Casting rod for weightless worms?

[golf n fish]

I've started fishing weightless Zoom trickworms lately and I bought a spinning rod/reel for that purpose.  Turns out I missed the spinning rod gene when I was born.  It feels awkward and I can't hit the broad side of a barn.  I think I'm going to go straight casting and sell my spinning rod set-up.  What is a good casting set-up for light lures like weightless plastics?  A medium rod with a pistol grip?  Those are hard to find now.

David

[MSPbass]

Fenwick has one. http://www.fenwickfishing.com/prod.php?k=128037&sk=128036&u=FGC  They call it their "casting" rod while the rest are called "triggerstick" rods. They're also prepping to roll out a new HMG and I have no idea if the new line includes the pistol grip.

I use a 7' M power rod that has a Moderate Fast action and it serves me well. A few companies make "Senko" specific rods too. I believe Falcon and Kistler are a couple.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Unless you are dead set on the pistol grip, any 6'-7- M rod would do quiet well

[roadwarrior]

Take a look at the St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF

http://www.tackledirect.com/st-croix-avid-avc-series-casting-rod-avc68mxf.html

8-)

[steezy]

Would a ML rod be better for totally weightless worms, unless they are senkos which are heavy due to their composition.

[golf n fish]

That link is confusing.  It is a casting rod, but then it talks about how great their spinning rods are.

David

Take a look at the St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF

http://www.tackledirect.com/st-croix-avid-avc-series-casting-rod-avc68mxf.html

8-)

[golf n fish]

I worry about getting the fish out of  grass and pads with an ML.

Would a ML rod be better for totally weightless worms, unless they are senkos which are heavy due to their composition.

[roadwarrior]

Okay:

http://www.stcroixrods.com/rods/default2.asp?rodname=1

Then hit "Rod Specifications", center right on the page.

8-)

[roadwarrior]

Would a ML rod be better for totally weightless worms, unless they are senkos which are heavy due to their composition.

No, the tip is too soft. I have an Avid AVS66MLF/ Stella 1000

that I use for white bass, stocker trout and crappie. ML and

UL rods are used to make little fish more fun to catch!

8-)

[steezy]

I worry about getting the fish out of grass and pads with an ML.

Would a ML rod be better for totally weightless worms, unless they are senkos which are heavy due to their composition.

Good point,  I can just hear that ML rod go snap and/or loose the fish when it goes undercover.

[Big Mike in Fl]

I worry about getting the fish out of grass and pads with an ML.

Would a ML rod be better for totally weightless worms, unless they are senkos which are heavy due to their composition.

Good point, I can just hear that ML rod go snap and/or loose the fish when it goes undercover.

I fish weightless trick worms on a ML and have caught some monsters on it, caught some up to 7lbs, and had one over 10lbs till it came off in the grass, not much of a problem. it is a spinning set up, 7' all star with a 2500 sedona and 15lb power pro, I do not believe a ML is too light for bigger fish, just gotta know how to play them

[steezy]

I worry about getting the fish out of grass and pads with an ML.

Would a ML rod be better for totally weightless worms, unless they are senkos which are heavy due to their composition.

Good point, I can just hear that ML rod go snap and/or loose the fish when it goes undercover.

I fish weightless trick worms on a ML and have caught some monsters on it, caught some up to 7lbs, and had one over 10lbs till it came off in the grass, not much of a problem. it is a spinning set up, 7' all star with a 2500 sedona and 15lb power pro, I do not believe a ML is too light for bigger fish, just gotta know how to play them

Big Mike, In no cover that probably works fine but what if you are in thick muskgrass, thick pads or near cattails?  If the fish gets in that stuff, the ML rod will loose that battle.

[Guest beowulfx71]

Depends on whose ML it is-I have a St Croix ML casting rod and also a ML spinning rod from their Premier series-these would be M action rods from some rod manufacturers.

[Big Mike in Fl]

steezy, I've fished that set up in pad fields and grass, I didn't have much of a problem, atleast no more so than I would have with a medium, or medium heavy...when in the thick stuff, some fish are going to come off no matter what.

[retiredbosn]

Also understand that a ML Casting rod is the equivalent of a M Spinning rod.  After reading the last couple of replies I got the impression some were talking about a ML spinning and others a ML Casting.  

[CHEVYRIDAZ]

steezy, I've fished that set up in pad fields and grass, I didn't have much of a problem, atleast no more so than I would have with a medium, or medium heavy...when in the thick stuff, some fish are going to come off no matter what.

I would have to see that BM, LOL! I throw weightless plastics in cover on a Powell 704C and Revo STX no problems!

[Bass_123]

A 6'6 or 7'0 Medium action rod should do. Also makes a good top water rod. St Criox makes a legend tournament rod called the teaser that is made for weightless worms.  

[Wayne P.]

My casting rig for weightless wacky rigging Trick worms is a 6' 6"medium heavy H&H rod with a Chronarch. It works fine when faced with BIG bass, timber, and hydrilla.

[nUgZ]

I fish with a Falcon Cara "Weightless Worm" rod.  It's 6'7" MH XF and I absolutely love it.  I've got a Curado 201DHSV on it and they work very well together.  I'd love to have a Chronarch or a Core on it, but that'll be down the road.  

[.ghoti.]

Don't know what your price range is, so I'll give you two options.

A BPS Pro Finesse 6'9" ML. Sells for $100, and is regularly on sale for 80.

A St Croix LT 6'9" MLXF. Sells for around $220, and as far as I know, is never on sale.

I have both of these, and they are both good for what you want.

Neither of these rods has a pistol grip.

If a pistol grip is what you want, I'll give you another, probably very hard to find option. A Team Daiwa, George Cochran, topwater / twitchin rod. Made in the early 90's, it's a 6' medium power, mod-fast action, pistol grip rod, with a very soft tip. I have one, and still use it occasionally.

I normally agree with RW about almost everything, but I'm going disagree with his recommendation of the Avid 6'8" MXF rod. I have one of these, and it's a great rod. One of the best values in the rod market, and good for a variety of applications. But, for an unweighted trick worm, the tip is too stiff to load enough for casting. You need to upwards of 1/4oz to get into this rod's sweet range. The two ML rods I mentioned will load with 1/8oz baits.

[flechero]

Would a ML rod be better for totally weightless worms, unless they are senkos which are heavy due to their composition.

Steezy is probably right, if you want this primarily for trick worms, I'd go med-light.  I'd look at the AVC66MLF or the AVC69MLXF.

[roadwarrior]

Excellent points...The devil's in the details!

8-)

[Bankbeater]

What type of cover are you going to be fishing in? I fish in a lot of grass and hydrilla filled lakes. I get more peace of mind using a heavy action with a fast tip, and its easier for me to get the bait through the weeds.

[golf n fish]

Thanks for the help guys.  Lots of good info.  I just put some lighter line on my spinning rod, and I'm going to try it again.  I also tried to load my spinning reel the "correct" way this time.  I think line twist was getting me since I loaded the reel like it was a casting reel last time.  I anxious to see how much different it casts now.

David

[0119]

I think your right sticking with a spinning outfit for weightless trick worms.   I absolutely hate spinning in every way shape and form.  Until last week I hadnt owned a spinning outfit for easily ten years or more.   But trick worms are too successful weightless where I fish.  I got a St.Croix Mojo 6'8" med XF.  I probably wont use it for anything else, but it shines and is catching me fish when other techniques are letting me down.  Casting tackle,weightless worm and wind equal frustration.