TackleTour

I am seeking a rod recommendation for swimming unweighted worms on topwater application. Here in Florida we often swim worms through the pads if frogs aren't getting it done. I am having a little trouble getting distance casting a 7" ribbon tail unweighted (it weighs .31 oz). Currently using a Conquest 7' heavy and Conquest 7'6" XH. Thinking perhaps a longer Medium Conquest or NRX rod - need light tip to cast but backbone to pull them out of the weeds. Could just use a spinner, but prefer a baitcaster. Any advice?

Not to change the subject, but maybe you should try a shallow spool or a reel capable of casting light baits.

I am looking to do that as well. I was using Curado K with 65lb braid.

Seems like a rod 1st scenario. Definitely need something with a softer tip to load and cast, but don't want to lose to much backbone. I can't help though, as most of my rods are custom. Is 65 lb braid necessary? Could you get away with 50, or even 40? For me, the perfect reel in this situation would be a Daiwa SV103.

You could do a conquest 903c with an aldebaran. 50# FX2. My chronarch mgl outcasts my sv103.

That's a unique situation you describe. I'd downsize to medium power XF action right around 7ft or so. Your sticks are too heavy to throw that weight. I'm admittedly unfamiliar with them, but XF tip is what you need for lighter wire single points and a medium power should allow reasonable compromise between cast distance and control. Also, let vegetation density be your guide to line diameter. If you can reasonably get away with smaller diameter where you're at then do it. If not, then don't. And don't be afraid to roll against the grain if you must; there is no shame running 40 braid to 65 braid leader. It can be done. And nobody says a leader has to be 3 feet or less either. Make it 10, 20, 30, it doesn't matter. What you describe is outside the box, so think outside the box. Whatever it takes to make it work. Sounds like fun. Good luck.

I cast a weightless trickworm ~.25oz, on a 783 or 723 GLX with pretty good distance for shorter rods. I do use more finesse orientated reels and/or spools though.

893c NRX has a really nice tip for casting those baits, and still has plenty of backbone to get them out. I use that rod with a Chronarch or Metanium and 40lb braid. I also add a 1/16oz weight when needed. The Ultravibe Speed Worms and Cutter Worms cast pretty good already, but the weight gives you the ability to drop the lure down in holes in the grass or fall along grass lines. A 1/16oz EWG swimbait hook also works really well, and gives a different look on the fall(horizontal).

Maybe try one of those plastic bullet weights that float. They call them Carolina rig floats or something. Not sure if they add enough weight to help casting though. I would say the line downsizing and maybe an MGL spool would really help. Without a heavily salted plastic or particularly heavy worm plastic, casting a lure like that with a Heavy powered, fast tipped rod and a general purpose reel with a deep spool and heavy line is quite a task...

Thanks for all the feedback. I ended up ordering the NRX 894 today; It was a tough decision between the 893 and 894 . The NRXs that I have feel a little softer and I felt like it may be the next lightest rod down from the CNQ 844. I also thought it may be slightly better in cover.

As for reels for the NRX 894, which do you think would throw lighter baits better: Metanium MGL or the Curado 70?

Obz wrote:You could do a conquest 903c with an aldebaran. 50# FX2. My chronarch mgl outcasts my sv103.

With weightless worms?

yes with weightless 7" worms, Ribbit froms, Ultra vibe worms.

Conquest 903, Metanium MGL XG, 30lb Maxcuatro

Hogsticker2 wrote:

Obz wrote:You could do a conquest 903c with an aldebaran. 50# FX2. My chronarch mgl outcasts my sv103.

With weightless worms?

I use 5" flukes with 50# fx2 if they are short biting my frogs. mgl all day. My guess would be the aldebaran would be even better.

I would imagine a MH Loomis with a aldebaran would chuck those things. Haven't personally used an aldebaran but have heard they have the power to handle frogging.