I may have made a mistake

[Mocktopus]

So, I took my new rod out yesterday. I was fishing from the bank with my new rod that I got for Christmas. It was the rod that I wanted, but after using it i move have made a mistake. 

 

Now, I know that I may catch some flack, but I love my 6' m ugly stik so I requested a 7'6" ml ugly stick. Either I'm casting wrong, which could be the case I'm new to baitcasting, or i have the wrong weight of bait (1/8 spinner). When I was test casting I was able to cast a hookless spoon about 30 yards (3/8 oz.). But at the lake 10 to 15 yards was the best i could get. The rod seemed to be very sloppy on the release and I think the wobble was hurting my distance. Throwing a jig of similar weight on the 6' was producing close to double the distance with half the effort.

 

My question is this. Should I throw light or heavier baits before I give this rod up for just a back up? Is there a technique I should try to get better payout from the lighter rods load up? Or am I just doomed to look on in envy of the guys that throw 200$ rigs and just be happy to be fishing. (I'm always happy to be fishing).

 

Thanks for the advice in advance. I can't afford to step my rod collection up in price point at the moment so advice on what I have is all I'll be able to use for this season.

[J Francho]

You just aren't used to it yet.  That's a jump in 18", and I definitely feel that when switching rods.

[Angry John]

The longer rod will change the timing of the release a little and you can help by increasing weight a little.  Some lures like a spoon are very good casters.  It will take a little time to learn the character of the new rod but not all is lost.  

[LOZSteve]

With practice and proper reel, line, lure weight set up you shouldn't have any issues. I don't have any experience with that line of rods but every rod with the exception of my jerkbait rod is 7 foot or longer. 

I would put a heavier lure 1/2 ounce or better and get some practice casting. Once you are more comfortable with the rod you can back down the lure weight. Make sure to double check the specs on the rod for lure weight and line weight. For lure weight you can typically add the weights together and divide by two and this should be close to the sweet spot for lure weights to throw on your rod. 

[runt4561]

let the rod do the work. a 7 6 rod will take a lot less effort to cast at distance than the 6. when I bank fish, I cant use a 7 6 because of the trees on the bank. I can only imagine, if you have trees around when you are fishing from the bank, you are altering how you cast to accommodate for that 7 6 rod. I don't know if you have any trees but that may be an issue that is hindering how far you cast.

[Deleted account]

Hard to tell without seeing it, but my guess is that the 1/8 oz spinner isn't heavy enough to load the rod, even though its labeled ML, that rod is on the heavy (weight) and moderate (action) side, also going from the 6' to a 7'6" might take a bit of adjustment. I like a 6'6" or 7' rod from shore most of the time, but there are so many variables, only you can be the judge of what works or not.

[fishnkamp]

The first thing is that baitcaster do not cast light baits well. That is why even the pros pull out a spinning rod to fish finesse baits. Your new rod specs as a 7'6" inch medium lite designed to cast 1/4 to 3/4 ounce baits.  1/4 to 3/4 ounce baits actually means that that rod is closer to a medium action rod.  Most rods work best with baits in the middle of their ratings.

 

Try throwing a 3/8 ounce swim jig with a grub trailer.  That might feel better.

 

If you are looking for a rod to throw those 1/8 spinners or super light plastics on say a 1/16 or 1/8 jig heads, then I would look at getting a Berkley Lightning Rod Shock spinning rod. They sell a 6'6" 2 piece ml model that can handle 1/8 to 5/8 ounce baits.  Sometimes you can go into Walmart pick one up and have it scanned for the price. They usually run around $38 dollars but are actually being sold for as low as $9.00.  I know of several members that purchased them for $9.00.

 

 

[wisconsin heat]

i agree with what many members have already said:

1. youre just not as used to it yet.

2. More importantly, the 1/8 oz spinner is not heavy enough for your baitcasting gear. 

 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, Mocktopus said:

So, I took my new rod out yesterday. I was fishing from the bank with my new rod that I got for Christmas. It was the rod that I wanted, but after using it i move have made a mistake. 

 

Now, I know that I may catch some flack, but I love my 6' m ugly stik so I requested a 7'6" ml ugly stick. Either I'm casting wrong, which could be the case I'm new to baitcasting, or i have the wrong weight of bait (1/8 spinner). When I was test casting I was able to cast a hookless spoon about 30 yards (3/8 oz.). But at the lake 10 to 15 yards was the best i could get. The rod seemed to be very sloppy on the release and I think the wobble was hurting my distance. Throwing a jig of similar weight on the 6' was producing close to double the distance with half the effort.

 

My question is this. Should I throw light or heavier baits before I give this rod up for just a back up? Is there a technique I should try to get better payout from the lighter rods load up? Or am I just doomed to look on in envy of the guys that throw 200$ rigs and just be happy to be fishing. (I'm always happy to be fishing).

 

Thanks for the advice in advance. I can't afford to step my rod collection up in price point at the moment so advice on what I have is all I'll be able to use for this season.

 

Two problems.  First is you are trying to cast a lure below the rods rating.  Sometimes that is possible...sometimes not.  That rod is rated for 1/4-3/4 oz.  Quite possibly the rod isn't loading enough to make a long cast with 1/8 oz.  Second problem I see is casting that light a weight requires a fair amount of skill and you said you are new to baitcast reels.  That is definitely the wrong weight to learn on.  Everyone is different, but it took me a lot of practice to get down to 1/8 oz. and I have the proper rod and reel for that weight.

 

Are you using one hand or two for casting?  I definitely suggest two.  What reel are you using?  Not many can handle 1/8 oz. unless you have an awful lot of experience with a baitcast reel.  Some guys on here can do it with about any reel.  I can't.

 

Okay.  fishnkamp posted while I was typing and pointed out the same thing I am mentioning.  1/4-3/4 oz. is in my MH category for bass using a casting rod.  Most of my Medium rods top out at 5/8 oz.  Not all.  Depends on manufacturer and action, but I personally consider any rod that can handle 3/4 oz. to be a MH bass rod....for me.

[lmbfisherman]

25 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

The first thing is that baitcaster do not cast light baits well. That is why even the pros pull out a spinning rod to fish finesse baits. Your new rod specs as a 7'6" inch medium lite designed to cast 1/4 to 3/4 ounce baits.  1/4 to 3/4 ounce baits actually means that that rod is closer to a medium action rod.  Most rods work best with baits in the middle of their ratings.

 

Try throwing a 3/8 ounce swim jig with a grub trailer.  That might feel better.

 

If you are looking for a rod to throw those 1/8 spinners or super light plastics on say a 1/16 or 1/8 jig heads, then I would look at getting a Berkley Lightning Rod Shock spinning rod. They sell a 6'6" 2 piece ml model that can handle 1/8 to 5/8 ounce baits.  Sometimes you can go into Walmart pick one up and have it scanned for the price. They usually run around $38 dollars but are actually being sold for as low as $9.00.  I know of several members that purchased them for $9.00.

 

 

He's got it!  Stay within the lure range of the rod you are using, in general the sweet spot is the middle of the lure range.

 

Also NEW2BC4BASS has given good advice too!

[Mocktopus]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I will definitely step up in lure weight. I put a bps bionic plus reel on it. I only had 45 minutes to fish on my way home from work yesterday. I didn't expect miracles but was pretty concerned about the initial impression I had. Ill have a ton of more opportunity and lots of time on the water this year to get truly acquainted with the rod.

 

Thanks again guys I really appreciate it.

[lmbfisherman]

10 minutes ago, Mocktopus said:

Thanks for all the advice guys. I will definitely step up in lure weight. I put a bps bionic plus reel on it. I only had 45 minutes to fish on my way home from work yesterday. I didn't expect miracles but was pretty concerned about the initial impression I had. Ill have a ton of more opportunity and lots of time on the water this year to get truly acquainted with the rod.

 

Thanks again guys I really appreciate it.

Seeing your reel type, that is also going to hinder you.  A BPS Pro Qualifier, Lews Speed Spool, Shimano Casitas or Daiwa Tatula will probably do better in casting lighter lures.  The Bionic Blade in my opinion (experience) couldn't handle the lighter lures, even if the rod was in the range.  Of course this is the older Bionic Blade I used (6 years ago). 

 

If you want to do lighter lures and stay with a lower budget, I'd stick to a spinning setup.

[Mocktopus]

3 hours ago, lmbfisherman said:

Seeing your reel type, that is also going to hinder you.  A BPS Pro Qualifier, Lews Speed Spool, Shimano Casitas or Daiwa Tatula will probably do better in casting lighter lures.  The Bionic Blade in my opinion (experience) couldn't handle the lighter lures, even if the rod was in the range.  Of course this is the older Bionic Blade I used (6 years ago). 

 

If you want to do lighter lures and stay with a lower budget, I'd stick to a spinning setup.

Spinning is where I've always gone. I enjoyed years of good fishing on spinning tackle. I have had a baitcasting rod for years but only put a proper reel on it last summer. I will be throwing some heavier baits next I get out. If it doesn't work for me ill do some switching around.  I spent years blaspheming the bass gods so I will have to be careful. I will just have to get some more time to play with it before I give up. 

[Mocktopus]

So I have gone out 3 more times. Tried some heavier lures and put 12# flouro line one. It works great and I caught my first 2 lm of the season on it. They are finally moved up and into pre spawn condition here. I'm very happy with my rod now. Thanks for the advice guys.