Soft Plastics/light Lures On A Baitcaster? 2024
Joedodge reply :
I've done the search and watched the vids from youtube. Me and a freind have been talking a lot about this lately. On the modern bait caster, and medium or M/H rods and modern braid. Can you efficiently throw weightless soft plastics and light jerk baits or crank baits? Can they be casted and worked well?
Tim Kelly reply :
Darren. reply :
The answer is more yes for M as opposed to MH.
At least in my experience.
I throw weightless Zoom Tiny Flukes wacky rigged
on my ML Chronarch 50e casting setup. Not a very
long cast, mind you, but quite doable.
I can get 35-40' casting a "weightless" Zoom Finesse
worm on a 1/0 Gammy split/drop hook. The worm is
4.75" long, not sure the oz per worm.
Joedodge reply :
That's kind of what I figured. I know the spools are smaller and lighter weight now compared to old reels.
Ben Eipert reply :
I regularly throw tubes and grubs with weights as light as 1/16 oz. Given it is a long rod (7'10¨) with a really soft tip but I believe if you find the right one you can. The key is a soft springy tip with some backbone. It needs to be long enough to lift the fish out of cover instead of pulling it out because the line will have to be lighter.
Joedodge reply :
Ok Id like to transition to a bait caster but I mostly throw 1/4 ounce rooster tails, jerk baits, light rattle traps and minnow cranks, and a ton of soft plastic worms and swimbaits either weightless or on a 1/8 swim bait hook. But wasn't sure if it's do able
ColdSVT reply :
Absolutely...just a little practice
the right combo will help too.
Joedodge reply :
What would you guys suggest for a combo? And pound of braid? I fish a decent amount of lily pads and hydrilla down here in Florida
Ben Eipert reply :
Braid I would go with either 50 or 30. Personally I would use 30 but I do not fish cover that heavy. For a combo I would go with something long with a light tip. As far as combos go I would start with an inshore of flats popping rod. They are not for bass but the lengths are perfect for light baits.
St. Croix Mojo Inshore 7'6¨ medium light would work well paired with a Pro Qualifier or Revo S to name a few.
Joedodge reply :
Ahh ok excellent thanks for the advice and help
new2BC4bass reply :
I've read that most of today's baitcast reels can handle 1/4 oz. lures. I throw #5 Shad Raps (3/16 oz.) on 3 outfits, and have another couple combos that should also handle that weight, but haven't tried them yet. I've been visiting relation in Florida each year for the past several years. I use MHF casting rods to throw 10" ribbontail worms and a 3/0 to 5/0 hook into the lily pads using 40# braid. No additional weight. I get as much distance most of the time as my brother-in-law does with his spinning reels.
Guys throwing 1/16 oz. (or less) with a baitcast reel are pretty darn good.....in my opinion. I know how hard it is to throw 1/8 oz. Roostertails. Even with a combo capable of doing it. It not only takes the right combo, but the bozo behind the reel has to be awfully good using a b/c reel.....IMHO.
As far as working well...I'd say yes. There are days he catches more bass than I do, and days I catch more than he does.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
All about the rod whipppy short rods work best for me that be a med action mod tip
timsford reply :
Id say lighter lures are definitely doable on a mh casting rod as long as you get the right one. I wouldn't suggest it on a stiffer mh rod like a veritas or st croix. Id look for a rod with some more softness in the tip section so you can get decent casting distance. Most reels can handle it, as long as you pick the right rod
chelboed reply :
1/4 oz crankbaits are fine. Little red eye shad cast a mile. Weightless Senko /Yum F2's are heavy too. 75ft + should be just fine unless you're shooting it straight into the wind. Then you need to be ginger.
Shorter rods will have less resistance IMO due to fewer guides to have to send the line through.
6´ ML is what I use to throw 1/16 oz beetle spins, 1/8 oz micro rattle traps, 4"weightless senko's, etc...(using a Crappie Maxx with 8# mono)
Full size Senko, 1/4 oz cranks, Mepps #3...you don't really need anything special. MH rod, any modern casting reel should be fine. I tossed all that with a standard Speed Spool last year. Even on a 6'10" Heavy Falcon Bucoo Micro...with the entry level speed spool...it worked well from the bank. I can only imagine from a boat how much better it would be, hehehe.
Catt reply :
Your rod cast the lure...your reel holds the line!
If your reel doesn't free spool enough to cast a wacky Trick Worm ya got problems!
I throw a wacky rigged Trick Worm with a Crucial 6' 10" MH Xfast & Calcutta 100 spooled with 15# Big Game.
John G reply :
On 2/22/2015 at 12:33 PM, Catt said:I throw a wacky rigged Trick Worm with a Crucial 6' 10" MH Xfast & Calcutta 100 spooled with 15# Big Game.
How far do you throw it with that setup?
roadwarrior reply :
Yes you can with the right equipment, but lighter lures are generally
easier to fish on spinning tackle, especially for those fishing "affordable"
gear. Based on some of the gear you have mentioned in other threads,
I think it will be very challenging to meet your expectations with baitcasting
equipment.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/22/2015 at 7:56 PM, John G said:How far do you throw it with that setup?
Curious 2. I have a friend who fishes Shimano reels, St. Croix rods and 15# CXX almost exclusively for his baitcast gear. I've seen him throw some pretty light lures a good distance. He does have a wicked powerful cast. 
Sherlock 60 reply :
I use baitcasters for most of my fishing, but for weightless plastics I use a MH spinning rod with 15# braid. If a weightless plastic comes off during the cast it's not a problem with spinning gear.
BassinLou reply :
On 2/22/2015 at 8:28 PM, roadwarrior said:Yes you can with the right equipment, but lighter lures are generally
easier to fish on spinning tackle, especially for those fishing "affordable"
gear. Based on some of the gear you have mentioned in other threads,
I think it will be very challenging to meet your expectations with baitcasting
equipment.
^^ This ^^
There are several soft plastics that can be thrown weightless on the b/c setup you have, Joe. Senko's Flukes, Horny Toad style frogs, just to name a few. Your challenge may be those light jerkbaits. Which ones were you speaking of? For example if you were planning to throw a Rapala F7-F9. then yes, you will definitely have a challenge on your hands.
It will get to a point that using a spinner will serve you better in some situations. There is no cardinal rule that you have to use b/c's all the time. Anybody who does clearly has not seen a professional bass angler's arsenal of equipment.
Joedodge reply :
Awesome thanks guys. I appreciate the help. My medium spinning rods haven't failed me at all. I actually like them. I have one bait caster combo it a m/he fast action lightning rod shock. And a shimano reel. I fish the spinning rods almost exclusively. But have a major romance going with a bait caster is the problem lol
Choporoz reply :
I love my baitcasters. But I don't go fishing without at least one spinning rod...usually more.
Joedodge reply :
Most of the styles I fish a spinning combo works great. I guess I just have a major want more Han need for a bait caster lol. Other than frogs I don't throw much that requires one.
The Fisher reply :
I throw 5" wacky rigged GY Senkos on a baitcaster. It is tough into the wind but on calm days, or wih the wind, no problem. Things like rooster tails or weightless Keitech swing impacts go on my spinning set up.
kikstand454 reply :
Well, when I'm throwing weightless plastics, its always either a floating worm or a fluke. Both of these I tend to be casting at targets and general areas as opposed to fan casting for distance.
To that end- my current rod for this application is a 7'm/f veritas and a new white carbonlite reel. So yes.... it can be done, depending on your expectations.
Master Bait'r reply :
On 2/22/2015 at 8:14 AM, Ben Eipert said:Braid I would go with either 50 or 30. Personally I would use 30 but I do not fish cover that heavy. For a combo I would go with something long with a light tip. As far as combos go I would start with an inshore of flats popping rod. They are not for bass but the lengths are perfect for light baits.
St. Croix Mojo Inshore 7'6¨ medium light would work well paired with a Pro Qualifier or Revo S to name a few.
Please don't do this. 30-50lb braid should be for heavy cover and frogs, you won't cast a weightless 4" robo out of your boat with 50lb.
My finesse baitcasting setup uses 10lb SX1 braid and works phenomenally. No reason at all to have that heavy of line on your finesse/weightless setup, it would be very counterproductive. Light lines, light baits and proper drag are the name of the game in light finesse baitcasting.
Catt reply :
A Zoom Trick Worm weighs 5.451g, add to that the weight of a straight shank round bend 3/0 hook.
I can throw that setup 20-25 yards with out much effort.
bassh8er reply :
On 2/22/2015 at 8:28 PM, roadwarrior said:Yes you can with the right equipment, but lighter lures are generally
easier to fish on spinning tackle, especially for those fishing "affordable"
gear. Based on some of the gear you have mentioned in other threads,
I think it will be very challenging to meet your expectations with baitcasting
equipment.
Would LOVE to hear your definition of "affordable".
roadwarrior reply :
In the context of this Forum the question usually means a rod & reel combination for $100 or less.
Sometimes it means a reel or rod for under $100.
Maggiesmaster reply :
I fish 4" worms with 1/8 oz Texas wts. all the time. My favorite rig is a Lews Tournament Pro reel, 12 lb. mono, with a Med. 6' rod. They cast well. I use this rig for weightless frogs also. If I go lighter, I use the same reel with 10 lb. line and a Bass Pro 5 1/2' light action rod. My Pro Qualifier reel doesn't cast this rig well--I use it for 1/4 oz. rigs.
John G reply :
On 2/23/2015 at 11:04 AM, Catt said:A Zoom Trick Worm weighs 5.451g, add to that the weight of a straight shank round bend 3/0 hook.
I can throw that setup 20-25 yards with out much effort.
You are close to BFS territory with your lure weight. I weighed a Trick Worm and it came out a little heavier but not by much.....6.13 Grams. I just spooled up a Conquest 100 with 10# Big Game and mounted the reel on a Loomis MBR843 IMX and the hook was a 5/0 Gammy EWG. My best casts was with 4 brakes on and a loose cast control knob. I get no enjoyment out of casting a lure as light as a Trick Worm without the right setup. It's too much of a pita IMHO. Needless to say, even though I was using a reel with a lighter spool and lighter line than your CT100/15# Big Game and I would imagine the MBR843 IMX has a softer tip than your Crucial, I couldn't come close to matching your results. You Sir, IMHO, are one highly skilled individual with a baitcaster. Congrats!
Fishinthefish reply :
You've gotta' keep in mind the weight of braid, and the weight of the hook as well as the weight of whatever is on the hook. I use 8" worms on a weightless setup with 30# power pro braid, and a 4/0 Gama hook. It's not weightless, it's pushing 1/2 of an OZ and casts easily. The only area where it does get a bit more difficult and I have to feather the line for fear of backlash is when I'm throwing tubes with no sinkers since they're hollow. I like to throw the super salt tubes for a slow fall into the top of weeds and that can be a bit more difficult and have a smaller casting range. Nearly impossible into 15-20mph winds as well.
cgs1967 reply :
I just bought a gloomis imx jwr in med/heavy that I plan to use for jigs and non weighted plastic worms. Its all about setting your reel and you wont have a problem.
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