I really really REALLY want a baitcasting rod that will excel in throwing 3/8-5/8 for jigging walleye and throwing some megabass vision oneten’s @ 1/2oz. Oh and I want it a medium light. I’m not asking which blank to get, I’m asking more: off the top of your head can it be done? With the right reel and the right guides etc, I’m sure it can be done? And if so, what guides would you use? Any particular size?


How come when fishing walleye using 3/8 and up we use spinning rods but for bass they use baitcasters? It doesn’t make sense to me.

Oh and I’d be using 20lb braid

Entirely possible, no problem, assuming a good reel. I would use a Fuji RV 6 then titanium Fuji KB's and KT's, all the same size, 5.5 to the tip (titanium Arowana) . Using titaniums will yield slightly faster recovery speed which should theoretically contribute to longer casts. I would also use a graphite blank for faster recovery, but there are other factors that may lead to glass, which will also work.

David,
The pretty simple reason to use spinning for Walleye and Bait casting for Bass are, I think, mainly the areas where one fishes for each species.

When fishing for walleye - one normally does not fish heavy cover. Yes, now and then - but not generally.

However, when fishing bass, the opposite tends to be true. i.e. when fishing bass, it is routine to fish for bass in heavy cover.

As a result, one needs to winch a fish out of heavy cover, but one can simply lead a fish out of open water with much less effort.

Hence, the use of a winch (bait caster) for fishing heavy cover, compared to leading fish to the boat in open water (spinning reel.).

Michael has some pretty good advice. But, if you want to spend less money, one certainly does not need to purchase titanium guides. Simple pac bay minima guides will do a fine job with an alconite tip top for additional wear protection will also do fine.

Using the same weight - I would be very surprised if one would get any measurable difference in casting distance by using the titanium guides compared to the stainless guides.

----
Warning -
You indicate that you want to use a medium light rod blank. Great choice for any sort of walleye jigging up to about 3/8th of an oz. Above that - and you are tending to overload the tip of a good jigging rod. Also, then pitching onten's at 1/2 oz - you are really pushing the limit of the rod for good reach and control.

If you want to fish these different uses and baits - you are really better off with two identical rods. Except that one rod is medium light and one rod is medium. Obtain both in extra fast actions and then use the medium light for the lighter baits, and the medium for the heavier baits.

Your choice. You could certainly build the medium light and give the techniques a try, and if you are happy great. But, don't be surprised if you reach for a slightly heavier action for the heavier terminal tackle.

Best wishes

roger wilson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> David,
> The pretty simple reason to use spinning for
> Walleye and Bait casting for Bass are, I think,
> mainly the areas where one fishes for each
> species.
>
> When fishing for walleye - one normally does not
> fish heavy cover. Yes, now and then - but not
> generally.
>
> However, when fishing bass, the opposite tends to
> be true. i.e. when fishing bass, it is routine to
> fish for bass in heavy cover.
>
> As a result, one needs to winch a fish out of
> heavy cover, but one can simply lead a fish out of
> open water with much less effort.
>
> Hence, the use of a winch (bait caster) for
> fishing heavy cover, compared to leading fish to
> the boat in open water (spinning reel.).
>
> Michael has some pretty good advice. But, if you
> want to spend less money, one certainly does not
> need to purchase titanium guides. Simple pac bay
> minima guides will do a fine job with an alconite
> tip top for additional wear protection will also
> do fine.
>
> Using the same weight - I would be very surprised
> if one would get any measurable difference in
> casting distance by using the titanium guides
> compared to the stainless guides.
>
> ----
> Warning -
> You indicate that you want to use a medium light
> rod blank. Great choice for any sort of walleye
> jigging up to about 3/8th of an oz. Above that -
> and you are tending to overload the tip of a good
> jigging rod. Also, then pitching onten's at 1/2
> oz - you are really pushing the limit of the rod
> for good reach and control.
>
> If you want to fish these different uses and baits
> - you are really better off with two identical
> rods. Except that one rod is medium light and one
> rod is medium. Obtain both in extra fast actions
> and then use the medium light for the lighter
> baits, and the medium for the heavier baits.
>
> Your choice. You could certainly build the medium
> light and give the techniques a try, and if you
> are happy great. But, don't be surprised if you
> reach for a slightly heavier action for the
> heavier terminal tackle.
>
> Best wishes


Wow thank you for the information and clarification. Much appreciated!
I think I’m gonna do both. A spinning for the 1/2 stuff and a baitcaster and see myself what I like better for the technique at hand.

I personally recommend doing as David said and building them identical. IE both spinning. I say this because fishing Vision 110s and other 110 sized jerkbaits, I prefer a spinning rod. If you watch the jerkbait legends they mostly recommend spinning as well.

The other reason is that when out fishing and you decide to size up to the 5/8 jig your transition between baits will be easier as the rod will feel familiar.

I do this with my ned, drop shot, bass jig, and spinnerbaits. I use one color of thread on the hook keeper for the lighter ones and another on the heavier ones.

A.P.

Be careful with what is called a medium or a medium light. There is a huge difference in power. For example, a St. Croix medium light might have 350 grams of power, and the Batson immortal medium light casting blank has a bit over 600 grams of power. I'm thinking for all the techniques above you could get away with something in the 450 gram range. I agree with trying both spinning and casting and picking whichever you like best. All the techniques you listed will work fine on either.

Fishing the Columbia River for walleye has never really been a spinning reel show in my experience, jigs are usually between 3/8 and 3/4 oz. occasionally 1 oz. I think because of those needs people naturally gravitated to baitcasting gear.