"Finesse" Baitcasting Set-up??

[twitchfish]

Do you keep a finesse baitcasting set-up? Do I need a finesse baitcasting set-up?

I drop-shot with a Sedona/Mojo "Wacky-Style", and throw wacky rigs and some other weightless stuff with it too.

I throw some lighter weight T-rigs (1/16 oz and add the weight of the plastic) on a Quantum PT and a 6'6"Medium/Moderate Cherrywood and more with a BlackMax on a 7'0"Diawa Medium/ Fast.

I live and fish in Bloomington and most of Central IL, so not really big fish waters nor do they tend to have alot of really heavy cover.  I also bank fish 99.5% of the time, .5% is the rare falling in.

What other applications would a "finesse" baitcasting set-up give me? (Other than maybe if I stumbled on a smaller Calcutta it would look REALLY cool).

Thanks for your help because I am not really sure if I want to be talked into or out of another rig, ya know what I mean?

Twitch

[Catt]

I have a Calcutta 50 that I use to throw weightless T-rigs & wacky worms

[BigBassGuy]

About as finesse as I go with a baitcaster is a weightless senko (texas  and wacky) Anything lighter than that I don't feel like I have the accuracy and sense as I do with a spinning reel.

[twitchfish]

Catt, what rod do you have it on and what line? Is there a specific reason you throw that one? Special circumstance?

When I feel the need to finesse 'em, I usually go to the spinning rig now.  Is there a benefit to having a baitcaster for this, I think is the question?

Thanks

[Catt]

Castaway CSB66 Medium Heavy Bait Cast

Length: 6' 6

Line Class: 8 to 14 lbs.

Lure Weight: ¼ oz to 5/8 oz.

Action: Extra Fast

Berkeley Big Game 12#

Why?

Because I can not throw a spinning reel to save my life; I'm to stubborn and hard headed to learn

[burleytog]

About as finesse as I go with a baitcaster is a weightless senko (texas and wacky) Anything lighter than that I don't feel like I have the accuracy and sense as I do with a spinning reel.

So you don't throw anything lighter than 7/16 oz. (weight of 5" Senko and a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook) on casting tackle?

[burleytog]

A Calcutta 50 or Daiwa Pixy and the appropriate rod is all the 'finesse' you need.

My Calzilla 50/Fenwick 6'6 HMG M will toss an 1/8 oz. spinnerbait as far as I need to throw it.  Really shines with light balsa crankbaits as well.

[Crestliner2008]

What is the point of not using spinning equipment for finesse presentations? I know a lot of you folks just "like" baitcasting equipment - and I do too at times, but it just doesn't make any sense to me when finessing. JMO!

[BigBassGuy]

About as finesse as I go with a baitcaster is a weightless senko (texas and wacky) Anything lighter than that I don't feel like I have the accuracy and sense as I do with a spinning reel.

So you don't throw anything lighter than 7/16 oz. (weight of 5" Senko and a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook) on casting tackle?

I guess my idea of finesse is a little different that yours. I pitch 1/4oz jig-n-pigs A TON but I don't really consider that to be a finesse tactic.

I don't believe weight of the lure has anything to do with if it is a finesse lure or not, its the speed at which you work it that considers it 'finesse'.

Slow presentations don't work well for me when using a baitcaster.

[Blade-Runner]

I'm contemplating the same set-up you are (and re-evaluating what I'm using currently)...

I am going w/ my Daiwa Viento 6:3.1 and I'm leaning towards the St. Croix 6'8" M/XF in the Avid or Legend Tournament Series (not based on the internet celebrities' opinions around here - on my own test/tune). It's hard getting that right fit for a "finesse" baitcasting setup that isn't so technique and lure weight-specific that it borders on your heavy-cover gear yet isn't light enough to be cause for using your spinning rods.

I'm going to use the Viento I already own w/ 12-lb. Berkley 100% Fluoro and either the aforementioned St. Croix's or the 6'7" Falcon MH/XF Cara or Lowrider. Irrespective, I want a strong, light(er) rod but a fast, sensitive tip...

I find that both St. Croix and Falcon "downgrade" their medium-power's enough to be multi-function and versatile enough to handle the heavier jigs/weights I sometimes fish on lighter line...

[uicdent11]

Get the 68mxf Legend Tournament Tournament from uncle leo in the classifieds. That is a pretty sick price for that rod, plus he is a first class guy as well. I am looking for a similar rod, but I have a bps gift card I need to use on it otherwise I would take it from him.

[FishingPirate]

For what it's worth, I use a Daiwa Sol on the TD-Ligt and Tough 7'0" M rod. I have a 1/16oz t-rig tied on it right now, quel coincidence!

[.ghoti.]

Casting lighter, finesse type baits is more about the rod and line than about the reel. I use Daiwa Fuegos, Daiwa Millionaires, Revo STXs, Energy PTs, Johnny Morris, and Pfleuger Summit reels. A "reel" mixed bag. Every one of them will cast 1/8oz baits, when spooled with light line, and most importantly, mounted on the right rod.

I could also take any one of them, spool it up with #17 flouro and mount it on one of my muskie sticks. And be unable to cast an 1/8oz bait much past my feet.

It's all about balance.

Match the bait to the rod. If the rod will not load under the weight of the bait, it's too powerful. Go lighter.

Use an appropriate strength line. Why use heavier line then the rod's rating? That makes no sense to me. Sounds like a good way to snap a rod.

Finesse to me means smaller baits, in natural colors, presented slowly, and unobtrusively.

Bait cast or spinning? Makes no difference. Use whatever you're comfortable with. I use both.

My spinning rig is a 7'2" Airrus MH power, fast action rod, rated for 6-15 pound line. It has a very soft tip that turns quickly into some serious backbone. I use a Pfleuger Supreme reel, one spool with 8 and one spool with 6. Both are clear green Trilene XL.

My new fav finesse rig is a St Croix LT 6'9" ML-XF with a Revo STX. I use #10 clear green XL on this rig.

My old fav baitcasting finesse rig is a BPS Pro Finesse rod, 6'9" ML-F with a JM Sig series reel spooled with the same line.

With any of these rigs, I can cast an unweighted Zoom finesse worm farther than I ever need to.