I want to invest more into techniques like wacky, ned, small jigs, and weightless senkos after recent success. I've picked out a 6'6 Medium-Light Spinning rod with a 3000 size reel and 10lb braid as my candidate to perform these. I fish bank with little cover. One lake I fish has heavy rocks but I seldom use these techniques there.  

 

I want to know if this combination of gear I have picked will handle the techniques I want.

Yes that will handle that.

 

You might want a smaller reel (2000 size) to save weight and balance a ML that short (I also prefer lighter/small reels to heavier reels) but that's something you can try in a shop to find your preference.  Also for the weightless senkos I am assuming you're talking wacky, weightless wacky, and lighter wire hooks.  if you're talking about a HD 5/0 then that rod might be a little light to drive the hook home, depending on the specific rod.

What are the reel and rod weights you are looking at?

 

I use a vanford 3000 (6.3oz) and procyon 2500's (6.7oz) with a ML avid-x 6'6" MLF (3.5 oz) and use it for ned etc...Perfect balance.  The ML and my combo is great for finesse fishing.

 

If it's a lighter 3000 you should be good but as casts_by_fly mentioned it might be a little heavy depending on the rod weight.  If you rod isn't super light you should be fine.

 

I got into finesse fishing about 2 years ago and am enjoying it . Having lots of success with a weedless ned setup.

7 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Yes that will handle that.

 

You might want a smaller reel (2000 size) to save weight and balance a ML that short (I also prefer lighter/small reels to heavier reels) but that's something you can try in a shop to find your preference.  Also for the weightless senkos I am assuming you're talking wacky, weightless wacky, and lighter wire hooks.  if you're talking about a HD 5/0 then that rod might be a little light to drive the hook home, depending on the specific rod.

I meant 2000 but yeah. I mean ones that are Texas Rigged, #2/0 EWG or #1/0 Offset Worm Hook. My Ultralight on 4lb test has just enough power to hook a fish with this, but not enough to hook it well enough to keep them hooked during a jump or hard fight. So i figured a little heavier line and rod could handle this. I have a Medium-Heavy bait caster running 20lb braid but the casting distance is poor (about 20 feet) compared to my 5 foot ultralight with only 70yds of 4lb test which can chuck a weightless senko or wacky worm  50 or 60 foot easily, so i figured a 6'6 Medium-Light rod on 150yds of 10lb braid could get better distance that MH but have enough power to hook a good bass better than UL. 

4 minutes ago, E-H said:

What are the reel and rod weights you are looking at?

 

I use a vanford 3000 (6.3oz) and procyon 2500's (6.7oz) with a ML avid-x 6'6" MLF (3.5 oz) and use it for ned etc...Perfect balance.  The ML and my combo is great for finesse fishing.

 

If it's a lighter 3000 you should be good but as casts_by_fly mentioned it might be a little heavy.  If you rod isn't super light you should be fine.

I'm looking at the Lew's Laser SG. 2000 size weighs 8.5 oz and 3000 weighs 8.7 oz. Lew's Laser SG1 6'6ML would weigh 5.5oz.

 

My other option is the Daiwa AIRD 7' ML, it doesn't have a weight but should weigh around the same as the Lew's Laser SG1. It was originally my first pick but its lure weight range (1/8-1/2oz) I was told is not as suited to my techniques as the Lew's SG1's range (1/16-3/8oz).

22 minutes ago, PTasker15 said:

I'm looking at the Lew's Laser SG. 2000 size weighs 8.5 oz and 3000 weighs 8.7 oz. Lew's Laser SG1 6'6ML would weigh 5.5oz.

 

My other option is the Daiwa AIRD 7' ML, it doesn't have a weight but should weigh around the same as the Lew's Laser SG1. It was originally my first pick but its lure weight range (1/8-1/2oz) I was told is not as suited to my techniques as the Lew's SG1's range (1/16-3/8oz).

IMHO, I think you should be good with this setup or maybe a 2500 reel.  Should be balanced and give you the sensitivity you are looking for with the ML.

Thanks. This should all go together good with 10lb braid/ 8lb mono right?

56 minutes ago, PTasker15 said:

I meant 2000 but yeah. I mean ones that are Texas Rigged, #2/0 EWG or #1/0 Offset Worm Hook. My Ultralight on 4lb test has just enough power to hook a fish with this, but not enough to hook it well enough to keep them hooked during a jump or hard fight. So i figured a little heavier line and rod could handle this. I have a Medium-Heavy bait caster running 20lb braid but the casting distance is poor (about 20 feet) compared to my 5 foot ultralight with only 70yds of 4lb test which can chuck a weightless senko or wacky worm  50 or 60 foot easily, so i figured a 6'6 Medium-Light rod on 150yds of 10lb braid could get better distance that MH but have enough power to hook a good bass better than UL. 

 

17 minutes ago, PTasker15 said:

Thanks. This should all go together good with 10lb braid/ 8lb mono right?

 

Yeah, you're right on the mark.  You might want to bump to 15 or 20 lb braid for a little easier handling and a little more insurance.  Its super supple still and you'll cast the things you're talking about a mile.

 

Also, you don't mention which size senko you're throwing, but if you're talking about a 5" senko you should get a lot more than 20' from one on a MH baitcaster.  I think a 5" will weigh in around 3/8 oz and you should be able to fling one a good 25 yards or more.

You can get away with throwing wacky and weightless senkos on a ML, but its not ideal.  If youre throwing ned heads that weight more then 3/32 then a lighter M rated 1/8-1/2 or 5/8 is going to be a much better match then a 1/16-3/8 ML.  As for a reel you want at least a 2500, as long as you stay with a Daiwa a 2500 LT like a Regal, Leagalis, Excler, Fuego it will be the same weight or lighter then a 2000 shimano.  The short handle length and line take up on a 2000 paired with ML will make it harder to take up slack line while fishing worms.  The smaller spool will hurt casting distance as well.  If you go to a Daiwa 3000 you get a slightly higher IPT and longer handle which makes it much easier to take in line fast and set a hook.  10lb braid and 8lb will work great.  If you feel thats 8lb is light just go to a 10 lb leader as the 10lb PE break at 15lbs which is more pressure then the rod or reels drag youre using will handle.

Whats you're budget?

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

 

Yeah, you're right on the mark.  You might want to bump to 15 or 20 lb braid for a little easier handling and a little more insurance.  Its super supple still and you'll cast the things you're talking about a mile.

 

Also, you don't mention which size senko you're throwing, but if you're talking about a 5" senko you should get a lot more than 20' from one on a MH baitcaster.  I think a 5" will weigh in around 3/8 oz and you should be able to fling one a good 25 yards or more.

Yes a 5" Senko. 20lb braid, 15lb Fluorocarbon Leader, 6'10 Medium heavy rod. I'll check again soon but I recall not being able to throw very far. Also I enjoy a fight, so hence my preference for 10lb over 15. Though I understand if my fish runs into a bunch of weeds I may not get them out. 

2 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

You can get away with throwing wacky and weightless senkos on a ML, but its not ideal.  If youre throwing ned heads that weight more then 3/32 then a lighter M rated 1/8-1/2 or 5/8 is going to be a much better match then a 1/16-3/8 ML.  As for a reel you want at least a 2500, as long as you stay with a Daiwa a 2500 LT like a Regal, Leagalis, Excler, Fuego it will be the same weight or lighter then a 2000 shimano.  The short handle length and line take up on a 2000 paired with ML will make it harder to take up slack line while fishing worms.  The smaller spool will hurt casting distance as well.  If you go to a Daiwa 3000 you get a slightly higher IPT and longer handle which makes it much easier to take in line fast and set a hook.  10lb braid and 8lb will work great.  If you feel thats 8lb is light just go to a 10 lb leader as the 10lb PE break at 15lbs which is more pressure then the rod or reels drag youre using will handle.

Whats you're budget?

Im on a good budget so around $60-120 is my range. If thats not a good range for my techniques, Daiwa AIRD's weight range for their 7' ML rod is (1/8-1/2) oz, and then I can get either a 2000 or 3000 Lew's Laser Speed Spool, or any reel you would suggest in the $35-$45 range. 

 

I recently used weightless 5" senko (both wacky and texas) on ultralight 5' and 4lb test and got good results, it had just enough power to set the hook and keep them there. Actually recently caught my PB with this. Only downside was the second they ran into any cover they were lost (luckily they got off and spit the hook instead of breaking off). I would think that a 7' or 6'6 ML with 10lb braid could do a little better. I also fish my weightless senkos with mostly slack line, . I'm great at watching my line and wait for 1) ripples to form along the slack line (taps) or 2) line to start moving. I reel slightly (or let them pick up the rest of my slack if i only have about a yard or two of slack) and slam the hook. I've gotten lots of bites and fish this way, and it has worked great. Although when fishing creature like lizards and lsowly hopping them through over, thats when I remove as much slack as I can, but I rarely fish weightless creatures except for spawn which is over here.

I started throwing 4" senkos on a 5' UL ugly stick when I was 10, it worked surprisingly well as long as the fish was somewhat close.  Get what you want, but Im just trying to recommend something that would work out better for everything.  5" is heavy, about 1/2oz, once you get to the top of weight range youre ability to set a hook especially at distance.  Just use the lightest wire you can ge taway with.  Good luck

My main finesse rod is 6'2" mxf for 6-15 lb line and a 2000 size reel.  I use 6 lb mono or 15 lb braid with a 6 lb leader.  1/16 oz or 1/8 oz bullet weight and finesse worm.  This outfit has caught bass over 6 lbs with no obstructions.

1 hour ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I started throwing 4" senkos on a 5' UL ugly stick when I was 10, it worked surprisingly well as long as the fish was somewhat close.  Get what you want, but Im just trying to recommend something that would work out better for everything.  5" is heavy, about 1/2oz, once you get to the top of weight range youre ability to set a hook especially at distance.  Just use the lightest wire you can ge taway with.  Good luck

I'll pick up a 7' Medium XF/F that's rated around 1/8-1/2. Hopefully you are right. Lastly do you recommend 8lb or 10lb braid?