Ok I just got a bunch of vudoo shrimp in that I ordered but they are so light and I'm having trouble casting my lure as far as I want it or even accurately I've gone with a lighter lb test line but don't want to go too light bc we catch monster trout and reds on the bay I fish and don't want to go too light on my rod choice either any suggestions... And I'm using the Calcutta gt200. Should I switch to spincast for the lighter weight? I am a pretty experienced fisher I've just never had the need to through such a light lure but I really want to try these guys out bc I've heard nothing but good about them. Thanks for any help I can get.

8 or 10 lb. test monofilament should give you all the grunt you need and allow you to cast some pretty light baits on a quality reel that's set up properly. You'll need a long (I know, long is relative. Let's say 7 feet, give or take) rod with a fairly soft tip (I know, soft is relative. I'm not going there). I have a 6 1/2' rod with a Shakespeare levelwind (nowhere near the reel your Calcutta is.....) loaded with 10 lb. Silver Thread that'll throw a weightless 6" worm a country mile. I caught a lot of bass on it when I used to fish fresh water.

My old jetty rig was a 7' soft rod with an Ambassadeur reel (again, not as uptown as your Calcutta) loaded with 8 lb. monofilament. It'd cast a live shrimp (no weight or float) as far as I ever needed it to.

I am also using braid and if you have ever used it you know how bad a back lash can get. But after using it for the past few years idk if I can go back to mono lol

the rod you are using might have impact on this also.

6-1/2ft all-star medium action

I have 2 rods I use to cast light lures. One is just a 7ft ml carrot stick and a 7'6 mf custom made on a rainshadow blank. The 7'6 has more power and backbone and get lures out. But I can toss light lures with my carrot stick and have brought in reds in the 30's. How are you fishing the shrimp? I think they weigh around 1/8th. I have never fished them so I don't know how heavy they are compared to the doa. As for me i like mono 10 -12 suffix cast real well and is strong. One trick I learned is using a little heavier leader and swivels,it can give you some extra casting weight but not interfere with the lure action.

Yeah I have fished it under cork mainly but there are some spots you just can't get to with a cork and they are 1/8oz and they work great under a cork but I fish in my kayak a lot against reed and right in the banks and the depths of course very but I want to try getting some distance and letting them just sink and retrieve slow.

Grew up surf fishing but cant really add much to what these guys have already told you the rod length has always been the main factor for me. Really looking forward to your repot on the voodo shrimp . I want to try them as well as some 11 inch eel like lures.

I love surf fishing too but I've never had much problem with that accept the seaweed... Found a good spot off crystal beach.

I'll try a 7ft rod, if not cast with the wind at your back if you can. How far do you cast? And how far are you trying to reach?

With my set up now with no cork I'm lucky to get 5-10 yards but I'm wanting to get at least 15-20 yards but with a cork I can let it fly.

I've heard a spin cast is better for lighter lures though but have never been a big fan is it true and if so what's a good spinning reel?

That's a little short throwing a 3inch 1/8th shrimp, you might need to adjust the brakes and speed of the spool. It takes a while and a little practice to get it down right. Test it out in an open feel. I learned the hard way trying to cast hard leads to birdnests. Easy motions and a flick of the wrists works better for me, let the rod tip do the work. You know by the whip sound when you have it right.

I've set the brakes I've gone criss cross one here one there I've tried all kind of stuff I'm just gonna try it on a lighter rod and line and see what happens... Thanks for everyone putting in some time writing back this is the first forum I've ever been in...

I use 1/16 oz. when wading.

I also keep a 1/8 oz handy & ready to go.