Dedicated Soft Plastics Casting Rod

[offsidewing]

Hello All,

 

I'm looking to do with a dedicated unweighted soft plastics casting rod.  It will be chucking Fat Ikas, 5/6 inch Senkos, and the occasional fluke.  Mostly the 3/8 to 1/2 oz total weight on 10 - 12 lb fluro.  

 

I was thinking of a Kistler 70LMH rod with the fast tip or something like a St Croix Legend X 610MXF.

 

Looking for suggestions too.

Thanks.

[Bigbox99]

I like a little slower rod for weightless plastics.  I use a 72M Zodias gen 1 and a 73MH Tatula Elite gen 1.  Both rods are very similar and basically have the same action, tip and cast the same with the Tatula having more power deeper into the rod.  12# Sniper on the Zodias and 14# Sniper on the Tatula Elite.  If I were to do it all over again I would get a 610M Shimano rod like a PA or Expride.  I really like that stiffer slower Shimano medium for 3/8 to 1/2 oz weightless plastics and the shorter length would help with all the dock skipping I do.  I would put a Zillion on it with 12# Sniper and make it my jerkbait rod and shallow cranking rod early season then transition to soft jerkbaits and dock skipping weightless plastics.  

 

This is my primary weightless plastics setup pictured here pulling double duty with a flatside crank.  It has an aftermarket SV spool to aid in skipping.

[JHoss]

I've used a 7' MF Abu Garcia Veritas (can't remember if it's the PLX or LTD) and was pretty happy with it. I didn't love it for some of the heavy plastics like the Yamatunuki as I could throw those on a MH just fine. 

[FishTank]

Based on price and quality,  I'd go with the St. Croix Legend X. Omnia has it on sale if you are a Pro Member, $329.

[dk2429]

Falcon Cara. Not sure which model to recommend you because I don’t have one for that technique. I’m sure you can find that answer here though 

 

Or call Falcon and talk to Adrian. Dude is top notch and will get you setup well 

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

7 minutes ago, dk2429 said:

Falcon Cara. Not sure which model to recommend you because I don’t have one for that technique. I’m sure you can find that answer here though 

 

Or call Falcon and talk to Adrian. Dude is top notch and will get you setup well 

 

 

 

Either the 6'10" Finesse jig or the 7'2" Swim jig.  Both are 5-power with light tips and both well suited for weightless plastics.  

[dk2429]

16 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

Either the 6'10" Finesse jig or the 7'2" Swim jig.  Both are 5-power with light tips and both well suited for weightless plastics.  

when I  have the urge to get another rod the swim jig will likely be next. Not sure what I’d use it for but I hear how awesome they are 

[casts_by_fly]

59 minutes ago, dk2429 said:

when I  have the urge to get another rod the swim jig will likely be next. Not sure what I’d use it for but I hear how awesome they are 

 

it's a great rod. Mine currently has a swim jig tied on, but I like it as a lighter texas rig rod also.  It's also been called the best rattle trap rod in the falcon lineup and if you're throwing mono/fluoro I can see that.  And it you like braid for your topwaters it makes for a great 1/2 oz walking bait rod (again, if you like longer rods for that which I don't).  

[Rockhopper]

I use the 7'1" mojo bass "plastics" rod for this exact purpose.  It works incredibly well as used.

[WRB]

Have you looked at Okuma X series casting rods? 

Tom

[MRQturbo]

P5 xbites or nrx plus 893c are two rods I use... 

[LonnieP]

LMH Kistler Helium would be perfect for those.

[woolleyfooley]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

Have you looked at Okuma X series casting rods? 

Tom

This is one I’m interested in. I was curious about the 7’3 medium fast as a senko/fluke rod.

[DogBone_384]

10 hours ago, offsidewing said:

I was thinking of a Kistler 70LMH rod

 

If you go Kistler (Helium, I assume), consider a 7'3" MH.  I own it and a 7' LMH and find them interchangeable in your weight range.  I believe it's the extra 3" on the MH.  I'll use my LMH for tubes, Senkos, etc. when I have a 3/8 oz jig on my MH.  I'll use my HMH when I throw 1/2 oz jigs, freeing up my MH for the plastics.

 

Best of luck.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It depends on the cover you’re fishing as well. Docks, rocks, scattered grass, med power fast action caters toward lighter line and a little more finesse. Around wood, thicker grass most mh will throw those. Keep in mind Med and MH are subjective terms. 

[Drew03cmc]

22 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

Either the 6'10" Finesse jig or the 7'2" Swim jig.  Both are 5-power with light tips and both well suited for weightless plastics.  

That 6'10 5 power is a good bladed jig rod for any bait below 1/2oz too. It loads up and let's them eat it well. I'm using an Ark Cobb 7'MH for all of those presentations right now. It has the right taper, right power. 

[IYAOYAS]

I'm a bit heavy handed with my hooksets so I like a little softer rod than a medium heavy. My fluke rod is a 7'3 medium fast.

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, Drew03cmc said:

That 6'10 5 power is a good bladed jig rod for any bait below 1/2oz too. It loads up and let's them eat it well. I'm using an Ark Cobb 7'MH for all of those presentations right now. It has the right taper, right power. 

 

Agreed.  I initially bought it as a 1/2 oz walking bait rod and it’s really good for that.  But that’s a situational deal for me so I loaded it up with chatterbaits that first year.  It will throw a 1/2 oz with trailer, but that’s pushing it a little depending on the trailer.  The 3/8 size (or even 1/4) is perfect.  Same with spinnerbaits.  It’s a machine with a 3/8 spinnerbait.  I currently have it loaded up for early season jerkbaits and it’s a pretty good choice for that too.  It is the baitcaster I grab if I only want to take one rod pond hopping.  

[NorthernBasser]

Something to think about. Awesome Fluke rod and so much more. I don't have the exact production model. I ended up picking up a custom shop one with a full carbon handle. But I'm sure they fish the same. 

 

https://alxrods.com/collections/zolo/products/zolo-dream-7-medium-fast-casting

[offsidewing]

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone.  I ended up going with the Okuma X 7'3 Medium Fast.  

 

Should be great for chucking plastics in little to no cover.

[woolleyfooley]

1 hour ago, offsidewing said:

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone.  I ended up going with the Okuma X 7'3 Medium Fast.  

 

Should be great for chucking plastics in little to no cover.

Congrats! Please be sure to post your impressions once you get it!

[dk2429]

Those Okuma rods seem to be getting pretty popular. It's surprising to me because I didn't know Okuma made rods of that magnitude. I've always seen them as the stuff you buy at Walmart when you're first starting out. Let us know how it is! I'm curious