Baitcasting Light Lures

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Ok, I have a couple of quantum baitcasting rod & reel combos that I use primarily for spinnerbaits and jigs. These aren't the most expensive combos, but they aren't the cheapest either. I first started using baitcasters about a year ago and have gotten pretty good with the heavier lures and can cast them accurately pretty darn far. Every time I try to cast a lighter lure like a crankbait or unweighted worm I get backlash and end up with a birds-nest. I adjusted the knob underneath the drag to match the weight of the lure, but the best cast I can get is only about 5-10 yards without causing a backlash!

Is there a way to efficiently cast these lighter lures a reasonable distance or should I keep using my spinning rods/reels for this? I was watching a fishing show this morning and they were launching crankbaits about 30 yards with ease!!!

BOB

 

[jtcarter]

Re: Baitcasting Light Lures

Fenwick light action baitcasting rod. Thery're one of the only company's that offer a baitcasting rod in a light action. There might be a couple of other ones i'm not aware of, but thats the stick i got. I have that rod matched with a abu garcia revo winch reel. Its a awesome combo, but not cheap. That setup will set you back about 370 bucks, but to me its worth every penny. You can throw the lighest of crankbaits a country mile on it.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Baitcasting Light Lures

Use spinning tackle for that stuff. That's what it does best. You can find a baitcasting rig that will cast lightweight stuff, but why bother?

I use spinning tackle for everything, but that's just me. But, for lightweight terminal tackle, it beats baitcasters all hollow.

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: Baitcasting Light Lures

I use all styles (closed face, spinning, bait casters.) And like mentioned you can get light bait casting equipment. IMO it's not worth it. I use the bait caster only for my spinner baits. I use spinning mostly for my real light stuff. I use close face for crank baits and flipping. It all depends on your style. I can get a lot of reels and rods for 300 bucks but I'm not going after Moby **** either.
I know a closed face reel might not look cool (IE a kids reel) but i have one that's like 15 years old and has never given me a bit of problem. I'm out to have fun.
Bob remember, you were watching a "Fishing Show". These guys have the best of everything.

I bought the Bait Caster a few years ago just to try. Yea i am good with it but if i had one reel I had to use it would be a closed face reel.

I know you didn't want to hear that lol.

I will say if you get a light tackle bait caster your line selection will be very important in getting your distance. If you taped that show maybe they mentioned what they were using. I know even with mine, changing line gave me an extra 15 feet with the same cast.They are very strong units and take a lot of abuse but with light tackle is it necessary?

All in all.

Get what you want and HAVE FUN! Catch some big ones too

 

[John_S]

Re: Baitcasting Light Lures

I'm with CA and use mostly spinning gear. For this application, spinning gear does excel in most situations. There are casting rods and reels that will perform, but generally at a higher cost than quantum.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Baitcasting Light Lures

The only time I use baitcasting tackle is for throwing really heavy crankbaits. I also have a line-counter reel on one rod for trolling.

Other than those two applications, I use spinning tackle, and have about a dozen rods and reels, each suited for a particular technique.

That's just me, I suppose, but I haven't found a freshwater fishing style that I can't do with spinning tackle.

 

[mars bar]

Re: Baitcasting Light Lures

Fishing rods are like golf clubs, Each has a different task. Use a putter on the fairway and you won't go far.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Baitcasting Light Lures

How light is your crankbait? are you using mono line above 12-14lbs? if you are, down size it. You adjusted the smaller brake which controls the amount of overrun at the end of the cast. What about the main brake? which controls the beginning of the cast. You can tells which one is set too free by watching the spool whether it backlash as soon at you cast or after the lure hits the water. Your main issue was probably you swung too hard to make up for the light lure. Once you have the brakes set just right, you won't have swing very hard. Try a smooth swinging motion(side arm) instead of overhead, don't whip it. I recommend have one rod set up for light stuff and leave it for that purpose only. It takes awhile to fine tune one.

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Baitcasting Light Lures

That setup will set you back about 370 bucks, but to me its worth every penny. You can throw the lighest of crankbaits a country mile on it.

$370 - YIKES!!! I think I'll just continue to use the spinning rods for the light stuff.

CATransplant - I use the baitcasters when I'm fishing spinnerbaits or jigs. I like the higher gear ratio for those lures. I usually use my spinning combos for plastics as I seem to be able to finesse the bait a little better.

Bass Tracker TX17 - You're right, the pros do get all the good stuff - the stuff they keep in the glass case at Dicks. They also have divers in the water hooking those lunkers on the ends of their lines!

gonefishie - I've tried everything...lighter line, every combination of brake settings, different casting techniques, etc. I think the Quantum baitcaster just wasn't made for the smaller stuff. Oh well.

I'll just stick with what I know, it seems to work for me. I went out today and caught a few 2-3 pounders so I'm doing something right!

Thanks guys - BOB