Look here for ML baitcasting rods

[blanked]

I cant stand spinning reels, rods.  Here in Texas on the gulf coast its all about ML baitcasters.  There are lots of rod builders specializing in them for 6-12 pound test 1/8 oz lures.  
 

laguna rods, and Waterloo are two of them.  Love them for river smallies

[FryDog62]

I use two ML baitcasting rods a fair amount - Phenix Feather 7’1” MLF and a 6’10” MXF MajorCraft Don Iovino which I would classify as an ML.  Have thought about custom build 7’6”-8’0” ML for lighter hair jigs.  

[diehardbassfishing]

If I had a nickle for every bass guide that said "you can't cast this finesse worm on a baitcaster!".

 

(I travel bass fishing. Don't own a boat. Experience with a lot of different bodies of water, with many great guides!)

 

Then hear them say, "I'd wouldn't have believed a baitcast set-up could do that".

I laugh and say I can throw a feather into the wind!

 

I'm a died in the wool baitcaser. My passion exaggerated by becoming a reel builder. I'll never own a spinning reel. Just don't like 'em. Really don't need 'em.

 

 

Karl

[Michigander]

1 hour ago, diehardbassfishing said:

If I had a nickle for every bass guide that said "you can't cast this finesse worm on a baitcaster!".

 

(I travel bass fishing. Don't own a boat. Experience with a lot of different bodies of water, with many great guides!)

 

Then hear them say, "I'd wouldn't have believed a baitcast set-up could do that".

I laugh and say I can throw a feather into the wind!

 

I'm a died in the wool baitcaser. My passion exaggerated by becoming a reel builder. I'll never own a spinning reel. Just don't like 'em. Really don't need 'em.

 

 

Karl

How do you build a reel? 

[diehardbassfishing]

A Reel Builder is someone accomplished in teardowns, troubleshooting, repairing, and customizing.

 

Often a builder has started with classic Abu Garcia Ambassadeurs. They have many common parts across the line. Even more important, different parts that fit across the line.

 

Example - taking a 5000 series Ambassadeur and building it into a narrow 4000. Requires a change in chassis, spool, spool shaft, level wind worm gear, and level wind shroud. Not a huge job, but have to know what to do, and exactly what parts are needed. And where to get them.

 

This leads to various mods on reels across different manufacturers. Spools, bearings, bling. Bigger mods also come into play, like adding mag breaking to a reel that has only centrifugal brakes. Again, another mod done on classic Abu reels.

 

I've modded Daiwa mag force reels to quiet them down on cast. I've found the fiber washer under the bearing in the sideplate commonly doesn't add enough pressure to the bearing under the clip to prevent side to side motion. Allowing vibration. The noise created varies from just noticeable to ugly. I've made custom washers using a rubber tire inner tube. Leather punches work great for this job. Once in place behind the bearing, the reel is silent.

 

Reel building in a nutshell.

 

 

Karl

 

 

[Michigander]

1 hour ago, diehardbassfishing said:

A Reel Builder is someone accomplished in teardowns, troubleshooting, reparing, and customizing.

 

Often a builder has started with classic Abu Garcia Ambassadeurs. They have many common parts across the line. Even more important, different parts that fit across the line.

 

Example - taking a 5000 series Ambassadeur and building it into a narrow 4000. Requires a change in chassis, spool, spool shaft, level wind worm gear, and level wind shroud. Not a huge job, but have to know what to do, and exactly what parts are needed. And where to get them.

 

This leads to various mods on reels across different manufacturers. Spools, bearings, bling. Bigger mods also come into play, like adding mag breaking to a reel that has only centrifugal brakes. Again, another mod done on classic Abu reels.

 

I've modded Daiwa mag force reels to quiet them down on cast. I've found the fiber washer under the bearing in the sideplate commonly doesn't add enough pressure to the bearing under the clip to prevent side to side motion. Allowing vibration. The noise created varies from just noticeable to ugly. I've made custom washers using a rubber tire inner tube. Leather punches work great for this job. Once in place behind the bearing, the reel is silent.

 

Reel building in a nutshell.

 

 

Karl

 

 

Oh ok, that makes sense. Thanks!

 

Got excited for a minute hoping there was a whole world of custom reel builders out there similar to rod builders or at least a niche DIY fabrication group, lol.

 

, 

[Bluebasser86]

I had a Fenwick ML 7' casting rod. Didn't like it, just sold it to a friend who bought it to give to his son for his highschool tournaments to use for a small crankbait rod. It was a nice rod, but I like spinning rods for light baits so it wasn't getting used at all and when it was I spent the whole time thinking I could be more effective with a spinning rod in my hand.

[KCFinesse]

As a cost effective option, the lew's tp1 speed sticks in 6'8" have been a good casting rod choice for me as a light shakey and ned rod. It's a topwater/jerkbait rod but the action is still crisp enough for plastics.

[roadwarrior]

17 minutes ago, KCFinesse said:

As a cost effective option, the lew's tp1 speed sticks in 6'8" have been a good casting rod choice for me as a light shakey and ned rod. It's a topwater/jerkbait rod but the action is still crisp enough for plastics.

 

Well, at one time we all probably had one "fishing pole".

 

[Junk Fisherman]

What reel are you putting on a ML baitcasting rod and what lb line are you using?   What techniques are you using it for?  Unless you just don't physically like use a spinning combo, what does a finesse baitcasting combo do better than a comparable spinning combo?  I am I trying to see if a ML baitcaster combo would be more effective than what I already have.   

[BZNY]

I just bought a Curado 70 MGL K and am going to pair with an ALX Zolo Twitch (ML 6'8).  

 

Should be good enough to throw baits on the lighter side.  The reel hasn't arrived yet, so we'll see how it goes when it gets here.

[bulldog1935]

On 12/20/2020 at 5:51 PM, Junk Fisherman said:

What reel are you putting on a ML baitcasting rod and what lb line are you using?   What techniques are you using it for?  Unless you just don't physically like use a spinning combo, what does a finesse baitcasting combo do better than a comparable spinning combo?  I am I trying to see if a ML baitcaster combo would be more effective than what I already have.   

I can give you one advantage - any time instant retrieve is an advantage, baitcaster is superior to spinning tackle.  

Here throwing (light) weighted lures in skinny grass to redfish.  

 

A second advantage to baitcaster is accurate casting.  While manual bail habits make it easier to feather outgoing line from your spinning reel, there's nothing like thumb on a baitcaster for modulating cast distance.  

 

I'll put in a plug for my 7'1" Omen Green ML - I was able to fish 1/8-oz on Lew's Custom Inshore with 12-lb fluoro, but shallow spool reels do this job better with braid.  Toray graphite rod, very light in hand, very fast with a softer tip.  

I'll also put in a plug for 13Fishing warranty support.  The only rod I've ever broken (in 50 years).  But it was a high-stick reaction set - I was lifting the lure out of the water when a red snagged it at the boat - the redfish exploded and so did the rod - still landed him.  I considered it abuse and called expecting a discount replacement.  They said it was warranty and sent me a new rod.  

[jimmyjoe]

   St. Croix has a 7' ML/M Mojo Inshore that's 1/8-1/2, and they did have (up until this year) a Mojo Inshore and a Tidemaster that were both 7' L/M 1/8-3/8. Powell has the Endurance 724CB, which they rate as M/MF and 1/8-1/2. I would cal it a ML and treat it as such.

   I've heard that Daiwa has a rod in the Rebellion line that's ML, but I haven't seen it and don't know anything about it. Neither have I seen the Phenix Feather ML/F.

   The rod that I had made uses a Batson IP963F blank, which  I have seen listed variously as a M power or a ML power. If someone wanted to call it a ML, I sure wouldn't argue with them. Oh, and BTW ....... I love that rod.    ??     jj

[Mat_ski]

On 12/19/2020 at 7:01 PM, diehardbassfishing said:

If I had a nickle for every bass guide that said "you can't cast this finesse worm on a baitcaster!".

 

and if I had a nickle for every thread that turns into spinning vs casting for finesse...

 

New Fenwick Techna has a ML casting rod; Shimano Expride and Zodias lines have one as well; Major craft has at least two in each of their lines; Daiwa Rebellion has one; Legit Design/arundel has one; Megabass P5 has couple; St. Croix has few accross their lines. Plenty of ML casting rods out there and I am sure if one searched a little harder there are plenty in '<$100' department. 

[Junk Fisherman]

2 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

All the advantages a baitcast reel has over a spinning reel still apply when using a baitcast reel instead of a spinning reel.  Things don't suddenly change because we are working with baits below 1/4 oz.  Why would anyone use a baitcast reel over a spinning reel for any bass baits?

 

I understand that but are all those advantages still important?  With light lines, the power advantage of a baitcaster is mitigated.  You're not going to do a big hooksets.  Pitching would obviously be an advantage with a mL baitcaster but what kind of distance are you getting with a 1/8th oz presentation?  I can see with traditional largemouth fishing that the accuracy with a baitcaster being an advantage over a spinning rig.  Personally, for my open water smallmouth fishing I am rarely needing to hit narrow pockets.  I do wonder how casting light line and backlashes would be on the baitcaster.  Are you using braid?  What pound?  I'm not trying to be argumentative.  I like both baitcasters and spinning combos.  I'm just wondering if it's worth it for me to get a finesse baitcaster.  I am intrigued.  

[diehardbassfishing]

1 hour ago, Junk Fisherman said:

Are you using braid?  What pound?  I'm not trying to be argumentative.  I like both baitcasters and spinning combos.  I'm just wondering if it's worth it for me to get a finesse baitcaster.  I am intrigued.  

 

12 lb fluorocarbon typically.

8 lb would be perhaps more in line for finesse.

If baitcasters are something you are really into - or wish to - I'd highly recommend it. I get tons of satisfaction throwing light plastics - at distance - using baitcasters!

 

 

Karl

 

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, Junk Fisherman said:

With light lines, the power advantage of a baitcaster is mitigated.

 

   True, true. But I'm not using light line. I wouldn't even consider it. The biggest advantage of casting reels is efficiency and utility  with heavier lines. Even going so far as the UL casting rod I use, I spool 8 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid or 8 lb. Stren. Maximum is 12 lb. InvizX, and I can still cast a Rebel Teeny Wee-R and get decent accuracy and decent distance. If I were a good caster, I might get better results, but I'm not a good caster.      jj

[waymont]

On 12/19/2020 at 6:48 PM, FryDog62 said:

6’10” MXF MajorCraft Don Iovino

HEllo

 

What type of presentations would you use this rod for? Line size?

[FryDog62]

11 minutes ago, waymont said:

HEllo

 

What type of presentations would you use this rod for? Line size?

Many things you can use it for, I have it paired with a Daiwa Alphas SV . Here are some more common examples:

 

•Ned rig with 20 lb Sufix 832 + 7 lb Sniper leader

 

•Neko with 20 lb Sufix 832 and 10 lb Berkley fluoro

 

•3/8 oz Mimic Minnow Spin or 1/4 oz Chatterbait Mini on 8 lb Fluoro

or Yo-Zuri Hybrid

[FryDog62]

52 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Many things you can use it for, I have it paired with a Daiwa Alphas SV . Here are some more common examples:

 

•Ned rig with 20 lb Sufix 832 + 7 lb Sniper leader

 

•Neko with 20 lb Sufix 832 and 10 lb Berkley fluoro

 

•3/8 oz Mimic Minnow Spin or 1/4 oz Chatterbait Mini on 8 lb Fluoro

or Yo-Zuri Hybrid

Also, 1/10 oz Z-Man Finesse Shroomz jig head with a 4 inch Biwaa Armored Craw.  Never had a light lure skip as well as this set up! 

[NOC 1]

1 hour ago, waymont said:

 

On 12/19/2020 at 6:48 PM, FryDog62 said:

 a 6’10” MXF MajorCraft Don Iovino which I would classify as an ML.

 

1 hour ago, waymont said:

HEllo

 

What type of presentations would you use this rod for? Line size?

 

Sounds like a great choice for top water stick baits.

[Junk Fisherman]

This thread has ended up me costing a couple hundred dollars.  The more I think about it, a finesse baitcasting setup would be ideal for pitching dropshots.  A lot of the water I fish locally is steel breakwalls and pitching with a baitcaster would be much, much more accurate than casting or pitching with a spinning combo.  Plus, I am pitching a lot of finesse baits during the spawn.  I'm sure I'll find other uses for it.  

[FryDog62]

29 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

This thread has ended up me costing a couple hundred dollars.  The more I think about it, a finesse baitcasting setup would be ideal for pitching dropshots.  A lot of the water I fish locally is steel breakwalls and pitching with a baitcaster would be much, much more accurate than casting or pitching with a spinning combo.  Plus, I am pitching a lot of finesse baits during the spawn.  I'm sure I'll find other uses for it.  

We are all here of course to serve the bait monkey... and so I feel compelled

to give you an expensive suggestion.  
 

As I have drop-shotted more and more with a baitcaster, I have gravitated towards using a Daiwa Tatula Elite and save the SV reels for plastics.  The line really comes off the Elite spool very smoothly and easily feathers that little extra line you want to feed towards the lure at times.  It’s subtle but if you do it enough those little nuances are nice. 

Sorry, the Monkey calls...

[Junk Fisherman]

8 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

We are all here of course to serve the bait monkey... and so I feel compelled

to give you an expensive suggestion.  
 

As I have drop-shotted more and more with a baitcaster, I have gravitated towards using a Daiwa Tatula Elite and save the SV reels for plastics.  The line really comes off the Elite spool very smoothly and easily feathers that little extra line you want to feed towards the lure at times.  It’s subtle but if you do it enough those little nuances are nice. 

Sorry, the Monkey calls...

I'll have to check that out.  I am a Daiwa guy and I was thinking the Tatula 100. After looking at the reviews, the Tatula Elite looks fantastic.  And just a couple months ago after I bought a Steez AG I said I was done buying tackle for the year.  

 

 

[Spoons]

1 hour ago, Junk Fisherman said:

I'll have to check that out.  I am a Daiwa guy and I was thinking the Tatula 100. After looking at the reviews, the Tatula Elite looks fantastic.  And just a couple months ago after I bought a Steez AG I said I was done buying tackle for the year.  

 

 

My tatula ct handles lighter line very well too. Don't think its enough for me to want to make the change to a baitcaster for finesse fishing but that's just me.