Question about a Curado DC setup - lure too light?

[Marc Hufnagel]

Greetings

Just by chance I came across a Shimano Curado DC 150HG for 179.99 at an Academy store.   It was in the display case and asked the worker to verify the price as correct and he did.    I snapped it up knowing it is a 250 dollar reel.   I then grabbed a medium-heavy/fast h2o express on sale for 79.99 and went home.   Spooled it up with all I had at the moment - 12lb mono. 

Went out last evening an put a 1/8 oz bullet weight on a rage craw w/ weedless hook.   No matter what settings I use (dial on 2, 3 or 4) with the tension knob just enough to keep a birds nest away it won't cast it more than maybe 35-45 feet.     

Since i'm new to this type of reel; is this too light?  It was all I've tried yet - if too light can this setup be thrown but with a larger weight? 

[Jig Man]

I doubt you could cast a 1/8 oz bait with a mh rod and 12# line, no matter what reel you have.

 

I use mh, 12# line, Curado dc for 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz jigs, as well as 3/8 and 1/2 oz buzz and spinner baits.

[JustJames]

A lot of things in your setup are not favor for your choice of lure.

First of, curado DC is good reel, but the spool is quite heavy which light lure gonna have a hard time pulling the line out.

Secondly, 12lb mono, I’m not sure which brand but to me it is too big for light Texas rig. You won’t get good distance with large diameter line when casting light lure.

Third, you rod MH. I don’t have experience with. All my MH rod got lure rated of 1/4-1oz, I can cast 1/8oz bullet weight no problem but again it is not get optimally result compare to M or other softer tip rod.

You lure combine should weight almost 3/8 which work well enough for MH rod but the shape of craw will not cast as far as let’s say worm.

You combine all these factors and result is what you see. 

[new2BC4bass]

Far as I can tell that rod is rated for 1/4-3/4 oz. lures.  1/8 oz. bullet weight plus Rage Craw should easily put the total weight within that range.  Is the rod loading good?  Personally have no experience with either that rod or reel.  Listings are a guide.  We all know some rods fish heavy while others fish light.  Which is why I asked if the rod is loading good.  If it isn't, you aren't going to get good distance.   St. Croix rods fish heavy, but I've seen an experienced caster cast below the rod's rating......but the rod whistled on the cast.  That young man has a powerful cast.  Speed (and power) were his friends. 

[JustJames]

St Croix 7’ M/M 1/4-5/8 casting 1/16oz roadrunner (total weight should be almost 3/16oz) with the help of everything else make the cast possible over 30 yds. I didnt even think I can do it myself.
The moderate action help loading the lure plus 7’ can help with more distance, 10lb braid can fly off reel super fast with light lure and light weight shallow spool, all help this cast possible.
 

 

[new2BC4bass]

Nice crappie! 

 

The jig alone looks like at least 5/16 oz. in the first picture.  It is in the second picture that you get a true sense of how large the lure and trailer might be.

[Marc Hufnagel]

On 8/21/2020 at 1:52 PM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

A lot of things in your setup are not favor for your choice of lure.

First of, curado DC is good reel, but the spool is quite heavy which light lure gonna have a hard time pulling the line out.

Secondly, 12lb mono, I’m not sure which brand but to me it is too big for light Texas rig. You won’t get good distance with large diameter line when casting light lure.

Third, you rod MH. I don’t have experience with. All my MH rod got lure rated of 1/4-1oz, I can cast 1/8oz bullet weight no problem but again it is not get optimally result compare to M or other softer tip rod.

You lure combine should weight almost 3/8 which work well enough for MH rod but the shape of craw will not cast as far as let’s say worm.

You combine all these factors and result is what you see. 

The line is 12 trilene xl.   I was looking into trying some braid, maybe 15-20?    By M you mean a moderate-fast I think?

 

On 8/21/2020 at 2:12 PM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

St Croix 7’ M/M 1/4-5/8 casting 1/16oz roadrunner (total weight should be almost 3/16oz) with the help of everything else make the cast possible over 30 yds. I didnt even think I can do it myself.
The moderate action help loading the lure plus 7’ can help with more distance, 10lb braid can fly off reel super fast with light lure and light weight shallow spool, all help this cast possible.
 

 

So the lighter the lure the softer the rod action needs to be correct?  I think I understand, combined with what was said above about 'loading' the road.

On 8/21/2020 at 1:54 PM, new2BC4bass said:

Far as I can tell that rod is rated for 1/4-3/4 oz. lures.  1/8 oz. bullet weight plus Rage Craw should easily put the total weight within that range.  Is the rod loading good?  Personally have no experience with either that rod or reel.  Listings are a guide.  We all know some rods fish heavy while others fish light.  Which is why I asked if the rod is loading good.  If it isn't, you aren't going to get good distance.   St. Croix rods fish heavy, but I've seen an experienced caster cast below the rod's rating......but the rod whistled on the cast.  That young man has a powerful cast.  Speed (and power) were his friends. 

I cannot tell you at the moment about how it was loading - I didn't even know what that term meant until this thread.  I somewhat understand now and will notice when I try to use it again tomorrow.  

[Marc Hufnagel]

So from what I'm reading here if I want to use plastics with this reel, I definitely need to go to a 10/15/20 braid or 8/10 mono to start with?    That's going to be the easiest variable to change, with the rod being a bit harder.  

 

OR I can strictly use the BC with soft plastics with my spinning setup and use this for crankbaits, frogs and spinnerbaits/chatterbaits.  If I want to use the soft plastics with it after trying lighter line - I probably need a softer action rod.  AM I getting closer?

[new2BC4bass]

Hard to give an informed answer while sitting in this chair.  Me trying your combo would yield a better answer.  All I can say is I have used several MHF rods to cast an unweighted 10" ribbontail worm on a 3/0 thru 5/0 hook.  Distance has been pretty good on all.  I really should weigh some now that I have a good scale.  I am guessing total weight will be about 3/8 oz. or a tad more.

 

EDIT:  Forgot to mention that I normally am using 40# braid.  Have 30# braid on one reel.  Definitely wouldn't go 20# or less.  I am fishing in lily pads, etc.

[JustJames]

I think the easiest would be up size your bullet weight to 1/4 or 3/8oz first to start with. You said you adjust spool tension just enough to keep the bird nest away, how tight is that? Try adjust until no side to side play.

You didn’t say about your experience with baitcaster, or if you have any other reel or rod to try.

Dont change anything yet and definitely not 15-20lb braid. Try with other heavier lure and compare the distance. 

BTW what is your rod lure weight? 

[BrianMDTX]

I believe a Rage Craw with a 1/8 oz. bullet weight is within the weight range of your rod. I have a Garcia Black Max with 12 lb YZH on a Daiwa Aird X MH/F rod and I can cast that rig a decent distance. 

[Marc Hufnagel]

I tried a different rod, a BPS carbonlite 2.0 MH/F  3/8-1oz.    On the tension dial just enough so it drops slowly to the ground without a nest.   I've tried the DC brakes on 4,3  and 2 even.   I tried last night with the brakes on 4 and the tension so it would not drop at all and got a nest that is still in the reel after an hour of trying to clean up.  I even handed it to my wife lol.   My BC experience is very little to none to be honest.   I have 10# trilene xl on it now.

[NOC 1]

3 hours ago, Marc Hufnagel said:

I tried a different rod, a BPS carbonlite 2.0 MH/F  3/8-1oz.    On the tension dial just enough so it drops slowly to the ground without a nest.   I've tried the DC brakes on 4,3  and 2 even.   I tried last night with the brakes on 4 and the tension so it would not drop at all and got a nest that is still in the reel after an hour of trying to clean up.  I even handed it to my wife lol.   My BC experience is very little to none to be honest.   I have 10# trilene xl on it now.

I don't have that reel so my help is likely going to be very limited...but one thing I can say is that I would never try to throw that little bait on a MH rod...period. it just isn't going to work.

 

That is the kind of thing I throw with a ML casting rod XF fast tip rated for 1/16-3/8 oz. Or a ML-Regular action tip rated for 1/8-1/2 oz baits.

 

The truth is I usually throw stuff like that when I am Crappie fishing of a L or UL spinning rig. I don't know how well the Curado DC handles light baits, but I do know that the rod is just as important and the MH/F is nowhere near the rod you need...IMO.

 

The rods that you trying to use are the rods I would choose for baits from say 1/2-1 oz. For the tiny stuff you need a free spinning spool and more of a whippy rod.

[iabass8]

A 1/8oz weight + rage craw + 12# mono is more than enough total weight to throw in your setup with ease.....i cast/pitch 1/8oz + plastics on Mh rods and 12# fluoro all the time with no problems. 

[NOC 1]

1 hour ago, iabass8 said:

A 1/8oz weight + rage craw + 12# mono is more than enough total weight to throw in your setup with ease.....i cast/pitch 1/8oz + plastics on Mh rods and 12# fluoro all the time with no problems. 

What is pictured is not something to throw on a MH rod..on the other hand a standard size rage craw is what..about 3/8-oz without a weight or 1/2 oz with an 1/8 oz weight? Yeah that is med or MH territory I'd say. I took it that the OP was trying to throw the crappie rig in the photo.....No, I do not re-read every thread in its entirety when I look at the updates.

[iabass8]

I have no idea what you're talking about.....the OP clearly...in his first post... he's trying to throw a 1/8oz weight + rage craw on a MH rod...hence my comment. This thread has nothing to do with you and your crappie jigs.

[Marc Hufnagel]

3 hours ago, NOC 1 said:

I don't have that reel so my help is likely going to be very limited...but one thing I can say is that I would never try to throw that little bait on a MH rod...period. it just isn't going to work.

 

That is the kind of thing I throw with a ML casting rod XF fast tip rated for 1/16-3/8 oz. Or a ML-Regular action tip rated for 1/8-1/2 oz baits.

 

The truth is I usually throw stuff like that when I am Crappie fishing of a L or UL spinning rig. I don't know how well the Curado DC handles light baits, but I do know that the rod is just as important and the MH/F is nowhere near the rod you need...IMO.

 

The rods that you trying to use are the rods I would choose for baits from say 1/2-1 oz. For the tiny stuff you need a free spinning spool and more of a whippy rod.

Hmm. Back to the drawing board and rethink this I guess.  I want to retain the ability to toss a hollow-body frog though..  

[islandbass]

Stay away from any braid 20# or less unless you’re experienced enough to know the intricacies of said line. If your weight wasn’t stuck to your plastic, that could also add to the casting equation with regard to aerodynamics if your casting mechanics are adequate. If your cover allows for it, step down to lighter line and see if that helps. 

[JustJames]

7 hours ago, Marc Hufnagel said:

I tried a different rod, a BPS carbonlite 2.0 MH/F  3/8-1oz.    On the tension dial just enough so it drops slowly to the ground without a nest.   I've tried the DC brakes on 4,3  and 2 even.   I tried last night with the brakes on 4 and the tension so it would not drop at all and got a nest that is still in the reel after an hour of trying to clean up.  I even handed it to my wife lol.   My BC experience is very little to none to be honest.   I have 10# trilene xl on it now.

Rod rated 3/8-1oz, that stiff like hell. I wouldnt use the rod with light Texas rig. That might be good for heavy jig or frog but nowhere near optimum for 1/8oz Texas rig.

Do you have any friends that fish and can show you around with baitcaster since you don’t really have experience with it. DC reel even a newbie friendly reel but still need some learning curve. 
Stick with your gut using spinning for lighter setup with plastic and keep DC reel for something else might work.

[Marc Hufnagel]

I don't really know anyone else with a BC, a few I know still use closed-face spincast and a couple use spinning outfits.

 

Feel like now I'm in over my head with an area I know very little on.

[NOC 1]

10 hours ago, iabass8 said:

I have no idea what you're talking about.....the OP clearly...in his first post... he's trying to throw a 1/8oz weight + rage craw on a MH rod...hence my comment. This thread has nothing to do with you and your crappie jigs.

I know what you were saying and you know that I was talking about the crappie jigs in the photos. But just accepting that I had already pointed out my mistake wouldn't be nearly so fun for you as would assuming your usual air of sarcastic superiority would it? Pretending to be dense in order to point out how dense I am...does that really work?

[NOC 1]

8 hours ago, Marc Hufnagel said:

Hmm. Back to the drawing board and rethink this I guess.  I want to retain the ability to toss a hollow-body frog though..  

Maybe not. When i posted that I was under the impression that you were trying to throw the little crappie jig in the pictures which would be too light for a MH. 

 

Bigger plastics with bigger weights ought to work fine with a MH. You just have to look at the lure weight that the rod is rated for, and the lure that you are trying to throw and make sure that you are within that range. Some rods might exaggerate a bit on the high or low ends of the scale but all in all if your lure weighs somewhere within the rod's rating you ought to be able to use it reasonably well.

[T-Rick]

On 8/21/2020 at 4:25 PM, Marc Hufnagel said:

No matter what settings I use (dial on 2, 3 or 4) with the tension knob just enough to keep a birds nest away it won't cast it more than maybe 35-45 feet.  

 Hi - I am another new DC reel owner.

 

I would double check to make sure you adjust the spool tension knob correctly as it is not used the same way on a regular baitcaster.  The tension knob should be adjusted to just eliminate spool wiggle.  You shouldn't adjust the tension knob to account for a birds nest.  

[iabass8]

7 hours ago, NOC 1 said:

I know what you were saying and you know that I was talking about the crappie jigs in the photos. But just accepting that I had already pointed out my mistake wouldn't be nearly so fun for you as would assuming your usual air of sarcastic superiority would it? Pretending to be dense in order to point out how dense I am...does that really work?

...what? Did you start a conversation with me Somewhere that I don’t know about…? You quoted me and then referenced your own pictures, which have nothing to do with what I was Talking About.. when I was clearly answering the original poster. I didn’t look at your pictures and nothing I said was even intended to be in relation to whatever you’re talking about. You can call me dense Or whatever floats your boat buddy. I read the post and hit reply. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings by not acknowledging your pictures but I don’t scroll through these to see other replies.

[J Francho]

Is there some private venue you two can take your lovers' quarrel? Otherwise, drop it.

 

For the OP, try the exact same bait and reel on a medium power rod.  I bet it works better for you.