What kind of lures should i be using?

[ufcBigtex]

I have a M/F spinning set up and a M/F baitcaster set up (was MH/F but i broke it and got a second hand M/F airdx for 25$.) I plan to eventually make the baitcaster a MH/F set up for frogs and heavy lures. Im new to fishing sorry,

I dont really understand lure weights. Do i just follow the rod guidelines? If it says 1/4 is that without a trailer attached to the jig? 

What weight ned rig heads and swim jogs should i buy? I understand that with these poles i can only throw ned rigs, wacky, drop shots etc. no top water action because the pole is not strong enough, I will EVENTUALLY get a MH

[Eric 26]

My favorite rods currently are med/fast 7’-0” casting rods that I use at my local retention ponds and my 2 favorite lures are a bladed jig mini max in 1/4 ounce and a 1/4 ounce Strike King bitsy bug. Those 2 lures are always my go to starter lures.

[ufcBigtex]

3 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

My favorite rods currently are med/fast 7’-0” casting rods that I use at my local retention ponds and my 2 favorite lures are a bladed jig mini max in 1/4 ounce and a 1/4 ounce Strike King bitsy bug. Those 2 lures are always my go to starter lures.

thanks alot for the reply! 

what should i be using on my BC vs my spinner seeing as they are both same style of rod. 

or can i basically do everything equally on both?

[softwateronly]

@ufcBigtex there's lots of baits you can try out with what you have.  The largest swimbaits are certainly out of the question and frogs might be challenging to hookup, but as you get familiar with various baits, your water, and how you like to fish, it'll help inform you for your next rod purchase.  Try to keep an open mind, take note of what, where, and when you get bites, and add to your knowledge. 

In general, the weight range listed on the rod is for total bait weight, and the middle of that range is where the rod excels.  That said, every manufacturer has different standards and I frequently test the limits that are labeled and find some success at the extreme limits or even outside the stated range.  If you're pushing the upper stated limits, it's good practice to start with a gentle lob cast to get the feel if the rod can support what you're doing.  Good luck!

 

scott

[ufcBigtex]

4 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

@ufcBigtex there's lots of baits you can try out with what you have.  The largest swimbaits are certainly out of the question and frogs might be challenging to hookup, but as you get familiar with various baits, your water, and how you like to fish, it'll help inform you for your next rod purchase.  Try to keep an open mind, take note of what, where, and when you get bites, and add to your knowledge. 

In general, the weight range listed on the rod is for total bait weight, and the middle of that range is where the rod excels.  That said, every manufacturer has different standards and I frequently test the limits that are labeled and find some success at the extreme limits or even outside the stated range.  If you're pushing the upper stated limits, it's good practice to start with a gentle lob cast to get the feel if the rod can support what you're doing.  Good luck!

 

scott

hey scott thank you so much for the quick detailed reply.

I really enjoy poppers and crankbaits. assuming im within weight range, what lure would be more appropriate with each type of reel? like would i do crankbaits on baitcaster and popper on spinning reel?

[softwateronly]

1 hour ago, ufcBigtex said:

I really enjoy poppers and crankbaits. assuming im within weight range, what lure would be more appropriate with each type of reel? like would i do crankbaits on baitcaster and popper on spinning reel?

 

 

1 hour ago, ufcBigtex said:

what should i be using on my BC vs my spinner seeing as they are both same style of rod. 

or can i basically do everything equally on both?

 

Without specifics, I'd lean cranks and poppers both toward casting, but spinning can certainly do it.  You're gonna be in a good position to compare how labels might be the same, but the rods behave differently in terms of the blanks chosen for either the casting or spinning or them being different manufacturers or even different series within the same manufacturer.  For me, I'd prefer to fish baits where the bait is moved with the reel on casting, and baits that I move with the rod on spinning, but it's just the starting point either can work.

 

scott

 

[Scott F]

True Ned rigs use very light, 1/8 oz jigs or less which may be too light for a medium spinning reel, but heavier jigs will catch fish too. I throw top water baits on my medium spinning reels a lot, but heavier baits like a Whopper Plopper are best suited for a bait caster. Lots of shallow running crankbaits can be used with spinning gear, while deep running baits have a lot more resistance and are tougher to retrieve on spinning tackle. As has already been said, use the weight rating on the rod as a guide, then experiment on your own to see how the rods fish with different lures. 

[WRB]

Welcome to BR Bigtex I assume you are located in Texas?

Can you add the spinning reel size; ie 2500 and line type and size?  Same with bait casting. Helps to answer your inquiry.

Lure weights are ball park and jigs don’t include the hook, skirt or trailer.

Tom

[MediumMouthBass]

6 hours ago, ufcBigtex said:

I dont really understand lure weights. Do i just follow the rod guidelines? If it says 1/4 is that without a trailer attached to the jig? 

Alright you have a Medium Aird X (which are very underrated rods, fantastic for the money!) so its rated 1/4-3/4 ounce.

There really isnt a minimum as depending on the way you cast, what line used, and the reel its paired to can go even lower.

The maximum is the one you want to pay attention to, because no matter what line or reel you use that wont change.

 

Here is where some math is involved, 3/4 is the total the rod is recommended to be used with.

And almost all soft plastics for bass weigh around 3/8 (like senkos and creature baits, but smaller craws, and swimbaits will be less), now say you pair that with a 3/8oz weight for a Texas rig. You are currently shy of 3/4oz. But with a 3/8oz jig that has a skirt you will be at max or overloading the ratings since it weighs more than what they state, as they only weigh the lead.

5 hours ago, ufcBigtex said:

what should i be using on my BC vs my spinner seeing as they are both same style of rod. 

The Aird X in medium goes farther than most other brands mediums. They usually stop at 1/2oz, this one goes to 3/4. This rod even goes farther than a Lews rod i just bought thats a medium heavy, goes up to 5/8.

Unless you have a reel with an MGl spool (Shimano) or SV spool (Daiwa) you will have a hard time throwing lighter stuff like ned rigs (since the most common size is 1/16 ounce for ned jig heads). For ned rigs 1/8 or heavier a casting combo may work.

4 hours ago, ufcBigtex said:

I really enjoy poppers and crankbaits. assuming im within weight range, what lure would be more appropriate with each type of reel? like would i do crankbaits on baitcaster and popper on spinning reel?

Most medium casting rods (and reels too) however can usually cast poppers, as long as they are 3/8oz or more. Crankbaits will work great on this rod as well, just have your drag a little loose or else the bass may come unhooked.

[ufcBigtex]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

Welcome to BR Bigtex I assume you are located in Texas?

Can you add the spinning reel size; ie 2500 and line type and size?  Same with bait casting. Helps to answer your inquiry.

Lure weights are ball park and jigs don’t include the hook, skirt or trailer.

Tom

Actually im from texas but i live in central FL currently!

currently have a dawai fugeo baitcaster and a 7 foot meduim with 30 pound braid.
and a dawia regal 2500 7 foot medium and i have 20 pound braid