Bait Caster Using Lighter Lures?

[bigbill]

What line test do you use when your throwing lighter lures on a bait caster with a lite rod? Under 1/4oz. Can it actually cast a 2" rapala original floater.

[Jrob78]

I've got 6 and 8 pound fluoro on my Sol and Alphas Ito.  I have 10lb copoly on my 50E but I don't use it to cast light baits.  I've never tried to cast a 2" Rapala, I don't know whether or not the reels could do it but it would take a very light rod, which I don't have.  A bait like that has pretty high wind resistance, it would be pretty tough to cast very far.

[ndaniel157]

I use 30# PP on all but one of my reels (11 total) and most are Curado 50E or 100D. Choosing a rod is very important when throwing small lures and coming from someone who hates using spinning reels I have experimented quite a bit. I currently use a G Loomis CBR841 for the lightest stuff but before upgrading my collection, I started with a Shimano Sellus 6'8" medium power crankbait rod (feels like a med/light) which also worked great depending on your budget. As long as the winds not blowing strong in my face, I have no problem with 1/8 oz cranks as long as I don't throw it like I'm trying to get the same distance I would from 3/8 oz.

[new2BC4bass]

6 and 8 pound mono.

[bassasaurus]

Agree with the above posters. I usually use 5-8 lb fluoro or copoly with line conditioner but I think that the action and taper of the rod is very important. It has to be able to load with the light weight. Although most UL and L rods are usually more moderate and "whippy" due to the thinner blank but it's usually throughout the entire blank without much tip action which makes it difficult obtaining casting accuracy and also playing larger fish.I think the original floating rapala is around 1/16oz. I'm not sure you're going to get much distance and accuracy CASTING with a baitcasting setup at that weight.

[new2BC4bass]

  On 11/4/2013 at 1:52 PM, bassasaurus said:

Agree with the above posters. I usually use 5-8 lb fluoro or copoly with line conditioner but I think that the action and taper of the rod is very important. It has to be able to load with the light weight. Although most UL and L rods are usually more moderate and "whippy" due to the thinner blank but it's usually throughout the entire blank without much tip action which makes it difficult obtaining casting accuracy and also playing larger fish.I think the original floating rapala is around 1/16oz. I'm not sure you're going to get much distance and accuracy CASTING with a baitcasting setup at that weight.

Seriously doubt my Fenwick River Runner 7'2" spinning rod rated for 1/32-5/16 and spooled with 10# Sufix 832 (4# mono equivalent) is going to get much distance with that lure.

[aavery2]

It takes a good combination of rod and reel when you start casting baits under 1/4oz.  The cheaper route is to invest in spinning gear, but if your heart is set on doing it with BC equipment there are some out there that are very capable.  Many of the better reels designed to cast baits in this weight range are made by Daiwa or customized versions of Daiwa reels.  Some that I am familiar with are the Sol, Pixy, Alphas, TD-Z and I personally use an upgraded Fuego.  These reels are getting harder to find in good shape and can set you back  anywhere from 200-600 dollars depending on what variant of the reel and what has been done to it.   

 

I use 8lb FC on my reel, I feel that the line is a little more dense and has a harder exterior than some other lines and this in my opinion aids in casting distance.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

That's right, get your wallet out if you insist on casting tackle for this light of stuff. Even then baits with so little mass will only fly just so far.

[Capt.Bob]

What you are wanting to do is not very practical,,,,,even after a huge investment in a tuned to the max reel and perfect rod selection,,,,,you can pick up a very inexpensive sinning outfit even with a mediocre rod and do better,,,,,distance and accuracy. 1/8 oz jigs would much easier mainly because of density, I prefer my Team Lew's Pro Super Tuned running dry O.S. with 20# Sufix 832 when I through them or weightless plastics, but Turn to my 1000 Stradic for tiny ultra light crank's like your talking.    

[Raul]

I don´t know how many times I´ve said it, in order to cast light lures with a baitcaster you need to have the 3 things:

 

1.- A low mass spool reel capable of being able to rotate with little impulse

 

2.- THE RIGHT POWER ROD ! you are not going to be able to cast a light lure with a darn broomstick !

 

3.- THE RIGHT LINE ! you can´t cast light lures with rope thick line !

 

So, can I cast less than 1/4 oz lures with a regular, ordinary, everyday, non light lure specialized reel ( ex.- Daiwa Pixy ) ? the answer is YES I can, with most of my reels if spooled with the right line ( around 6-8 lbs test ) mounted on the right rod ( ML - M ) I can cast quite well  lures under 1/4 oz, even slightly under 1/8 oz.

[J Francho]

  On 11/4/2013 at 4:34 AM, bigbill said:

What line test do you use when your throwing lighter lures on a bait caster with a lite rod? Under 1/4oz. Can it actually cast a 2" rapala original floater.

 

I don't anymore: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/126620-anybody-throwing-less-than-a-14-oz-with-a-baitcaster/page-4#entry1393426

 

When I did, 6# InvisX is what I'd use, though I'd never dream of throwing a 2" Rapala with casting gear.  It's hard enough to cast for any distance with a spinning rod.  The F5 is 1/16th oz., BTW.  NO ONE is throwing this with a baitcaster for any distance, lol. 

[bigbill]

I figured I would ask about the lightest crank I would possibly use as an example. I know it doesn't cast out far even with my lightest bass spinning setup. Like you guys said using a light action longer rod with #6 test with a low friction spoiled bait caster with no friction on the spool and the brakes turned off is going to be as good as it gets for throwing the lighter lures. I'll have to accept it is what it is.

I wonder if a spincast setup would work better than a spinning setup.

[Sam]

What are your rod's parameters? 

 

Stick within the parameters, going just a little bit lighter if necessary, and you will be OK with the rod's action.

 

I have thrown a #5 Shad Rap on a baitcaster without any problems.

[J Francho]

  Quote

 

I wonder if a spincast setup would work better than a spinning setup.

 

Probably not, since there is more resistance as the line flows through nose cone.  Why is throwing such a small bait with casting gear so important? 

[tomustang]

Throwing a 2" rapala on spinning gear is hard enough

[bigbill]

  On 11/4/2013 at 7:29 PM, J Francho said:

Probably not, since there is more resistance as the line flows through nose cone.  Why is throwing such a small bait with casting gear so important?

It's not important I just wanted to know what line test everyone is using on there lighter weight lures on there bait casters. I do use a 5' spinning rod for my smaller lighter lures I may replace with a lighter bait caster so I asked here. Before spending the $$ for a setup and finding out it can't be done. I look to you guys with stuff I haven't done yet. You guys have more experience with the bait casters were I have very little using one off and on.

[J Francho]

  Quote

 

I do use a 5' spinning rod for my smaller lighter lures I may replace with a lighter bait caster so I asked here.

 

I'd just get a longer ultra light or light power rod if I wanted to throw these baits further.  I use a 7' light power, fast action spinning rod to throw Rapala F5 plugs for steelhead and brown trout.

[catchnm]

I've spent a lot of cash and time in search of the right BC reels for light lures. I wouldn't even attemt to throw ultralight cranks on a BC though. I do however, throw light t-rigs, and many light plastics rigs on a BC, even 1/8 oz. cranks. The Citica 200E is the most efficient that I've found for this. I'm talking 1/16 - 1/8 oz. T-rigs. I use 10 lb. YoZuri Hybrid or even the 12 lb. usually. I have found that a lot of whether or not you can - is in how you do. I mean, don't whip the rod like a buggy whip but you have to cast more in a 'lob' fashion. I recommend Bassresource's vid on throwing flukes on a baitcaster for a visual of what I'm talking about. A medium action rod is ideal and some company's medium/heavy rods will work as well. I have a rod made by Gander Mountain that I paid $30 for that is a speckled trout rod. It's light action but has a a strong butt section, a fast tip, and has amazing sensitivity. It has handled bass up to four pounds. Check out some of the other manufacturer's inshore rods. My buddy uses one made by All Star. Do some searching and field testing before you drop a lot of bucks on a Sol or 50E. It's not really neccessary. One more thing, a reel that has a centrifugal braking system instead of the dial-it-n magnetic system will work better for you.

[catchnm]

The H20 Xpress Mettle reel sold at Academy is another amazing reel for the money and can cast light lure combinations well. They are on sale right now for $29.98 online!

[aavery2]

  On 11/5/2013 at 12:32 PM, catchnm said:

I've spent a lot of cash and time in search of the right BC reels for light lures. I wouldn't even attemt to throw ultralight cranks on a BC though. I do however, throw light t-rigs, and many light plastics rigs on a BC, even 1/8 oz. cranks. The Citica 200E is the most efficient that I've found for this. I'm talking 1/16 - 1/8 oz. T-rigs. I use 10 lb. YoZuri Hybrid or even the 12 lb. usually. I have found that a lot of whether or not you can - is in how you do. I mean, don't whip the rod like a buggy whip but you have to cast more in a 'lob' fashion. I recommend Bassresource's vid on throwing flukes on a baitcaster for a visual of what I'm talking about. A medium action rod is ideal and some company's medium/heavy rods will work as well. I have a rod made by Gander Mountain that I paid $30 for that is a speckled trout rod. It's light action but has a a strong butt section, a fast tip, and has amazing sensitivity. It has handled bass up to four pounds. Check out some of the other manufacturer's inshore rods. My buddy uses one made by All Star. Do some searching and field testing before you drop a lot of bucks on a Sol or 50E. It's not really neccessary. One more thing, a reel that has a centrifugal braking system instead of the dial-it-n magnetic system will work better for you.

Curious, what other reels did you try during your search for the right BC?

 

[new2BC4bass]

First let me say that I currently don't throw below 3/16 oz. although next year will see me working on 1/8 oz.  I came into using baitcasters already owning spinning rods capable of handling 1/16 oz. and less lures, but enjoyed b/c reels enough that I wanted to do it all with them if possible.

 

Therefore I am a lot like catchnm in that I have spent too much money looking for b/c reels for use with light lures.  My 1st was an Alphas ito 103 Ai.  Needless to say my lack of experience caused much trouble with light lures.  Not enough experience to handle that light spool.  A factory Sol was next.  Nope, so I ordered a Presso spool for it.  By the time I got around to making the spacers for the spool, I had purchased another Sol that was already upgraded.  This reel lets me throw down to my current limit.

 

In between Sols I picked up a TD-Z 103HL Type R, but have decided to use it on my Zillion Flip and Pitch rod.  A bit heavy for throwing 1/4 oz. and less weights. 

 

I bought a Curado 51E when they were on closeout.  DVT has cleaned it (no upgrades), and I have often thrown 3/16 oz. spinnerbaits with it.  We all know spinnerbaits weight more than the listed weight.  Still in all, from what I have read, I would have to venture a guess that this reel will also handle 3/16 oz. Shad Raps.

 

Over last winter I picked up a Purple Alphas and a TD-Z 105HL.  Haven't tried the Alphas with 3/16 oz. lures and probably won't for 2 reasons.  1) the 105 is very good for light lures, and 2) I picked up 2 of the older gold Carbonlites over the winter.  Got them mixed up in my mind with the Prolite, and proceeded to spool 6# mono on one, mount it on a Light rod and started throwing a 3/16 oz. Shad Rap on it.  This reel throws that lure just as far as my 105HL (for me anyway) at about 1/4th of what I have in the Daiwa.  The Carbonlite was refurbished by the factory.  The Daiwa was super tuned and has Carbontex drag and ABEC7 ceramic bearings.

 

I also own 3 other reels that could be upgraded enough to make it down to 1/8 oz.  At least according to a few people on here.  They are Daiwa Fuegos.  I figure 2 reels for light lures is enough.  My first Fuego (and my first b/c reel) was immediately sent for tuning and upgraded drag and bearings.  I'm thinking of upgrading the handle as well.  Think I will forego upgrading the spool after reading a bassresource article by Gary Kilmartin.

 

Almost forgot.  I have thrown a weightless fluke on one of my 3 Black Max 1600 reels with ease.  I have Carbontex drags for all 3 and a set of ABEC7 ceramic bearings to try in one of them.  I have a feeling I will be able to get down to at least 3/16 oz. with that reel as well.

 

This stuff can get very addictive.  :teeth:

[Raul]

Another thing you should also take into consideration is the aerodynamic properties of the lure you are trying to cast, minnows have very poor aerodynamic properties unless they have weight transfer system ( like original Rapala Minnows ), trying to cast them is like trying to cast a kite.