I am currently looking for a rod to go with my Calcutta conquest 50. I know it won't be a very practical setup but that reel is just too fun! Anyone have much experience with lighter casting rods? I'd like something that can load with a pretty light bait. I also won't be spending more than $150 on the rod.

 

I might even end up using it for trout and crappie fishing if it the rod will load with lightweight stuff, the reel is top notch and I think it can handle it.

Phenix maxim 610 ml is a great bfs dropshot/ small jerkbait rod

I have a Falcon ml I use to cast 1/8th ounce buzz baits and spinnerbaits. Check their lowrider series out.

I have a Bass Pro Extreme 6 foot medium light, moderate action baitcaster that I love. The specs on it said as 1/16 to 1/2. I use it with a Daiwa Tatula CT. Its main purpose for me is to throw weightless as well as lightly weighted (belly weighted) swimbait hooks with Reaction Innovation Skinny Dippers and the smaller size Little Dippers.  That rig is amazing in and around docks.  With no weight the fish act sorta like they do with a weightless Senco. They just come up and eat them. I have it spooled up with Sufix 832 braid in 10 pound test and use a short 2 foot leader made either of P Line CXX in 8 pound or the same size of AbrazX. That stuff has handled some big bass and rough surfaces like pilings, rebar. concrete etc.

10 hours ago, everythingthatswims said:

I am currently looking for a rod to go with my Calcutta conquest 50. I know it won't be a very practical setup but that reel is just too fun! Anyone have much experience with lighter casting rods? I'd like something that can load with a pretty light bait. I also won't be spending more than $150 on the rod.

I might even end up using it for trout and crappie fishing if it the rod will load with lightweight stuff, the reel is top notch and I think it can handle it.

I have a 6'6" BPS Carbonlite (black) in ML. Loads and casts
extremely well with my Chronarch 50e. Throws some very
light baits with ease - like a weightless Zoom Finesse worm
and lighter stuff than that.

A Major Craft rod would be my pick.

I second kickerfish1 for looking at majorcraft rods.

I have two CQ50s; both are on St. Croix medium-light rods - one on an Avid, the other on a LTB.  These reels are a lot of fun on these light rods. However, both of my rods retail above your price-point. The first rod that came to mind though was already recommended by Darren and that was the 6'6" ML Carbonlite. I don't have that rod but I do have a 7' M Carbonlite and it is a very light, fairly sensitive rod for the money so I'm assuming that the ML Carbonlite is as well.

Have fun with your Conquest 50 ! 

The F&S where I work at SC LTBs for $175. It's the 6'10 ML/F one (Finesse is what it says).

I found a St Croix Premier ML 6'6" last summer in a local independents rack.  They were discontinued so I got the rod for a great price and I took it home.  It'll throw light stuff but the 6'9" ML Avid will do much better.  But, that's a $200 rod.  I was hoping the Premier would throw small cranks (and it will) but I'm thinking the #5 Shad Rap is out of the question.   Doesn't hurt to dig around in those smaller shops sometimes.

I picked up a Fenwick HMG medium wt. rod, 7' with medium taper this summer. It quickly became my go to rod for everything but soft plastics. I love the feel of the rod and the way it throws light lures, and best of all, it was LT $100.