Bitsy minnow…revisited!

Hi all, I’ve lucked out on a handful of these little lures and I gotta say the last couple of outings with these, Creme micro versions to be exact, I found it was quite enjoyable alternative to jighead and floatNfly ways of taking bluegills and other sunfish. Seeing “the take” almost give the same feeling of anticipation as when a trout rise to a dry flies then slurping it, in a fly fishing scenario. Anyhow pulling up old threads reveal many member here also had very good success with them, but no one seemed to mention their favorite UL rod, length and action wise, that they used or preferred to use when throwing one of these in any distance. So my question is will a slow, medium or fast action rod do a better job of lobbing something this small and light? My one rod I was using was a Abu Garcia trout rod which I broke last summer upon hookset, I know users error, but I have a few other rods I will be trying them out. What’s your thought? Thanks in advance!




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Attachment 422493
Here’s a picture of micro lure.



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I would think you would want a rod with a fairly whippy tip to load up and cast the lure. Just my thoughts

This is an interesting topic and one which will likely get a multitude of answers. I have found there is no easy answer. I have used slow whippy rods that could not cast worth a hoot. Yesterday I was fishing the Fine Tail Stream 46 UL rod....which by the way if you picked it up you would not think it was an UL rod. It casts like a dream. A couple of guys were watching me fish and they commented that they were surprised I could cast that far with this rod. I was also surprised when I started using it just how good it did cast. My thoughts are each rod has a sweet spot at a certain weight. Many times I have found one does not necessarily gain distance because the rod is longer. The other factors come into play also...line diameter....guide size, and profile of the lure being cast. I can cast a 3 gram spoon much farther than I can a 3 gram spinner...seems odd but it is fact. And of course I can cast the 3 gram spinner farther than I can a 3 gram crankbait due to the larger profile of the crank. I don't think there is a one size fits all answer to this.

Regards

Yes it does sound like a loaded question doesn't it? Notice I don't dare asking for rod brands as I know everyone has a favorite and not to mention if I throw in JDM rods into the mix and the action ratings will now be all over the place. I guess you are right Alphahawk, no one rod does it all. I'll just have to test all my 6 or 7 UL rods in my collection to see. Thanks much both for chiming in!

I used to have access to a private lake that had a lot of big bluegill and I fished with those bitsy minnows all the time. They work great on gills, crappie, and small lmb.. Back then I would use any 5'6 or 6' ul rod, nothing fancy and spooled with 4lb Trilene xl.. I never seemed to have any problems, I didn't have to cast very far, I was in a 2 man pond prowler type boat. I would just keep the noise down and move in slowly. If I went back today I would still be happy with small ul, even though I have 8 JDM setups. Only difference is virtually every reel I have now has 0.3 Varivas Master Limited x4 PE with 4lb mono as backing. It really adds to the sensitivity and with those lures it will send the mail !!

Fishing with crank baits , spinners, beetlespins and other reaction baits doesn’t require a sensitive rod , so most ultralight rods that can handle the casting will work .
Lately I’ve been going through my ultralights checking them for their sensitivity fishing a drop shot .
I’ve found moderate action ultralights not to be the best for fishing the drop-shot , but I think they’d work great for fishing small cranks .
I own a few Bitsy minnows , I need to dig them out and give them a try.

[QUOTE=gillchaser999;4241693]Fishing with crank baits , spinners, beetlespins and other reaction baits doesn’t require a sensitive rod , so most ultralight rods that can handle the casting will work .
Lately I’ve been going through my ultralights checking them for their sensitivity fishing a drop shot .
I’ve found moderate action ultralights not to be the best for fishing the drop-shot , but I think they’d work great for fishing small cranks .
I own a few Bitsy minnows , I need to dig them out and give them a try.[/QUOTE

What action do you prefer for drop shotting?

My 5’4” St Croix Panfish has become my favorite rod for drop shotting gills . It’s is an ultralight power , fast action rod . Feels to me the most sensitive rod I own .
longer ultralight fast rods start getting whippy and start loosing sensitivity.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gillchaser999

My 5’4� St Croix Panfish has become my favorite rod for drop shotting gills . It’s is an ultralight power , fast action rod . Feels to me the most sensitive rod I own .
longer ultralight fast rods start getting whippy and start loosing sensitivity.

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Sounds like an excellent rod the St Croix is, Gillchaser. I would certainly give the Bitsy Minnows or any small top water baits for that matter, a go. You’ll never know the fun factor until you try. I also fly fish bluegill and green sunfish during warm season and dragging these little lures with spinning gear instilling the same excitement minus the back casts, the trees, and a pair of waders. Cheers!


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