Medium Light Rod and Reel Recommendations?

[Sbpk]

Hey all, 

 

Looking to get a new medium light setup for weightless worms, Ned rigs, dropshotting, lighter lures, etc.

 

Just wanted to know if anyone had any favorites, and mainly wondering if there was a preference between casting vs spinning for this type of setup. I generally prefer casting setups but wanted to hear some opinions! Looking to spend roughly $200 total for rod and reel.

 

Thanks in advance!

[FrnkNsteen]

I like a well balanced spinning setup for those things. I don't have a single ML casting setup. Never understood the struggle to find the right casting setup for light stuff when the right spinning setup works so well,

 

Maybe it's one of those "Because we can" or "Challenge Accepted" kinds of things.

[T-Billy]

28 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Never understood the struggle to find the right casting setup for light stuff when the right spinning setup works so well,

 

No struggle involved.  L or ML casting rod and one of the many BFS reels available these days. The only time I have a spinning rig in my boat anymore is when I'm crappie fishing.

OP: My only ML is the Phenix Feather 7'1". I have the L also. Outstanding rods but a bit above what your looking to spend. I recently purchased a couple Fishband Clamber Hyper Micro BFS reels. $119 at BFS Empire. Outstsanding BFS reel for the $$$. It's very smooth and casting distance is right there with my curado BFS. Unfortunately they're only available in 6 speed currently. If you're good with that, they're a solid buy IMO.

[QED]

28 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

No struggle involved.  L or ML casting rod and one of the many BFS reels available these days. [stuff deleted]

 

Agreed - but when you are looking at cutting edge, very light gear, it isn't likely to be budget friendly.  My favorite ML casting rig:

Shimano 22 Aldebaran BFS XG         4.6 oz

Shimano Poison Adrena 163ML       3.24 oz

[FrnkNsteen]

3 minutes ago, QED said:

 

Agreed - but when you are looking at cutting edge, very light gear, it isn't likely to be budget friendly.  My favorite ML casting rig:

Shimano 22 Aldebaran BFS XG         4.6 oz

Shimano Poison Adrena 163ML       3.24 oz

Right,... That's the point I was trying to make.

 

Just didn't understand the investment to cast something my spinning reels do so well. Before BFS reels came about, it was more of a struggle and looking for custom spools. Just not a path I chose to go down.

 

As for the Phenix Feather,... I have never tried them in casting models, but liked the spinning version I bought so much I bought a second.

 

Actually,.. The truth is my wife used it when she wanted to try a different setup and liked it so much she commandeered it,...  so I went and bought another! ?

[WRB]

I agree for light weight finesse lures 1/8 oz and less go with a spinning combo.

Daiwa and Shimano size 1000, 2000 or 2500 reel within your budget.

Daiwa, Dobyns, MajorCraft, St Croix or Shimano Rods MLF 6’10” to 7’1” within your budget all work.

Next is what line to use? My suggestion is Maxima Ultra Green 5# Copolymer line.

Tom

[Blaine Donders]

My Veritas PLX Tournament 6’10” ML and 7’ Kistler KLX M do these things just fine. I stay under 10# fluoro.

 

For reels I’ve found that my Abu STX’s and 10# fluoro or 20# braid seems to out perform my Daiwa reels at these weights.
 

The Lew’s Pro SP really shines with the light weights, and with 8-10# fluoro, line capacity is fine.

[NYWayfarer]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

I agree for light weight finesse lures 1/8 oz and less go with a spinning combo.

Daiwa and Shimano size 1000, 2000 or 2500 reel within your budget.

Daiwa, Dobyns, MajorCraft, St Croix or Shimano Rods MLF 6’10” to 7’1” within your budget all work.

Next is what line to use? My suggestion is Maxima Ultra Green 5# Copolymer line.

Tom

I agree with all of this. I use a St Croix Bass X 6’10” ML rod paired with a Shimano Vanford 1000 reel. Bit over your budget though. 
 

I like spinning reels with screw in handles so to save some coin on the reel I recommend the Abu Garcia Elite Max 10 

[casts_by_fly]

18 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I like a well balanced spinning setup for those things. I don't have a single ML casting setup. Never understood the struggle to find the right casting setup for light stuff when the right spinning setup works so well,

 

Maybe it's one of those "Because we can" or "Challenge Accepted" kinds of things.

 

I dislike spinning gear for bass and generally.  It doesn't fit well in my rod setup in my kayak either so that limits me more.  I rarely fish anything under a 1/4 oz let alone an eighth, so no issues there.  I agree a $25 spinning combo can throw a light worm far easier and more efficiently than a baitcaster- i just don't like spinning setups.

[bulldog1935]

@Sbpk

There are many people on this forum who fish down to 1/16 on BFS, and many good casting rods made to do the job. 

The important thing is setting up the reel properly. 

My finesse spinning tackle is only fished in the dark, though I fish my BFS in the dark, as well. 

Noteworthy, when set up properly, BFS will out-distance comparable spinning tackle. 

[Tennessee Boy]

If you prefer casting combos then look at BFS.   I mostly use spinning for lite presentations because I’ve been doing it of 40+ years and it works.  There’s more than one way to do just about everything in fishing.  The key is finding what works for you.

[Blaine Donders]

25 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@Sbpk

There are many people on this forum who fish down to 1/16 on BFS, and many good casting rods made to do the job. 

The important thing is setting up the reel properly. 

My finesse spinning tackle is only fished in the dark, though I fish my BFS in the dark, as well. 

Noteworthy, when set up properly, BFS will out-distance comparable spinning tackle. 

I can do this weight without BFS. Under a 1/16oz is where you need BFS.

[bulldog1935]

I was throwing weightless rigs on Ambassadeur 6000 (and could double the distance of two separate guides with their spinning rigs) in the early 80s, but everything depends on what you're trying to get done, and how. 

(imitating winter glass minnows with 2.8 g plug - to 130' - he's hopping off the table and went right back in the channel - targeting seatrout)

I sold my Lew's SP because it wouldn't cast 1/8 oz with Super Duty G, discovered on the water, and proved in specific casting trials.  If distance isn't your goal, that's a different target. The thing about distance, if you have it, you don't have to cast as hard and are naturally more accurate and reliable. 

 

Every statement you can make about why you prefer baitcasters in heavy tackle still applies when you're talking about BFS with lighter tackle. 

[Drawdown]

Wasn’t too long ago I as was in a similar position, and I got lots of recommendations for combos from $95-$190. I ended up spending about $130 on a Shimano Convergence + BPS Carbonlite 2000.
 

It’s been fantastic for drop shot and weedless Texas-rigged stick worms. I’ve also caught fish on a Neko rig with it. Handled this 2.14lb bass great, and you can still whack bluegills when you feel like rigging down to 1/16oz weight lures.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by Drawdown
Delete duplicate

[QED]

43 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

[stuff deleted]

Noteworthy, when set up properly, BFS will out-distance comparable spinning tackle. 

 

Another interesting observation is that a BFS rig can be as light (or lighter) than a comparable spinning rig.  That just continues to amaze me.

[PressuredFishing]

18 minutes ago, QED said:

 

Another interesting observation is that a BFS rig can be as light (or lighter) than a comparable spinning rig.  

Don't tempt me

[WRB]

OP’s budget is $200 so what’s your BFS combo recommendation? 

Tom

[QED]

10 minutes ago, WRB said:

OP’s budget is $200 so what’s your BFS combo recommendation? 

Tom

 

Fair point, but a truly light BFS or spinning rig will blow through that budget constraint, so in either case it's the null set, since I only recommend stuff I've used.

[casts_by_fly]

7 minutes ago, WRB said:

OP’s budget is $200 so what’s your BFS combo recommendation? 

Tom

 

I don't have either of these, but a shimano SLX BFS and a BPS microlite will be close (I think).  The SLX is $150 from digitaka and the microlite casting is $59.  I have the microlite in a spinning rod for trout and they punch above their weight.  The ML casting is rated 1/16-3/8 and is nominally a F action.  Heck, this has me thinking about this combo for myself for trout and panfish.  

[WRB]

Both Daiwa and Shimano offer quality spinning rods and reels in 7’ ML in the $80 price point or $160 combo that have decades of track record of satisfied users. A 1000 to 2000 size reel on 7’ ML spinning rod can cast 1/16 oz crappie jig using 5 lb mono by a new angler.

Casting a 1/16 crappie jig with BFS requires a highly skilled caster using high end tricked out bait casting tackle.

Pro bass anglers use spinning tackle for light weight finesse tournament fishing because it’s reliable under all fishing conditions. The right rod and reel for the application.

Purist BFS anglers can cast light lures, no debate there.

Tom

[RDB]

I agree with @WRB
 

For my style of fishing, BFS is solving for a problem that doesn’t exist…I prefer spinning.  There are several combos of Dobyns & St.Croix rods and Diawa & Shimano reels that will meet your budget.  Stick with a name that has a proven history and you should be good.

[PressuredFishing]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

2 hours ago, WRB said:

 

Casting a 1/16 crappie jig with BFS requires a highly skilled caster using high end tricked out bait casting tackle.

 

 

Yup, and it's such an unfair assertion to say bfs casts further than spinning, jdm spinning line reels and tackle is still selling really well for a reason, and it's not a skill gap

[GetFishorDieTryin]

For the reel the best you can do for the money imo is an Exceler 2500 or 3k.  At 80$ or a little less I dont think any other reel comes close. The handle length is really the deciding factor between sizes since they are virtually same size and weight.  I prefer the shorter handle for finesse applications especially when I'm moving the bait with the reel.  The longer handle is good for catching up to fish to set the hook.  It can make things easier when your using weightless worms or nekos, but it really all comes down to preference.

If it's possible I would recommend stretching your budget another 20-30$ so you could get a Tatula.  Light, sensitive, balanced, great action and comfortable to fish all day they have it all.

If your budget is strict @200$, you can still get a good rod in the 120$ ballpark.  I would reccomend these 3.

13 Omen Black 

Phenix Maxim 

SC Bass X 

 

[coak]

6 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

@Sbpk

There are many people on this forum who fish down to 1/16 on BFS, and many good casting rods made to do the job. 

The important thing is setting up the reel properly. 

Noteworthy, when set up properly, BFS will out-distance comparable spinning tackle. 

Is the last comment down to the guides being tighter and less slap than on spinning guides???? Could someone please enlighten me. 

[Blaine Donders]

5 minutes ago, coak said:

Is the last comment down to the guides being tighter and less slap than on spinning guides???? Could someone please enlighten me. 

It’s the rod loading.