Varmint / Ned Rig Rods, Line, Reels

[rps]

We've got sonar units with GPS, 2D imaging, sidescan, downscan and 360-degree scan. We've got remote-controlled and GPS-guided trolling motors. We've got high-quality digital cameras that will record our entire fishing trip and cost less than $300.

But we can't come up with anything better than the line-twisting, knuckle-knocking, antiquated piece of crap that is the current state of the SPINNING REEL?

I like the way you think.

Reading through this thread I had an idea I may try. I made a specific spinning rod for the bait and rediscovered why I do not like spinning rods and reels. Among my collection of casting reels, the finesse gem is the Revo MGX. Right now it is on the topwater rod I built for throwing my Top Dollars. In truth, I own several other reels that would work perfectly well on that rod with that bait. I think I will build a ML casting rod to throw the bait on 6 pound test coply line. I have used 4 and 6 pound test on casting reels for years while fish jerk baits for trout and never had much trouble with the line entangling the spool through the crack so that does not worry me.

Blank suggestions anyone?

[dtrs5kprs]

Target length?

[Gavin]

Northfork Composites has some 6'6" casters in their Mag Bass lineup. I've been thinking of pulling the trigger on one. I built one of their 5'6" cast bass blanks a year or two ago for fishing walking baits out of my canoe and I really like it. Still want to do a little more looking before I decide.

[rps]

Target length?

Can't be longer than 7'2" and fit in my rod box and 6'6" would seem a solid minimum.

[Ham]

I was thinking about playing ping pong with a beer bottle instead of a paddle. I'm leaning towards using a 40 oz bottle unless someone can sway me to a 12 or 16 oz size. Maybe a growler?

[kjackson]

I've been a big fan of G.Loomis rods for years and did a lot of light-gear fishing with them back in the day. If I were to gear up again specifically for the little rig, I'd use one of Gary's Spin Jig Rods, preferably the SJR 721. I had one of those I built on an IM-6 blank that was perfect for fishing 1/16-1/4 ounce leadheads with a ringworm, grub, 4-inch ribbon tail worm or walleye tube.

However, the newer Loomis fibers aren't quite the same as the IM-6 (haven't tried the E-6 rods yet or the revised IMX), and I like a bit softer rod than the IMX blanks in that 721 version.

Having said that, Loomis is designing blanks for his new company, North Fork Composites, and if you can get one of those blanks in the Mag Bass or Spin Jig series (or whatever he's calling NFC's versions, I'd jump on that.

[Terrierman]

We've got sonar units with GPS, 2D imaging, sidescan, downscan and 360-degree scan. We've got remote-controlled and GPS-guided trolling motors. We've got high-quality digital cameras that will record our entire fishing trip and cost less than $300.

But we can't come up with anything better than the line-twisting, knuckle-knocking, antiquated piece of crap that is the current state of the SPINNING REEL?

If there were anything better to wind line on a fixed spool I got to believe some little smart feller in Taiwan would be selling it to us. That's all any spinning reel is at the heart of it. A way to wind line on a stick. A stick made out of aluminum, or maybe graphite or something. Not a complicated thing until you want the thing to work really good and let the stick spin backwards at a controlled rate and the winding mechanism to feel smooth and all that.

[Gavin]

MHX has some possibles at a much lower price point. Think I'll be ordering one of theirs.

[dtrs5kprs]

I was thinking about playing ping pong with a beer bottle instead of a paddle. I'm leaning towards using a 40 oz bottle unless someone can sway me to a 12 or 16 oz size. Maybe a growler?

Or maybe painting your house with a garden spade?

Guess the 40oz would be right, if it is Colt 45. Works every time.

Gavin & Randy...MHX would be my thought, or Jann's JMX if on sale. Probably a spin jig Light action. Really not sure about the little rig pulling line off the spool of a casting reel. I have inadvertently caught a bunch of fish with spincast reels while working out issues for my kids. Pride aside, they work pretty well.

[rps]

Or maybe painting your house with a garden spade?

Guess the 40oz would be right, if it is Colt 45. Works every time.

Gavin & Randy...MHX would be my thought, or Jann's JMX if on sale. Probably a spin jig Light action. Really not sure about the little rig pulling line off the spool of a casting reel. I have inadvertently caught a bunch of fish with spincast reels while working out issues for my kids. Pride aside, they work pretty well.

My thinking is this => While the head may be 1/16th the actual bait weight is much higher. I have not weighed a complete bait but I would guess a rigged bait is 3/16th to 1/4 ounce. That is the same weight as a CD5 or CD7 Rapala Countdown. I have thrown those on bait cast gear. You simply must load your rod and use a patient cast instead of a snap. The trick will be setting the free spool and brakes correctly ... and a vigilant thumb.

Mudhole has a MHX blank, the MHX SJ8600, 7'2" rated for 6 to 12# line and 1/16th to 3/16th baits. I think I may give this a try. If it doesn't work it will make someone a great drop shot rod.