Rolltide09 Posted January 15, 2013 Posted January 15, 2013 Looking at adding a finnesse specific setup to my collection. Some places that we fish the bass are extremely finicky to larger tackle/presentations and throwing these light baits can be hard at times if the conditions call for longer cast with my baitcasters. I am looking for something for throwing those small wieghtless finnesse worms, trick worms, flukes, light texas rigs, and small 1/8oz-3/16oz spinnerbaits cranks if possible.There is moderate cover around and I am afraid of going too light on the power of the rod. I have never fished anything lighter than a mh/f baitcasting setup with any plastics. I have been looking at a Dobyns Champion 703s and Stradic 2500 combo really hard lately and if y'all having any reccomnedations or advice feel free to chime in before I pull the trigger on the wrong combo. Thanks in advance. Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted January 15, 2013 Super User Posted January 15, 2013 I use a St Croix Avid 6'8" Med/XF on about 95% of my soft plastic finesse techniques. I don't throw spinners or cranks with it ever though. I am more of a power fisherman so finesse isn't my strongest but I love my finesse set up. Paired with a Shimano Symetre 2500FJ You'll be just fine at Medium power or Medium Light. I've caught musky on medium action rods that handled them with no problems. Quote
Super User Teal Posted January 15, 2013 Super User Posted January 15, 2013 If you prefer baitcasting equipment, theres not wrong with a getting a ML or even a M. Just make sure to get a reel that is light and is capable of launching light lures. Just make sure to use a light line and adjust your drag accordingly. But this is where a spinning rod can be really useful. Again a medium or med. Light. Longer rods make longer casts. I think the setup you are looking at is fine. Quote
Rolltide09 Posted January 15, 2013 Author Posted January 15, 2013 I use a St Croix Avid 6'8" Med/XF on about 95% of my soft plastic finesse techniques. I don't throw spinners or cranks with it ever though. I am more of a power fisherman so finesse isn't my strongest but I love my finesse set up. Paired with a Shimano Symetre 2500FJ You'll be just fine at Medium power or Medium Light. I've caught musky on medium action rods that handled them with no problems. If it wasnt for this one lake I wouldn't have a use for the finnesse setup. There more big bass in that one lake than most places I fish all together but they are really spooky. I may have to take a look at the Avid you mentioned. I have one in a baitcasting setup for topwaters and I love that rod. I had been using a supertuned Curado 50e on a Dobyns dx703c but it just doesnt feel right and casting accuracy and feel really suffers from what I think I should be using. Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted January 15, 2013 Super User Posted January 15, 2013 If it wasnt for this one lake I wouldn't have a use for the finnesse setup. There more big bass in that one lake than most places I fish all together but they are really spooky. I may have to take a look at the Avid you mentioned. I have one in a baitcasting setup for topwaters and I love that rod. I had been using a supertuned Curado 50e on a Dobyns dx703c but it just doesnt feel right and casting accuracy and feel really suffers from what I think I should be using. I think you'll get a number of guys here who would agree that the Avid series is a great rod. I think Roadwarrior uses that same Avid rod too if I'm not mistaken. I would definitely go to a store that has one and at least feel it out. Like you said, I don't use spinning gear that much but times that call for finesse, you can't beat a good spinning reel set up. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 15, 2013 Super User Posted January 15, 2013 I think you would REALLY like the Avid AVS68MXF. I also suggest playing with a 1000 series Stradic, you might like that size better with this rod. 1 Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted January 15, 2013 Super User Posted January 15, 2013 A medium-xf spinning rod would work well for the single-hook baits you mentioned and probably give you enough power and tip to do what you want. I think light crankbaits (treble hooks) should be on another rod but if you have to do it all with one rod then a medium-fast might be considered. Length is up to you...but the 6'8" length mentioned is a nifty length that is a good compromise between the 6'6" and 7' lengths. Match it with a reel with two spools - one with 6lb or 8lb mono/flouro/copoly and the other with 20lb braid and there's lots you can do that with that rig. Here's a 6'8" m-xf rod that I used to toss a 1/8oz SK Mini-Pro buzzbait. Result = 5.11 lb LMB... 1 Quote
skeletor6 Posted January 15, 2013 Posted January 15, 2013 For your situation I also feel a MXF rod would be perfect. Definitely take a look at the St. Croix Avid 6'8'' MXF it is a very versatile spinning rod that can handle most of all your finesse applications. A cheaper option would be a MXF Fenwick elite smallmouth, not quite as good as the avid but price/performance is good. For a more expensive option, look at a BSR 852s GLX. Nonetheless, I would not worry about not having enough power with a medium powered rod. Many people have caught some very large fish with a Medium and medium light powered rods. As long as your drag is set right and you will be fine. You are not going to be able to just overpower and drag the fish out of cover like you would a heavy casting rod, but that is not the goal with finesse outfits and techniques. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted January 15, 2013 Super User Posted January 15, 2013 ........ For a more expensive option, look at a BSR 852s GLX. Since you mentioned it, that rod is my most-used spinning rod - my "grub rob." It has landed over 1,400 fish in the past 3 seasons (that's how you make a GLX pay for itself!). It's a 7'1" m-xf. A tip soft enough to toss weightless 5" grubs a reasonable distance, but tuff enough to also toss 5" stick worms. All SORTS of power below the tip - a beast for a medium power spinning rod. Here's a BSR852 with a 4.45lb LMB - seems to work - catches fish... 1 Quote
skeletor6 Posted January 15, 2013 Posted January 15, 2013 Since you mentioned it, that rod is my most-used spinning rod - my "grub rob." It has landed over 1,400 fish in the past 3 seasons (that's how you make a GLX pay for itself!). It's a 7'1" m-xf. A tip soft enough to toss weightless 5" grubs a reasonable distance, but tuff enough to also toss 5" stick worms. All SORTS of power below the tip - a beast for a medium power spinning rod. Here's a BSR852 with a 4.45lb LMB - seems to work - catches fish... Yes that BSR 852s GLX is a beast of a spinning rod. I would take it over the NRX due to its action. if you got the money its definitely worth it! One of the best spinning rods you can buy IMHO. Quote
thehooligan Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 I like 6'8 medium light/medium action rods for finesse fishing, ''hint hint i got a sweet dobyns in the fishing flea market" lol.... Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted January 16, 2013 Super User Posted January 16, 2013 First, your choice of reel would be excellent should you choose a stradic. Either the FJ or CI4 would be great reels for this. I would do as roadwarrior suggests and mess around with both the 1000 and 2500 sizes. For lighter finesse baits say 1/8 oz weight plus hook and soft plastic of your choice on medium light rod you may like that 1000 size better. Second, I question your rod selection to an extent. A 3 powered dobyns will be too much power for these baits and you will run into a similar problem you once faced with your 703/curado casting setup. For refernce i have 5 dobyns rods and alsohave the dx703 paired with a curado 50. I have zero issues fishing weightless super flukes, senkos and caffeine shads on it as well as Texas rigs and jigs between 1/4 and 1/2 oz. I once tried an 1/8 oz jackall flickshake on it and it was struggling to load this bait properly. If you want a do it all dobyns spinning rod the 702 would be what you want. It would be the most versatile rod in their line up to cover the items you noted above. Like others have noted a medium fast or xf rod in the legnth of your choice will work fine for what you are wanting to do with it. I would suggest 8# quality floro line to help with casting these light baits. Quote
bmlum415 Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 I have many finesse set ups and by far the best IMO is my dobyns champion 702 with 10 lb flouro and a quantum energy reel, Quote
jerzeeD Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 I use a 6'8" M/XF St Croix legend tournament... But as said above, the Avid in the same length is a great choice as well. Quote
jerzeeD Posted January 17, 2013 Posted January 17, 2013 I use a 6'8" M/XF St Croix legend tournament... But as said above, the Avid in the same length is a great choice as well. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 17, 2013 Super User Posted January 17, 2013 I'll second the SC votes, and add this to the mix: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-DHC5-performa-review.html Quote
flippin and pitchin Posted January 18, 2013 Posted January 18, 2013 You are looking at exactly what I have except my stradic is a 3000. I just spooled it up with Power Pro Slick #15 which is like #6 mono. This is one of my favorite combos. Quote
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