Finesse setup?

[biggiesmalls]

Looking for advice on a light-tackle baitcasting setup. I fish three baits - Pond Magic spinnerbaits (3/16 oz), wacky-rigged Senkos (4" weightless), and hollow-bodied frogs (1/4 oz, right now LiveTargets but I may switch before the summer to Booyahs). I want to put together one setup that can throw all of these well, I've been using inshore gear for this because it's all I had. 

I figured a baitcasting setup would be the best setup for these baits, but would I be better suited with a spinning reel? 

What rod, reel, line would you go with? Looking to spend maybe $150-$200 tops. 

 

EDIT: Anyone think that I could put together a setup to throw these lures for bass, as well as throwing bait rigs and maybe smaller jigs for 8-10"+ bluegill? I exclusively hop around ponds that typically require hiking through woods to get to, so I don't want to carry more than one rod with me. 

 

Thanks,

Drew

[68camaro]

I know you said baitcaster but personally I would stick with ML/fast action spinning rod, and if in tight bank areas or you're skipping keep rod short, I have 6'3" and 6'10". I use my ML 6'10" rod for your uses and have 6lb mono on size 2500 reel and only target bass. MY ML's go from 1/16 - 1/2 so you will be covered with ML.

 

Can't help on brand but best of luck.

[Further North]

4 minutes ago, 68camaro said:

I know you said baitcaster but personally I would stick with ML/fast action spinning rod, and if in tight bank areas or you're skipping keep rod short, I have 6'3" and 6'10". I use my ML 6'10" rod for your uses and have 6lb mono on size 2500 reel and only target bass. MY ML's go from 1/16 - 1/2 so you will be covered with ML.

 

Can't help on brand but best of luck.

I think you're right, in that price range.

[Jig Man]

I don't know of any bait caster and rod that will do what you want and be in that price range.  Lots of spinning combos will do that job very well.

[biggiesmalls]

Okay, sounds like a Pflueger Trion is gonna be my go-to then. Any rod recommendations for $100 or less? 

Sounds like a rod a bit under 7' would be ideal, with a medium light power rating. Will that remain run on larger panfish as well, or should I bump down to a light or ultralight?

 

Line recommendations?

 

Thanks,

Drew

[TylerT123]

If you want to spend $150-$200 on the reel alone then get a Curado 70 or a Daiwa CT SV. For a rod, you could get a cheap one at Walmart that loads 1/16 oz or Dobyns makes finesse rods for casting if you want higher quality. If you want to cast lighter and heavier lures then get a Daiwa Tatula SV TWS. 

 

You would be better suited to get a spinning combo, with spinning combos, it’s more about the rod than the reel. It’s pretty tough to find a bad quality spinning reel, in my opinion.  

11 minutes ago, biggiesmalls said:

Okay, sounds like a Pflueger Trion is gonna be my go-to then. Any rod recommendations for $100 or less? 

Sounds like a rod a bit under 7' would be ideal, with a medium light power rating. Will that remain run on larger panfish as well, or should I bump down to a light or ultralight?

 

Line recommendations?

 

Thanks,

Drew

I’d look at the line rating and lure rating of the rod while you decide the action.

[biggiesmalls]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Definitely going with a Pflueger Trion - treated me well for years, especially for $30. 

Rods, not sure yet. Looking to spend $100 or less on the rod - BPS microlight maybe? 

 

For bluegill I'll mostly be free-lining baits, but also float rigs and occasionally carolina rigs with light egg sinkers. Occasionally lures as well - I like a 1/32 ounce Road Runner, might have to upsize to 1/16 ounce though. Is there a rod that can still throw 1/32 ounce and handle heavier bass lures up to 1/4 ounce? I also fish Rebel hard baits which are typically as low as 1/16 ounce. 

 

Drew

[new2BC4bass]

Very nice BaitFinesse.  Impressive.  My skill is no where near your level yet.  I have no problem with a 3/16 oz. (5.33g) Shad Raps.  One of the combos I use for that lure cost me $105 total.  Used Crankin' Stick and used older Carbonlite.

[biggiesmalls]

BaitFinesse, thank you for such a detailed post. Loving those options, especially for those cheaper prices! Would anything draw you to one of those rods/reels over the others listed? 

 

Would you prefer spinning or casting? My main thing is going to be fishing one rod here, that's my style when bank fishing - one rod, one tackle sling, that's it. Maybe I'll have to get two setups and just bring one out at a time. 

[new2BC4bass]

40 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Skill has nothing to do with it.  With the right equipment it becomes simple.  For example my Black Max 3 with Studio of Momo spool will cast UL baits with thumb free ease.  It's effortless roll casts sending UL baits flying while the powerful linear mag brake controls the 9.5 grams spool (with bearing).  The Ray's Studio bearings I have on the reel help as well.  They're like china knock offs of the Hedgehog BFS Air bearings.  It's easy fish the right equipment and the right equipment can even be had at ultra cheap prices. 

Guess I don't have the right equipment yet.  That or I am very inept.  The ML Crankin' Stick is rated down to 1/16 oz. as is my Falcon Expert Light.  On the expensive end I have a PXL Type R and a tuned and upgraded Pixy Airy Red (original spool was replaced...and not mentioned by seller).  I can cast a 1/8 oz. spinnerbait, but not as well as I'd like.

 

I also use a tuned and upgraded TD-Z 105H on an older Fenwick HMG 7' ML for #5 Shad Raps.  The seller said he went a lot lower with that set up.  Not me.  

[Peter]

Instead of the pfeugler trion take a look at the Daiwa revros. Decent bit smoother and solid built reel.st croix bass x in 6-10 ml would be a good choice rod to match with it. 

[NathanDLTH]

Finesse goes two ways. 

Spinning is the more popular of the two, for that I’d go ML or Medium 6’10-7’3 pairing with a 2500-3000 reel. 

 

Casting go ML with Curado 70 or Tatula SV. The reels are great for throwing light tackle. 

 

Personally stick with a spinning setup even though I have a casting set up for finesse baits. 

[thinkingredneck]

I use a okuma on an ugly stick GX2. 8 lb trilene crystal with maxima leader for all my light applications  including  ned rig.  No expert here.  

 

[fishwizzard]

15 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Guess I don't have the right equipment yet.  That or I am very inept.  The ML Crankin' Stick is rated down to 1/16 oz. as is my Falcon Expert Light.  On the expensive end I have a PXL Type R and a tuned and upgraded Pixy Airy Red (original spool was replaced...and not mentioned by seller).  I can cast a 1/8 oz. spinnerbait, but not as well as I'd like.

 

I also use a tuned and upgraded TD-Z 105H on an older Fenwick HMG 7' ML for #5 Shad Raps.  The seller said he went a lot lower with that set up.  Not me.  

You should check out one of the Kuying Teton UL casting rods.  They really are great for the price and with a PX68 w/ DIY loaded with 4lb mono it will cast a 1/16 inline pretty well and launch a 1/8 one.  

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, fishwizzard said:

You should check out one of the Kuying Teton UL casting rods.  They really are great for the price and with a PX68 w/ DIY loaded with 4lb mono it will cast a 1/16 inline pretty well and launch a 1/8 one.  

I've been thinking about getting the rod since the above post.  The spools aren't that expensive from DIY so maybe one of those too.

[fishwizzard]

Yes, with an ultra-light rod and a DIY spool I have no doubt that any problem is me, not the gear.  

 

I am really really into throwing inline spinners on UL casting gear.  Once you get it dailed in a little flick of the wrist will shoot the lure out like a lazer and if you like living dangerously, you can bomb them out there. 

[JustJames]

OP, any baitcaster should be able to handle your choices of lure you listed, but if you plan to use the same setup for panfish then you are looking into headaches. For your suitation of 1 rod 1 reel, ML spinning setup should work better. 

[the reel ess]

On 2/11/2018 at 9:12 PM, new2BC4bass said:

I have no problem with a 3/16 oz. (5.33g) Shad Raps. 

Haha! Most people do. That's why everyone's recommending a spinning combo. I have a M 7' rod with the aforementioned Trion reel. I use this combo mostly for smaller treble lures. The rod is a lightning rod. If I were using it a lot for dropshots and other techniques that require sensitivity, I'd upgrade the rod. The reel is a good deal for $40, but for a little more you can step up the Pfleuger line and get lighter reels with a few more bells and whistles.

[BankBasser]

On 2/11/2018 at 3:25 PM, biggiesmalls said:

Looking for advice on a light-tackle baitcasting setup. I fish three baits - Pond Magic spinnerbaits (3/16 oz), wacky-rigged Senkos (4" weightless), and hollow-bodied frogs (1/4 oz, right now LiveTargets but I may switch before the summer to Booyahs). I want to put together one setup that can throw all of these well, I've been using inshore gear for this because it's all I had. 

I figured a baitcasting setup would be the best setup for these baits, but would I be better suited with a spinning reel? 

What rod, reel, line would you go with? Looking to spend maybe $150-$200 tops. 

 

I agree that a spinning outfit is your best bet.

 

For years I fished those same lures mostly in farm ponds and small city lakes, 100% from shore. I used a St Croix 6'6" ML/Fast Premier spinning rod and Shimano 1000 sized Sedona with 6lb Fireline. It was a great combo and though I was going for crappie most of the time it also caught plenty of good sized bass. That falls right at your upper end budget. That's my suggestion. 

[TOXIC]

When I fish a frog, there's nothing finesse about it.  I may throw it on either a baitcaster or a spinning setup but it is always braid and a heavier action.  

[biggiesmalls]

Thanks everyone for the replies - very informative! I would've never thought of using a baitcaster for ultralight, but here we are! 

 

Perhaps I could carry two rods - if I went with two-piece setups. I carry an Orvis tackle sling, so I'd have to find a way to strap them to the sling, wouldn't be too bad though. Or, I could just pick what I want to go out for in a day, either bass or panfish - and bring something accordingly. Worst case, pack both rods in the car and walk back if I REALLY need to change it up from one and go for the other. 

If I did that, I'd go with a ML rod in the 6'6"-6'10" range with a smaller baitcaster with custom spool for bass, and an UL rod in the 6' range with a small spinner for bluegill. 

Personally, I don't see the point in spending tons of money on freshwater gear, right now any more than $50 on a rod or reel seems like a waste to me. (why spend money on freshwater when I can spend money on shark gear? ;))

 

That Royal Spirit ultralight rod is sweet looking for the $35 asking price. Unfortunately it's in 5'6", only step up is a 7' model which I don't really like in ultralight - might give it a shot though for $38! 

 

Drew