I need help finding a finesse baitcaster!

[Nathan Burton]

As the title implies, I'm looking for some assistance in finding a finesse baitcaster. I'm not looking for one that has a super shallow spool or anything, just something I can throw on a medium power Duckett Magic and sling some of my lighter, finesse lures out there. Thanks in advance for any and all input! 

[crypt]

I use an abu pro max3 works great for me. light reel,use 8 lb. test. small crank baits,worms,grubs,etc. 

[jj'sbassinforfun]

What your budget?

[new2BC4bass]

What weights are we talking about?

[lakeannaangler]

Budget and lure weight would be nice to know. If you are wanting to throw a lure that weights 1/16 ounce you probably won't be able to use that duckett. It depends on how finesse you are going to go.

[Nathan Burton]

The lightest I'll be going is around 1/8th. 

Budget is set at $150

[mojojojo]

That medium Duckett should be able to, but light action rods will sling little baits better. Ive found that crankbait rods in medium with a moderate action will sling little baits very well. Those soft tips on a medium/light powered rod will load up enough to send little baits out there.

I know its out of your budget but you may want to save and get the Daiwa SV 105. Its a finesse baitcaster that will also be used for normal sized baits.

But having said that, I think the rod is more important than the reel for finesse baits. If you get a medium light action rod you can use any baitcaster you want in my opinion. 

I use a mojo bass glass cranking rod in medium action with a Tatula reel for 1/8 oz baits no problem. I just use light line: 15lb braid with an 8LB flouro leader 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

A curado 50e can toss 3" BPS stik-o fairly well and those(mine i weighed) weigh .12292oz. Ive used it to throw Bitsy Minnow cranks that weigh .0823oz around 35'-40' with 10# braid. This was with a non-finesse rod Quantum Smoke7' M/F lure rating of 1/4-3/4.

[hzzhangc]

You should be able to find a used Daiwa pixy on ebay within your budget. Or get a Tatula and throw in a DIY BFS spool.

[Yudo1]

An 1/8 Oz total weight is pretty light.  IMO the reel is only part of the equation.  The rod must be light enough in power to load in order to cast and lighter line is also important.  I don't know what the rating is on the duckett.  I've got a few casting combos capable but they ran me several hundred dollars.   The easiest answer is spinning gear.  If you're like me and prefer casting gear then you might need to up the budget just a little.  What reel are you using now?  You might be able to pick up a finesse spool for it.  I have a curado 51e and was not too successful throwing 1/8oz on it until I picked up an avail shallow spool.  

[Master Bait'r]

The best $150 finesse baitcaster is an older used pixie/Sol/Alphas/Ito Ai depending on your exact desires.  

Its pretty much the only thing you'll find in that price range that's going to truly cast that 1/8th although I'd be more concerned with the rod loading it.  Maybe consider a 50 sized shimano too, the green e series slay too but not quite down to an 8th.  May be a better choice for the M rod though!  (I use a ML spinning rod for my 1/8 baits)

[Fisher-O-men]

I was trying to go this direction, until I realized that a spinning setup Was sooo much better suited for finesse!

[drew4779]

I have to agree that I feel the rod is more important than the reel in this situation, but that's not what you asked.  IMO, my E series (both 50 and 200) shimanos perform better than my other reels that i've tried for finesse applications (BPS carbon-gold, abu garcia revo sx, Pflueger trion, speed spool, citica D). However, the sv 105 is my go to for this, but it has a shallow spool.  I'm sure there's other reels out there that will perform great for this though.  I've yet to handle a lot of the newer reels available (managed to keep the monkey at bay for the most part this last off season).  My advice would be to look for reels with lighter weight spools.

Also (and many will disagree with this), I believe some nice ABEC 7 bearings will marginally help with casting light weight lures...if you can stand the noise.

Good luck...let us know what you go with.

[jj'sbassinforfun]

8 hours ago, Fisher-O-men said:

I was trying to go this direction, until I realized that a spinning setup Was sooo much better suited for finesse!

Agreed, And Likely can get a whole combo in his price range. Not many "NEW" BC reels in the $150 range do that well with micro stuff.