Looking for a recommendation for a baitcasting rod/reel setup to specifically fish J09 Jointed Rapalas. These are listed at 1/4oz weight and I'd like to run 20lb PowerPro as we will be encountering northern pike.

Leaving aside the J09 for pike thing, that's a tall order for any baitcaster, BFS, Better Fish Spinning®

I have been tilting at the "Casting a JO7 on a baitcaster" windmill for a few years now and it's not worked out well for me.  The only rods I have found that will do it well are very soft and light trout BFS rods.  They work great for sunfish and creek bass, but even a little pickerel is hard to manage.  

 

The JO9 is heavier and that helps a lot but the issue with casting these baits is wind resistance, not weight.  I can get the JO9s to cast well on a few different L powers casting rods and even acceptably on a Avid M/XF, but none of these rods are anything I would want to mess with any of the Esox family on.  

28 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

I have been tilting at the "Casting a JO7 on a baitcaster" windmill for a few years now and it's not worked out well for me. .  

Can't imagine why that would be. Oh, and it's Juliet Zero Niner, not Juliet Oscar Niner, How copy?

 

 

29 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Can't imagine why that would be. Oh, and it's Juliet Zero Niner, not Juliet Oscar Niner, How copy?

 

 

It took along time to accept it. It’s a shame too as they are such great creek/pond lures.  

 

Some day I will love a spinning rod again, but today is not that day.  

I would be looking for a M or MH crankbait rod to do it. You need a softer action to load and throw that - XF isnt going to do it. 

 

That said, i'd probably go spinning.

6 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

It took along time to accept it. It’s a shame too as they are such great creek/pond lures.  

 

Some day I will love a spinning rod again, but today is not that day.  

It's a phase, you'll get over it. Junkies don't love Syringes. I'm Jonesing, gotta go turn some tricks...

 

I am pretty happy with my tatula elite finesse baitcasting rig with tatula sv. I get about 75% distance compared to my spinning setup which is an alpha angler wrench and a ci4+. I thoroughly enjoy the bc rig way over the spinning rig.

With that bait it's a tough nut to crack..I've tried over the years.

 

I've found that you can actually beef up the rear treble a bit and it seems to help w/casting them on a baitcaster w/out messing up the action too much. I have a kit of vmc Barbarians -which are a heavier, thicker gauge, and it makes a bit of a difference. Maybe adding a more tailweight helps them flow throw the air more inline vs sideways, grabbing less air. If nothing else I can cast a bit more aggressively perhaps with less spool fluff if that makes sense. Experiment, & keep an eye on how the lure behaves in the water to see if it's to your satisfaction.

 

 I have a 7' M Mod fast Falcon original that I bought at a yard sale that loads them acceptably. 

 

No experience with toothy critters on it, but I've caught a few 28"/30" stripers and the rod handles them fine.

14 hours ago, VolFan said:

I would be looking for a M or MH crankbait rod to do it. You need a softer action to load and throw that - XF is going to do it. 

 

That said, i'd probably go spinning.

You honestly think one can cast a 7 cm balsa bait with a MH BC? 

any chance you could throw the heavier J11 or J13? 

 

the J13 can be cast 50 miles on a 7.5 foot MH Baitcasting rig and 12- 14 pound mono. it launches. 

 

it would be a lot easier to throw the larger models. 

I can cast #9 Rapala pretty far with SLX 7’2” medium.  I fish clear water and need long casts.

2 hours ago, Tizi said:

I can cast #9 Rapala pretty far with SLX 7’2” medium.  I fish clear water and need long casts.

I-502

8 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

You honestly think one can cast a 7 cm balsa bait with a MH BC? 

With the right action, reel, and line - yes. Is it ideal- no.

Would I use the M suggested in the same sentence for the smaller bait- yes.  

 

Other questions?

1 hour ago, VolFan said:

Other questions?

What size is that straight jacket?

42 S