Finesse setup?

[wade_son]

Okay... i understand that there are multiple varieties of rods and reels out there to choose from. I’m trying to find the best finesse setup based on SENSITIVITY, CASTIBILITY, and a decent BACKBONE. Since my topwaters haven’t really been working this summer, I’m trying to start back to square one and fish more of a traditional style using worm baits. Give me your guys’ best shaky head/Ned setup... spinning tackle or casting tackle. I prefer spinning tackle. Thanks guys.  

[Fishes in trees]

All those different features you want are pretty subjective.   You "understand" that there are multiple varieties of rods & reels out there.   OK that's a start.    A post like this, with pretty vague parameters and NO ballpark fiscal limits makes me say "Huh?"    In order to get what you want, you might need to know what you want, or to put it more succinctly, you need to be able to describe what you want/need/desire in the way of a finesse fishing rig in more understandable terms.

 

Here's an idea - the St Croix factory store is within a days drive - go there and see all the different models.  If that doesn't give you a better idea of what you want - can't help you.   Now as far as reels go, that's pretty easy.  Get something that says  SHIMANO on it in the  hundred dollar range or so and you really can't go wrong.

[wade_son]

2 hours ago, Fishes in trees said:

All those different features you want are pretty subjective.   You "understand" that there are multiple varieties of rods & reels out there.   OK that's a start.    A post like this, with pretty vague parameters and NO ballpark fiscal limits makes me say "Huh?"    In order to get what you want, you might need to know what you want, or to put it more succinctly, you need to be able to describe what you want/need/desire in the way of a finesse fishing rig in more understandable terms.

 

Here's an idea - the St Croix factory store is within a days drive - go there and see all the different models.  If that doesn't give you a better idea of what you want - can't help you.   Now as far as reels go, that's pretty easy.  Get something that says  SHIMANO on it in the  hundred dollar range or so and you really can't go wrong.

Pretty much explained what i want/need/desire in the form of finesse fishing. I stated shaky head and/or Ned rig. Which is a form of finesse fishing. The problem I’m having is actually choosing the one of ten rods and the one of ten reels. I explained what i want in terms of a rig pretty vividly... just looking for suggestions on what people have already tried. 

[Hook2Jaw]

I've used Pflueger Trions and Presidents.  Great reels in the lower price ranges, and I don't see where they wouldn't shakeyhead or Ned just fine.  I've also had hands on time with Shimano Stradics, and those are excellent reels.

 

I put my Daiwa Fuego LTs in the same performance and comfort range as the aforementioned Stradics.  They don't let me down fishing light Neds, shakeyheads, weightless plastics, or my inshore jigs.  The Daiwa Fuego LT2500D-XH gets my vote for finesse applications at the 100 dollar price point.

[Spankey]

I think you’ll find more than enough choices in the St. Croix Avid Series. ML or Med. rods, from 6’3” to 7’ lengths, fast or x-fast actions. I can’t tell you which will feel best for you. 

 

I do the majority of my finesse, lt. T-Rig, Ned, Slider, shaky head, drop/split shot, senko, and tube/grub & sm. creatures, styles on both ML and Med. S.C. rods at those rod lengths. I fish some docks and overhangs with a 5’9” Avid in Med. power and have gotten a lot of smallies with it. I’m not real tall and that length comes in handy. For my soft plastics I have a need for both ML and Med., I have a need and desire for Fast and X-Fast actions. Avid Rods are not necessary. Premiere, Mojos and Bass X rods are very good rods. To each his own. 

 

I’m a shimano fan. I have Daiwa and Garcia’s that I like. The Shimano Nasci is a nice reel for the $$$. The Sahara is decent. The Stradics are great but not really necessary. To each his own. The Nasci replaced the Symetre a while ago. 3000 series in 6.2:1 ratio is nice. 

 

You'll get 1000 different opinions and most will be good choices. 

[Brad Reid]

Well, a Shimano Ci4+ is "to die for" as they used to say. In the low $200s but, gosh, they last a very long time with almost no maintenance. I'd likely get a 3000 series since it is the same size as a 2500 with different spool capacity as I recall.

 

Rod? I have lots of St. Croix rods. Rod Length is an issue of how you fish, for me, how far you will be casting. But, I prefer M over MH for spinning rods. You should want a spinning rod to fully flex, the more it does so, the shorter the lifting point becomes and the less resistance passed up to the angler. Odd: fish pulls harder, lifting point shortens, pressure is less on a shorter rod than in would be on a longer rod. 

 

Brad

[The Fisher]

St Croix Legend ML 6’10” with a Daiwa Tatula LT 2000 For a less expensive rod go with the St Croix Mojo 6’10” ML I use 8# Suffix nanobraid to a 8# Invizix leader 

[haggard]

All subjective of course but I use and can recommend a St. Croix Avid spinning 6'9 ML/XF (AVS69MLXF) with a Stradic CI4+ 2500.

 

Quality combo without spending crazy money. Avid is nicely light and sensitive. 95% of my fishing this season has been with this combo using a paddletail worm on a light wire jig head. I think it's a great finesse combo for bass - ned rig, drop shot, etc. 

 

[MickD]

My favorite finesse rod is a 7 foot medium power fast action.  I think medium light is not enough power for tubes, worms, lizards, etc.  You mentioned backbone, and you are right, which leads to medium power instead of ML.  A medium power Xfast action may have too soft a tip for finesse, IMO.  In order to be medium power AND Xfast action the tip has to be quite soft.  I like 7 over 6-6 for finesse, longer casting and I like the extra length for tip-up presentations. 

 

Any of the popular reels in about 2500 or 3000 size should work fine.  I've never had a Daiwa that disappointed, my Pflueger Patriarch is really nice.  I would look for sales of Daiwas and Pflugers; Shimanos are fine but not often on sale. 

[Choporoz]

7 hours ago, wade_son said:

Pretty much explained what i want/need/desire in the form of finesse fishing. I stated shaky head and/or Ned rig. Which is a form of finesse fishing. The problem I’m having is actually choosing the one of ten rods and the one of ten reels. I explained what i want in terms of a rig pretty vividly... just looking for suggestions on what people have already tried. 

I think @Fishes in trees said it fairly well.  I don't agree with you that you explained it well. 

Do you have a budget?  Do you have any preferences regarding grip types?  Handle lengths?  Rod lengths?  Have you handled any spinning rod/reels yet?  What did you like or not like about them?  What weight ranges do you want to throw?  I have shakey heads up to 1/2 oz.......can't be certain what you intend to throw.  You say you prefer spinning....but you say casting or spinning....if you include both, the possible combinations, even for just finesse reaches the millions. 

[Spankey]

If you have a full line St. Croix dealer that close you have to go. Don’t guess or let 1000 opinions confuse you. If you go to the factory I bet you come out of there with a ML & Med. of some lengths or actions. Maybe they have a special going on or something. You’d be covered for fishing soft plastics. No need to buy their top of the line rods. You may find out they don’t feel any/much different from one series to another. 

[new2BC4bass]

8 hours ago, Fishes in trees said:

All those different features you want are pretty subjective.   You "understand" that there are multiple varieties of rods & reels out there.   OK that's a start.    A post like this, with pretty vague parameters and NO ballpark fiscal limits makes me say "Huh?"    In order to get what you want, you might need to know what you want, or to put it more succinctly, you need to be able to describe what you want/need/desire in the way of a finesse fishing rig in more understandable terms.

 

Here's an idea - the St Croix factory store is within a days drive - go there and see all the different models.  If that doesn't give you a better idea of what you want - can't help you.   Now as far as reels go, that's pretty easy.  Get something that says  SHIMANO on it in the  hundred dollar range or so and you really can't go wrong.

Close, but no cigar.  Should say DAIWA.    Just stirring up the pot. 

 

OP:  You should add a little more information.  Price range is a must.  There is a bit of difference between the cost of a Trion or President and a Stella or Exist G LT.  Rods are the same way.  Lure weight is something else that plays into which rod to buy.  Will a ML fit the bill, or will you require a Medium?.  How would any of us know unless we knew you personally?

 

My Ned Rig is a Major Craft Benkei 6'7" LF and BG1500 with light braid.  Been out once with it.  No fish caught.  Been told this is a bass rod, not a trout rod, and has decent backbone.  Rated 1/16-1/4 oz. if i remember correctly.  Time will tell if I need a more powerful rod.

 

EDIT:  Started this a couple hours ago, but had work to get done.  Some of this has already been mentioned while I was out earning my pay. 

[Birdman2136]

Finesse set up. Try a ALX McSmalls or Trickster with a Daiwa Legalis.

[browne762]

I like the NRX 852S with a Stradic Ci4+

[Allen Der]

my traditional ned rig (1/15oz jig) rod is a 7' MLF St Croix Eyecon.  30 size Pflueger reel, I like the supreme or president XT.  the regular president is too heavy and slower gear ratio than the xt and supreme.  10lb sufix 832 hi vis and a 6lb mono or copoly leader. 

[wade_son]

5 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I think @Fishes in trees said it fairly well.  I don't agree with you that you explained it well. 

Do you have a budget?  Do you have any preferences regarding grip types?  Handle lengths?  Rod lengths?  Have you handled any spinning rod/reels yet?  What did you like or not like about them?  What weight ranges do you want to throw?  I have shakey heads up to 1/2 oz.......can't be certain what you intend to throw.  You say you prefer spinning....but you say casting or spinning....if you include both, the possible combinations, even for just finesse reaches the millions. 

 

Budget around $500 total. I was thinking Shimano Expride A Spinning Rod with Ci4 reel but i haven’t seen many reviews on the rod itself... i just hear they are very sensitive and i feel like that’s what you need if you’re trying to finesse and feel the bite. I do not care about handle lengths.... there’s more to worry about than handle lengths. 6’8” to 7’0” rod sounds nice. 

[wade_son]

8 hours ago, MickD said:

My favorite finesse rod is a 7 foot medium power fast action.  I think medium light is not enough power for tubes, worms, lizards, etc.  You mentioned backbone, and you are right, which leads to medium power instead of ML.  A medium power Xfast action may have too soft a tip for finesse, IMO.  In order to be medium power AND Xfast action the tip has to be quite soft.  I like 7 over 6-6 for finesse, longer casting and I like the extra length for tip-up presentations. 

 

Any of the popular reels in about 2500 or 3000 size should work fine.  I've never had a Daiwa that disappointed, my Pflueger Patriarch is really nice.  I would look for sales of Daiwas and Pflugers; Shimanos are fine but not often on sale. 

Are you familiar with any Shimano spinning rods? I’ve been looking at the Expride and the zodias. Pricier but i hear they are super sensitive. 

[Choporoz]

I've not used Shimano rods.

However,  I have used higher end St. Croix and in that price neighborhood,  I would be shopping for Avid, or a LTB.

[MickD]

12 hours ago, wade_son said:

Are you familiar with any Shimano spinning rods?

No, I am not.  I have been making my own rods for quite a while now, so have not been buying any factory rods.  I know many on here have commented positively on them, and I know there are many good options out there in factory rods.  The main thing, I believe, is to get the right power and action.  Length is a little more subjective with some liking shorter and some longer.  Shorter is likely to balance better, longer in likely to cast longer and put the tip higher on tip-up presentations.

[browne762]

I purchased two Expride spinning rods this year and put Ci4+ reels on them. One is the 7' light+ and the other is the 6'10" medium light. Both have caught quite a few fish this year. I haven't used anything heavier then a 3/16 jig on the ML. I would recommend that rod and reel combo. 

[Bassattackr]

I use an Abu Garcia Villain 2.0 6'10" ML fast action.   12 lb SX1 braid to 8 lb Sniper FC Leader.   Works well for ned and shakey head in the 1/8 - 3/16 oz range.  

 

If you want more for a 1/4 oz shakey head or wacky setup, then go to a 7' medium rod.