FINESSE SET UP HELP

[DJ80D6]

So im looking to buy another rod and reel but I see people use spinning set up for like drop shot  and all the finesse stuff. can I just buy a casting set up that would work for that or is spinning the only way to go. and y isn't there a casting set up like that

[dropped shot]

Its possible to fish finesse stuff on a casting rod, but spinning makes it much easier for a couple reasons. You can throw lighter lures on lighter line, and the rod is usually more sensitive to bottom contact and the light bites you get on these kinds of lures. It can be a pain to throw a weightless trick worm or even a senko on cheap casting gear. In addition you'll get better hooksets for these types of baits, watch Gary Yamamoto's tutorial on the sweep hookset. Also spinning gear is much cheaper. Go for a Pflueger president running 10-15 lb braid to a 10lb or even 8lb flouro leader. For the rod look at the Okuma reflexions 7'2 ML. Whole setup is around $100.

[Scarborough817]

you can buy casting stuff for finesse but it will likely cost you a lot more, the rod would probably end up being a gloomis rod (nrx comes to mind). you will also need to find a reel that can cast light weights probably an sv spool 

[Deleted account]

You can finesse fish with either spinning or bait casting. I usually go with casting unless I'm casting really light lures into the wind or drop shot deep with lighter sinkers. Some of the older casting reels with cent. brakes and drilled spools cast small lures as well as most newer reels in experienced hands when properly adjusted. Also the power and action of a casting rod needs to be light and slow enough or it makes it more difficult. 

[rosshilk]

It’s not worth investing in a casting reel for light work. The reels that can truly handle light items well are expensive. The rods that are light and sensitive enough will cost a bunch too. Spinning setups are great I use finesse a lot on my spinning setup. I am just as confident casting and pitching a spinning reel as I am a bait caster. Also the spinning reel with light line is a blast. My largest fish in each of the last tree years has been on a spinning finesse setup.

[WRB]

Take a page out of Don Iovino's finesse career, hall fame bass angler who has earned the title of father of finesse fishing. Don used high tuned Ambassador 2500C baitcasting reel and his doodle rods. Don's Major Craft finesse rods work for him, they work for me and availble in both casting and spinning models. A good combo would Don's finesse spinning rod with Shimano Shara 2500 spinning reel. Casting Daiwa Tatula CT reel and Don's finesse casting rod or his Splash-It casting rod.

Tom

[volzfan59]

While at work the other day, I sold a guy a GLoomis IMX Pro spinning rod. It was a 6' 10" drop shot rod, but the guy was going to use it as his all around finesse rod. I'm not a huge Loomis fan, but I was really impressed with this one. I also like the BPS Patriot 6' 10" M/L rod. American made.

[Angry John]

So both work and both work good.  How much is your budget?  If it is small the spinning setup would give good results for less money.  If you have a good budget for this project then you can find a few setups that will work well.  How lite are we talking.  The pixy is not near the money it used to be and can be found for less than 200 dollars.  If thats above your price range stick to spinning...

[Jason Penn]

I tried to get into bfs-type setup, but I realized those baits don't really feel right to me on casting gear. Spinning gear just seems to work much better for me for finesse presentations.

 

 

[Darren.]

I go with spinning. But you can certainly do it with the right

casting setup; however, wind can be a killer for casting. 

 

I went all-casting for a while just to see if it could be done, and

because I thought I wanted to go that direction. But over time

things were just simpler with spinning -- and yes, I was able

to case some "weightless" soft plastics like a Zoom Finesse Worm,

and even some lighter stuff, but distance suffers.

[new2BC4bass]

The guys have pretty much nailed it IMO.  I've spent a few bucks looking to cast light weights on baitcast gear.  My biggest problem was not getting into baitcasters until late in life.  I'm never going to be as good with one as a youngster can become, or as good as some of the older guys who have been doing it for a long time.  Nonetheless I kept trying because once I used a baitcast reel, I didn't want to go back to spinning.

 

However, I have to admit that I probably will as I find light lures easier on spinning gear....for me.  Typically baitcast gear for light weights will be more expensive.  There are cheaper alternatives.  How light do you want to go?  I am the limiting factor, but I can easily throw 3/16  oz. Shad Raps on several rods.  I bet someone else could go quite a bit lighter.  One rod is a 7'ML Crankin' Stick.  Not an expensive rod....$40 used in my case.  It is rated down to 1/16 oz. I believe there are a few other low cost alternatives depending on what you call low cost. If a Lightning Shock/Ugly Stick is your normal choice, then yeah, maybe they aren't low cost alternatives.

 

Reels I have used for those lures are TD-Z 105H, Pixy and older gold colored Carbonlites.  A Prolite would be another low cost choice.  I don't know how light I can go with my Black Max 1600, but bet it will go at least that low in my hand and lower in another's.  I bet several other low cost Abu round reels are also capable such as the 1500, 2500 and maybe a few larger reels in the right hands.