Baitcaster to throw light tackle, but not BFS

[skekoam]

Basically, I prefer baitcasters over spinning.  I used to only have spinning set ups and could cast them very well.  Both distance and accuracy were good.   As I started using baitcasters, my spinning game has gone.  

 

Question is- is there a BC set up that I can use to throw lighter jigs, jerk baits, and worms?  I don't want to go BFS given the premium prices they command.

 

thanks guys.

[new2BC4bass]

How light?  You don't need to spend hundreds on a reel for 3/16 oz.  Also guys on here have mentioned that something like a Fuego CT with the right aftermarket spool can handle light lures for a total cost of around $100-$110.  I mention 3/16 oz. because that is my comfort limit.  Start going lighter and I'm not all that good with a baitcast reel.  I cast a #5 Shad Rap on used reels that cost me $65.

 

The Tsurinoya X50 costs about $54 and is said to do well with light lures.

 

Almost every reel I have can handle an unweighted 10" ribbontail worm on a 3/0-5/0 hook.

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

How light?  You don't need to spend hundreds on a reel for 3/16 oz.  Also guys on here have mentioned that something like a Fuego CT with the right aftermarket spool can handle light lures for a total cost of around $100-$110.  I mention 3/16 oz. because that is my comfort limit.  Start going lighter and I'm not all that good with a baitcast reel.  I cast a #5 Shad Rap on used reels that cost me $65.

 

The Tsurinoya costs about $54 and is said to do well with light lures.

 

Almost every reel I have can handle an unweighted 10" ribbontail worm on a 3/0-5/0 hook.

I concur - I've cast T-Rigs with 1/4 oz weights. 2/0 hook with a 6" ribbon-tail with my Fuego CT...and that's with the original spool. A good reel can handle lighter weight lures, and you don't have to spend an arm-and-a-leg to get a good reel.

[waymont]

I've been wanting the same thing. Most good reels could probably deal with under 1/4oz, but for me I'm on the lookout for a good rod that can load up with under a 1/4oz but still have enough backbone to get a good hookset.

Maybe the 7'2' Shimano Expride medium light, but I haven't held one in my hand yet.

[skekoam]

43 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

How light?  You don't need to spend hundreds on a reel for 3/16 oz.  Also guys on here have mentioned that something like a Fuego CT with the right aftermarket spool can handle light lures for a total cost of around $100-$110.  I mention 3/16 oz. because that is my comfort limit.  Start going lighter and I'm not all that good with a baitcast reel.  I cast a #5 Shad Rap on used reels that cost me $65.

 

The Tsurinoya costs about $54 and is said to do well with light lures.

 

Almost every reel I have can handle an unweighted 10" ribbontail worm on a 3/0-5/0 hook.

I'm talking like a 1/8 mimic minnow.

[Bird]

I/4 0z is as light as I go with a baitcaster and that's usually a spinnerbait. 

I throw my baitcasters more during an outing vs my spinning tackle unless I'm finesse fishing then it's all spinning. 

 

I'm sure you could go lighter using lighter line and keeping spool clean. 

[kstephes033]

You can pick up a tatula 100 and get a rays spool and be in it for around 150ish total and that would give you the BFS style spool for throwing light baits on a great reel and for not a ton of $. Same spool will work in a fuego as well, in which case you would be sitting around 120ish probably going that route. You will need to get a rod that will load properly with the lighter weights as well.

[Fishingmickey]

I throw a 1/8 oz Owner EWG 2/0 jig head with a 5" finesse worm. i'm using a medium light fast action Helium 3 paired with a Curado 70. It's casts well but I'm not trying to do bomb casts with it. 

FM

 

p.s. TW has the Curado 70 for sale 129.00. Sold out now.

 

[zell_pop1]

Shimano SLX reel 

[skekoam]

6 minutes ago, zell_pop1 said:

Shimano SLX reel 

I have the slx dc right now.  I'll try to throw a light set up and see what happens next time I fish.

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, skekoam said:

I'm talking like a 1/8 mimic minnow.

Have you ever weighted that lure?  Most "soft plastics on a jighead" weigh far more then you would think, a Z-man TRD and 1/15oz head weighs about 3/16oz all together, so you don't need a super speclaized UL rod/reel for most small plastics.  That being said, if you are going to be consistently casting below 1/4oz then it seems silly to try to avoid "BFS" gear as that is what will work the best for you.  All the new finesse/bfs reels have cratered the prices of the old Pixy and Alphas reels, you can easily find a good condition used Pixy for well under $200 and Alphases for less.  

 

 

[JustJames]

Hold your horse, you don’t need to hurry to buy stuffs. Next time when you visit me, I’ll have you tried all my setup that capable of true weight 1/16oz to 1/4oz. Reel is one thing but rod is equally important for light stuffs. 

Im also selling my SLX MGL (Japan version) or you might be able to snag one of Curado 70 from me (I have 4) or even my daiwa Alphas SV.

[WRB]

^^^this^^^

[Angry John]

The alphas is a great reel for this work.  It's what I use.  There is a spool for bfs if you want that later.

[Drew03cmc]

11 hours ago, Bird said:

I/4 0z is as light as I go with a baitcaster and that's usually a spinnerbait. 

I throw my baitcasters more during an outing vs my spinning tackle unless I'm finesse fishing then it's all spinning. 

 

I'm sure you could go lighter using lighter line and keeping spool clean. 

Is it a 1/4 total weight or a 1/4oz spinnerbait? A 1/4oz spinnerbait is about a 1/2oz total weight. 

[redmeansdistortion]

Like was said above, you need a rod that can load properly.  I can throw 1/8oz Kastmasters with my Black Max 1600.  It's mounted on a 7'6" 4lb-8lb Kokanee rod of moderate action.  This is my brook trout setup that has served me well for years.

[new2BC4bass]

7 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Like was said above, you need a rod that can load properly.  I can throw 1/8oz Kastmasters with my Black Max 1600.  It's mounted on a 7'6" 4lb-8lb Kokanee rod of moderate action.  This is my brook trout setup that has served me well for years.

Nice to know.  I tried a small unweighted fluke with mine on a 6'9" MF V.I.P. Smallmouth rod and it did extremely well.  I was very impressed.  Was able to cast into a stiff wind with no problem...with one exception.  Backlashed when I tried for the other side of the lake while casting directly into that stiff wind.  I would like a different handle for it.  More play in the knobs than I am used to.  Actually I bought 3 as a package deal, but have only used the one.

[Bird]

7 hours ago, Drew03cmc said:

Is it a 1/4 total weight or a 1/4oz spinnerbait? A 1/4oz spinnerbait is about a 1/2oz total weight. 

Never put a bait on scale so was assuming 1/4 oz spinnerbait was 1/4 oz.

Didn't realize that, thanks. 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Bird said:

Never put a bait on scale so was assuming 1/4 oz spinnerbait was 1/4 oz.

Didn't realize that, thanks. 

Ya, lures with poured lead/tungsten heads like spinners, chatters and buzzbaits - the weight listed is the amount of lead/tungsten. Now add blades, skirts and hooks to that. If you use a trailer it gets even heavier.

[redmeansdistortion]

34 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Nice to know.  I tried a small unweighted fluke with mine on a 6'9" MF V.I.P. Smallmouth rod and it did extremely well.  I was very impressed.  Was able to cast into a stiff wind with no problem...with one exception.  Backlashed when I tried for the other side of the lake while casting directly into that stiff wind.  I would like a different handle for it.  More play in the knobs than I am used to.  Actually I bought 3 as a package deal, but have only used the one.

I'm usually fishing small streams and casting inside of 30yd or so with my setup.  I've never tried to muscle it but I'm sure it can become a little hard to handle under such circumstances.

[JustJames]

Love the old Abu, I almost got Morrum SX 1600c. End up with CQ50 and this little old reel cast Ned rig almost as good as my Scorpion 1000xt with Yumeya spool and the spool weight at 17 grams.

for OP, I forget to mention another factor that is also important to cast light lure is “LINE” smaller diameter line usually cast light lure better, you will have to use smallest line that you can get away with, all my finesse either got #6 copolymer or 10-15lb braid, and ultra light will get 8-10lb braid.

It is really step up when you look into finesse since living in city of SoCal, you will have to go light and small to get a bite. The bad part is you will catch a lot of dinks before you find a big one. I don’t recommend 1/8oz lure except inline spinner, kastmaster or blade bait, instead go with 1.5-2” or 3/16oz 1/4oz lure instead.

[EWREX]

daiwa tatula 100 has been great for me when throwing super light presentations. a nice soft tip that loads up nice also helps!

[CountryboyinDC]

I throw finesse jigs and plastics with a Shimano Curado 70 reel, stock except for the handle (I swapped it out for a Metanimum handle, but most folks just buy bearings).  I don't know the baits' total weight, but some of the worm weights or jigs are in the 1/8 to 3/16 ounce range, and there's no problem.  The issue may be line, if you like braid.  If you go really small, say below 20 lb, you're probably going to get frustrated with a baitcaster.  

[Glaucus]

It would be nice if companies would print both the weight of the lead and the total weight of the lure so we didn't have to scale everything.

[Drew03cmc]

Honestly, I'm good to 3/16oz on most of my casting reels. My Ardent Apex Grand on a Falcon 6' ML with 10lb CX Premium is easy with 3/16oz. If you weigh a 4" Spark Shad and use an 1/8oz Gammie weighted swimbait hook, it's sub-1/4oz and it casts like a charm. Find a hardbait that's rated 1/4oz, remove hooks and practice.