light light light baitcasting...

I have been thinking about getting an ultralight kinda baitcasting setup, but my question is this:  I am seeing rods with lure weight ranges down to 1/4oz. or so, but can you really cast something that light with a baitcasting reel?  The majority of my baitcasting experience is with heavier tackle and or trolling.  I realize I will need to get a reel with appropriate specs, but does anyone have any experience throwing extremely light lures with such a setup, and is it really doable for any kind of distance at all?

I have a revo on my steelhead rod and it will throw 1/4 oz spinners....  but other than that I prefer spinning for light stuff.

Jim

I have a revo on my steelhead rod and it will throw 1/4 oz spinners....  but other than that I prefer spinning for light stuff.

Jim

I agree as far as spinning for light stuff... the reason I want this setup however is for places like Lake Sonoma and Pillsbury with these super hot mini-steelhead... (not to mention an upcoming Alaska trip) I much prefer fighting tough fish on a baitcasting setup.  Being able to set the drag low and use my thumb is a big plus for me.   

+1 on using spinning tackle for light stuff.  Although I think that if you wanted a baitcaster type of setup, look into the nicer spincasting reels that are out there.  Some have nice finger triggers and decent drag.

 

  I think that if you were to set the drag properly to match the really light weight, that is of corse, if the reel will feel the light weight, then with lots of practice you might be able to get a few casts out without "Birdnesting"  As far as casting distance?  I think your going to be very limited in the range you can get because of the low weight.
  Seems like just a little bit of trouble in the making for me.

Spinning outfits aren't always the right call though, pitching small baits can be a pita if the line twists, which happens alot when tossing plastics with no weight.   Plus if you change spots and switch to a differrent technique you can go up in bait sizes you're not gonna be chucking and retrieving a massive bait with doubled over rod.

Another thing to consider is the true weight of the lures you're throwing.  A 1/4 oz jig just describes the lead head, the skirt and trailer aren't always factored in and same goes for spinnerbaits and plastic worms.  You should be able to chuck classic bass baits at 1/4 oz no problem. 

Learn to tune the reel for the weights you're throwing and conditions (wind etc..) and pair it with a rod that has some whip to it (I've always liked softer glass blends made for crankbait fishing over stiff graphite rods) and you'll be good.   


On the flip side you can "thumb" a spinnning reel, except its more like an index finger accross the skirt of the spool.  My first option would be to set a ligfht drag and let em run though 

On the flip side you can "thumb" a spinnning reel, except its more like an index finger accross the skirt of the spool.  My first option would be to set a ligfht drag and let em run though 

Thats kinda what I am getting at... as far as letting em run.  With a spinning reel, set very light, if the fish slacks up... it is still difficult to pick up line without just twisting, unless you adjust the drag.  On a baitcaster, light drag settings still offer the ability to get line back without twisting, and if you get into something big you can apply a little thumb while also making a quick drag adjustment.  At the end of the day, I don't mind spin cast fishing... I just REALLY prefer baitcast fishing in terms of fighting the fish.  On the other hand I don't want to buy a headache either. 

Have you looked into the new generation Zebco type spin casters? I like it for ultra light fishing. Casts like you shot it from a gun. Thumb drag wheel on side. Good ratios available. Zebco still makes a great product (not just for kids)  Cheep too!!! Look at the web site posted in Classifieds ( http://www.gofishin.com/?cart_id=1868697.7788&mgf=5100000000&cat=153&go=1 ) There are 25 under 11 bucks there... Put good line on though and 4lb plus. The lighter line tends to miss the pick up rod. Most will hold 150 yrds 4lb test. Let um run all day...  Good luck

I put together a Daiwa/Phenix combo to fish for trout.

I used this rod:http://www.phenixrods.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=52 The 712.  Right now, I have a Steez reel on the rod.  Before, I had a Core 50.  The Core MAY have had an edge in casting, but I don't really recall.

It will absolutely launch a 1/4 oz lure, such as a kastmaster.  I have also thrown small, trout size, Mepps and Panther Martin spinners with it.  They, of course, do not cast nearly as well, but it will cast them.

I have seen where some fisherman have used kokanee rods with baitcasters for casting setups.  They have completely different actions compared to a bass rod.  I have not tried casting with the Steez on my Vance kokanee rod so I can't say how that combo would work for casting.

While I am happy with how it works, it does not cast as well as my spinning setups with nanofil line.

I put together a Daiwa/Phenix combo to fish for trout.

I used this rod:http://www.phenixrods.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=52 The 712.  Right now, I have a Steez reel on the rod.  Before, I had a Core 50.  The Core MAY have had an edge in casting, but I don't really recall.

It will absolutely launch a 1/4 oz lure, such as a kastmaster.  I have also thrown small, trout size, Mepps and Panther Martin spinners with it.  They, of course, do not cast nearly as well, but it will cast them.

I have seen where some fisherman have used kokanee rods with baitcasters for casting setups.  They have completely different actions compared to a bass rod.  I have not tried casting with the Steez on my Vance kokanee rod so I can't say how that combo would work for casting.

While I am happy with how it works, it does not cast as well as my spinning setups with nanofil line.

you got great taste in tackle.i use a curado with 10lb mono that i cast 1/4 oz lures weights and so on.for ultra lite casting setup go with a reel with a wiffle spool.so that way casting the light lures would be easier.one of my lite casting setup that i have right now is a 7ft crucial medium action paired with a daiwa advantage baitcaster with 10lb pline cxx