Dear Anglers,

I am looking for a good rod and reel combination to fish artificial lures for reds/trout. I currently have a lews baitcaster with a medium heavy rod (recommends .5 oz to 1 oz weight). Today, the wind caused my line to "bubble" and be really slack. It was really hard to keep it tight and feel anything. I noticed another angler (who caught 3 reds) was using a light spoon type jig on a lighter pole. What type action is best to use? What kind of reel is better? Could i use a spinning reel i have on a med heavy poll and use it on a med-light pole? How do you prevent the wind/waves from messing up your feel?

Thanks- Man with no knowledge of artificial equipment

7 ft med light 6-12 lb test. 10-12lb line
Use a spinner with 10lb line on 7 ft med to med light rod
Use 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz jig head in up to 8 ft of water
think buggy whip

Yup, what Texjam said.

I like a medium rod with a moderate, moderate/fast tip. Even a parabolic rod will work. For most of my lure work.

I have heavy rods but I only use those for live bait, When i'm throwing lures I normally use a 7ft carrot stick medium light with a daiwa laguna baitcast 12lb test. My other is a abu 5500 on a medium rod.

I prefer a 6'6 - 6'9 range med fast action TightLine rod. Lure weight rated 1/8th - 5/8th oz. Line ranges from 6-15lb ratings.

Your heavy rod could be put to work with a popping cork or live bait, but for lures something smaller will work better. Like the guys above said, even a nice light spinning rig is great as well for weightless plastics or light 1/16th oz jig heads.

7'0 footers don't fit in my truck real well...so they must have a bigger truck than mine...;-)

Good choice on the reel.

I like to use a 7' medium with spinning reel for most inshore stuff regardless of using live shrimp or a lure.

If I am going to fish in an area that is known for bigger bull reds, sharks, and cobia and such, I prefer a 7' medium heavy with a larger spool spinning reel.

Braid line is all I got seems to cast a lot better than mono to me is strong and very sensitive. Past that a spinning rig or light casting set up if you can cast the lure you want to use on it.

X2 I run 12 lb test, gets the job done and I can cast it what seem like a mile

I use medium action spinning rod...7ft with a penn battle spinning reel...pretty impressed by the battle reel...im pretty hard on them and a lot wade fishing as well and had held up good for over a year now..i fishing nothing but lures (topwater) though..i use braid line myself..

I love my Shimano Sahara 2500 spooled with 20lb power pro on my 7ft med-light st croix

+1 on the Battle. I have one paired with a 7' med Ugly stick and have landed everything from reds, flounder, spanish, rainbow runners, jack, and a 5 1/2 shark with no trouble. For the money that set up is a killer and will not only pull in the fish but I can switch between live and artificials without any trouble. 30LB Power pro.

I find that braid on a spinning reel works great, even when using lures because it isn't as touchy about line twist compared to mono, co-polymer or fluorocarbon.

On bait casters for lure work I stick with mono. Heck for that matter I pretty much keep mono on all of my bait casters, light or heavy.

I have to say The Power Pro Super Slick is great stuff. I replaced mono with the above and have been very impressed. I use a 6.5' Abu graphite rod that will bring almost any gulf or bay fish in.

I think the rod KISTLER KLX 7' medium($150) and DAIWA SS TOURNAMENT 1300($100) with SPIDERWIRE ULTRACAST 10 lb.($20)+ fluorocarbon leader, is the best combo for what you want to fish.
Kistler KLX is super rod made in HOUSTON(Magnolia) on G.LOOMIS blanks.