Finesse-Fishing Blog
The Finesse-Fishing Blog will highlight new pages on the Finesse-Fishing.com site and follow developments in ultralight spinfishing and ultralight baitcasting for trout.
Shimano Cardiff Native Special
The first time I fished the Shimano Cardiff Native Special S42UL-3 was on a stream running about 30 CFS. I spent the day fishing Smith AR-S 2g spinners and Daiwa Presso Eve 1.2g spoons.
I had a "many" day and got a pretty good feel for the rod (at least with light lures). The rod is light, accurate, convenient and flexible enough to have fun with the smaller fish you expect to catch in the smaller streams.
Trip Report - 6-26-21
If at first you don't succee .... If at second you don't su .... If at third you d.... Let's hear it for Plan D!
Plans gang aft agley (that is what plans are famous for).
The plan, at least Plan A, was to fish a well-stocked local stream but this time to travel light - no heavy vest with every pocket bulging with lure boxes, no backpack with a couple back up reels (I have been known to get bird's nests in baitcasters that could be cleared only with scissors and swear words), no heavy water bottle, no lunch. Just one small lure box with a few spinners, a few spoons and a few smaller plugs and a spool of tippet. I did carry a second rod, but that was mostly to be able to compare, back to back, the Tenryu Spectra RZS51LL spinning rod and RZS51LL-BC baitcaster. The plan was to fish four reasonably short sections of the stream with a stop back at the car for lunch between sections 3 and 4.
That is not how the day played out.
Trip Report - 5-12-21
The purpose of the trip was to decide whether to replace my Tenryu Rayz RZ4102B-UL with a Tenryu Rayz Spectra RZS51LL-BC. I have felt for a long time that in order to become truly proficient at casting, I would have to pick one rod and fish only that rod. You may not have that limitation. I'm sure there are anglers who can pick up any rod, practice for a few minutes and start putting lures into paper-plate sized targets with regularity. Not me.
The Tenryu Rayz Spectra RZS51LL spinning rod and baitcaster are made on the same blank. Other than the grip and the guides, they're the same rod. I love my Spectra RZS51LL. The question was whether I would love a Spectra RZS51LL-BC enough to replace my existing baitcaster.
Smith Multiyouse
The Smith Multiyouse spinning rods were introduced in early 2020, with the baitcasters added to the series in early 2021. The "Multi" is a reference to multiple situations in which you would use the rod and also to multi-piece rods, as each rod in the series is a 3, 4 or 5 piece rod designed for convenient packing and travel.
The "youse" is less clear. I suppose it could signify use, as in multiple uses for the rods, but then again whoever named it may have gone to college in Philadelphia, and it could mean that all "youse guys" need this rod.
Whereas Japanese rod names are beyond our understanding, we definitely do understand the appeal of relatively short, glass rods for small stream fishing. 
A Close Look at the Shimano Exlead S57SUL/R-GS
I must make a confession, I'm prejudiced against rods with skeleton handles and solid tips. The Shimano Cardiff Exlead S57UL/R-GS has both!
I have 3 JDM rods that have very functional and comfortable skeleton handles. There not as beautiful as the Tenyru handles, but in many ways I find them more functional. The handle on the Exlead is very comfortable and functional.
After testing several very ultra light rods, and even building one, have finally I found what I have been looking for? I can answer the question with a resounding yes!
Continue reading "A Close Look at the Shimano Exlead S57SUL/R-GS"
A Close Look at the Daiwa Presso ST 56XUL
I have had the chance to fish the Daiwa Presso ST 56XUL for the past two weeks. Chris' review is of the 4-piece rod. I fished the 2-piece rod.
I own the Daiwa Iprimi 60XUL-4. I also compared the rod to the Shimano Cardiff Exlead S57SUL/R-GS. I'll just say it, you really do get what you pay for. The Presso ST is in between the other two rods. I was able to fish the Presso ST in a pond, a spring,and a creek.
Fishing this rod is a real joy.
Continue reading "A Close Look at the Daiwa Presso ST 56XUL"
Spoon Fed Trout
About a month ago I received a Daiwa Presso Eve spoon in Gold Dust that weighs 1.2 grams and a Daiwa Presso Eve Gekiatsu spoon in Gold Dust that weighs 2.5 grams. These two spoons are the same size and shape. The only difference is the thickness of the metal. The Gekiatsu at 2.5 grams looks as thick as a brick! To be honest, I had really gravitated to fishing spinners most of the time. I fished 3 of the "Area" ponds close to where I live over the last three weeks. I've been able to do a lot of fishing, so I'm a happy guy!
Header photo: Tenryu Rayz RZ4102B-UL, Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFSHG ('17)
Warning:
The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.
Whatever you do, do it with finesse!
