Is It Okay To Use Heavier Lures On A Finesse Reel?

[Redalertek]

Hi, I have a shimano fk 300 spinner reel but now I want to also buy a baitcaster. I tried my friends and love it.

As I researched, I was going to get the shimano curado i, then the chronarch ci4+ caught my eye, but now I want the 2015 Aldebaran 50. With each new reel it's only about 30 bucks difference. With an anniversary coming up my wife is okay spending $300 on a reel.

I mainly own lures from 1/2 ounce at the moment.

So my question is I know the Shimano Aldebaran 50 is a finesse reel, but can it not do the same things that the chronarch ci4+ can do?

I mean if I buy heavier baits that mainly ci4+ will cast, can I also cast those heavier baits on a finesse reel without major hick ups?

I know the spool is very short on finesse reels.

Will the finesse reel not handle a bigger bass even though it's the same x ship technology?

Will post a review of which reel I get after my Labor Day fishing trip.

[SirSnookalot]

The rod casts the lure, the reel reels it in.  I have quite a few mh rods for exmple, I overload all of them, the number on the rod is only a  guideline underloading isn't a problem either, the od loads or it doesn't.  One of the few times where the reel should be concerned is having a fish on the line than can pull more drag than your reel has.  Easily combated by tiring the fish with your drag or palming the spool to increase the drag, be careful of this that's when knots can break or the line can snap, an acquired talent thru practice.

[roadwarrior]

Get the Aldedaran, it can handle everything!

[Redalertek]

makes total sence. The reel is just freely rotating while the rod casts it. So I guess finesse reels won't have a problem in hind sight.

I am leaning towards the adelbarun now.

The drag pounds is about the same for both.

[John G]

makes total sence. The reel is just freely rotating while the rod casts it.

You will find out this isn't entirely true if you ever try to cast a true finesse type lure.

[masterbass]

Shimano 50 series reels are versatile enough to do just about anything.

[FLOPS]

Being able to handle a heavier lure will depend more on the rod rather than the reel. Aldebaran looks like a sweet reel.

Your only drawback would be the relatively low drag for a baitcaster, but as SirS noted above it just means you need to play the fish a bit more which sometime is part of the fun. Besides, I don't know where you're fishing but up here in north a bass larger than 7-8 Lb is pretty rare...

[poisonokie]

Despite what some say, I don't believe there is an upper limit to lure weight for a reel. Your only limitation is line capacity.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Certain reels excell in certain applications but whatever bait you throw isn't going to damage a reel at all

[NathanW]

You will find out this isn't entirely true if you ever try to cast a true finesse type lure.

This is a good point. The above statement is mostly applicable for going heavier and within a certain range. There are certainly a fair amount of casting reels that don't handle finesse the way others do. I have no doubt however that if he got the Chronarch or Aldebaran he would be perfectly happy.

[WRB]

Take a look at the Daiwa Steez on sale at TW, light weight, exceptional casting and very strong reel. Shimano Core 50 or 100 are excellent reels available online.

Tom

[Redalertek]

I am fishing around the California San Joaquin valley lakes. Thank you for all the response. I'll look at the other brands mentioned but I am fairly sure using a finesse reel is the way I want to go.

[SirSnookalot]

Spinning will cure your problem. A finese lure is nothing but a light lure. I catch quite a few juvie tarpon casting (30#fish)-1/4 oz bucktails with med or mh rods. I have no idea what a fineses reel is.

[WRB]

The foothill lakes have some giant bass, Spotted, LMB and Smallmouth, so whatever reel you choose needs to have state of the art drag systems, both the Steez and Cores have great drags along with a solid track record.

Good luck.

Tom

[Raul]

If It were my money I would get me one of them clearance Steezes from TW without thinking it too much no questions asked in an eyeblink, why ? Cuz it don't matter which Steez you purchase, there's a beeg bunch of aftermarket spools for that reel in any capacity and braking system available so just by changing the spool you get a reel that can perform a completely different function.

[Redalertek]

Gotcha yeah I am pretty sure I am getting a steez and further reading up on reels in this category.

[new2BC4bass]

Gotcha yeah I am pretty sure I am getting a steez and further reading up on reels in this category.

 

Take this for what it is worth....less than 2 cents....cuz I have no experience with a Steez (beyond my price range), but I would look at the 100 rather than the 103.  I have read quite a few posts from people using the 103 that mention it can be a finicky caster.  Got my Tatula from a guy who was also selling his 103 Steez for that very reason.  However.....................if your lowest weight is going to be 1/2 oz., that may not be a problem for you.  Only another Steez user could tell you that.  I do know that one of my reels with very light braid spooled, and casting a lure below 3/8 oz. was a backlashing machine, yet when spooled with heavier line and used with heavier lures (1/2 oz. and above), it became an excellent casting machine with zero backlashing problems.

 

You must have a great wife, because even on sale the Steez is $450 at TW.  I am a fan of Diawa reels.  Slightly over half of mine (about 50) are Daiwas.  However, I am not a one brand kind of guy.  I own quite a few different brands of reels.  One reel I picked up last winter has been going out with me almost every time this year.  That is the Pinnacle Primmus.  There is a review of this reel above.  It weighs 5.9 oz. (if memory serves me), is factory tuned, looks great and is one fine reel.  Last few times it has had a tuned TD-Z 105, T3 1016 and Alphas reels as companions on my outings.  I'd hate to try and pick which one I like the most.

[Redalertek]

Yeah those are some serious price. Usually on eBay you can get a good deal like on shimano.

I am pretty new to fishing and now I think I get why people have so many rods and reels. It's better to buy a lot of mid range reels for different applications.

[new2BC4bass]

Yeah those are some serious price. Usually on eBay you can get a good deal like on shimano.

I am pretty new to fishing and now I think I get why people have so many rods and reels. It's better to buy a lot of mid range reels for different applications.

 

The Alphas SV is getting fantastic reviews.  About $200 from Japan.  More if bought from a dealer in this country.  That would allow you to buy a very nice rod to go with it.    May I make a suggestion?  The Fenwick 7' MHF Aetos is on sale at TW for $158.88 right now.  I really like mine.  A beautiful rod.  Really launches a 9/16 oz. spinnerbait.  Sensitivity is quite good.  I've got a T3 1016 and 12# Siege on mine.

[Jrob78]

Finesse reels can handle anything a full size reel can, it doesn't mean it will do it well though.  They generally don't hold much line which is bad if you want to use a heavier non-braid line.  I also don't like using them for lures that create a lot of drag, like most spinnerbaits and some crankbaits.

[masterbass]

If you get a steez, then get the 100.  The 103 is a bit wild and requires more casting skills.  If I was looking to buy my first bc, it wouldn't be a finesse reel.  I'd opt for something more versatile especially since you're throwing 1/2 oz lures.  I'd take a look at the metanium hg/xg or alphas sv.  I'd buy from a japanese site like japan lure shop because they're cheaper and shipping is unbelievably fast.  The alphas sv is one of the easiest casters I have and outcasts just about every reel I own.

[d-camarena]

I just bought 2 shimano citica i's. Love these things. I got them for $120 on fleabay but they perform just as good as my ci4+

[*Hootie]

A whole lot of the articles I read in various bass fishing books and magazines define finesse fishing as more a presentation style than a weight issue. I mean, War Eagle has 1/2 oz. finesse jigs. That's hardly a light weight.

Hootie

[Turkey sandwich]

So, my approach might be a bit different than telling you to go buy a $400+ reel from either Daiwa or Shimano....

If we were to switch places, (and if I could go back to learning to make a baitcaster work for me) I would stop worrying about the most expensive/top of the line options and I'd simply shop for 1) ease of use, 2) dependability, 3) consistent handling, 4) something that will last a long time. Curados and Chronarchs have reputations for just that and you can get them for $200 or less new in 200 size that will handle virtually anything, and will taking a lot of frustration out of learning. Also, if you want to upgrade their performance once you learn all of your basic casts and your thumb is used more than brakes, you can upgrade things like bearings and outcast $400 reels.

[Jeff H]

A whole lot of the articles I read in various bass fishing books and magazines define finesse fishing as more a presentation style than a weight issue. I mean, War Eagle has 1/2 oz. finesse jigs. That's hardly a light weight.

Hootie

Today's definition has become the tradition of downsizing everything.  The aspect of presentation is not forgotten, just not the popular segment of discussion for this type of fishing anymore.  I like it like this because it remains more solid for those who really get it.