What rig to use for light lures.

[TwoWatt]

I recently found out I like using small beetle-spin type lures to fish for panfish. (actually they're called fish-n-spin(google it)) <br />The heads are 1/32. <br />I have a cheap-o Shakespeare medium action rod(about 6 ft) & with a closed face reel on it that cast's quite well. But this setup is not very sensitive to strikes. <br />So I went today & bought a combo ultralite microspin reel with a 5 foot rod. (Shakespeare, quite nice for $15.00 total)<br />However, I tied on a spinner & test threw it outside, the lure doesnt seem heavy enough to make any distance. <br />Would it help if I put the microspin reel on the medium action longer rod? <br />Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

My experience is that a longer rod will help, but with a 1/32 lure, I dunno... Don't think a 6-7 foot rod would be too much IMO, but a good 7 foot rod thats suitable for light line is hard to find..<br /><br />Ps. what lbs test line you useing, Skunked?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

I use a meadium heavy spinning of about 6'. The line is as much as a factor as the rod, 6-8 # may be all you can use with a bait that light. I use a slightly heavier rod for hook set and keeping fish out of the grass. Even this rod isnt heavy enough for bass sometimes when using small finnesit type worms. I lose more fish than i think I should.

 

[NathanY]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

I use a Berkeley Cherrywood 7ft light action ( $18.95 at Wal-Mart) with a Shakespear Sigma Micro reel ( $15.95 at Wal-mart) with 6lb test. Use this setup for all my Crappie, Bream, White Bass, and Smallies.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

If the reel came with line on it, strip it off and throw it away. Put on a 4-6# mono. I like Stren magnaThin. It seems to have very little memory, meaning it doesn't get all coiled up from sitting on the reel. <br /><br />Tour best bet for casting very light lures will be a fiberglass or glass/graphite combination rod, like the Berkeley Cherrywood series mentioned above. Or a Shakespere UglyStick Lite or Lite Pro. <br /><br />The glass rods are more flexible and "whippy" so the rod tip can propell the light weight lures with ease. An ultralite or lite action in the 5-6" range should do fine.<br /><br />Hopefully all you have to do is switch to a high quality line.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

Thanks all. <br />That's the first thing I did roscoe was pull the line & put on 6lb spiderwire. It still has a problem casting. I just think I need a longer rod. I re-checked & the one that came in the combo was only 4ft6 <br />I am going fishing here in a few hours so I'll probably try switching the reel to the 6 footer I have & see if that helps, if it does I'll just go buy another rod for it.

 

[crab bait]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

i like POWER PRO braid line.. 20 lb test is equivilent to 4 lb mono.. 10 to 2 lb..<br /><br />'nuther thing,,make sure your reel is 'full up'.. even slightly down ,,makes for bad distance casts'..<br /><br />i use small stuff all the time.. my new favorite is a yozuri 'alfy'( alby ?).. a tiny tiny crankbait.. it's tears 'um up.. but cost $ 7 bucs.. but work so well on everthing,, i sprung for 3 of em..

 

[jtexas]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

I was in the Bass Pro Shop yesterday & saw they have a new BPS brand fiberglass rod, forget the name, it's bright yellow, $17.95, exceptionally limber. Thinking about getting one for my ultra-light reel.<br /><br />Question: is a microspin reel open-face or closed? an open face reel will cast much better. Only thing is, you can't allow any slack or twist in the line or it'll be bird nest city!

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

Thanks jtexas. I found the BPS rod listed online. Online price is $19.99. Longest they offer is 6'6" seems like it'd do the job. <br />It even says it's made for light lures.<br />

Advanced lightweight rods for chasing panfish and trout. Ultra light action. Bonded high-density tubular glass construction has just the right amount of flex for tossing light baits, and enough muscle to tame a bull gill heading for the brush. Ceramic guides, NEW cushioned cork-and-aluminum reel seats, a handy hook keeper on every model.

And the microspin is a closed face. It felt really good today, just could'nt cast. I'll probably use it next week for a guest on the boat, then buy the longer rod for it. <br />Thanks everyone.

 

[Bob La Londe]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

7 foot light action spinning rod. Light line, and keep the spool full. On a windy day forget it.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

maybe it's just me, but never had good luck<br />casting with spiderwire... a light mono seems<br />to cast way further on all my rods/reels.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

As you have seen, it all depends on, What you are fishing for, how the wind is, personal preference. I have so many fishing rods, I could start a tackle store. and most bass fishermen I know of are the same that have been doing it very long. Very few of my rods are double duty. I see reasons for al the posts here. There is no deffinate answer for you.

 

[jtexas]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

Originally posted by LubeDude:<br /> I have so many fishing rods, I could start a tackle store. and most bass fishermen I know of are the same that have been doing it very long. Very few of my rods are double duty.

For me, it goes something like this: a reel breaks, so I get a new one. But then I think a slightly different rod would work better with the new reel. But then I have a perfectly good rod with no reel, so I get a new reel. Then I think maybe I should use a slightly different rod with the new reel....

 

[LubeDude]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

You have that problem too???

 

[eurolarva]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

If you fish for panfish you should get a second rig and set it up with a 1/64 oz flu flu with slip knot and bobber. I ususally dress this with a wax worm and can kill a school of blue gill. I use the beetle spin to find them and the flu flu with the wax worm to clean up. I like two lb mono on this rig and cast a small beetle spin with 6 lb triline xl. I agree with other posters about memory problems but I usually re spool after ever three or four trips

 

[snowshoe]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

I use a 5.5' shakespeare light rod with a light shakespeare reel loaded with 4lb berkly fireline It casts fairly well and has handled walleye and northerns up to 10 lbs (has to work them some) However it doesn't seem as sensitive as my 6' medium action rod with 10lb spirewire --maybe it the dif in lines.

 

[Stumpknocker]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

I really feel out of place here with my Penn 9/0 and 60 lb test spooling up 700 yards. I guess I should switch gears for the panfish. I knew I was probably doing something wrong. I guess the 14/0 hooks are too large also. Oh well. Live and learn.

 

[detailer]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

guess I should add my two cents... I have a Berkley Cherrywood 5' Ultra Light Spinning Rod with a Quantum Snapshot SS1, 4lb trilene mono line with a loose drag. It's a crappie/panfish killer! To date the largest fish caught on the ultra light was a 34" carp on a live minnow at Lake Texoma (30-45 minute fight)... sorry no pic My daughters were there and they'll vouch for me

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: What rig to use for light lures.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. <br /><br />I ended up with a 6'6" Shakespeare micro graphite rod. It's classified as a "light" action rod. I tried to find the Berkely at WallyMart but they didn't have any. So I bought the SS to match the SS microspin reel. <br />I spooled the reel with new stren extra strength clear 6lb test (it was the more expensive Stren so it has to be better right ) I fish with 6 lb because of a lake I fish with a lot of standing timber. <br />Went out Sunday & Monday & the combo did wonderful. I was able to cast very far with this setup even on the light 1/32oz spinner. <br />The microspin reel is a blast to fish with. <br />I caught several crappie & I guess the combo did its job.... the drag on the micro is incredibly smooth. I guess that's why my fishing arsenal is quickly filling up with SS's products. Great quality for a great price. (no I don't work for SS )<br />Anyways. Thanks again for sharing/helping.