Baitcaster - Casting Light Lures

[Berliner]

I have trouble casting Rapalas etc. and know about the breaks. I use a heavy medium rod and I do fine with spinnerbaits. Will switching to a lighter rod action help casting the lighter stuff or just stick with spinning. Any tips would be great, I dont want to spend cash on a new rod if its not going to do anything..

Thanks

I have a walmart setup - Not sure if this makes a difference

$60 Quantum reel
$20 Rod 6'6"
10lb Trilene Xl

[Snakecharmer]

Matching the rod to the lures would help - I have several casting rods rated for lures as small as 1/4 oz. Still, its easier to cast 1/2 oz lures. If you were closer I'd let you try one before you go and buy one.

[grub_man]

To cast the light stuff, you need the right rod and reel combination. Most modern baitcasters will handle stuff down to 3/16oz. total weight fairly well, but to go super light will generally cost you more than I care to spend on a reel. Ideally for a light lure reel, I want the line on the spool kept to a minimum, a spool capacity of ~100yds. of 12lb. line is about as much line as you want on the reel. Otherwise the inertia of the spool makes it hard to start the spool at the beginning of the cast and then the spool doesn't want to stop at the end of the cast.

For a rod look for something ML-M in power with a lure weight range of 1/8-3/8oz. or 1/8-5/8oz. There aren't that many casting rods out there for the light lure angler at a fair price, though they are becoming more common now. I've built rods casting rods on lighter powered blanks, but don't like them as much for bass fishing.

Joe

[Tokugawa]

Originally Posted by Berliner

I have trouble casting Rapalas etc. and know about the breaks. I use a heavy medium rod and I do fine with spinnerbaits. Will switching to a lighter rod action help casting the lighter stuff or just stick with spinning. Any tips would be great, I dont want to spend cash on a new rod if its not going to do anything..

Thanks

I have a walmart setup - Not sure if this makes a difference

$60 Quantum reel
$20 Rod 6'6"
10lb Trilene Xl

Just stick to spinning with that reel. You can cast smaller baits with a baitcaster, but you need to match the line, rod and reel.

[javacoder]

I have a Bass Pro CarbonLite 6'6 ML fast action coupled with a Quantum Tour TP that I throw a lot of small baits with for white bass and river smallies. It casts best with 110 - 120 yards of flouro that is kept conditioned with Line Butter. I like to use it for wacky-rigged Senkos too.