Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

How small is your rod and how light is your line? It's not about the size of your tackle, but how you work it. Come share your Ultralight and Bait Finesse System (BFS) fishing success here!
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Mike son
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Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by Mike son » Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:39 am

I'd like to find a rod to fish 1/8oz to 1/4oz inline spinners and some small hardbaits. Real weight of the lures range from 4g to 8.2g with 90% of the time spent throwing the 1/4oz spinners, so sweet spot around 7g. The main target would be trout in small to mid size streams. I currently use a ML mod-fast spinning rod and am happy with the power and taper, I would just like to use a casting set up instead. It's a 6'6" spinning rod so I think for the casting rod I would like 6' to 6'6".

I've been reading a lot about the commonly used rods on this forum from ali but I'd like to jump right into the enthusiast rods. I think what I want in a corresponding casting rod compared to my currently used spinning rod is a light or ML powered bfs rod with a moderate fast taper. The lowest powered casting rod I have is the newer Poison Adrena 166ml-2. It'll cast the 1/4oz spinners fine but I believe there is slightly too much power in the blank, especially at the tip when fighting a fish.

I'm thinking I'd like a L powered bfs rod made for hardbaits(read barbless treble hooks) because of it's corresponding taper. I'd like to look at JDM Shimano rods, probably 2pc - Expride, Adrena, Bantam. Problem is they're all listed as "FF" taper, extra fast. Maybe some of them fish soft enough for treble hooks? F2 powered Megabass rods? Any suggestions or experience is welcome.

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by Allsorts » Sat Jul 18, 2020 10:46 am

I used a bass style BFS rod for trout once (PG Multirole) and although it cast the JDM sinking minnows I was using just fine, I found it a little too stiff for the trout I was chasing - 14-18" on average - and the twitching retrieve needed for the minnows. For consistently bigger trout (2-4Lbs) and minnows, it would have been perfect. Generally, the bass-style BFS rods are designed for small jigs and SPs and are consequently too fast to be ideal for treble hook baits. Evergreen do some BFS hardbait rods (GT-R for example) but they ain't cheap or easily available. On the other hand, many of the JDM trout BFS rods are quite soft, you would need a minimum ML power I would think, a JDM trout L might be rated up to 8g but based on my experience you would be wise to pick a rod where 7g was near the middle of the casting range. This is going deep down the Enthusiast rabbit hole but the class of trout BFS rod you are looking for is made and used on the north island (Hokkaido) to chase big bows, browns and salmon instead of the smaller non-migratory yamame white spotted char. Brands like http://www.anglo.jp/m32_bait_rods.html (top choice if you have deep pockets and patience), also Souls, M-Aire etc. Otherwise, Finesse Fishing has some of the heavier Shimano Native BFS rods for sensible money. A specialist online shop worth looking at is https://www.morinoie-brook.com/shop/lur ... index.html

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by hoohoorjoo » Sat Jul 18, 2020 10:49 am

Abu has some very nice BFS rods in their JDM lineups, as does MajorCraft.
Try not to let your mind wander. It is much too small to be outside unsupervised.

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by Hogsticker2 » Sun Jul 19, 2020 12:13 am

Time to go custom 👌

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by Dalleinf » Sun Jul 19, 2020 3:50 am

I mostly fish for large trout (average size 45-50 cm with many larger) using baitcasting tackle and 90% inline spinners weighing 1/8 to 1/4 oz (rest is JDM spoons and minnows in same weight range).

I understand that you want to go for better rods but will mention that Kuying and Tsurinoya offer decent rods for the purpose. I have been happy using the Tsurinoya Elf Ajing (not trout) rod, which is a bit longer than 7’, but have now had two of those rods break on me, so beware.

I have JDM trout and ajing rods from Daiwa, ABU, Major Craft, Smith, Palms, Valley Hill, Megabass, and perhaps some others.
I find that many Ajing rods suit my style of fishing, 1/4 oz spinners, and the streams that I fish. In contrast, BFS rods are typically too fast for my liking - I still have many BFS rods but use them for perch etc. I prefer a moderate or moderate-fast action for the treble hook inline spinners. I mainly cast spinners upstream, and rarely find the need for hook-sets, as the trout hit hard and hook themselves. Instead I need rods (or line) with some give to counter the hard strikes. However, I do not like noodle-sticks, so there is a balance. As some trout get to 10 pounds (and above), I also need backbone.

Some examples of 6 to 7 foot rods.
For the money, I really like the Daiwa Wise Stream 62LB3, which has a sweet spot around 1/4 oz.
The Smith Ltd. BST-HM55UL/C is also a very nice rod, a little short for you, more expensive, and with a sweet spot lower than 1/4 oz. I still use 1/4 oz spinners with the rod and did so as recently as yesterday. I like the rod for very clear water situations where casts have to be especially precise. My biggest trout with this stick was close to 10 pounds, and it handled that fish very well.
I also enjoy the Megabass Triza F0 63XTZ Aello, which is rated 1/32 to 3/16. I actually find the rod to have a sweet a sweet spot around 3/16 and it handles 1/4 oz beautifully. My best trip number-wise this season gave me 11 trout from 45 to 60 cm using the Triza and 3/16 to 1/4 oz inline spinners.
I had the Varivas Super Suspender SSR-610T, which was way too fast, and not to my liking in any way...except the looks.
Edit: Oh. Almost forgot. I have versions of the retired St Croix Legend Elite Gulf coast rods - they are very nice and fit your bill. I have to use them some more :D

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by Hobie-Wan Kenobi » Sun Jul 19, 2020 6:01 am

Daiwa Silver Creek 52L AGS. Great power trout rod. Enthusiast AF too.
IG @hobie_wan_kenobi_fishing

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by Mike son » Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:15 am

Thanks for the replies guys, a lot of useful info and experiences. I was afraid most BFS rods would be too stiff, or fast, as they are made mostly for small rubber jigs and plastics. What I had seen in the trout rods were rods too short for my liking and perhaps not powerful enough to throw the 1/4oz spinners. I'll look into the rods suggested above.

Most of the trout are between 6" and 20" and relate a lot to wood. I like the power I currently have in my spinning rod to keep them from tangling in wood so I thought I'd almost be in the range of BFS. I'll also be wading so I'd like some length for line management on longer casts. I'll attach a pic of an example of a tighter spot in the creeks I wade before I dive further down the rabbit hole in search of a rod.

Image

Also, if anyone likes glass, there was an addition to the Poison Glorious XC lineup. 166L-G/BFS that seems interesting to me.

http://fishing.shimano.co.jp/product/rod/5603

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by hoohoorjoo » Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:22 am

Hogsticker2 wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 12:13 am
Time to go custom 👌
I was resisting the urge to make the same suggestion, because theres always a learning curve when you venture into custom rods. I've had upwards of 40 different customs built, and currently only have 4 in my possession. I sold off the rest, because they weren't exactly what I wanted/needed. I guess it took that long because I had to figure out exactly what it is that I DON'T want.
Try not to let your mind wander. It is much too small to be outside unsupervised.

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by Mike son » Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:36 am

hoohoorjoo wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:22 am
Hogsticker2 wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 12:13 am
Time to go custom 👌
I was resisting the urge to make the same suggestion, because theres always a learning curve when you venture into custom rods. I've had upwards of 40 different customs built, and currently only have 4 in my possession. I sold off the rest, because they weren't exactly what I wanted/needed. I guess it took that long because I had to figure out exactly what it is that I DON'T want.
Forgot to address this. I definitely considered custom but realized I know no one who builds rods. For me, I'd almost like them to be local so that I could talk with them to really convey what it is I want in a custom built rod. Get a feel for the builder, maybe check out some of what they've built in person. Though, I'm sure good rod builders are familiar enough with available blanks to build one suitable for my needs. Aghhh, maybe I need to go the custom route instead? ](*,) :lol:

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by hoohoorjoo » Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:39 am

There are lots of good rodbuilders up your way. Do a google search for rodbuilders. Heck, I know a guy relatively close in Olympia WI who does great work. (At least, I THINK that's in your back of the woods). Matt Ferguson of Otterrods does excellent work, too, and he's a member here.
Try not to let your mind wander. It is much too small to be outside unsupervised.

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by Mike son » Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:47 am

hoohoorjoo wrote:
Sun Jul 19, 2020 8:39 am
There are lots of good rodbuilders up your way. Do a google search for rodbuilders. Heck, I know a guy relatively close in Olympia WI who does great work. (At least, I THINK that's in your back of the woods).
I'm in Chicagoland. I don't know any personally but I'm sure there are a rod builders in my area from amateur to professional. I can't find Olympia, WI on Google, do you mean Olympia, WA?

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by hoohoorjoo » Sun Jul 19, 2020 1:07 pm

Let me find his info. I was going off of memory, but looks like that didnt serve me well this time. I do know he is in the southern part of the state.
Try not to let your mind wander. It is much too small to be outside unsupervised.

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by Mike son » Sun Aug 23, 2020 6:17 am

Just want to follow up with this one after getting a rod and getting back out on trout waters this past week. Ended up picking up an Evergreen TKIC Stingray Super Shake off the forum after reading as much as I could about the rod on a German fishing forum. I threw 3.5g spoons, #6 panther martins(total weight with swivel 7.03g), and 1/4oz rooster tails which weigh about ~8g with a swivel. Rod handled fish from 6" - 20" great. Not the best fight from the smallest fish on the rod but really solid for everything I ran in to. Even threw a keitech tungsten guard jig and tiny paca craw for smallmouth locally and it was great. Really fun rod to fish with and versatile. Probably going to pick up an Ald BFS XG or Steez CT to go with the rod instead of the SV TW + ZPI M.

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Re: Looking for a casting rod for trout but with power, BFS?

Post by ss30378 » Sun Aug 23, 2020 6:36 am

Good looking fish, congratulations on the new acquisition!

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