Kestrel Elite
Bait Finesse Baitcasting Reel
FAF Braking System
Engineered for bait finesse fishing
Featuring two half-ring magnetic brakes
Innovative Spool
.2 Oz bait finesse shallow feather spool
Easily cast lures down to just 1/32oz
Magnesium Alloy Frame
30% Lighter than aluminum alloy
55% Harder than carbon fiber
KastKing Bait Finesse
Gear Guide
<div>Kestrel Bait Finesse</div> <div>Casting Rod</div> <div>6’9” l L l 3 pc</div>
Kestrel Bait Finesse
Casting Rod
6’9” l L l 3 pc
<div>Kestrel Elite</div> <div>Bait Finesse Casting Reel</div>
Kestrel Elite
Bait Finesse Casting Reel
<div>13X Finesse Braid</div> <div>15 lb</div>
13X Finesse Braid
15 lb
<div>TriPolymer Leader</div><div> 6 lb / 8 lb</div>
TriPolymer Leader
6 lb / 8 lb
Bill Lewis
Bill Lewis "Gnat" Micro Crankbait
<div>Kestrel Bait Finesse <div></div> <div>Spinning Rod<div></div> <div>6’8” | UL | 1 pc<div></div> </div> </div> </div>
Kestrel Bait Finesse
Spinning Rod
6’8” | UL | 1 pc
<div>Kestrel SFS 1000</div> <div>Spinning Reel</div>
Kestrel SFS 1000
Spinning Reel
<div>Hammer Alpha 9 Braid</div> <div>10 lb</div>
Hammer Alpha 9 Braid
10 lb
<div>TriPolymer Leader <div>10 lb</div> </div>
TriPolymer Leader
10 lb
<div>Inline spinner or spoon </div><div>1/16-1/8 oz</div>
Inline spinner or spoon
1/16-1/8 oz
<div>Kestrel Bait Finesse </div><div>Spinning Rod</div> <div>7’2” | L |3 pc</div>
Kestrel Bait Finesse
Spinning Rod
7’2” | L |3 pc
<div>Kestrel SFS 1000</div> <div>Spinning Reel</div>
Kestrel SFS 1000
Spinning Reel
<div>Hammer Alpha 9 Braid</div><div>15 lb</div>
Hammer Alpha 9 Braid
15 lb
<div>TriPolymer Leader</div> <div>10 lb</div>
TriPolymer Leader
10 lb
<div>MadBite Tungsten Drop Shot Weights</div> <div>1/8-1/4 oz</div>
MadBite Tungsten Drop Shot Weights
1/8-1/4 oz
6” Finesse Worm / 4” Wacky Worm / 3” Minnow
6” Finesse Worm / 4” Wacky Worm / 3” Minnow
<div>Drop Shot Hook</div><div>Size 1</div>
Drop Shot Hook
Size 1
<div>Kestrel Bait Finesse</div><div>Spinning Rod</div><div>6’8” | UL | 3pc</div>
Kestrel Bait Finesse
Spinning Rod
6’8” | UL | 3pc
<div>Kestrel SFS 1000</div><div>Spinning Reel</div>
Kestrel SFS 1000
Spinning Reel
<div>13X Finesse Braid</div> <div>10 lb</div>
13X Finesse Braid
10 lb
<div>TriPolymer Leader</div> <div>10 lb</div>
TriPolymer Leader
10 lb
<div>MadBite Ned Rig Jig Head 1/8 oz</div>
MadBite Ned Rig Jig Head 1/8 oz
Zman TRD Ned Plastic Green Pumpkin
Zman TRD Ned Plastic Green Pumpkin
<div>Kestrel Bait Finesse </div><div>Casting Rod</div> <div>6’9” | L | 3 pc</div>
Kestrel Bait Finesse
Casting Rod
6’9” | L | 3 pc
Kestrel Elite Bait Finesse Casting Reel
Kestrel Elite Bait Finesse Casting Reel
<div>Hammer Alpha 9 Braid</div><div>15 lb</div>
Hammer Alpha 9 Braid
15 lb
<div>TriPolymer Leader</div><div>10 lb / 12 lb</div>
TriPolymer Leader
10 lb / 12 lb
Keitech 2'' Easy Shiner
Keitech 2'' Easy Shiner
MadBite 1/16 or 1/8 oz Swimmer Jig head
MadBite 1/16 or 1/8 oz Swimmer Jig head
Micro CrankBait
Spinner/Spoon
Drop Shot
Ned Rig
Small Swim Bait
In the past, casting a tiny, Micro Crankbait was impossible. Not any more, the combination of a rod like the Kestrel with it’s perfect tip for casting light baits and the incredible Kestrel Elite casting reel make this set up perfect. This light tip on the rod increases the action of the lure which simply catches more fish but once you hook up, the power builds in the mid and lower section for complete angler control no matter how large the fish is. Line capacity on the Kestrel Elite is fine with super lines from KastKing. Super small diameter and strong like nothing else made. You can still use High Viz lines even for casting micro cranks and always complete the connection with a TriPolymer leader in 6-8 lbs, sometimes less. If you like throwing Micro cranks but don’t want to do that with a spinning rod, this is the only way to go.
Small spoons and spinners have been around forever and still works great for Trout, Bass, and more. These are light lures and there is just no sense using a big rod for throwing these tiny lures. Go small and accurate with the 6’8” Kestrel spin finesse rod and increase casting distance and accuracy while improving the “Fun” factor in your fishing. The small Kestrel 1000 spinning reel is perfect for these lures and has plenty of line capacity and drag power for even big fish. You can catch almost anything in freshwater on this set up and have a blast doing in. Love the light, thin, high vis braid connected to a light TriPolymer leader of 10 lbs or even less, down to 6 lbs. Super strong and great knot strength when connecting with a Uni Knot.
You can use the longer rod for drop shotting but the Kestrel rod keeps weight very low at the same time. You can pick up line quickly with the longer rod if a fish hits on the drop. The bright, high viz line also aids in seeing lite takes and is super strong. The TriPolymer leader is attached to the braid using a Uni Knot which is small, very strong and easy to tie. TriPolymer has exceptional knot strength and incredible abrasion resistance when drop shotting in rocky areas. It is also almost invisible to fish which is critical for this technique. The Kestrel 1000 Spinning is small, light, smooth drag and balances perfectly with the Kestrel rod as your “Go To” combo for shotting.
This rod, reel, and line combination offers excellent balance, accuracy, and sensitivity, perfect for finesse techniques like Ned Rigs. The high visibility line enables you to detect the slightest line twitch, enhancing reaction time for timely hook sets even before feeling the take. The rod is designed to cast light baits easily and accurately with great distance but still has enough power in the mid and butt sections to handle large fish which are often caught using this technique.
Small or finesse swimbaits, minnows, paddle tails are popular way to catch walleye and bass in shallow water. The shorter casting rod is exceptionally accurate which is critical to catching more fish. Light enough to throw small baits but plenty strong when you hook big fish on this technique which happens often. Big fish pray on small bait and are very aggressive. Using a strong but thin braid is really important and the TriPolymer leader is really strong for aggressive feeders and ties easily with high knot strength to the braid.
Know More
About Bait Finesse Fishing
What Is Bait Finesse Fishing?
There is one definite and sure thing where bait finesse fishing comes into play, and that is that it originated in Japan. Beyond that, there are facts and numbers from every different aspect of who, what, where and when.
How To: Cast A Bait Finesse Combo… The "Right" Way
Before you can begin using a finesse baitcasting reel, you absolutely have to have the correct fishing rod paired to it. Of course, any light or ultra-light fishing rod could work, but they will usually lose something in the way of distance, fight or comfortability.
Finesse How-To: Changes By Season For Bass
You have finally jumped into finesse fishing for bass. You have several spinning and baitcasting outfits made specifically for bait and spin finesse fishing, now let’s see what the year has to offer.