How light a lure can you throw on a baitcaster?

[lakevet]

How light a lure can you throw on a baitcaster? I usually switch to spinning setups when downsizing my presentations (small jigs and little Rapala stickbaits for smallies), but have seen guys baitcasting lures I would throw only with light spinning tackle. What specific rod/reel/line combos do you use? What is the lightest # test line you have on your baitcasters? 8# 6# 4#? Why baitcast instead of spinning these light lures?

Thanks!
lakevet

[delmuts]

lake. the smallest i go on a baitcaster is 1/8. i do this some times on 20# mono and a 6 1/2 ' rod. ( when around brush and such) usually either spinner baits or jigs. most of the time i use them on a 7' rod with 10# mono. i can control my distance so much better and more accurate with the baitcaster than a spinning rod. also; i have a problem with my hands going to sleep with spinning rods ( nerve damage). for vertical jigging and swimming small jigs and cranks i do go with a spinning rod . del

[Deitz Dittrich]

With a well matched rod and reel combo I cast weightless plastics quite often with baitcasting gear. Keep in mind however that a 3/0 hook and hunk of plastic do weigh something...I usually go with 10 lb test.. and the reason I am fishing with a baitcaster is to get the fish out quicker. Usually a baitcaster is a stouter rod. My weightless worm rod is a 6'10" MH Shimano V-rod or 7'MH Shimano Compre with a Shimano Chronarch SF reel...

[This message has been edited by Exudedude (edited 04-30-2004).]

[fisher98]

Guys--

The max pound test i throw on spinning gear is 10 lb. test...and the lowest i go for my baitcasting is 10lb....and i work my way up!!!
Now on the size of the lure and what rig to use, it depends on what you feel comfortable with. You need to know your gear, and the lures you throw. Some lures are too light for baitcasting equipment, so go to spinning gear. Example, some of the Rapala balsa lures don't cast well on any baitcaster, so i go for a 6 1/2 to 7 foot medium spinning rod with 8-10 lb. test.

Basically when it comes to what gear to use, use what is comfortable for you, and if you don't know, experiment!!!

---fisher98---

[This message has been edited by fisher98 (edited 04-30-2004).]

[Dan Wood]

No reason to go real light without switching to spinning gear in my opinion (that is the reason for spinning gear). I never go below 1/8 oz. (unless using heavier salted plastics which normally can be fished weightless on baitcasters). Typically 1/4 oz. and up.

[luv2senko]

If the wind isn't blowing too hard, there are days where my Plueger Trion could probably cast a trout fly with some careful thumbing.