L/ml Casting Rods

[I.rar]

So I'm thinking of upgrading my ML casting carbonlite rod and keep coming to the Phenix recon 682 and 683. I do most of my fishing with my UL spinning rod so I'm very comfortable with light line techniques but think the 682 would be too whippy to use as an all around BFS rod?

It would be used for 4-6 inch roboworm straight tails and alive shads, 1/4 oz spooks and rapalas, cut tails and at the heaviest 4 inch senkos. Would I be better suited with the 683?

Ive been recently attacked by the BFS bug and it's growing strong. The reel is a curado 51e currently with bearings, drag and a lighter spool is in its future.

[Goose52]

I have the 682 - I use it nearly exclusively for weightless 5" single-tail grubs. It would handle all the baits that you mentioned as well I guess but I don't have personal experience using the rod for those baits.  I also have several ML-power casting rods so anything I don't feel comfortable tossing on the 682 I can just move up one power.

 

You really have to decide if you want to play BFS like they do in Japan - meaning a light-power (or softer rod)...or whether you want to play what's becoming sorta a USA "bubba-BFS" where people obsess about getting a reel that will toss very light baits...but then put it on an ML or M rod.

 

Here's the 682:

 

 

And here's just about the only bait I toss with the 682:

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I have built a few rods on what is labeled a "Mag Med-light" mostly as drop shot and shakey head rods but always thought it might make a good finesse casting rod. Drop me a line if you'd like details. 

[thehooligan]

The 682 Recon was my first rod i tried out for bfs fishing. Coming from using medium fast shimano rods it felt way to moderate for me. I think they fish a little light for there power so id go 683 if your set on a recon.

 

For the baits you mentioned, you have a few options. The 6'10 *** ML is nice, majorcraft has a few rod lines, corkish, corzza...

 

Or go JDM, the new shimano zodias will have bfs options if you order directly from japan. You might be able to find an Expride for not much more money then the recon. And its a pretty nice upgrade as well.

[Cgrinder]

I use the ML *** so I can't say too much about the Recons, but I would lean towards the 683. You're at or around 1/4 oz with most of those baits.

[John G]

What spool are you looking at? I have an XT1000 with a Yumeya Spool and I recently aquired a Loomis CR721IMX. I am shocked at the ease that this combo just flat out slings a Zoom Finesse worm.

[I.rar]

Thanks for the replies. I guess it would be the bubba-bfs bug that attacked minus the medium power rod, lol. I'm not looking for a soft noodle, I have my UL spinning outfit for that.

Last time I contacted *** about the ***, they were months away but that was while back. I'll see what they have to say now. I'm sure I've asked you before, but how do you like it, Cgrinder?

I was looking at the avail microcast spool for the curado, John. While the Honeycomb looks nice, I don't think the baits I'll be throwing would really benefit. I could be wrong though....

[Kevin22]

I have the 682 - I use it nearly exclusively for weightless 5" single-tail grubs. It would handle all the baits that you mentioned as well I guess but I don't have personal experience using the rod for those baits. I also have several ML-power casting rods so anything I don't feel comfortable tossing on the 682 I can just move up one power.

You really have to decide if you want to play BFS like they do in Japan - meaning a light-power (or softer rod)...or whether you want to play what's becoming sorta a USA "bubba-BFS" where people obsess about getting a reel that will toss very light baits...but then put it on an ML or M rod.

Here's the 682:

And here's just about the only bait I toss with the 682:

Goose, what grub is that if you dont mind me asking? Id like to try something like that.

[coak]

What spool are you looking at? I have an XT1000 with a Yumeya Spool and I recently aquired a Loomis CR721IMX. I am shocked at the ease that this combo just flat out slings a Zoom Finesse worm.

I have two Loomis rods I use for L/ML applications. The first is an SBR721 and an IMX 782. These rods are phenomenal and have more of what I consider a 'true' fast action. I replaced a bass pro crankin' stick (6'6 ML/F) that was in no way a 'true' fast for my liking. I have one rod matched with an older TE and the other with a Curado 200i.

[Goose52]

Goose, what grub is that if you dont mind me asking? Id like to try something like that.

 

Kevin - that is a Kalin 5".  It's a bit heavier than a Zoom Fat Albert for a bit more casting distance, but it's still soft enough to pull the hook through it with that 682 rod.

[Kevin22]

Thanks goose!

[John G]

I was looking at the avail microcast spool for the curado, John. While the Honeycomb looks nice, I don't think the baits I'll be throwing would really benefit. I could be wrong though....

The Avail Microcast Spool has a great reputation and should serve you well. I am going to eventually get one for a Conquest 50 sooner rather than later because I can't imagine that they have a large quantity of specialty spools for reels that are no longer being made.

[John G]

I have two Loomis rods I use for L/ML applications. The first is an SBR721 and an IMX 782. These rods are phenomenal and have more of what I consider a 'true' fast action. I replaced a bass pro crankin' stick (6'6 ML/F) that was in no way a 'true' fast for my liking. I have one rod matched with an older TE and the other with a Curado 200i.

Did you mean SBR751? I just added the SBR751 to my list of saved searches on ebay and if I get one, pairing it with a newly acquired Calcutta 50. I think that it would make a great 1/4oz Beetle Spin / 1/4oz Spinnerbait rod. It might even work out for some BFS jig work with it's xtra fast action.

[bootytrain]

Check out the Abu Garcia Volatile Medium Lt. I have one that I use for weightless flick shakes and smaller senkos. Its rated as an x fast tip so its not too much of a noodle. I caught my PB 5lbs with it and it handled it great. And its only $99

[The Budget Fisherman]

I have the 683 recon. I like it pretty well. Thinking of getting the 682 for small cranks.

[Darren.]

I have the black ML Carbonate casting rod, 6'6" and

I'm quite happy with it. Loads up well, casts great, 

plenty strong for big bass that I've caught on it (6+ pounders).

[I.rar]

I ended up with the same black carbonlite and it was great but wanted something lighter and got the 682 recon. It's a blast to fish with my BFS curado on top. I'm casting 1/16 Jigs with a 2" trailer with ease. Haven't picked up my UL rig since I got the recon.