Want to start throwing 1/4oz crankbaits

[TxHawgs]

So I fish Fork in TX a lot and other high pressured big fish factories in TX. Because of the high pressure I want to start throwing 1/4oz crankbaits but need a balance where if I hook into a 8lb or larger fish I have a chance. I want to throw it on a baitcaster, my current lightest combo is a NRX 852 and a Aldebaran. With braid it wouldn't be too hard but I need to fish at least 10 more like 12lb line. U guys think it would cast ok? If not what are you throwing light stuff on in a baitcaster? Thanks 

[WRB]

I would think the NRX 852 would have too fast and stiff tip action to effectively cast 1/4 oz crankbaits. My suggestion is Loomis PR 845C for you application and know this rod will easily cast the smaller size crankbaits because I use it for this. I have a older Daiwa Fuego with 11 lb Sunline Diefer Armilo Nylon line for 1/4 to 3/8 oz crankbaits and also my go to structure spoon combo.

Tom

[fishballer06]

I throw a 1/4oz Baby 1- on a Chronarch MGL with an Avid 7' Medium Fast action and 13lb. Sunline Defier and it launches it like a rat-l-trap.

 

Like WRB said, the 852 has an extra fast tip, so it's not an ideal action, but I suppose it would work in a pinch. Seeing that you're using an NRX paired with an Aldebaran, you're probably a guy who prefers to have the right tool for the job. 

[Comfortably Numb]

I like my Quantum Team KVD Med Crankin rod. Soft tip to cast a light crank but alot of backbone.

[Nscheele]

I throw quarter ounce crankbaits on a 7' winch series any garcia veritas and bps carbonlite reel all day, 12 pound invisx and I never have a problem. I know that's not near the caliber of equipment you are using but it works great for me.

[WRB]

8 hours ago, TxHawgs said:

So I fish Fork in TX a lot and other high pressured big fish factories in TX. Because of the high pressure I want to start throwing 1/4oz crankbaits but need a balance where if I hook into a 8lb or larger fish I have a chance. I want to throw it on a baitcaster, my current lightest combo is a NRX 852 and a Aldebaran. With braid it wouldn't be too hard but I need to fish at least 10 more like 12lb line. U guys think it would cast ok? If not what are you throwing light stuff on in a baitcaster? Thanks 

Just curious, what 1/4 oz crankbaits are you planning on using?

Tom

[Cgolf]

I have been throwing them on the following three rods with 50lb power pro for years without any issues. 

 

6'8" wright McGill Clunn square bill rod, probably my favorite, really sweet stick and I even like the colors

6' pinnacle vision medium action that is well over 20 years old

7' medium action Cabela's prodigy rods, used the least but work well. 

 

The Clunn stick seems to be the easiest to work with, it is a bit slower, but matches perfectly with baits like the Bandit 100, and has done double duty with 1/2 ounce RESs when the fish change their minds. 

 

[TxHawgs]

Several, Balsa Honey B, Discontinued Bill Dave Fat Free Fry, P60 Rebel Pop R's. Was walking in 100° heat when I posted using the 852 and clearly wasn't thinking lol. Already looking for rods on ebay. Loomis GLX CBR and their Deep Flex and CBR series. Also want to look into Megabass options. 6'8" to 6'10" length to cast to cover.

[BuzzHudson19c]

My cranking setup is a Berkley lightning rod from the mid 90's 6'6 med action with a quantum escalade 7.0:1 and 20lb power pro. I can get those light cranks out there pretty far unless it's a particularly windy day.

[Outdoor Zack]

6' 6'' M/MF is what I use. Usually 10 lb mono, but you could probably go to braid.   In my experience, thi won't cast a 1/4 oz er  as well as a larger crank, but it is fine for what I want. 

 

 

 

I am a big fan of smaller lures in ponds. like the rebel Pop r, rebel bluegill, bomber square A, etc.  I have also used 3/16 oz spinnerbaits on this setup with some success, though I do like to add a 3'' senko as a trailer for added weight.

[Attila]

For lure's that light I switched over to a spinning combo...the lightest lure I'll throw on a baitcaster is a 3/8oz bait and I'm doing that on 12lbs InvizX on a Team Daiwa S Glass rod with a Tatula.

 

My spinning combo for those light cranks is a Daiwa 6'6" Procyon ML action rod matched with a Daiwa Fuego 2500 reel spooled with straight 6lbs InvizX. I fish a lot of pressured water here and throwing those smaller cranks on a lighter outfit along weedlines and rocky structure gives me an edge. I find using this presentation has also made me a better angler, learning how to take my time and use patience when bringing fish in.

 

Hope this post helps some even though it didn't answer your question directly.

[TxHawgs]

9 hours ago, Attila said:

For lure's that light I switched over to a spinning combo...the lightest lure I'll throw on a baitcaster is a 3/8oz bait and I'm doing that on 12lbs InvizX on a Team Daiwa S Glass rod with a Tatula.

 

My spinning combo for those light cranks is a Daiwa 6'6" Procyon ML action rod matched with a Daiwa Fuego 2500 reel spooled with straight 6lbs InvizX. I fish a lot of pressured water here and throwing those smaller cranks on a lighter outfit along weedlines and rocky structure gives me an edge. I find using this presentation has also made me a better angler, learning how to take my time and use patience when bringing fish in.

 

Hope this post helps some even though it didn't answer your question directly.

Totally here where your coming from but these east TX and lake Fork fish are beast and there is so much cover than anything 5, 6lbs + I think I'm gonna be in a lot of trouble. Gonna find a Loomis or Megabass 6'8" M power Moderate action rod and load on of the Aldebarans w 10 then 12lb fluoro or a high end mono and see how that goes and tweak it from there if I have too. 

[Attila]

@TxHawgs  I appreciate what you're saying, there's definitely a size difference in the fish that you catch down in east Texas!

 

Might I suggest trying the TATULA SV TW?  Built to throw light baits...while I don't and won't ever use one I've heard some great things about it!

[TxHawgs]

12 minutes ago, Attila said:

@TxHawgs  I appreciate what you're saying, there's definitely a size difference in the fish that you catch down in east Texas!

 

Might I suggest trying the TATULA SV TW?  Built to throw light baits...while I don't and won't ever use one I've heard some great things about it!

Thanks for the recommendation, but after wanting one for a while now and watching a great review on utube I'm going to go with the Steez SV TWS. Actually going to add several to my arsenal soon. 

[Angry John]

I use a steez flexlite 7' medium and toss lighter baits like a 5 shadrap and the kvd 1.0 squarebill all day on 10 lb yhb.  Never had a fish break me off yet.  I use an alphas sv and it's not painful in the least.  Another rod to check out might be the Phoenix x-10.  

[TxHawgs]

17 minutes ago, Angry John said:

I use a steez flexlite 7' medium and toss lighter baits like a 5 shadrap and the kvd 1.0 squarebill all day on 10 lb yhb.  Never had a fish break me off yet.  I use an alphas sv and it's not painful in the least.  Another rod to check out might be the Phoenix x-10.  

@Angry John Liking the sounds of that, an x-10 has been on my radar for some time now. Didn't know of the flexlite, gonna look it up. Is the Steez a spinning rod or baitcaster? I could use a shadrap rod also and one to throw my 1.0 kvd's on. Thanks for the info!

[Angry John]

They have both, I have the casting.  They have a ml version of the rod but the medium casts so lite of a lure it would be a trout rod.

Edited August 1, 2017 by Angry John