Shimano VBS Adjustments

[Puggz]

Hi everyone!  Hope you've all had some great successes this bass season

I have a Chronarch 200e7 that I need some help with.  I have it mounted on a St Croix Rage (6'8" MH/Fast) which I believe would fall into the Jig/Worm category.

I'm struggling with casting/pitching lighter baits such as senkos, ned rigs, and T rigs with either no wieghts or 1/4 or less.  If I set the spool tension to the appropriate setting, where would you set the VBS?  Right now I have the VBS set to 2 on/4 off and it casts spinnerbaits and heavier jigs really well but I end up with a mess with the lighter baits.  When I crank down the spool tension to prevent this then it really reduces my distance.  What's the rule of thumb here? More brakes on with light baits or into the wind?? 

TIA!

 

[.ghoti.]

The problem may be with the rod rather than the reel. I have several St Croix rods; Avids, LTBs and LEs. All fish heavier than their ratings. I think the rage series rods use the SCIII blank, like the Avid Series. Your MH rod is likely equivalent to most heavy power rods, and will not be able to load enough to efficiently cast lighter weights.

[kickerfish1]

Another issue could be the reel size and spool weight. The 200e is best suited for baits 3/8 oz or better. The 50 size reels are much better suited for lighter apps and weightless baits.

[blckshirt98]

Lighter baits and casting rods have never gone well for me no matter how much I adjust any kind of braking system.  Instead of struggling to find the right casting combo/setting, I just throw lighter stuff on spinning rods!

[curtis9]

That rod is going to struggle with light baits no matter what reel you use.  I'd recommend a ML or M rod instead depending on the weight range you are looking to cast

[fishnkamp]

Go get a 6 foot 8 or 7 foot Medium(with a fast action tip) spinning rod like a Dobyns Fury 702, 703, or perhaps a Powell in the same range. Lastly the St Croix Mojo Bass and Avid X series both have a 6'8 medium with an extra fast tip. That matched up with a 30 series size reel by your favorite manufacturer should provide a good answer.  If you budget does not go that far, look at a Powell Diesel for $75.  Just be aware the rod they sell you for $75.00 is a put together with very good components and for that price they offer a warranty against manufacturing defects but not a "no questions exchange program" like they do on all of their higher priced rods. 

[kickerfish1]

He doesn't need a spinning rod for a weightless plastic or a 1/4 oz bait. He just needs the right combination of line, rod, and reel. I can throw weightless plastics just fine on a MH casting rod and 50 sized Shimano with 12# line. I can also throw 1/4 oz topwaters with an Alphas SV105 a 6"10 MH Cumulus(Fishes like a medium) and 8# line.

The lighter weight spool of a 50 size reel will start up quicker to help cast lighter baits. The downside is that since it is smaller and lighter, it will stop spinning quicker than a heavier spool. Here is my take on the "E" series Shimanos.

200 sized reel - Great for anything from 3/8 to 1 oz

50 sized reel w/ stock spool - Perfect for 1/4 oz to 5/8 also good for flipping/pitching

50 sized reel w/ BFS spool - good for anything under 1/4 oz

You can probably try lighter line and a Medium rod but you may need something down in size from a 200 sized reel.

[Yudo1]

Get a 50e or 70i.  The lighter spool will make your life easier.