Finesse Rods And Reels: So I want to get into finesse fishing but I do not know what setup to use. Do you guys have any idea on what rod and reel setup I should get? -- by I

FS Digest

So I want to get into finesse fishing but I do not know what setup to use. Do you guys have any idea on what rod and reel setup I should get?

--
by I_GotSnagged

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

FS Digest wrote:

So I want to get into finesse fishing but I do not know what setup to use. Do you guys have any idea on what rod and reel setup I should get?

--
by I_GotSnagged

Hey IGS, Personally I use a 6'6" Medium power,fast action spinning rod, and an old 1355Diawa reel. I've been filling it with 8lb Nanofil and an 8lb Fluoro leader. It works well throwing unweighted Senkos, wacky worms, Ned rigs, and drop shooting. I also throw spoons and spinners for Trout on occasion with it. Good luck, finesse fishing is fun.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Sensitivity and balance is the most important factor
Most major rod brands offer good finesse gear . Brand preference and your budget will drive selection
What ever you chose , you are looking for Med to Med Light power with Extra Fast action

I’m serious about my finesse fishing. I have the following
Bait casting
GLoomis NRX 893 C JWR with a shimano Metanium
GLoomis GLX 852c JWR with a Shimano Aldebaran

Spinning
GLoomis GLX 822S DSR with a Shimano Stella FJ 1000
GLoomis GLX 852 S JWR with a Shimano Sustain
St Croix legend Tournament walleye with a Shimano Stradic CI4 1000

Chill55 Loc: Pleasant hill California

Those are great combos it took me 40 years to reach what your using and I wish some one would have told me about st croix and g loomis sooner it’s much more fun I have bought both my grandsons st croix fly rods 4 at I fish with a gloom is fly rod and have both loomis and st croix spinning rods and there really fun

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Chill55 wrote:

Those are great combos it took me 40 years to reach what your using and I wish some one would have told me about st croix and g loomis sooner it’s much more fun I have bought both my grandsons st croix fly rods 4 at I fish with a gloom is fly rod and have both loomis and st croix spinning rods and there really fun

Yea thanks , I’m all loomis and st croix now. As well as shimano reels with the exception of a couple Lews super duty I use for heavy work. Love em.

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

Ben Bragg wrote:

Sensitivity and balance is the most important fact... (show quote)

Ben, which set up do you prefer.
GLoomis NRX 893 C JWR with a shimano Metanium
GLoomis GLX 852c JWR with a Shimano Aldebaran

I’m thinking the NRX and the Aldebaran is going to be my next combo. I don’t have the Metanium yet. There is a DC model. Metanium DC on the NRX should have fish jumping in the boat.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Haven’t used the NRX yet.
It would be awesome with the Aldebaran but I think the NRX 852 would balance better. The Aldebaran is very light. And the 893 is 7’5”
I have the GLX 852 and it’s sweet with the Aldebaran. The NRX 852 would be perfect.
The Metanium is awesome. As well. I’m planning to use the Metanium / NRX 893 for “ heavy finesse” 3/8 -5/16 work. Shaky heads and such

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

Ben Bragg wrote:

Haven’t used the NRX yet.
It would be awesome with the Aldebaran but I think the NRX 852 would balance better. The Aldebaran is very light. And the 893 is 7’5”
I have the GLX 852 and it’s sweet with the Aldebaran. The NRX 852 would be perfect.
The Metanium is awesome. As well. I’m planning to use the Metanium / NRX 893 for “ heavy finesse” 3/8 -5/16 work. Shaky heads and such

Is that Metanium with the fifth gen. DC?

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

No I haven’t made the leap yo any DC reels yet.
Back to your question. I’ve been talking about rod / reel balance . With these rods you kinda need to be careful about the weight you select. The two we are talking about are 2 and 3 weight rods. That’s the third number in the model number. 893 being a 89 inch rod 3 weight.
The lure weight sweet spot on a 2 weight is about 1/4 oz. sweet spot on a 3 weight is about 3/8 with a little above and below on each one
They are both rated above and below their respective sweet spots .
Before you lay out the cash. Try to decide which weight lure you will be using most of the time. If you answer is 1/4 - 5/16 then the 2 weight , 3/8 -7/16 then the 3 weight 1/2 oz or 5/8 then the 4 weight rod is maybe best.

There is tons on information on Bass Resource forum. Check it out. Pretty good reading.

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

Ben Bragg wrote:

No I haven’t made the leap yo any DC reels yet. b... (show quote)

Thanks for the explanation. So for finesse fishing, the 2 weight with 1/4 or less would be right. I think I have the rod dynamic. I’m trying to figure out if the Aldebaran as a one note finesse combo or the Metanium DC and be more versatile. I have the Curado DC I really like it.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Yea Aldebaran is the way to go for purely light finesse.