Anybody Throwing Less Than A 1/4 Oz With A Baitcaster

[seekonkBass]

I was curious if anyone has successfully thrown anything less than a 1/4 oz with a baitcaster? I seem to have an issue with anything less than a 1/4... Backlash is an understatement

[Trey Harpel]

1/32nd if needed...most of the time 1/8th or less on my Pixy SPR when I trout fish..

Right now its got a 1/4oz and casts a mile for whites and hybrids..

Its also spooled up with 4lb line..

[tomustang]

Depends on the type of baitcaster and even other baitcasters that are supertuned.

On a stock type of 200 size baitcaster I can throw down to 1/8oz if need be.

[seekonkBass]

I guess I should say specifically... With a 6'6" MH and a BPS Tourney Special.

[lmbfisherman]

I guess I should say specifically... With a 6'6" MH and a BPS Tourney Special.

That might be tricky, you would want to use a Medium rod and even then you need to look at the lure ratings.  Plus you would need the right line and reel.

 

I can throw 1/8 on a COmpre/Fenwick ET M/F rod, using any of my 50 size reels, but I don't do it as much anymore as I just use my spinning setups for very light lures. 

[basshole8190]

Your rod may be the culprit. i can throw 1/8 oz lures with any of my bait casters but the line an rod is where i think light lures are best utilized try a med power or med light with a faster action and you should be good to go

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

  Reels like the Pixy with shallow light weight spools are designed for casting light baits. The rod has more to do with casting than the reel does and <1/4oz probably isn't enough to load a MH rod. Be sure the weight you want to cast is somewhere in the middle of the mfg ratings.

[Jrob78]

Finding a good off the shelf casting rod capable of handling light weight is harder than finding a reel.  

[kickerfish1]

All the time with the right reel, rod, and line.

[Catt]

Wacky rigged trick worm with a Calcutta

[wngan9447]

I throw weightless plastics all the time with a BC. BBS pro tourney reel too.

I set the brakes down to 3 for me to work with it.

[ww2farmer]

Yes, and not even with high end gear either.

[retiredbosn]

The rod has more to do with casting than the reel does and <1/4oz probably isn't enough to load a MH rod. Be sure the weight you want to cast is somewhere in the middle of the mfg ratings.

X2, your rod has to be able to load. My MH rods are rated on the low side at 3/8 ounce, so I would not even try to throw anything lighter than that. I have a ML casting rod that it is ridiculously easy to throw 1/8 ounce lures with. You have to make sure to stay within the rod's limitations to be successful casting anything

[Trey Harpel]

Yea you def. don't want to throw a light bait with a broom stick!

You need a rod that loads with light baits..

My UL combo is that pixy and Dobyns DX701c and it loads great but still has just enough backbone to not get overpowered..

[JeziHogg]

IMO the reel has more to do with the distance of an ultra light weight lure then the rod does (But obviously if the rod isn't rated for the weight, its not going to load up properly) As for baitcasting light weights you need a light spool and shallow spool or the lure will not pull line off the spool to get any distance.

[Catt]

Shimano Crucial 6' 10" Med Heavy Xtra Fast 3\8 - 3\4 oz.

Experence has something to do with it

[Capt.Bob]

All the time, and the reel is the most important thing, it needs a light spool that will start up quick, cleaned and very lightly lubed bearings or ceramics dri, and some special technique to get good distance and accuracy. The rod helps but but with factory lubed reels and heavy spools, the results will never be stellar! Here is a good read on things to help with standard bass gear,,,,,,,,,http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/cast-light-lures.html

[new2BC4bass]

I throw weightless plastics all the time with a BC. BBS pro tourney reel too.

I set the brakes down to 3 for me to work with it.

But is it a MH rod?  I throw weightless 10" worms and a 4/0 or 5/0 hook on MH rods all the time.  Never weighed a set-up, but it probably is closer to 3/8 oz than 1/4 oz.....as a guess.

[new2BC4bass]

Depends on the type of baitcaster and even other baitcasters that are supertuned.

On a stock type of 200 size baitcaster I can throw down to 1/8oz if need be.

 

I've seen Tom do it on a MH rod, but he has one wicked cast. 

[WRB]

Medium/ heavy only defines the rods power; 3 power. What is missing is how the rod bends, ie; fast action is a typical bass rod section. Fast means the upper 1/4th of the rod bends when it loads up under average lure weight. Try using a crankbait rod that is a slower action rod, about 1/2 the rod bends, more parabolic bend.

Tom

[new2BC4bass]

Shimano Crucial 6' 10" Med Heavy Xtra Fast 3\8 - 3\4 oz.

Experence has something to do with it

 

As Catt said, experience has something to do with it.  I wonder just how many could cast less than 1/4 oz. using a rod with that rating.  Seriously doubt I could.  My preferred light lure rod is a Falcon Expert Light.  Other rods I have thrown less than 1/4 oz. on are: an older Fenwick HMG, a Fenwick ET Smallmouth MF, a Daiwa V.I.P. Smallmouth MF and a F&S Tec Spec MF.  Hmmm.  Seems to be a pattern emerging. 

 

Reels used were a tuned and upgraded TD-Z 105H, tuned and upgraded Sol, DVT cleaned (but no upgrades) Curado 51E and a factory refurbished older gold Carbnlite.  Reels I feel certain wouldn't qualify for less than 1/4 oz. (at least in my hands) would include my Trions, an older Prodigy and my Zillions.  I think my 1600 size Black Max and Morrums would work as well as my Gen 1 Premier.  The Black Max has thrown an unweight fluke.  Doubt it and hook weighed 1/4 oz.

 

I don't know which is more important, the rod or the reel.  In my case the right one of both are required.  Otherwise backlashes and overruns are pretty much a guarantee.

[wngan9447]

But is it a MH rod? I throw weightless 10" worms and a 4/0 or 5/0 hook on MH rods all the time. Never weighed a set-up, but it probably is closer to 3/8 oz than 1/4 oz.....as a guess.

You have a valid point, but I was just answering what was asked.

With that said, the rod is medium/fast. I throw 3/0 hooks with 5" worms and 4/0 hooks with fat Ikas.

[new2BC4bass]

You have a valid point, but I was just answering what was asked.

With that said, the rod is medium/fast. I throw 3/0 hooks with 5" worms and 4/0 hooks with fat Ikas.

LOL.  You seem to be carrying on the pattern...MF.    I've only thrown one Fat Ika.  Can't find any locally.  It was given to me by Mike of DVT.  That sucker casts like a bullet.    Sure wish I could find some place in my area that carries them.

 

EDIT:  Bet those 5" worms with a 3/0 hook are pretty light.  I've got a few, but haven't used one yet.

[Catt]

Calcutta CT100A, factory stock bearing, properly cleaned & lubricated. 3 of the 6 brakes are off, every other one, tension knob set light, thump pressure varies.

Ya seen the rod specs

I throw a Zoom Trick or a Baby Brush Hog with a 2/0 straight shank hook.

Experence: 35+ yrs with that reel, 10 yrs with that rod (second identical rod), 27 yrs bait casting competition, 17 wins including 12 in a row.

This my every day Texas Rig setup, normal weights I use are none, 1\8, 3\16, & 1\4.

[new2BC4bass]

Wow, Catt, now I know why I couldn't cast light lures with that rod.  Impressive statistics.  I didn't even know they have bait casting competitions.

 

I assume after using the same reel for 35+ years, you would be willing to recommend it to others.