Light Lure Baitcast Setups

[rps]

I build my own rods and use the best components I can. My advice on rods would not be relevant.

I was a complete Shimano fan until I had two E series Curados crap out on me in the same year. Right after that I was flush one Spring and bought a Garcia MGX. Fantastic light bait reel. I currently fish it on my Ned rod. Now days, who can afford one? The last three or four reels I have bought have been Lews. I have been completely satisfied. I suggest you buy whatever they make in the price range you wish to spend.

[TroutRinger]

17 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

Yup, the BPS reels I mentioned back then were changed very soon afterward, the new models were pretty much junk.  
I hesitate to say this, and would certainly understand if people don't want to buy Chinese products, but the cheapest reels I've found that will do the job pretty well once you get them dialed in are the KastKing models you can get on Ebay for around $60.  They don't have good quality control, and you're more likely to get a lemon than if you bought a brand name reel, but if you get a good one it will handle light lures quite well.  

The Lews Mach I, the white reel you can often find for around $100 or a bit more, is pretty decent at handling light lures.  Other than that, just about any of the lightweight reels you can get from Diawa, Shimano, Lews, Garcia, for $120-180 will handle light lures with the correct rod.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Carretes-pesca-KastKing-Crixus-superpoliméricas/dp/B07M5NP7MW?ref_=ast_sto_dp
 

These? (every reel under $200, and many over $200, is made in China so whatevs)

[drew03cmc]

23 hours ago, TroutRinger said:

Thought I’d revive this old thread as I have started dabbling in this. I’ve found several decent, affordable rod options, but curious if you all have any reasonably priced real recommendations? @Al Agnew the BPS reals you mentioned don’t appear to be made anymore and I didn’t see an obvious replacement. Tatula SV is a popular choice on forums but at $180, that’s more than I want spend on a reel that will spend most of its life in a canoe or kayak. 

I happen to have one of the old, gold, Prolites Al mentioned. I would part with it pretty reasonably. They're nice little reels. 

[Al Agnew]

6 hours ago, TroutRinger said:

https://www.amazon.com/Carretes-pesca-KastKing-Crixus-superpoliméricas/dp/B07M5NP7MW?ref_=ast_sto_dp
 

These? (every reel under $200, and many over $200, is made in China so whatevs)

Yup, I just looked at the Kastking models they had on Amazon, and I'd probably choose the Royale Legend at $73.99 or the Crixus ArmorX at $89.99.  The ArmorX is under 7 ounces.  I can't remember the model I have since I'm out in Montana and most of my bass reels are still in Missouri...I don't think it is any of the models that are on Amazon, but those two look to be what I'd be looking for.

[Guest]

Deleted.

[evilcatfish]

5 hours ago, siusaluki said:

Daiwa fuego

Ray's Studio makes a finesse spool to fit the Fuego which I've heard positive things about, might be worth checking out

 

Seems most of the Daiwa reels with SV spools do well with lighter baits, plus deals can be found on used Alphas and Pixies.

[Flysmallie]

I've been using a Lew's Classic Pro Speed Spool and it works just fine for light stuff. And it's $60. Also have a cheap Abu Garcia that's around the same price that works well. The light stuff is more about the rod than it is the real. 

[evilcatfish]

3 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

The light stuff is more about the rod than it is the real. 

Very true

[TroutRinger]

So I used make an offer on eBay and scored a great deal on a new Tatula SV. 

The couple rods I ordered didn’t quite pan out (tip was too stiff to load even a 1/5 jig without really whipping it) so now I’m looking at the 6’ ML Crankin Stick from BPS (https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-crankin-stick-split-grip-eva-casting-rod). They had a 7’ in the store that I’m certain would load a light lure so the 6’ should be gtg.

I also found a Temple Fork Outfitters Loomis Signature series for ~$75 from Gander that I’m going to try. It’s longer than I wanted at 7’, but that’s the length I’ve used on kayaks for years without any real issue. 

[drew03cmc]

My current light bait casting reel is a JDM Shimano SLX 70 DC. It's super smooth, handles fish well and I've settled on it for baits from about 3/16oz to 1/2oz, wade fishing stuff. I have it on a Scheels 6' M casting rod, forget the model, rates for 1/8-3/8. It's stuck 3lb river fish and 3" longears.