Finesse Rod

[aavery2]

We have discussed many topics about finesse fishing, but they almost always seem to migrate to a discussion about reels.   I am looking for advice on a casting rod, I don't care what brand, but I do have a few requirements,  it must properly load and cast a 1/8th ounce bait. I would prefer cork handle, 6'10" or longer, ML or M power and preferably a fast action.  I don't want to spend more than about 200 -250 for this rod.

 

I have a friend that owns a tackle store and have had the opportunity to  place my reel on many different rods that are rated down to 1/8th of an ounce and cast them.   What I have found is that while they may be rated for 1/8 they are almost unusable at that weight.

 

If I can't find a production rod that meets my requirements, I am considering having a custom built.

[benthinkin]

shimano old style im7 graphite rods. very sensitive tips lots of backbone. not the caliber of rod your looking for but definatetly a great rod

[Jeff H]

It's not 6'10" but I think I could count on the 6'9" Avid ML/XF to throw 1/8 oz lures.  I do it now with my AVC62MXF and a TD-Z.   I think you should talk to DVT Mike about the 6'10" Med mod fast he built that I bought from him.  I use it for light cranks but it could throw light jigs etc very well too.  I think it's a Mudhole MHX blank.  Loads really nice and yet has great response.  It is probably very close to the Avid 6'9" MLXF   I like it so much I may get another from him.

[aavery2]

shimano old style im7 graphite rods. very sensitive tips lots of backbone. not the caliber of rod your looking for but definatetly a great rod

Do you have experience casting weights in the 1/8oz range with a model of this rod?

[new2BC4bass]

No doubt hard to find, but I have a Falcon Expert 6'9" L rated down to 1/16 oz.   I feel quite certain this rod will do 1/8 oz. with no problem.

[S Hovanec]

I don't want to spend more than about 200 -250 for this rod.

If I can't find a production rod that meets my requirements, I am considering having a custom built.

 

You will be hard pressed to find a custom in that price range IMO.

 

 

I don't know what to recommend other than you will never get a medium power to load well enough with 1/8oz to cast very far, spinning or casting.  I think you're looking for a weak powered ML or even a Light power.  Once you drop into the realm of light power, I don't think there's a production casting rod on the market rated like that.

[.ghoti.]

Tony, I have three rods capable in that weight range, and you're not gonna like hearing about any of them.

 

1. Setyr 6'6" M-F The tip on this one is very soft. It's almost an XF action, and loads well with 1/8oz. Good luck finding one of these. Setyr went out of business a few years back.

 

2. Kistler Helium LTA, one the original series 7' ML-MF. Loads well with 1/8oz, rubberized cork split grip that I really like. Good luck again finding this one.

 

3. Tatula 7' ML-R Another mod-fast action good down to 1/8oz, but with a full length EVA grip. $150 MSRP. Out of my selections, the easy one to find. I really like mine. It usually has a small crankbait tied on, but I have used it for light plastics, micro jig duty, and it is easily sensitive enough for any bottom contact presentations. A ML top end with at least medium backbone.

 

4. St Croix 6'9" ML-XF LTB. I had one of the full cork handle versions, and, in a fit of stupidity, sold it. I took it on a White River trout trip once, and was throwing a 1/16oz bucktail jig. I don't know if the newer 6'10" version is as good at the lower end of the range.

[aavery2]

You will be hard pressed to find a custom in that price range IMO.

 

 

I don't know what to recommend other than you will never get a medium power to load well enough with 1/8oz to cast very far, spinning or casting.  I think you're looking for a weak powered ML or even a Light power.  Once you drop into the realm of light power, I don't think there's a production casting rod on the market rated like that.

Thanks for the information, my post is a little misleading, I know that 250 will only purchase a very minimalistic custom build, and would more that likely require more of an investment.

[aavery2]

Tony, I have three rods capable in that weight range, and you're not gonna like hearing about any of them.

 

1. Setyr 6'6" M-F The tip on this one is very soft. It's almost an XF action, and loads well with 1/8oz. Good luck finding one of these. Setyr went out of business a few years back.

 

2. Kistler Helium LTA, one the original series 7' ML-MF. Loads well with 1/8oz, rubberized cork split grip that I really like. Good luck again finding this one.

 

3. Tatula 7' ML-R Another mod-fast action good down to 1/8oz, but with a full length EVA grip. $150 MSRP. Out of my selections, the easy one to find. I really like mine. It usually has a small crankbait tied on, but I have used it for light plastics, micro jig duty, and it is easily sensitive enough for any bottom contact presentations. A ML top end with at least medium backbone.

 

4. St Croix 6'9" ML-XF LTB. I had one of the full cork handle versions, and, in a fit of stupidity, sold it. I took it on a White River trout trip once, and was throwing a 1/16oz bucktail jig. I don't know if the newer 6'10" version is as good at the lower end of the range.

Thanks for the recommendations, I have a couple of custom Fuego's that I intend to use with this rod.   I like the St.Croix blank, and had thoughts that maybe it would be possible to build a casting rod on a spinning rod blank, the spinning version of the LTB blank you recommended is exactly what I am looking for with regard to power and action.  and the length would be fine.   I will have to try and get my hands on that Tatula rod also, I have handled a few models of this rod but not the one you recommended, I was impressed with how nice they were for the money.

Thanks again

[aavery2]

No doubt hard to find, but I have a Falcon Expert 6'9" L rated down to 1/16 oz.   I feel quite certain this rod will do 1/8 oz. with no problem.

 

I own many Falcon rods and really enjoy them.  I had hopes for the Eakins Finesse Jig model as it and a few others are rated to 1/8th oz. but IMO do not load anywhere near well enough to be usable at this weight.   I will take a look at the  Expert, and have a friend that may own one, as Falcon rods are big in this part of the country.

Thank  You

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A blank can be built in any configuration as long as the power and action serve the purpose. The St Croix blank is very nice but might push or exceed your budget in a custom build.

[aavery2]

It's not 6'10" but I think I could count on the 6'9" Avid ML/XF to throw 1/8 oz lures.  I do it now with my AVC62MLXF and a TD-Z.   I think you should talk to DVT Mike about the 6'10" Med mod fast he built that I bought from him.  I use it for light cranks but it could throw light jigs etc very well too.  I think it's a Mudhole MHX blank.  Loads really nice and yet has great response.  It is probably very close to the Avid 6'9" MLXF   I like it so much I may get another from him.

Thanks for the recommendation, the St.Croix blank is definitely one that I am considering.  The ML / XF is very nice in the spinning rod version, and might be perfect for what I am trying to do.

 

Thank You

[aavery2]

A blank can be built in any configuration as long as the power and action serve the purpose. The St Croix blank is very nice but might push or exceed your budget in a custom build.

What do you think a rough estimate of cost would be if a guy wanted to build on an  Avid/Rage Type blank with REC Recoils and an ECS/ACS reel seat,  nothing fancy with the wrapping.  I would prefer cork but could live with other options. 

[.ghoti.]

I have two blanks standing by, waiting for my four week Christmas break. A St Coix spinning blank 5S70MLFG and a K2 TX683ML-C. Both to be built as bait finesse casting rods for reels I just acquired; a TD-Z I'm in the middle of tuning, and an SS SV, which I think needs no tuning at all.

 

The SCV is rated down to 1/8oz and the K2 down to 1/16oz. I have two of the new Alps MVT carbon fiber real seats, and two sets of Recoils. I'm going for a light as possible, minimalist build on both rods. The K2 blank weighs 1.23oz, and I'm hoping to get a rod not much over 2oz when finished. The SCV is a 1.5oz blank, so 2oz finished weight is not possible, at least for me.

 

Custom is probably your best route to what you want, but you're not gonna get there for 250 bucks. Unless you do it yourself, of course.

 

If I were you, I'd contact DVT, and see what he can do for you.

[aavery2]

I have two blanks standing by, waiting for my four week Christmas break. A St Coix spinning blank 5S70MLFG and a K2 TX683ML-C. Both to be built as bait finesse casting rods for reels I just acquired; a TD-Z I'm in the middle of tuning, and an SS SV, which I think needs no tuning at all.

 

The SCV is rated down to 1/8oz and the K2 down to 1/16oz. I have two of the new Alps MVT carbon fiber real seats, and two sets of Recoils. I'm going for a light as possible, minimalist build on both rods. The K2 blank weighs 1.23oz, and I'm hoping to get a rod not much over 2oz when finished. The SCV is a 1.5oz blank, so 2oz finished weight is not possible, at least for me.

 

Custom is probably your best route to what you want, but you're not gonna get there for 250 bucks. Unless you do it yourself, of course.

 

If I were you, I'd contact DVT, and see what he can do for you.

Sounds like a couple of nice builds, I will be looking for pictures of the finished product.  I would love to hear your review of the Alps reel seat as well.  I have had some communication with MIke, and I agree that more than likely to get what I want is going to require a custom build and more money.     While I am good mechanically I do not have an artistic bone in my body, so rod building is something that I have not tried.  

[Cgrinder]

The *** Aussie model 6'10" ML can probably do what you need. I know certain that it launches a 1/8 tungsten + finesse worm. I could try throwing a bare 1/8 jig head or if you could say exactly what you wanted to throw I could try to test it for you.

[S Hovanec]

I'd say the Avid might work for you. The 3S69MLXF lower range is 1/8oz and retails for $100.

[aavery2]

The reel seat on the *** rods is not comfortable for me to use.  I have large hands and it tends to pinch my fingers on the trigger.  Even with that said if it casted well it might be something that I would consider, I could always make modification to the trigger to make it work for me.   See if you can cast a 1/8th oz road runner on it, that has kind of been what I have tested with.

[aavery2]

I'd say the Avid might work for you. The 3S69MLXF lower range is 1/8oz and retails for $100.

That's the one I have been looking at,  any idea how many guides it would take to build that rod.  I would like to use recoils on it.

[S Hovanec]

8+tip would be a good starting point. Conventional wrap might get you into 9. Spiral might go to 7 depending on the load testing.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A light casting rod like this is a good candidate for a spiral wrap. 

[coak]

Do you have experience casting weights in the 1/8oz range with a model of this rod?

I had an older convergence. At 6'6" the ML/F rod was phenomenal at casting 1/8 oz lures. I wish I wouldn't have broken the tip of this rod. I used it to fish anything from baby torpedoes, in-line spinners, spinnerbaits and small cranks and lipless cranks. I was able to land numerous 4 and 5+ lb smallies on it.

[thehooligan]

I know you said you want cork, but the Phenix recon2 713 would be ideal. There very lightweight, sensitive, 1/8-1/2oz rating, and priced right. Just an option...

[aavery2]

I know you said you want cork, but the Phenix recon2 713 would be ideal. There very lightweight, sensitive, 1/8-1/2oz rating, and priced right. Just an option...

 

Thanks, I will check it out.  Is this a rod you use often?

[.ghoti.]

Sounds like a couple of nice builds, I will be looking for pictures of the finished product.  I would love to hear your review of the Alps reel seat as well.  I have had some communication with MIke, and I agree that more than likely to get what I want is going to require a custom build and more money.     While I am good mechanically I do not have an artistic bone in my body, so rod building is something that I have not tried.  

 Decent mechanical skills are what you need to get started building rods. You need not be "artistic" to build a perfectly functional rod. If you look at the rodbuilding forums, you will find rods built by some people who have real artistic talent. Doesn't make their rods fish any better, but, man, some of them are beautiful. Personally, I'm not into bling, for bling's sake. I'd rather spend my time making sure everything is fitted together, aligned, wrapped and finished as perfectly as I can. I find some "beauty" in that.

 

Don't allow any perceived artistic deficiencies stop you from trying your hand at rod building. Just beware. You might like it. And, it's no way to save money.