Finesse Spining VS Casting

[Simp]

Well for some time I've been needing a good finesse set up. I have a decent spinning reel but man I HATE spinning tackle. I have several problems with spinning tackle, line twists, line jumping off the spool, ect. While I HATE those things to me it seems like the deal breaker is the amount of time I'm out of contact with the lure right after the cast. After getting the bail flipped and reeling in the slack several seconds have usually passed.

So considering all these things I don't like. Why not just get a 7 ft casting finesse rod and put a new Curado on it? IMHO while others reels might now be able to handle the light weight. I think the new Curado is fantastic with very low weight situations. I also see no reason why it can't handle 8lb test line as well.

So while I'm sure you can eliminate many of the negatives of spinning by using braid. I just can't get over the amount of time I'm out of contact with the lure. So considering these things why not go with a Curado and a finesse casting rod??

[central.PA.bass]

what is stopping you from stopping the lure with your hand the same way you do with a baitcaster?  you won't have to catch up to your lure if you stop the line right before contact with the water..

[SirSnookalot]

The only time I use conventional gear is drifting or trolling for pelagic species, so my casting is done with spinning 100% of the time, except for fly rod. I never felt out of contact with my lure and many times my bail is closed before it hits water, especially in wind.

[Hammer 4]

If your having line problems, it's likely 1 or 2 things.

If you have a size 2500 reel, 10# test is max, lighter is better..Another thing is, and I would guess that if your using line under 10 lb test, your spooling it on backwards ...which is causing the line to jump off the reel...If you have larger reel, the 10# would be fine. I have been using a spinning rig along with a baitcaster for a long time..w/o any issues.

Try flylining a 6" roboworm with a baitcaster..

[Simp]

Just to define some things. When I'm talking about finesse I'm going to be using it for drop shot, shaky head, senkos, fat ika, and light tubes. I see know reason why one of my Curados wouldn't be able to handle casting any of these things. I've used it already to throw cranks lightener then a senko. I use it with 10# diameter all the time and it casts great. I'm sure it will handle 8lb fluro with ease.

I keep one spinning set up with me on the boat for finesse. I find because I don't like spinning tackle I don't finesse as much as I should. For some of you I bet your the bomb with it. I can certainly make do with it like I have been, but I'm looking at spending anywhere from 100$ to 250$ on a finesse rod. Why drop that kind of dough on something you generally don't like to use. When instead you could drop it on a finesse casting set up you would be much happier with. I could certainly see why spinning is better the most baitcasting reels for light weights, but now with the core and curado why bother with them? I can see how it would be easier to skip but otherwise for somebody who is more comfortable with a baitcasting set up why switch?

[islandbass]

Don't know what's stopping you from getting that set up, just get it done.

The curado is going to serve you very well.

The only peeve I have when finessing with casting gear is the necessity of having to pull line off of the spool just to achieve a more vertical drop of the lure. It is minor but bothersome to a certain extent, when on spinning gear, this is not an issue and one thing I like about spinning gear.

To each his own on line twist. I hardly ever have line twist issues with my spinning setups.

The curado is more than capable to finesse fish and it handles 8# mono with great ease. Matter of fact I have at least one of my curados with 8# test most of the time. I have not yet had a chance to try 6# line on it however.

Go get your new rig. I am sure it will meet bait monkey approval.  ;D

[Jig Man]

I have a light Bronzeback that is 6'9" or maybe 6'10".  It is matched with a Curado and is great for those kinds of situations.  I use it for grubs with 1/8 oz heads, light cranks and small jerk baits.

[SWMIBASSER]

I don't mind spinning tackle. It sounds like you have your mind made up. And that's fine. I'm going to work on getting a "finesse" casting setup myself.

But take em FWIW, here are my ideas to improve spinning success.

Change line.

Sorry to beat the dead horse, and I'm not band wagoning here as I disagree with R/W strongly on most stuff. But a switch to 6lb Y/Z hybrid will help alleviate line management issues.

I've been using a Abu and Pflueger spinning reels with very small spools and haven't had any problems with even 8lb.

Keep in mind the break strength of Y/Z is very high as compared to it's diameter.

Stop the line before your bait lands.

It doesn't have to be abrupt. Reach down with the index finger and you can feather it down to a compete stop.

This eliminates the bow in the line you are trying to catch up with.

Always flip the bail closed manually +.

What I mean by the + is if using flouro, or weightless presentations it's a good idea to flip the bail shut manually. Then pull the line from above the reel to tighten it on the line roller.

This alone, even with line that isn't ideal (10lb 100% Flouro on a small spool reel and weightless presentations) this will almost completely eliminate line management problems.

This one isn't necessary 'AT ALL' if you switch lines. If you don't however, and you get a loop on your spool, do NOT cast it out. Flip the bail open and manually pull line out till the loop is off the spool flip it back closed and reel the line up.

All of this sounds like a serious hassle but honestly it isn't. It can, and will just become second nature.

In my opinion spinning gear will work better for light finesse presentations. 1/16oz shakey heads with 4" worms, small weightless worms, small finesse jigs w/grubs, even some of the heavier stuff.

While some of it can be cast with certain baitcasters, you are going to be severely limited in higher winds.

The key attribute to spinning gear for many finesse presentations, in my opinion is that you get a slack line fall that you can't get with a baitcasting setup.

[Sherlock 60]

Stop the line before your bait lands.

It doesn't have to be abrupt. Reach down with the index finger and you can feather it down to a compete stop.

This eliminates the bow in the line you are trying to catch up with.

Always flip the bail closed manually +.

What I mean by the + is if using flouro, or weightless presentations it's a good idea to flip the bail shut manually. Then pull the line from above the reel to tighten it on the line roller.

Agreed completely. It took me  a while to get used to stopping the line with my index finger, but now it is a habit, and I never have line twist issues.

[K_Mac]

Sanother siteBASSER that is as good a tutorial on fishing spinning reels as I have ever read. I drove myself crazy with loops, twists, and lack of line/distance control until I finally began to use the methods you describe. Now "fingering" the line and closing the bale by hand are second nature. I have found that if I lift the rod tip as I close the bail it positions the line on the roller most of the time. These habits sure make finesse fishing a lot more effective (and fun).

Simp I think , as has been said, that you can do many of the finesse techniques with a the proper BC rig. I have been thinking about getting ML rig to try, but I think there are times when a spinning rig is the only way to go. Let's get together this spring down at Cedar Lake and compare notes. 8-)