When finesse fishing having the right equipment is critical if you want to be successful as an angler. Perhaps the two most important components to any finesse fishing setup is the rod & reel. The right rod & reel combination will allow you to make longer casts, detect every bite and ultimately catch more fish.
So what is the best rod & reel for finesse fishing? In my opinion the ultimate finesse fishing setup is the Dobyns Fury Spinning Rod paired with the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ FB . However, with that being said it’s tough to call out the best because a lot of it comes down to personal preference.
In today’s post I’ll share with you the best finesse spinning rods and reels as well as everything you need to know about selecting the right gear for your finesse fishing setup.
Let’s get started.
Finesse Fishing Setup
In finesse fishing you are typically using lighter action spinning rods and smaller reels. This combination gives you the ability to use light line and throw lighter finesse baits and lures. This setup is ideal for targeting smallmouth and largemouth bass, trout and other game fish.
This is one of those techniques where spending as much as your budget allows is really important. Why? The higher end rod and reels give you more sensitivity which is critical for this technique and will allow you to cast farther and detect subtle bites. Not to mentioned the higher end products will last a lot longer as well.
However, spending a lot of money doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the right finesse fishing gear to fit your needs. For that reason, I have put together this quick guide where I will share with you the ultimate finesse fishing setups including the best rods, reels and line to use when fishing this technique.
Best Finesse Spinning Rod’s
Sensitivity is the name of the game in finesse fishing. What can really give you that edge and ultimately make you a better angler is having a sensitive rod that has been designed for this application.
In my experience there is really a huge difference in sensitivity between the various price points. If you want to save money on your setup, spend less money on your reel and get yourself the best finesse spinning rod that your budget allows. It will be well worth the investment.
The best finesse spinning rods are going to have the following qualities:
- Sensitive
- Lighter Action
- Faster Tip
- Durable
Having the right rod is key and will take your finesse fishing game to the next level. If you are looking to add a finesse rod to your arsenal, here is a list of some great options below.
Best Spinning Rod’s for Finesse Fishing
Dobyns Fury Spinning Rod
The most sensitive rod for the price point
The Dobyns Fury is an incredible spinning rod that is ideal for any finesses fishing situation. Finding a more sensitive and durable rod at this price point is going to going to be pretty much impossible. If you are in the market for a new spinning rod I highly recommend checking out this one.
St. Croix Premier Series
Premium spinning rod that is ideal for any finesse technique
Another great finesse fishing spinning rod is the St. Croix Premier. The St. Croix brand is well known for being one of best rod manufactures in the business. This really showcased with the Premier rod series. You get the same high end quality as their more expensive rods but at a more affordable price. This rod will be a great addition to any finesse fishing setup.
Team Lew’s Custom Pro Series Spinning Rod
The perfect finesse spinning rod for all anglers
The Lew’s Custom Pro is one of my all-time favorite rods. It’s tough, lightweight and is one of the best finesse spinning rods out there. I’ve had several of Lew’s rods and reels and I’ve been very impressed by the quality and overall craftsmanship and customer service that Lew’s offers. Click the button below to find out more information about this rod.
Best Finesse Spinning Reels
Another important component to any fishing setup is the reel. As I mentioned previously, buy the nicest equipment that’s within your budget, but if you have to save, save your money on the spinning reel.
The advantages of fishing with a spinning reel is that it will allow you to fish with lighter line and smaller lures and baits. Which is ideal when going finesse. Paring the right reel with our finesse fishing rod is also key.
The best finesse spinning reels are going to have the following characteristics
- Lightweight
- Quality Drag System
- Solid Spool/Line Capacity
- Durable
Here are the three best finesse spinning reels out on the market:
Best Spinning Reel’s for Finesse Fishing
Shimano Stradic Ci4+ FB
The ultimate spinning reel that is ideal for any fishing situation
Shimano is well known for their premium spinning reels. It doesn’t get much better than the Shimano Stradic Ci4. This just might be one of the best spinning rods ever made and is a great choice for any finesse fishing angler. If this rod fits within your budget it’s well worth the investment.
Abu Garcia Revo SX
Premium spinning reel at a fair price
Another great spinning reel that is versatile and durable is the Abu Garcia Revo. The Revo is lightweight, fits comfortable in your hands and has a smooth bearing system that will help you play any fish at any time. This is not only a great finesse spinning reel but can be used for other applications as well. The Revo is a must have for any angler fishing with a spinning rod.
Lew’s Mach 2
The best value spinning reel on the market
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money but you still want to get a quality spinning reel that will last you a long time than the Lew’s Mach 2 is the reel for you. This is an all-purpose reel with a ton of built in features. This reel offers anglers with incredible value and is a must own.
Best Line for Finesse Fishing
Light line with low visibility it typically what you are going to want to use when finesse fishing. Most anglers will use either straight fluorocarbon (4-8 lb) or a lighter braid with a fluorocarbon leader. You can use monofilament as well but its high stretch and sink rate isn’t ideal for this technique.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon is the most popular and perhaps the most effective line to use for finesse fishing. If you are fishing in clear water straight fluorocarbon is a no brainer. It’s sensitive, has low stretch and is the ideal match for most finesse fishing techniques.
Here are the advantage of using straight fluorocarbon:
- Ideal in clear water
- Low visibility
- Sensitive
- Sinks easily
- Low stretch
Here are the best fluorocarbon lines for finesse fishing:
- Sunline Super FC Sniper (Best All Around)
- Seaguar INVIZX (Fantastic Fluro)
- Stren FluorCast (Budget Friendly)
Braid + Fluorocarbon
A lot of really good finesse fishing anglers also us braid as their main line and pair it with a fluorocarbon leader. Braid has no stretch whatsoever, it’s also more durable than fluorocarbon and can save you a lot of money over time just adding a leader.
The lack of stretch gives you the ability to feel every detail that is going on with your bait at the bottom. Its durability allows you to use it for years without ever having to switch it out. The downside of braid is that its highly visible making a fluorocarbon leader a must add.
The combination of a braided main line and a fluorocarbon leader gives you durability, sensitivity and allows you to cast farther. These advantages make this combination a popular one among finesse anglers.
Here are the best braided lines for finesse fishing:
Bottom Line
Having the right rod and reel setup is so important when you are finesse fishing. A quality rod and reel combination will allow you to detect more bites, feel every bait/lure movement, and will ultimately help you catch more fish.
Do yourself a favor and apply the things you have learned in this post and go out there and get yourself a quality finesse fishing setup. It will be well worth the investment.
Tight Lines
