So have gotten used to my okuma swim bait rod. Looking to try out a smaller, light weight baitcasting setup. Would like to keep it under $300 if possible. But $400 would be max.

Wondering what a good rod and reel would be? I mainly fish weightless 6" senkos Texas rigged for largemouth bass. I fish a lot of weeded areas. Lilly pads and underwater grass beds.

I really like my st croix spinning rods. But do not have a lot of experience with many different rods and am open to try other options.

So any thoughts would be great!

think about if you really want to go to baitcasting equipment to throw such light weights... throwing swimbaits and throwing weightless stickbaits couldn't be any more different.

 

For what you are looking for, I use spinning gear. I know there are some here that throw light weights with BC equipment, maybe one of them can chime in with suggestions. 

think about if you really want to go to baitcasting equipment to throw such light weights... throwing swimbaits and throwing weightless stickbaits couldn't be any more different.

For what you are looking for, I use spinning gear. I know there are some here that throw light weights with BC equipment, maybe one of them can chime in with suggestions.

A 5" senko isn't as light of a bait as so many would be lead to think. A Yamamoto 5" senko weighs 3/8oz. So a 6" would weigh at least that much. Maybe even a bit more. Any of today's casting reels can handle it no problem.

True 1/8oz and below is what would be considered BFS or 'light' weight.

I know it's a little out of your price range, but I use a Daiwa PX Type R reel and a Kistler KLX Finesse Worm rod.  Actually, I got the reel on sale this winter for $300, so that puts in right in your range.  What a dream combo to fish!  I like using the bait caster vs. a spinning rod and I can toss unweighted 5" Senkos easily... the heavier six-inchers would be a cinch.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

Kistler Helium 3 7'1 MHXF

 

Chronarch 50/51e

 

will run you just under 400$

I use Chronarch 50e reels for this very purpose.

 

Both are paired with 6'6" Carbonlites, one ML the

other is MH.

 

On both I can throw weightless 4" senkos with no

issues at all.

 

In fact, I can throw weightless Zoom Finesse worms

on either setup (ML, obviously loads up better and

casts them further).  On my ML I've thrown weightless

Yamamoto shad-shaped worms as well.

 

No problems. Right reel, right rod, you can do it.

St Croix Avid 7' med fast with a Lews tournament lite speed spool 7.1:1 which you can get for around $139 online. I use this for 5" Senko wacky rigs.

For sale my me in our Flea Market:

 

$450 G. Loomis GLX BCR893/ Shimano Curado 50E Supertuned

9/10 rod, reel 9/10 cosmetically, 12/10 mechanically

I use Chronarch 50e reels for this very purpose.

 

Both are paired with 6'6" Carbonlites, one ML the

other is MH.

 

On both I can throw weightless 4" senkos with no

issues at all.

 

In fact, I can throw weightless Zoom Finesse worms

on either setup (ML, obviously loads up better and

casts them further).  On my ML I've thrown weightless

Yamamoto shad-shaped worms as well.

 

No problems. Right reel, right rod, you can do it.

My thoughts exactly. However I'd spend the extra cash on the new Chronarch Ci4+ with either a Carbonlite medium, medium light or similar. For tossing light lures (or as a workhorse, but especially tossing weightless gear), I've never used a reel that casts better.

For sale my me in our Flea Market:

 

$450 G. Loomis GLX BCR893/ Shimano Curado 50E Supertuned

9/10 rod, reel 9/10 cosmetically, 12/10 mechanically

Now that would be an amazing senko set up.

Now that would be an amazing senko set up.

Ehhh 400 is my max lol

I think I can put together a good solid outfit and save you some money to boot. American Legacy has the Lews Tournament pro casting reel on sale for $139.99, and you can go to FFO (Fishermen's Factory Outlet) and get either a 6'9" MH-F Abu Garcia Villain casting rod for $78.88 or a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'9" MH-F casting rod for $74.88. I am recommending those to you because I fish 5" Senkos on spinning tackle around open areas but when I fish them in grass or brush I use a 6'9" MH-F rod because it is long enough to give me distance but short enough to give me excellent accuracy , I think it is almost the perfect length. I have no problem throwing 5" Senkos  on a weightless Texas rig so 6" will be easy to cast as well. Both rods are good, I'm not a big fan of the Villain but it is a good rod, I just prefer the Fenwick over it as it is a lighter rod but either rod you choose will be a good set up and you are saving a good bit.

For sale my me in our Flea Market:

$450 G. Loomis GLX BCR893/ Shimano Curado 50E Supertuned

9/10 rod, reel 9/10 cosmetically, 12/10 mechanically

But my max is 400 tho! Lol

For sale my me in our Flea Market:

 

$450 G. Loomis GLX BCR893/ Shimano Curado 50E Supertuned

9/10 rod, reel 9/10 cosmetically, 12/10 mechanically

 

Perfect set up for senkos and a great price.  If the OP can save up a couple more bucks, this would be a no brainer.

 

If not,  I would go with a St. Croix Avid 7' MF with a Shimano Chronarch 50e. 

I think I can put together a good solid outfit and save you some money to boot. American Legacy has the Lews Tournament pro casting reel on sale for $139.99, and you can go to FFO (Fishermen's Factory Outlet) and get either a 6'9" MH-F Abu Garcia Villain casting rod for $78.88 or a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'9" MH-F casting rod for $74.88. I am recommending those to you because I fish 5" Senkos on spinning tackle around open areas but when I fish them in grass or brush I use a 6'9" MH-F rod because it is long enough to give me distance but short enough to give me excellent accuracy , I think it is almost the perfect length. I have no problem throwing 5" Senkos  on a weightless Texas rig so 6" will be easy to cast as well. Both rods are good, I'm not a big fan of the Villain but it is a good rod, I just prefer the Fenwick over it as it is a lighter rod but either rod you choose will be a good set up and you are saving a good bit.

 

Dan has always given me good advice.  I haven't handled the Villain he mentions, but I like my 6'9" ML spinning rod, don't like the 7'6" MH casting rod.  (Both purchased on my own hook...not at Dan's suggestion.)  Thanks to Dan I have one Smallmouth spinning rod and 3 Smallmouth casting rods including the one mentioned.  I really like all 4 rods.  Great values.  The Lews Tournament Pro is an excellent reel...and a great buy at that price, imho.

 

A combo near the high end of your budget would be the previously mentioned Daiwa Alphas SV and an Aetos rod.  Or the Elite Tech Bass for a little less.  You can probably guess I am a fan of Fenwick rods.  I read great things about the *** rods.  Eventually will have at least one for myself.    An *** and the Lews TP will be within the $400 max budget.

 

I like my Curado 51Es and Alphas reels, but I don't feel such a reel is necessary as any reel should be capable of handling 5 and 6 inch Senkos.  I've got to mention (again) that the Pinnacle Primmus is a great little reel.  5.9 oz. and casts like a dream.  Very, very smooth reel.  You should be able to find one for less than $160 shipped.  I'm enjoing mine more every time I take it out.    Took it with me to Florida this year, and for awhile I was casting a Yo-Zuri 3DB  Floating Popper (3/8 oz.) with it.  That thing cast like a bullet.....way out there.

Woah! Thanks for all the responses. Guess I got a few good names to research now!

St. Croix Avid 7' M

Shimano Chronarch 50e (You could get a Chronarch CI4 for $220 on JLS)

 

I played with an Avid X today at my local Gander Mountain and I have to say I like it a lot more than the original Avid. It felt really nice in my hands and it may just be my next rod purchase. I'm a die hard  Dobyns fan but have been playing with St. Croix for the past few months and I like them more and more every day.

I think a couple different Avid or Avid X models would work well - 6'8" m/XF, 7' M/F, 7'1" MH/XF. My primary rod for 5" senkos even in some brush and cover is my Legend Xtreme 6'8" M/XF spinning rod and love it. I've also got the LTB casting 6'8" m/XF and have also used it for senkos with success. For a cheap bargain you get a Rage or two from the bargain room online if you don't mind the handles, they're $99 right now. The M/F will be the most versatile.

In Megabass if you want something different and JDM you could look at the Diablo Spec R or EMTF in the Orochi XX line.

I recently got a Kistler KLX crank rod and am thus far very impressed. I've not used any of their jig/worm action rods, but would consider one based on the KLX I have and recommendations of others.

I would step up to at least a conservative MH for a six inch Senko...especially in cover.

The St. Croix Avid AVC70MHXF plus a Curado I would come in under $400.

A 5" senko can be flung a country mile with baitcasting gear even on 15# line.  

Like others have said, a weightless T-Rigged (Fly-Lined) Senkos cast like a frickin' bullet! A 50-200 sized reel with 10-15 pound test on a MH-F/XF rod will suit you quite well.

In you price range, I would get a Daiwa Alpha SV baitcaster and a 7'0" Medium Heavy Duckett Micro Magic Pro rod. It is a perfect combo for Senko's.

Chronarch 50e falcon cara t7 weightless worm rod is grest with lighter gauged hooks. Rated at mh it seems like a medium to me. But a very sensitive light balanced rod. Or if you want to save money I like my 3 carbon lights (old black ones). The new e6x loomis 843 mbr is awesome. Not as good as my 843 imx but. Thats what I have thrown senkos on.

Also look at. Shimano Scorpion 1000xt from Japan Lure Shop and slap a set of PGII knobs on it!

Did you decide on a new stick yet? If not the new MB Levantes might fit the bill for you at the 200 price point. You should look at the EMTF or Diablo depending on what length you're comfortable with.