Light Bait Casting Reel

[Chance_Taker4]

I just posted a thread about whether I should buy a Tatula Type-R or a Revo STX. However I was just talking to a guy at Bass Pro and he told me that both reels are for big, heavy baits. I am looking for a reel I can crank 1/4oz to 1/2oz baits no problem because 99% of the cranks I throw are the KVD 1.0 or 1.5. If those two reels are too much for those little of baits, what reel would you all recommend. The salesman told me to get a Curado I but I heard that those are not good for smaller baits. Any input would be beneficial.

[F14A-B]

I can throw 1/4 easily on the Curado I, but a 50/51 might be a better choice... They throw those weights pretty easy too...below that, for me, spinning takes over...

[bass1980]

The salesman is partially right. Those two reels shine in 3/8oz and up. However when paired with the right rod they can cast respectable. 1.0 cranks is pretty light and a ML casting rod is best. Majority of people will recommend finesse reels like a pixy, alpha, Aldebaran, or core. Finesse reels with shallow spools are usually spendy. The Curado I is a great caster but I don't see it being significantly better than the Tatula or better all at casting 1.0 or 1.5's.

If looking to spend under $200 then I suggest the Chronarch 50 series. I use that on my shallow to medium cranks. I have been able to throw shad rap #5 on it. I am using a Medium crank rod too but will move to a Medium light soon.

[Chance_Taker4]

Thank you, I use a Tatula 100 for my 1.5s now but am switching the reel over to become mostly a spinnerbait reel. So now I need a reel that will be a crankbait workhorse. I throw, like I said, 1.5 mostly with 1.0 mixed in and also like the 1/2oz Xcalibur lipless from time to time. I am really looking for a reel that can handle all three applications. I am currently a co angler and use 6 rods. It is hard to get a rod for every application. I will be putting it on a M crankbait rod. 

[iabass8]

The tatula and curado I will both cast 1/4oz baits but won't necessarily cast them "well" if you don't have the correct rod for throwing 1/4oz kvd 1.0s. Save yourself the headache of toying with rods and just get the chronarch 50e. It will throw all the baits you are wanting to on most rods /w no issues at all and will cast them with ease.

[aavery2]

Any reel you choose should be able to cast a 1/2 oz. bait easily, if not there is something most likely wrong with it.    Casting a 1/4oz bait is not the challenge that it once was, I think a reel with magnetic braking makes it a little easier.  Keep in mind when you get lower in weight rod choice becomes very important.

[Darren.]

The tatula and curado I will both cast 1/4oz baits but won't necessarily cast them "well" if you don't have the correct rod for throwing 1/4oz kvd 1.0s. Save yourself the headache of toying with rods and just get the chronarch 50e. It will throw all the baits you are wanting to on most rods /w no issues at all and will cast them with ease.

 

Agree re: Cronarch 50e. I just replaced (under warranty) my Carbonlite 6'6" M for a 6'6" ML and holy cow what a difference. I could already cast weightless Zoom Finesse worms on a wacky hook, now I can go lighter because the ML loads up so much better.

 

But the 50e can cast some seriously light baits -- when done right

[Raul]

. However I was just talking to a guy at Bass Pro and he told me that both reels are for big, heavy baits..

 

Now that´s an idiotic statement.

[aavery2]

Now that´s an idiotic statement.

Consider the source, while I have spoken with several knowledgeable folks in many of the chain stores, more often than not, I get some kid who wants to be the next KVD and pretends to know a lot more than he does.   

[Chance_Taker4]

I will look into the Chronarch. I was planning a STX, Type- R and even Curado I because I can get them for $149.99, $144.99 and $129.99 respectively. I went to Bass Pro just to feel them and see which one I liked better then the Salesman threw a wrench at me. I may have a weird way of thinking but seeing a gentleman in his 50s or 60s working at BPS I assume he is knowledgeable with fishing and the products.

[aavery2]

I will look into the Chronarch. I was planning a STX, Type- R and even Curado I because I can get them for $149.99, $144.99 and $129.99 respectively. I went to Bass Pro just to feel them and see which one I liked better then the Salesman threw a wrench at me. I may have a weird way of thinking but seeing a gentleman in his 50s or 60s working at BPS I assume he is knowledgeable with fishing and the products.

Age and experience are two entirely different things.  While they go hand in hand sometimes, it is not always the case.

[bass1980]

You just missed the 20% off. I think the site was called monstertackle. Would have gotten the 50 for $160 no tax and free shipping. It was only a Labor Day sale and ended Friday. I think that was the site.

Anyways what the salesman said was a general rule of baitcaster. While many people work at fishing departments know a lot about fishing, not all of them are gear junkies. Heck even many fishermens, especially tournament anglers, pay little attention to gears and only get gears that are good enough and focus on electronics. That's why at times it's better asking forums rather than stores about recommendations because we arent selling your products and some of us are gear enthusiast.

[Chance_Taker4]

I just learned that the hard way lol

[Chance_Taker4]

You just missed the 20% off. I think the site was called monstertackle. Would have gotten the 50 for $160 no tax and free shipping. It was only a Labor Day sale and ended Friday. I think that was the site.

 

Yes it was Monster Tackle I picked up some baits from the sale just no reels.

[Fishes in trees]

Regarding what the BPS employee said about the capabilities of bait casting reels, I've never found and BPS employee to offer any correct substantive information on any remotely fishing related subject.

 

Maybe entertaining chit chat, but offering  genuine, correct fishing information isn't in their creed, or something like that.

 

A conversation at the electronics booth last season went something like this:

 

Q - How long have you worked in electronics?  A - couple of years.  Q - That Lowrance unit over there, its been out for a couple of seasons, hasn't it.  A - probably   Q - Do you know if it has the older blue connectors or the newer ones.   A - what's the difference?

 

You can see where this conversation is heading.  Like I said, don't count on a BPS employee to know anything about anything relating to fishing. 

 

*** It has been my experience, at least at the Independence, MO BPS that most of the women who work in the shoe department do know their shoes - even more than you might think about mens shoes.

[Chance_Taker4]

*** It has been my experience, at least at the Independence, MO BPS that most of the women who work in the shoe department do know their shoes - even more than you might think about mens shoes.

Its in their Genes. lol

[*Hootie]

Being a former BPS employee, you guys have just succeeded in ruining my day!!......lol...just kidding.

Hootie

[VegasFishing]

I have a Revo STX gen3 on a St. Croix premier 6'6" MH/F with 12lb P-Line fluoro. It casts 1/4oz just fine...

[Raul]

I´ve been to several BPS stores and in several ocassions: St Charles ( St Louis ), Springfield ( The Vatican, The Sacred Ground, The Holiest of them all    ) , Katy( Houston ), Grapevine ( Dallas ) and San Antonio. Only once I encountered one employee that actually knew about reels, that was at Dallas, The BaitMonkey and he convinced me in getting a Chronarch SF instead of the regular Chronarch.

 

We know that modern day reels are capable of doing things previous generation reels were unable to do properly, now, any half decent reel is capable of casting a 1/4 oz bait into the next zip code and you will add another zip code if you pair it to the right rod and the right line.

[iabass8]

Being a former BPS employee, you guys have just succeeded in ruining my day!!......lol...just kidding.

Hootie

 

Somebody was giving out too much "advice"

   

[John G]

Agree re: Cronarch 50e. I just replaced (under warranty) my Carbonlite 6'6" M for a 6'6" ML and holy cow what a difference. I could already cast weightless Zoom Finesse worms on a wacky hook, now I can go lighter because the ML loads up so much better.

But the 50e can cast some seriously light baits -- when done right

How far are you tossing that un-weighted Zoom Finesse Worm and what size line? I ask because I will be trying that tomorrow with a Conquest 50 and a Scorpion XT1000. Both reels will be spooled with 10# Big Game and the rod will be a Loomis MBR782. My guess is that I will not have much success.

[Darren.]

How far are you tossing that un-weighted Zoom Finesse Worm and what size line? I ask because I will be trying that tomorrow with a Conquest 50 and a Scorpion XT1000. Both reels will be spooled with 10# Big Game and the rod will be a Loomis MBR782. My guess is that I will not have much success.

 

Ah yes, that is the question! How far!

 

Well, I don't get identical casts over and over. Sometimes I get the perfect trajectory and can cast it from 35-40 feet.

 

Keep in mind i'm not trying to win any casting contests here. Using the Zoom Finesse worms usually in tight areas via kayak... The distance I get is acceptable to me, maybe not for others. I'm just happy to be able to use my fav outfit (50e + ML Carbonlite) for stuff I had to use spinning for previously (still use spinning, though).

 

Using 20 lb braid + 8 lb leader.

 

I even went out the other day and for fun tied on a 1/32 oz Fin-S jig head with a 1.5" little minnow. That cast maybe 15 feet, but I didn't make any alterations to the reel.

[John G]

Ah yes, that is the question! How far!

Well, I don't get identical casts over and over. Sometimes I get the perfect trajectory and can cast it from 35-40 feet.

Keep in mind i'm not trying to win any casting contests here. Using the Zoom Finesse worms usually in tight areas via kayak... The distance I get is acceptable to me, maybe not for others. I'm just happy to be able to use my fav outfit (50e + ML Carbonlite) for stuff I had to use spinning for previously (still use spinning, though).

Using 20 lb braid + 8 lb leader.

I even went out the other day and for fun tied on a 1/32 oz Fin-S jig head with a 1.5" little minnow. That cast maybe 15 feet, but I didn't make any alterations to the reel.

35 to 40 feet with casting gear and a finesse worm is very respectable IMHO. I will report back with my results tomorrow. I have been throwing an unweighted Fluke with the aforementioned rod/reels lately with great results but that is nothing to brag about cause a Fluke is pretty heavy. A Trick Worm might be limit but I'll find out tomorrow.

[Raul]

How far are you tossing that un-weighted Zoom Finesse Worm and what size line? I ask because I will be trying that tomorrow with a Conquest 50 and a Scorpion XT1000. Both reels will be spooled with 10# Big Game and the rod will be a Loomis MBR782. My guess is that I will not have much success.

wrong line, I own several 2 power GLoomis rod including that one, with 6 lb XT or 6 Lb YoZuri Hybrid your setup will do magic.

[new2BC4bass]

I have no idea how much a 10" worm and 5/0 or 3/0 hook weighs, but I've used the 5/0-worm combo on a Gen 1 STX with 40# braid on a MH for at least 3 years when visiting Florida.  This year I used  the same line on a Patriarch XT and Hurricane Redbone (rated 3/8-3/4 oz.) with the 3/0 and worm.  I know these are heavier than a finesse worm, but might be around that 1/4 oz. the OP was talking about.

 

Like Raul, I am using 6# mono on 3 different reels for 1/4 oz. and less lures.  The 40# braid gets used to throw into lily pads and other lovely stuff....the 6# not so much.