Recommend me a casting rod for light techniques

[FishDewd]

Hi all, so I have some rods for spinning reels that I use for lighter finesse techniques, but there are times when I would like to use my preferred baitcasting reel for finesse techniques. The current rods I have are medium power, and although they do work okay, I feel like the reel outperforms the rod when it comes to casting. Not much flex in the tips. Also, they aren't the most sensitive so it is hard for me to feel subtleties in terrain or bumps from shy fish. I know I miss some things due to this lack of sensitivity. I've done a lot of research and have seen plenty of rods that I think I would like, but they are all pretty expensive (for me) and I would hate to buy one to find that it doesn't quite work for my needs.

 

I like a 7' length, although I could go a little longer, maybe up to 7'4" or so... I don't think any longer would benefit me very much and I couldn't fit it in my car if it's a 1-piece. I do think I would like a medium-light power with a moderate-fast or fast action based on research. The usually type of finessing I do will be weightless/lightly weighted plastics and rubber lures, like senkos, powerworms, and other creature baits, but I wouldn't mind being able to also work the occasional crank/jerkbait and spoons if the situation arises. Maybe even allow me to work a jig or use small live baits like minnows as well.

 

If I am wanting to go say $150 or less, what would you all recommend for me? I couldn't get it now, but with fishing season coming closer by the day, I'll be ready to shop soon.

 

Thanks!

[redbirdsfan44]

Just from the techniques you listed I would say avoid a medium light casting rod. There’s a lot of variables there but none of those really are techniques that would require a Baitcasting finesse setup. Without knowing what weight of lures it’s hard to say, but in my opinion you’d be better off with a medium power rod to do the variety of techniques you have listed. I’d stick to a spinning setup for the small live bait. A medium light rod wouldn’t give you much backbone that you’d need to get a solid hook set on weightless senkos (Texas rigged) or lightly weighted Texas rigged plastics. Hook size will play a factor in that as well. If you really want a true finesse Baitcasting setup it would be better suited for applications such as drop shot or wacky rigged senkos on light tackle. It just comes down to the fact that a medium light casting rod is a very technique specific rod and in my opinion doesn’t fit the bill for the majority of what it sounds like you’re looking for

[Fishinthefish]

What it sounds like you're looking for is a BFS setup for lighter lures under 1/8th of an oz. If that's the case, those tend to be the more expensive side of things, both in rod and reel because it's more of a luxury thing than something that most people actually use. You're going to be better off buying, in the 150 dollar price range. A used St Croix, or G Loomis rod that you can find on fleabay that is spinning. Baitcasting, super light weight setups are expensive to preform properly.

[rippin-lips]

From what you listed a medium rod is just fine. A 5” weightless senko weighs 3/8oz. A sk 1.5 crank weighs 3/8oz. A 1/4oz jig with skirt and trailer will come in close to that also. Medium light wouldn’t be my choice. Phenix makes some nice rods in the bass recon 2 series if that’s what you’re set on though. The 713 is a medium light. I had it and the 682 which is a light power rod. I used it (682) for lures 5 grams and under. Bfs as it’s referred to, but that’s not what you’re talking about with the baits listed above. 

[FishDewd]

Hm, so maybe the mediums I have are closer to medium-heavy then. I have a medium power baitcast rod that is rated for 1/16-3/4oz... it's a Lew's, supposedly a topwater/plastics inshore rod. But there's no way it would toss something that light, seems like the minimal it will do is about 1/4, and best performance is at the upper edge near 3/4 oz if I need some distance. I love it for drop shotting though, it does well at that. I do want some backbone, I know that's important, especially if the bait is out there a ways. It's really the tip sensitivity I think I need. All the mediums I've tried don't have much bend to them, and when I watch people using these finesse techniques it seems like their rod tips have a lot more give to them than mine do. Mine don't tend to move much and I wonder how this affects the action of my lures as well as the feeling. Does that make sense?

 

Good food for thought, thanks. Sounds like I need a rod actually made for lakes as opposed to inshore, so maybe that's the issue. Not sure if there is a real difference or not there.

[HookRz]

I like the GLoomis 802c XF for light baitcasting. For really light I pick up a spinning rod. No use fighting physics. 

[rippin-lips]

13 minutes ago, FishDewd said:

Hm, so maybe the mediums I have are closer to medium-heavy then. I have a medium power baitcast rod that is rated for 1/16-3/4oz... it's a Lew's, supposedly a topwater/plastics inshore rod. But there's no way it would toss something that light, seems like the minimal it will do is about 1/4, and best performance is at the upper edge near 3/4 oz if I need some distance. I love it for drop shotting though, it does well at that. I do want some backbone, I know that's important, especially if the bait is out there a ways. It's really the tip sensitivity I think I need. All the mediums I've tried don't have much bend to them, and when I watch people using these finesse techniques it seems like their rod tips have a lot more give to them than mine do. Mine don't tend to move much and I wonder how this affects the action of my lures as well as the feeling. Does that make sense?

 

Good food for thought, thanks. Sounds like I need a rod actually made for lakes as opposed to inshore, so maybe that's the issue. Not sure if there is a real difference or not there.

Rod power ratings are all subjective. There is no standard at all. Lure ratings are suggestions. I’ve had a mh that acted like a heavy and a mh that acted like a medium. Up to 3/4 is a bit high for most medium rod lure ratings. Generally top out about 1/2-5/8 for most companies. It sounds like a better rod might just be all you need. 

[FishDewd]

1 hour ago, rippin-lips said:

Rod power ratings are all subjective. There is no standard at all. Lure ratings are suggestions. I’ve had a mh that acted like a heavy and a mh that acted like a medium. Up to 3/4 is a bit high for most medium rod lure ratings. Generally top out about 1/2-5/8 for most companies. It sounds like a better rod might just be all you need. 

Sounds that way... I mean, for the usual catfishing I do, or for when I take a trip to catch redfish, they work fantastic. But since I am slowly entering a new scene of fishing, you are likely correct in that assessment. I also thought 3/4 seemed a bit high. Funnily, they had another in 1/6-5/8 at a 7' length that was also a medium. Guess one day it'd be worth a run to bass pro so I can try out a larger range of rods for this type of fishing. So lure rating is a suggestion huh? Hm, I'd really have thought that some type of official testing is done by manufacturers.

 

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

I know exactly the rod you're after.  Look at the Kuying Topcaster ML on aliexpress.  I've got a number of Kuying rods and they are fantastic for the money.  They're Toray blanks with fugi componets.  Their Teton rods are garnering a following in the UL baitcast sceen.

I have seen those online, but I don't know much about them. I'd really like to handle one first if possible, cause I haven't had good luck in the past buying rods online. But I will see what I can find information wise.

 

[Yumeya]

Kistler ML helium 3 would do the job, but its around $200 right now on the Kistler website...

[NYWayfarer]

I use a 6'10" M Abu Garcia Vengeance casting rod for weightless wacky rigged Senkos. It's a great rod for that technique and best of all it is only $50 One of the best rods at that price range I have ever handled.

[The Fisher]

I really like Major Craft Don Iovino Signature Series Casting Rod 6’10”  Extra Fast for my Finesse plastic and light weight BFS fishing It’s not too expensive 

[FishDewd]

I'm liking a lot of these rods you've all recommended... hopefully I can try at least some of these in person, but a few of them I haven't seen in stores (yet anyway) do look very promising. That TopCaster actually does look really nice, and I think I saw something about getting both a spinner and a baitcaster with one purchase on that one. St. Croix, G. Loomis, Abu Garcias I am familiar with, those are always nice rods as well. I think even a used GL will be out of my range though lol. But then again, if I REALLY like it, I might be able to justify the purchase. Lot to think about for when I'm ready to commit to a choice. Basically just wanting something better/more sensitive for freshwater than what I have now. I know for the lightest stuff I am better off with a spinner, but sometimes the control of the baitcaster is very nice, so it's just another tool I'd like to add to my arsenal.

[Darren.]

My .02 - I use a ML Carbonlite at 6'6" and was able

to throw some very light baits with my Chronarch

50e....

 

By light, I mean no weight added Zoom Finesse worm,

and even a weightless Zoom fluke (smallest), though

not a far cast on that one!!

[kingmotorboat]

Dobyns Sierra 683. On the 684 i can throw a 1/16oz  weighted trick work effectively. I can only imagine the 683 will be better