rod/reel for light balsa crankbaits

[07Rapala]

I like to use Rapala Shad Raps and Original Minnows quite a bit, especially early and late in the season or when river/stream fishing. The trouble with these is that they are light its often hard to get much distance.

What do folks here think is the best rod/reel to get the most distance casting these light lures? A rod that would do this well would probably also be good for finesse swimbaits, and other small moving baits.

I was thinking a medium-light, medium action spinning rod would work well... but I'm having a hard time finding a rod in that configuration. Does anyone have a suggestion?

[Hulkster]

the IMX Pro SJR 901 would be awesome for this. I have it and throw all kinds of small light stuff on it with a 1000 Nasci and 6 pound Sufix Siege. 

 

its rated for up to 5/16 oz lures. its pricey but amazballs 

[Eric 26]

@07Rapala I have a 13 fishing fate black spinning rod in med light that I feel would work well for what you’re describing but I’m not sure if they’re available at least not on Tackle Warehouse. Also not sure of what you’re looking to spend but 13 fishing offers the med light in quite a few of there rods.

[Bankc]

Medium-light power in a fast action spinning rod is my choice.   I've got a couple of those rods that I'll use for Shad Raps and similar baits.  Typically, I like a more moderate action rod for cranks, but since you're using a medium light power rod, it still flexes well enough to keep a fish pinned.   So it's a good compromise that allows the rod to do more than just one thing.  These are the same rods I use for Ned rigs, Drop-shots, and wacky rigs.  

[WRB]

2 hours ago, 07Rapala said:

I like to use Rapala Shad Raps and Original Minnows quite a bit, especially early and late in the season or when river/stream fishing. The trouble with these is that they are light its often hard to get much distance.

What do folks here think is the best rod/reel to get the most distance casting these light lures? A rod that would do this well would probably also be good for finesse swimbaits, and other small moving baits.

I was thinking a medium-light, medium action spinning rod would work well... but I'm having a hard time finding a rod in that configuration. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Do you have a budget or ball park price point?

Preferred rod length?

Your site name 07Rapala indicates a 1/8 oz lure, you want to think about bass size lures F11 or F13....

 

Tom

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I used to spam shad raps from late fall to march and have found a ML to be optimal.  For the hell of it I tried using a 9' ML Dialuna, 4k with 8lb x9 to get better distance and it works good, probably about another 20ft avg in ideal conditions, but its just not a practical outfit for anything but sand or open jetty.  

I find 7' or 7'1 to be optimal.  A longer rod will help with distance if the action is right, but in any kind of wind a shad rap loses its momentum so fast a longer rod doesn't give you much of any advantage. 

 

[FrnkNsteen]

For light Shad Raps, Rapala Original Floating Minnow, jointed minnows, early Husky Jerks or Smithwick Rogues, I often threw them on spinning reels due to their likelihood of tumbling in the air and causing backlashes.

 

You can really zing those out there with the right spinning rod (ML or M) without having to even think of over-runs.

[07Rapala]

17 hours ago, WRB said:

Your site name 07Rapala indicates a 1/8 oz lure, you want to think about bass size lures F11 or F13....

The user name is more about nostalgia. I still regularly throw #9's and #11's, which are still pretty darn light.

I am afraid that IMX Pro is way outside my budget. I want to keep it under $200. The 13 Fishing rod looks closer, but I can't find the specs if it's a fast or a medium-fast.

 

A few months back I bought a Denali Kovert 7'6" medium-medium specifically for this purpose as it was rated down to a 1/8oz lure. However, I have found that to be a bit of a stretch, it is firmly a medium power rod and really more of a medium-fast action. It's a great jerk bait rod, but no better at tossing the Rapalas than the rods I already had.

Living in WI, I have a fondness for St. Croix Rods. Their Premier fast-action rods have a pretty soft tip, so in absence of a true medium-light power, medium action rod, maybe I just pick up a medium-light Premier and call it a day? I already have a ML extra-fast Victory rod which does toss the Rapalas fairly well as well, but usually when I'm using finesse jigs on that one I want to be using the Rapalas at the same time.

[Crankin4Bass]

Why not just get another ML XF Victory rod? You already like the one you have.

[WRB]

21 hours ago, 07Rapala said:

I like to use Rapala Shad Raps and Original Minnows quite a bit, especially early and late in the season or when river/stream fishing. The trouble with these is that they are light its often hard to get much distance.

What do folks here think is the best rod/reel to get the most distance casting these light lures? A rod that would do this well would probably also be good for finesse swimbaits, and other small moving baits.

I was thinking a medium-light, medium action spinning rod would work well... but I'm having a hard time finding a rod in that configuration. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Do you have a budget or ball park price point?

Tom

The VTS610MLFS rod has a noddle tip not suited for finesse jigs imo. The VTS73MXF is rated 3/16 oz but this rods tip will do what you are looking for imo.

Tom

[FishTank]

Not exactly in the budget but the Megabass P5 Six Eleven is sort of a do all ML rod. I have thrown both light soft plastic and shad raps on this rod. The issue is the reel. You would probably need a BFS reel if you want to throw the 1/8oz version.  Otherwise, I would go to spinning gear. The Six Eleven can be had for around $300 if you order JDM.

 

On a side note, I find the Shad Rap one of the harder baits to cast. There's just something about it. 

 

Good luck.