Baitcast combo

[Tyler.]

I’m looking for a medium heavy baitcaster combo that can handle 1/4-1ounce lure weight. Anyone have any recommendations? 

 

I have a medium power and 1/4 ounce jig and trailer feels heavy on the rod. That was with 30lb braid. 

 

Do other feel feel that way or should it feel like that? The rod was rated 1/4 - 5/8. 

[NittyGrittyBoy]

1/4 - 1oz is a big window in my book

 

1/4-3/8 for MH/F- 6'6 to 7'0

1/2-3/4 MH or H/F- 7'0 to 7'3

1oz and up H- 7'3 an up

 

And that's just my personal preference, I don't like my rods to feel over loaded if possible. But everybody has different styles of fishing

 

Go buy a couple lead egg sinkers, different weights from 1/4 to 1oz tie them on and fling around the yard. You'll find out quick what you like the best

[LionHeart]

What's your budget friend?  How a rod feels with a certain weight will vary wildly between manufacturers.   Some medium heavies will feel like a medium and others may feel like a heavy.   It can be very subjective.   IMO a medium should be right at home with a 1/4 jig but again it depends on what the manufacturer thinks a medium should feel like.   

 

Lure ratings on a rod aren't always the best or most accurate either,  and sadly,  trial and error is often the best teacher.   Any reputable medium heavy should get the job done with ease though. 

 

I usually try to steer people away from buying a combo.  Ironically they tend not to give the most bang for your buck. 

[Tyler.]

I’d try and stay $100-150. Had an Abu Garcia black max medium combo. Rated 1/4-5/8. Put a 3/8 chatterbait and it felt too heavy for it. I felt if I attempted to cast hard that it would snap the line. Actually I did snap it a few times. When I say hard I mean overhand. So I just roll cast it to be safe. 

 

Ill use 1/4 swim baits, spinner bait, and cranks. Have some bladed 3/8 and 1/2 ounce cranks as well. 

[CrankFate]

I agree 1/4 to 1oz is a big window. 1/2oz to 1-1/4oz is more realistic. 

 

Most brand name bass rods on display in any given store will throw 1oz like a champ. It’s everything over or under 1oz that’s the hard part. I would also say most baitcasters will throw 1-3oz like a champ on the right rod, but under 3/4oz, the capability of the reel becomes a huge factor in what you can throw with any given rod.

[LionHeart]

5 hours ago, CrankFate said:

I agree 1/4 to 1oz is a big window. 1/2oz to 1-1/4oz is more realistic. 

 

Most brand name bass rods on display in any given store will throw 1oz like a champ. It’s everything over or under 1oz that’s the hard part. I would also say most baitcasters will throw 1-3oz like a champ on the right rod, but under 3/4oz, the capability of the reel becomes a huge factor in what you can throw with any given rod.

Sorry man but I would disagree with nearly all of this.

 

1/4 to 1 oz is one of the more common lure ratings for a medium heavy rod.  It's nearly ubiquitous.  That is absolutely not to say that the rod will handle 1/4 and 1 oz lures equally.  I don't know of any rod that can pull that off.  You will have to decide which end of the rating you most likely will use, and go from there.  Some rods can in reality handle lure weights quite a bit higher than their labeled rating, while others struggle to handle the upper half of the rating.

 

1/4 oz jig?  I must say, I'm very surprised that lure weight is making a medium power rod feel over loaded.  What is the rod action?  Is it a Dobyns?

 

Regarding reels:  Any baitcasting reel that can't bomb a 3/8 lure needs to be dismantled.

 

Lastly, snapping line with the weight of casting a lure doesn't have anything to do with the power of the rod.  

 

 

[Glaucus]

A MH rod rated 1/4oz-3/4oz or 3/8oz-1oz is more common/standard. 

 

I have a Dobyns Fury in H that is rated 1/4oz-1oz and is more of a MH. That might be an option ($120)? You spoke of a Black Max combo so I'm assuming you're on a budget? The Daiwa Aird X rod in MH is rated 1/4oz-1oz ($55).

[MIbassyaker]

For jigs, the stated weight (1/4oz) is typically just the weight of the lead. Add a hook, skirt, and a bulky plastic trailer, you could easily be pushing 5/8oz total weight.  For chatterbaits and spinnerbaits, add the weight of blades, wire and hardware.

 

Many MH power, fast action baitcasting rods in your price range will have a lure rating from 3/8oz to 1oz, which should do you just fine for jigs, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits listed from 1/4oz to 1/2oz.

[Glaucus]

17 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

Sorry man but I would disagree with nearly all of this.

 

1/4 to 1 oz is one of the more common lure ratings for a medium heavy rod.  It's nearly ubiquitous.  That is absolutely not to say that the rod will handle 1/4 and 1 oz lures equally.  I don't know of any rod that can pull that off.  You will have to decide which end of the rating you most likely will use, and go from there.  Some rods can in reality handle lure weights quite a bit higher than their labeled rating, while others struggle to handle the upper half of the rating.

 

1/4 oz jig?  I must say, I'm very surprised that lure weight is making a medium power rod feel over loaded.  What is the rod action?  Is it a Dobyns?

 

Regarding reels:  Any baitcasting reel that can't bomb a 3/8 lure needs to be dismantled.

 

 

1/4oz is just the weight of the head. Add hook, skirt, weedguard, and especially the trailer and you're talking about a considerably heavier lure than 1/4oz.

1 minute ago, MIbassyaker said:

For jigs, the stated weight (1/4oz) is typically just the weight of the lead. Add a hook, skirt, and a bulky plastic trailer, you could easily be pushing 5/8oz total weight. 

 

Many MH power, fast action baitcasting rods in your price range will have a lure rating from 3/8oz to 1oz.

Laugh reacted your post because we said the same thing at the same time.

[MIbassyaker]

1 minute ago, Glaucus said:

 

Laugh reacted your post because we said the same thing at the same time.

... I added some content so folks can tell us apart.

[Tyler.]

33 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

Sorry man but I would disagree with nearly all of this.

 

1/4 to 1 oz is one of the more common lure ratings for a medium heavy rod.  It's nearly ubiquitous.  That is absolutely not to say that the rod will handle 1/4 and 1 oz lures equally.  I don't know of any rod that can pull that off.  You will have to decide which end of the rating you most likely will use, and go from there.  Some rods can in reality handle lure weights quite a bit higher than their labeled rating, while others struggle to handle the upper half of the rating.

 

1/4 oz jig?  I must say, I'm very surprised that lure weight is making a medium power rod feel over loaded.  What is the rod action?  Is it a Dobyns?

 

Regarding reels:  Any baitcasting reel that can't bomb a 3/8 lure needs to be dismantled.

 

Lastly, snapping line with the weight of casting a lure doesn't have anything to do with the power of the rod.  

 

 

It was Abu Garcia black max. I believe it’s fast action. It just feels heavy to me. 

15 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

For jigs, the stated weight (1/4oz) is typically just the weight of the lead. Add a hook, skirt, and a bulky plastic trailer, you could easily be pushing 5/8oz total weight.  For chatterbaits and spinnerbaits, add the weight of blades, wire and hardware.

 

Many MH power, fast action baitcasting rods in your price range will have a lure rating from 3/8oz to 1oz, which should do you just fine for jigs, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits listed from 1/4oz to 1/2oz.

That’s kind of what I was thinking. But, what is your take on those 1/4 oz swim jigs. Let’s just say the storm brand. Those don’t have any additional added skirts or trailers. I bet if the rod was longer than 6’6” then it would feel completely different too. 

[LionHeart]

51 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

1/4oz is just the weight of the head. Add hook, skirt, weedguard, and especially the trailer and you're talking about a considerably heavier lure than 1/4oz.

Laugh reacted your post because we said the same thing at the same time.

I agree with your logic, but I've thrown plenty of em'.  In my experience it should be right in the wheel house of a medium power rod.

 

When I think 1/4 oz jig, that's finesse territory.  I wouldn't imagine many people are adding rage craws and punch shirts to a 1/4 oz jig.  Most of them will have a 3/0 or even 2/0 hook.  I'd say fully outfitted, a 1/4 jig should weigh in at under 1/2 oz.  

 

Not trying to be argumentative, not really sure what I'm doing.  Just seems strange that a rod rated at 5/8 feels overloaded at under a half ounce.

[Glaucus]

40 minutes ago, Tyler. said:

It was Abu Garcia black max. I believe it’s fast action. It just feels heavy to me. 

That’s kind of what I was thinking. But, what is your take on those 1/4 oz swim jigs. Let’s just say the storm brand. Those don’t have any additional added skirts or trailers. I bet if the rod was longer than 6’6” then it would feel completely different too. 

The M power rods on the Black Max combos are moderate fast action.

2 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

I agree with your logic, but I've thrown plenty of em'.  In my experience it should be right in the wheel house of a medium power rod.

 

When I think 1/4 oz jig, that's finesse territory.  I wouldn't imagine many people are adding rage craws and punch shirts to a 1/4 oz jig.  I'd say fully outfitted, a 1/4 jig should weigh in at under 1/2 oz.  

 

Not trying to be argumentative, not really sure what I'm doing.  Just seems strange that a rod rated at 5/8 feels overloaded at under a half ounce.

Fully outfitted it is coming in at the top end of the rods lure rating. It will cast it but maxing out the lure rating does feel off.

[Tyler.]

9 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

I agree with your logic, but I've thrown plenty of em'.  In my experience it should be right in the wheel house of a medium power rod.

 

When I think 1/4 oz jig, that's finesse territory.  I wouldn't imagine many people are adding rage craws and punch shirts to a 1/4 oz jig.  Most of them will have a 3/0 or even 2/0 hook.  I'd say fully outfitted, a 1/4 jig should weigh in at under 1/2 oz.  

 

Not trying to be argumentative, not really sure what I'm doing.  Just seems strange that a rod rated at 5/8 feels overloaded at under a half ounce.

Maybe it feels over powered because it’s all I have ever had and don’t know different.

Just a note that I have used 1/4 oz spinner baits nothing added and it cast fine and no issues feeling over powered. 

[new2BC4bass]

8 hours ago, CrankFate said:

I agree 1/4 to 1oz is a big window. 1/2oz to 1-1/4oz is more realistic. 

 

Most brand name bass rods on display in any given store will throw 1oz like a champ. It’s everything over or under 1oz that’s the hard part. I would also say most baitcasters will throw 1-3oz like a champ on the right rod, but under 3/4oz, the capability of the reel becomes a huge factor in what you can throw with any given rod.

You do realize that 1/2 to 1-1/4 oz. is the same window as 1/4-1 oz.?  Just moved up the scale by 1/4 oz.  3/4 oz. range for both.

 

I can't agree with your other statements.  I'm definitely not as good a caster as 90-95% of the people on this forum, but I have no problem casting 3/8 oz. on my MH rods.  Nor is the reel a factor.  I use reels from at least 9 brands.  Any of them will cast 3/8 with zero problem....whether it is a finesse reel like a Pixy or a reel such as an OG Zillion.

 

As stated elsewhere, if a reel can't handle 3/8 oz. (a true 3/8 oz., not 3/8 oz. jig plus skirt, plastic, etc.), then it needs some work.

 

Nor do I agree most brand name bass rods on display will cast 1 oz. like a champ.

[CrankFate]

3 hours ago, LionHeart said:

Sorry man but I would disagree with nearly all of this.

 

1/4 to 1 oz is one of the more common lure ratings for a medium heavy rod.  It's nearly ubiquitous.  That is absolutely not to say that the rod will handle 1/4 and 1 oz lures equally.  I don't know of any rod that can pull that off.  You will have to decide which end of the rating you most likely will use, and go from there.  Some rods can in reality handle lure weights quite a bit higher than their labeled rating, while others struggle to handle the upper half of the rating.

 

1/4 oz jig?  I must say, I'm very surprised that lure weight is making a medium power rod feel over loaded.  What is the rod action?  Is it a Dobyns?

 

Regarding reels:  Any baitcasting reel that can't bomb a 3/8 lure needs to be dismantled.

 

Lastly, snapping line with the weight of casting a lure doesn't have anything to do with the power of the rod.  

 

 

This is going to sound strange, but I still agree with this reply.

10 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

You do realize that 1/2 to 1-1/4 oz. is the same window as 1/4-1 oz.?  Just moved up the scale by 1/4 oz.  3/4 oz. range for both.

I know. I think the difference in weight when it’s a bit heavier matches the properties of rods better. It’s just easier to cast heavier. No matter what the rod rating, it is much, much harder to throw the lighter weights. It isn’t harder for no reason. Its because resistence makes up a bigger percentage of the mass of the bait, rod and spool.

[new2BC4bass]

10 minutes ago, CrankFate said:

I know. I think the difference in weight when it’s a bit heavier matches the properties of rods better. It’s just easier to cast heavier. No matter what the rod rating, it is much, much harder to throw the lighter weights. It isn’t harder for no reason. Its because resistence makes up a bigger percentage of the mass of the bait, rod and spool.

One particular MH of mine rated 3/8-1 1/4 oz. barely casts 1/2 oz. decent fishing distances (I fish from shore).  Couldn't find a 1-1/4 oz. jig at DSG, but they had 1-1/2 oz. ones.  (Saltwater with hair-like tails only purchased for this test.)  This weight should cast great with your reasoning.  Nope.  I was careful lobbing that weight as the extra 1/4 oz. felt like way too much for the rod.

 

It is not much, much harder for me to cast lighter baits (3/8 oz. or even 5/16 oz. on most MH rods) then it is to cast something like 3/4 or 7/8 oz.  Sure a 7/8 oz. lipless crankbait will cast further than a 1/2 oz. one on a 1/4-1 oz. MH......but is it hard to cast that 1/2 oz. lure?  No.  It will zing out there with no problem whatsoever.  The rod will load deeper into the blank thus imparting more energy with the 7/8 oz. lure, but will cast a 1/2 oz. just fine as long as the rod will load up with that weight.  See previous example for the only MH rod I have that doesn't do well with 1/2 oz.  My frog rod is a HF rated 1/2-2 oz.  1/2 oz. is only so-so for distance, but a 5/8 oz. frog cast very well and it is nowhere near the 2 oz. upper limit.

 

Maybe its because I am tired, but I don't understand your last sentence.  Spool tension, brakes, weight of spool, weight of line, how slick the line is, bearings, lure and rod all provide resistance.  The less resistance the better except in the case of the lure.  The lure has to provide enough resistance to overcome the rod's resistance to bending.  BUT if 3/8 oz. will load the rod, then 3/8 oz. is not harder to cast than 1oz., and easier if the rod doesn't handle the upper limit very well.

 

Rod speed during the cast can help overcome the lack of lure weight...but IMO this requires excellent thumb control.  There are guys on here that can cast 1/8 oz. lures on a MH rod because of their excellent thumb control.  I can't.  And I think they could do it with many different reels.

[CrankFate]

21 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

One particular MH of mine rated 3/8-1 1/4 oz. barely casts 1/2 oz. decent fishing distances (I fish from shore).  Couldn't find a 1-1/4 oz. jig at DSG, but they had 1-1/2 oz. ones.  (Saltwater with hair-like tails only purchased for this test.)  This weight should cast great with your reasoning.  Nope.  I was careful lobbing that weight as the extra 1/4 oz. felt like way too much for the rod.

 

It is not much, much harder for me to cast lighter baits (3/8 oz. or even 5/16 oz. on most MH rods) then it is to cast something like 3/4 or 7/8 oz.  Sure a 7/8 oz. lipless crankbait will cast further than a 1/2 oz. one on a 1/4-1 oz. MH......but is it hard to cast that 1/2 oz. lure?  No.  It will zing out there with no problem whatsoever.  The rod will load deeper into the blank thus imparting more energy with the 7/8 oz. lure, but will cast a 1/2 oz. just fine as long as the rod will load up with that weight.  See previous example for the only MH rod I have that doesn't do well with 1/2 oz.  My frog rod is a HF rated 1/2-2 oz.  1/2 oz. is only so-so for distance, but a 5/8 oz. frog cast very well and it is nowhere near the 2 oz. upper limit.

 

Maybe its because I am tired, but I don't understand your last sentence.  Spool tension, brakes, weight of spool, weight of line, how slick the line is, bearings, lure and rod all provide resistance.  The less resistance the better except in the case of the lure.  The lure has to provide enough resistance to overcome the rod's resistance to bending.  BUT if 3/8 oz. will load the rod, then 3/8 oz. is not harder to cast than 1oz., and easier if the rod doesn't handle the upper limit very well.

 

Rod speed during the cast can help overcome the lack of lure weight...but IMO this requires excellent thumb control.  There are guys on here that can cast 1/8 oz. lures on a MH rod because of their excellent thumb control.  I can't.  And I think they could do it with many different reels.

In a weight below 3/8, the resistence of all of those things are much harder to overcome with the momentum of the lure. Unless the rod literally slingshots the lure, I won’t be able to cast it.