I am having trouble casting ¼ ounce crankbaits with a baitcasting rod. Even with a rod rated for ¼ to ¾ ounce lures I have to really muscle the cast just to get average distance. Should I try to find a rod that starts with a 1/8 lure weight rating? For what it is worth, the rod is a 6' 6 MH Shimano.

Thanks!

The problem is not the rod, it 's your line diameter and your reel.

Raul, is right on. Most likely a reel that hasn't been serviced in awhile. The spool support bearings are probably getting gummed up..

Tight Lines!!!

I am using 10 lbs (or was it 12 lbs) Yozuri Hybrid.  Also, the reel is a Abu Garcia C3.  Which bearings inside of this reel should I check?

Thanks!

The ABU C3 is not the best reel for 1/4 oz baits. That reel's "sweet spot" starts at 1/2 oz. C3's are commonly used for Muskie baits weighing 1 to 3 ounces (sometimes more).

Just go out and buy a 7ft med st. croix legend with a mod. action and put a diawa sol on it with a 10lb low dia line and it will throw the 1/4 oz baits like a champ.  THATS RIGHT MONEY DONT GROW ON TREES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

The problem is DEFINITELY the reel, if it were a Spinning Reel there'd be no problem

Roger

The problem is DEFINITELY the reel, if it were a Spinning Reel there'd be no problem

Roger

Yes, use spinning tackle! You'll be casting twice the distance!

Also, the reel is a Abu Garcia C3.  Which bearings inside of this reel should I check?

There are only 2 bearings in that reel that affect casting they are in the spool.

The ABU C3 is not the best reel for 1/4 oz baits. That reel's "sweet spot" starts at 1/2 oz. C3's are commonly used for Muskie baits weighing 1 to 3 ounces (sometimes more).

Actually depends on the reel size,  rod length, and line size (system balance), I used an old 4600C on an old 6'6" MHM E-Glass for years, to throw lipless cranks in all sizes...

Tight Lines All!!!

The C3 will cast a 1/4 oz bait with no problem at all......if the bearings are properly oiled and the brake is also set properly. So it 's not the rod nor the line, it 's the reel and you.

Ok, Here is an update:

I was using two seperate poles and reels:

1.  Abu Garcia C4 w/ 12 lbs Fluoro on a 6' 6" MH Fast action 1/4-3/4 Shimano rod.

2.  Abu Garcia C3 w/ 10 lbs Yozuri Hybrid on a 6' 6" MH 3/8-1 oz Gander Mt. Generic rod.

Both rods were about the same as far as casting.  If I tried to overhand the cast, I would drill 1/4 ounce casting plug into the ground about 50-feet in front of me.  SidearmI could cast it a mile, yet accuracy suffered...

I know the 3/8-1 oz pole is not the right pole, but I might be stuck with it for a while due to funds....  Can it be made to work?

Thanks!!

6' 6" MH 3/8-1 oz Gander Mt. Generic rod

I have seen that rod at a local Gander Mtn. it is a stiff one. More suited for close range pitching.

If I tried to overhand the cast, I would drill 1/4 ounce casting plug into the ground about 50-feet in front of me.  SidearmI could cast it a mile, yet accuracy suffered...

Sounds like a reel setup issue.

Just my .02¢

Tight Lines!!!

If I tried to overhand the cast, I would drill 1/4 ounce casting plug into the ground about 50-feet in front of me. Sidearm I could cast it a mile...

Cast overhand and release the spool sooner...  if you release earlier, you'll get a higher trajectory.

Hi there,

I also do all my fishing from the shore. I have to agree with T-rig that the best way to cast light crankbaits is with a spinning rod. But sometimes when you walk on the shores it is quite hard to carry an assortment of rods. I have had good casts with 1/4 oz and 5/16oz cranks though by using a 9ft Shimano medium action 1/4 - 3/4oz rod and a Shimano Scorpion reel spooled with 20lb power pro...

OK, Here's an update: I tried two different reels (Both Abu Garcia's: one C3 and one C4) and three different rods.  Two of the rods were 6' 6" M/H fast tips.  The third was a 6' Medium Med/Action rod.  

Neither reel seemed to do any better despite one having 10-lb. and the other having 12-lb. line.  Of the rods, the 6' Medium was the hardest for me to cast.  All in all, each overhand cast would go about 30-yards  Those same rods casting ½ ounce lures work fine.

I assume the rods are too stiff AND the line might be a bit heavy?  I want to have a baitcasting rod set up just for crankbaits and throwing ¼ ounce cranks us a must.

Where to go from here (shopping I assume)?

Thanks!

OK, Here's an update: I tried two different reels (Both Abu Garcia's: one C3 and one C4) and three different rods. Two of the rods were 6' 6" M/H fast tips. The third was a 6' Medium Med/Action rod.

Neither reel seemed to do any better despite one having 10-lb. and the other having 12-lb. line. Of the rods, the 6' Medium was the hardest for me to cast. All in all, each overhand cast would go about 30-yards Those same rods casting ½ ounce lures work fine.

I assume the rods are too stiff AND the line might be a bit heavy? I want to have a baitcasting rod set up just for crankbaits and throwing ¼ ounce cranks us a must.

Where to go from here (shopping I assume)?

Thanks!

Gridiron, Hi again!

Something important to consider for casting distance is the rod length. If you are fishing from a boat, rod length may become a serious issue, but from the shore it is most likely a boom. I started using standard 6-7ft bass rods when I started bass fishing, but thanks to some Russian friends, I discovered that longer rods of similar power and actions (8 1/2ft to 10ft) with the same reel, line, and lure, would give me a significant increase in distance (10-20 yards). That was with spinning gear, but when I switched to b/c a few months ago it didn't take long to realize that the extra length gives extra distance.

Now, as I told you, for light cranks and light s/b I use a 9ft Shimano medium / fast 1/4oz to 3/4oz and it gives me plenty of distance (with the scorpion reel). I have to admit that a custom - made 9ft medium fast spinning rod with a Sahara 2500 reel gives me maybe 10-15ft more casting range when I throw small (size 8) X-raps, but unless I am at a place where I can park the car near the area I want to fish (within 100-200 yards) the spinning outfits remain in the car...