Bottom contact casting setup help

[Jake51823]

Hey all,

 

I have a setup for jigs/t-rigs but it’s really old and all of it cost under $100. I’m looking for something more sensitive and just a huge upgrade in general. 

 

I’m looking for a rod and reel. My budget for both is somewhere around $150ish each. I was looking at the duckett micro magic for the rod, heard some good reviews. Not sure if the type of reel matters for bottom contact. 
 

I also use fluorocarbon and was told that braid will give me more sensitivity so I’m thinking about switching that over as well. 
 

Thoughts or suggestions?  

[new2BC4bass]

Spinning or casting?

[Jake51823]

Just now, new2BC4bass said:

Spinning or casting?

Casting sorry about that. 

[EWREX]

here are a few great options: (you can usually find good deals below msrp on all of them)

 

Rods

daiwa tatula casting rod 7'3" med. heavy ~$159.99 msrp

daiwa tatula elite casting rod 7'3" med. heavy ~$179.99 msrp

dobyns fury casting rod 7'3" med. heavy ~$129.99 msrp

ark invoker pro series casting rod 7' med. heavy ~$149.00 msrp

halo HFX series casting rod 7'3" med. heavy ~$149.99 msrp

 

Reels

daiwa tatula CT casting reel ~$139.99 msrp

daiwa tatula 100 casting reel ~$169.99 msrp

shimano SLX 150 XT casting reel ~$129.99 msrp

shimano curado 200K casting reels ~$189.99 msrp

[dodgeguy]

At sportsmansoutfitters.com 119$ Lew's tournament mp. Mount it on a dobyns Sierra micro or regular for 179$ to 189$.

[new2BC4bass]

Haven't had a chance to use mine yet, but to the above rod list you could add the Ark Tharp 7'3" MHF Money Maker.  I've read that it fishes more towards a Heavy.

 

I'd also add Falcon Lowrider and iRod Genesis III to the list.  The reviews I've read on the Lowrider say it fishes above its price.  Normally Falcons fish a little light.  I'm a big fan of the original Tatula rods.

 

You could consider a Fuego CT reel and add a bit more to the rod cost.  Tackletour gave the new Phenix M1 an Editor's Choice Award.

 

 

[Jake51823]

6 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

At sportsmansoutfitters.com 119$ Lew's tournament mp. Mount it on a dobyns Sierra micro or regular for 179$ to 189$.

Have heard great things about that sierra micro. 

[Mike L]

If you wanted to spend more on the reel,

The entire ARK line is on the same Toray 40ton blank.
The guides and seats dictate the price differences. 
The Lancer Pro is a 100.00 rod that fishes much higher. 
 

@T-Billy and others put me onto them and very pleased. 
 

 

14 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Haven't had a chance to use mine yet, but to the above rod list you could add the Ark Tharp 7'3" MHF Money Maker.  I've read that it fishes more towards a Heavy.

 

  

 

 

 

It does, it’s my next rod. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[dodgeguy]

50 minutes ago, Jake51823 said:

Have heard great things about that sierra micro. 

I have 2. Am getting more.

[KP Duty]

For bottom contact, I'd be focusing mainly on the rod blank.  My pic for a $300 jig/worm rig...

 

Falcon Expert 7'H ($199) w/ Daiwa Fuego CT ($70ish)

 

I'm sure one of those 40T Arks would do well, just never held one.

 

 

    

[FryDog62]

The Phenix Feather 7'1" MH is an extra fast and excellent when using fluorocarbon for 1/4-3/8 Texas-Rigs, jigs.  Great bottom contact rod too with fluoro.  I'd say its 90% as sensitive as my NRX for 1/4 the price. Used to be $149, but up to $159 now although if you can wait for a sale can get it for less. 

[Boomstick]

If you can expand your budget, I would look at a St Croix Victory rod* and a Tatula SV reel (7.3:1 gear ratio). If you have to keep it in budget, look for a deal on a Daiwa Tatula CT on ebay or just go with a Fuego.

 

If you are looking for solely a bottom contact rod, the Full Contact Finesse is great! The other model that would work nicely is The Marshall which will be a little better for moving baits.

[WRB]

Victory 7’1” MHF or 7’3” MHF with Daiwa Tatula 150 reel.

The combo price is appro $360 with 1st buyer* discount 10%

puts you around $320. Excellent rod with top quality and good customer service. Daiwa Tatula 150 reel balance and look great with this rod. The Shimano SLX MGL 70 is another, less line capacity.

Not a fan of braid to leader, suggest straight Sunline Defier Armillo mono or Sniper FC.

Tom

PS, what weight jigs/T-rigs?

* ALF

[Fishingmickey]

Kistler Graphite if you can catch them on sale is a excellent rod that fishes way above it's price point. Falcon Low Rider is another. Regarding line. I will preface this comment with IMHO.  Fluorocarbon transmits slack line bites much better then braid. Braid if it is slack ya got nothing, tight you can feel a fish swim past it. Fluorocarbon is much better for feeling "on the fall" bites (again) IMHO.

FM

[T-Billy]

7 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Haven't had a chance to use mine yet, but to the above rod list you could add the Ark Tharp 7'3" MHF Money Maker.  I've read that it fishes more towards a Heavy

Yep, it does. So does the Offshore Special. I definitely consider them Mag MH's. I've got an even dozen Arks now. Never been happier with a rod purchase than I am with these.

[newapti5]

I'd suggest spend ~$200 on the rod, preferably a Shimano Expride 7'2 MH or a Dobyns Champion, and then spend the rest of budget to get a Tatula. There're many after market spool options for future Daiwa reels upgrades; for an extra $35 you can get a nice finesse spool.  

[Lead Head]

I would also suggest spending more on the rod for bottom contact.  If you choose dobyns, do some research, you may be better off with a H over a MH.

[Catt]

Some of y'all sound like my wife, I set a budget & she immediately wants to up it. 

 

Personally I would buy a quality reel first because with proper maintenance it'll last a lifetime.

 

Lew's Team Lite TLL1SH

Gear ratio 7.5:1 weight 5.6 oz

$240

 

Daiwa TATULA ® XT

TXT711MHXB 7' 1" MH X-Fast 

$100

 

That setup will handle any thing from Neko Rigs to Jig-n-Craws.

[Derek1]

Go to bps and get the carbonlite 2.0 currado k combo for $269. You can pic whatever length and power rod you want. That rod is light, plenty sensitive and super versatile. You’re basically paying $90 for that rod. You really can’t go wrong with that combo. It can do allot of stuff really well. 

[zpelletier]

19 hours ago, WRB said:

with 1st buyer* discount 10%

Gramps10 or tackletalk10 also work