbled on a rod that fit the finesse definition, Tom, on fleabay.....a guy was featuring a Lamiglas rod that he made, from a very light blank. I had him make it up for me....about $145, and it is like a "whip." But it bends back about half way and SLINGS a 1/16 oz shakey head with 4 inch finesse worm!! Of course, a Daiwa Sol and 6lb diameter line completed the task. I was afraid it was too limber to set the hook, but with the light wire shakey head, no problem. I think the blank must have started out as a "trout rod."

[Raul]

Casting light lures has a lot to do with reel settings, the right rod and the right line, you can´t expect a heavy power rod and your reel spooled with 17 lb tset to cast well a 1/8 oz lure, same reel with 6-8 lb test on a ML-M rod and light spool tension setting ( just enough to avoid the lateral movement of the spool ) will cast a 1/8 oz lure quite well.

On the other hand, if you have more money than brains ( like me ) well, you can´t beat a Daiwa Pixy reel, GLoomis CR721 IMX rod and 6 lb test YoZuri hybrid for the job, perfect combo is the way I would describe it.

[Silas]

Casting light lures has a lot to do with reel settings, the right rod and the right line, you can´t expect a heavy power rod and your reel spooled with 17 lb tset to cast well a 1/8 oz lure, same reel with 6-8 lb test on a ML-M rod and light spool tension setting ( just enough to avoid the lateral movement of the spool ) will cast a 1/8 oz lure quite well.

On the other hand, if you have more money than brains ( like me ) well, you can´t beat a Daiwa Pixy reel, GLoomis CR721 IMX rod and 6 lb test YoZuri hybrid for the job, perfect combo is the way I would describe it.

Raul, I've been lookin' at that G Loomis 721 for awhile!! At this moment, seems I have more brains that money.....especially since I just bought an upgraded Orange Pixy last night!! I also ordered some Yozuri 6lb test to go with it.

Light is the way to go.....especially as you get a "tad" older!!

Update!!! Just scored the G Loomis 721 for $146!!! Now the Orange Pixy will have a mate!! Gonna be a Happy Thanksgiving since it arrives Black Friday!!

[Refined N Focused]

I can't explain how much I appreciate all the feed back form you guys. It all makes sense and is a great deal of needed information, all to make my fishing experience more fulfilling... THANKS TO ALL

[Maico1]

Two of my favorites are a Conquest 50DC with a NRX 802C and a Conquest 50 with a NRX 803C.

[skeletor6]

The Loomis 893c and Curado 50e is a great combo to toss light baits. I can throw pretty much anything with it with ease. It just launches baits. If I had the Curado 50e on a rod that was not suited for casting lighter baits It would be more difficult.

Generally, as others have mentioned, Daiwa by far makes the best "finesse weight" light line baitcasters. It can get pricey though, the cheapest option are the Sol and Alphas. The key theme here is a smaller spool and lighter spool. Thus, the spool requires less inertia to get it moving. This all does not matter if you do not pair it with the right rod though. You need something that is going to load and toss those light baits well. The key here is consistency, any type of overruns and you are looking at losing your efficiency and having to deal with a mess.

People have offered some good advice as to what rod and reels are good for these purposes. Just note though that generally you are looking at spending more money on a 'finesse' baitcasting setup than if you were to just get a spinning outfit. Using casting equipment for tossing light baits is fun, challenging, and will help you improve your casting abilities. But spinning equipment will cast these light baits without a problem or worry about overruns.

[NorcalBassin]

Mostly it's the rod or a balanced combination. I have Yo-Zuri #6 on a

BCR 893/ Curado 50E.

I like that idea! I have a Chronarch 50e on my 893 with 12# trilene fluoro and can launch 1/4 oz jig heads out there pretty "good"... might have to switch that out to 6# YoZuri for a test run on hopefully getting even more distance.