Question About Using Small Lures

Steve826 07/08/2009 - 14:29 I've been trying to find the best setup to use for small lures, basically anything lighter than 1/8 in size. I've tried using 1/16 floating Rapalas for panfish in ponds and they work but I have trouble casting them far. The rod I am using is a 6 ft BPS Medium, and the reel is a Pflueger President 6730X. I have 6 lb Trilene XL on there and I can get a good cast using a live bait rig w/ bobber and split shot, but not with small lures. It can be tedious using live bait for panfish so I'd like to use small lures but I just can't seem to get good casts. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? Mike suggested I use 10/2 Powerpro...any thoughts on this? Could it be the rod length, maybe I should try a 6 ft or 6'6 Medium Light, instead of 6' medium? Or for light lures should I downsize the reel to a President 6725X, and use the same rod? I was going to try 4 lb Trilene XL on the spare spool but Fox's was all out of it when I went the other day. So I'm trying to find an alternate solution, but if you guys think that 4 lb mono is the answer then I will wait until they re-stock.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks everyone for the tips.

Steve826 07/14/2009 - 09:16 Thanks everyone for the tips. Last weekend I tried out a 5'6 L that I got real cheap from Wal Mart when I first started fishing two years ago...it definitely helped w/ the casting distance. We'll see how the 6'6 ML works...

Steve

No Matter What Rod and Reel You Use

TightLine 07/13/2009 - 11:24 Make sure your reel is fully loaded, that can make a huge different, as it does not take much force to pull line from a very full spool. Of course this can cause other problems :). You have to keep your eye on those darn spinning reels every minute.

Good Luck,
-TL

I agree...

Captwalleye 07/14/2009 - 06:06 I agree with Bill about the full spool helping in gaining casting distance.It can also create problems too.Such as the loop in your line on the spool.You can help eliminate that by programing yourself to close the bail by hand,and to apply pressure with the rod to cause tension as you close the bail and begin your retrieve.At first it's a pain to get use too,but eventually you become conditioned to it and than it becomes second nature.
Another issue to think about is proper casting form and getting the most out of the rod.Rods are rated for certain line and lure weights to get the most performance out of them.So you have to consider that when your shopping for a new weapon/tool.When I say form I mean manipulating the rod to get the most stored energy generated and released while and as you cast.For distance I prefer the two hand method where you grasp the botom of the handle with your free hand and toward the end of the the cast pull back in sort of a flicking motion.It helps to add loading pressure to the rod and in my opinion helps get that little bit more of of your cast.You also want to consider accuracy,and practice is what makes it happen.You'll eventually get to a point where you'll be making casts of incredible accuracy and think nothing of it,other than the satisfaction of doing so.I still get it when I'm in the zone.Ask Mike he's seen and heard me when I'm there.
You'll have to practice and experiment to find your happy medium casting wise.Don't over do it where you loose the spark of enjoyment.
You can make what ever you do as complicated as you want,but does it really please you? When you no longer find pleasure in your discipline than it's time to hang it up and try something else.That also applies to life in general.
Hmmm...enough ramblings of an elder.Go fish!

light setup

space inwaders 07/10/2009 - 20:20 Steve,

I use a 6'6 ml for the lighter stuff, with a shimano 2000 series (a cheap old one) reel with 4/10 fireline. 2/10 powerpro as mike suggested would be a good option to try too.

I cast 1/16 oz jigs regularly, and for the time being from the shoreline where the longest cast possible is important.

yeah the 6' med might not be able to give the lighter lures enough snap to send em flying.

4lb mono would also work well, maybe a trilene XL or similar.

i prefer the braids and fused lines b/c of no stretch and being able to retreive many snagged lures. I can feel every little rock vs wood vs weeds vs fish and thats a huge help for me. Also if you luck into a 8lb wally using one of those light jigs you'll be glad you have the line strength.

Floro is an option too, maybe a 6lb floro on that 6'6 ml should cast great and have low stretch plus low visibility.

-steve

Update

Steve826 07/09/2009 - 23:06 I ended up purchasing a 6'6 ML from BPS. We'll see how that works...

Steve

Light Action

Dee Tee 07/09/2009 - 12:41 I have always used 6' light or medium light rods in the past with no problems. I went and bought a new 6'6" medium rod this year that was a bit more expensive than my existing rods so I thought it would be perfect. I can't get this thing to cast my smaller lures at all. My guess is that you need a lighter action rod so it can load up when you cast and provide some real distance. Medium is just too stiff to get any energy out of it at the cast. Just my $ 0.02.

-DT

Don't worry, my bail is open!

My Thoughts

smalljaw 07/09/2009 - 06:08 Steve,
4 lb mono will probably help a little bit. I would suggest scaling down all the elements though. I used to fish ultra-light almost exclusively back in the day. I would go with a 10 series reel with 4 lb mono or Yozuri Hybrid on a 5 foot ultra light rod. A good friend of mine has an Eagle Claw combo that he got somewhere that casts 1/16 oz spinners a country mile.

Give me a day or two and I might be able to cobble something together for you, no charge, out of surplus gear that I have in my garage.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I really appreci

Steve826 07/09/2009 - 10:37 Thanks Jeff, I really appreciate it! You really don't have to do that though...

Steve