Hello, I’m new to using bait casters. I’ve only owned one for a year and it’s a Lews TP-1 Medium Fast. I’m looking at getting a stronger baitcaster. The techniques I would fish with it would be 1/4oz Texas rig, 3/8-1/2 jigs, and 1/2-1oz punching into light to medium density cover. I like the Winn grips on lews rods and was looking at the Lew’s TP1 black 7’2” Medium heavy fast jig rod. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the TP1 black or if anyone has any other recommendations under $150? Thank you.

The thing you have to worry about - punching with a 1oz weight isn't '1 ounce'. You need to add the weight of the hook and the plastic to that. The plastics I use for punching weigh between 1/3 to 1/2 ounce - so you're actually tossing 1-1/3oz to 1-1/2 oz. That's above the 'recommended' range of the TP1 jig rod.

 

I would either get the TP1 for the T-Rigs and Jigs only and skip the punching for now - or add a second rig like the TP1 Heavy for your punching.

8 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

The thing you have to worry about - punching with a 1oz weight isn't '1 ounce'. You need to add the weight of the hook and the plastic to that. The plastics I use for punching weigh between 1/3 to 1/2 ounce - so you're actually tossing 1-1/3oz to 1-1/2 oz. That's above the 'recommended' range of the TP1 jig rod.

 

I would either get the TP1 for the T-Rigs and Jigs only and skip the punching for now - or add a second rig like the TP1 Heavy for your punching.

That’s right, I forgot about the plastic weight. Honestly, I don’t feel confident right now using a 1oz weight so if I was going to ‘punch’ it probably would be a 1/2oz weight at most into lighter cover

2 minutes ago, Primitive fisherman said:

That’s right, I forgot about the plastic weight. Honestly, I don’t feel confident right now using a 1oz weight so if I was going to ‘punch’ it probably would be a 1/2oz weight at most into lighter cover

In that case - the TP1 MH would be able to handle it.

I was looking at the tp1 black medium power to add to my tournament pro but instead I changed my mind I'm going with the speed stick lite it's a better and lighter rod and you can get one on sportsman's outfitters for the same price as tp1 black but if you're heart is set on the tp1 then go for it even cheaper on so.