Medium Vs. Medium-Light In Finesse Rods

[29JMP29]

I've been looking for a rod to throw shaky heads, drop shots, and mainly tubes with.  I fish a lot of shallow rivers for smallmouth and dont know whether to go with a medium or medium-light rod.  I will probably be throwing mostly 1/8 oz. stuff for all three, anybody have any idea what I should go with? Know any good finesse rods around $100?  Thanks for the help.

[Goose52]

For mostly 1/8 oz, I'd be using ML, and perhaps even L, especially if you were talking about a spinning rod. If you were talking baitcasting, then the lightest power BC rod you can find along with a BC reel capable of tossing that light of weight.

 

There have been lots of threads about $100 rods - search a bit and you'll find them. There are lots of very nice rods available for $100 nowadays.

[endless]

I use a spinning 6'8 M-XF Carbonlite for shaky heads. But I don't know anything about the Johnny Morris series of Carbonlite?

[Darren.]

Shimano compre, current model stops at M, but the warranty is tops.

I finesse with previous gen compres in M/XF and love em for weightless plastics down to a Zoom Tiny Fluke, a #4 Gammy finesse wide gap hook... Works great.

Buddy has a 6'6" St. Croix Premier in ML that he absolutely loves. You could go either way and be fine....

[29JMP29]

Shimano compre, current model stops at M, but the warranty is tops.

I finesse with previous gen compres in M/XF and love em for weightless plastics down to a Zoom Tiny Fluke, a #4 Gammy finesse wide gap hook... Works great.

Buddy has a 6'6" St. Croix Premier in ML that he absolutely loves. You could go either way and be fine....

 

Yeah I've been looking at the St. Croix.  I have a Triumph that I use for crappie and I really like it. Ill look at the compre.  Thanks for the ideas.

[Darren.]

I need to correct myself. The models of Compre that BPS carries stops at M power.

 

The "Bass" series goes down to M.

 

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/rods/Compre_Family/Compre_Bass_Spinning_Worm.html

 

But the standard "spinning" drops down to ML.

 

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/rods/Compre_Family/Compre_Spinning.html

 

Either way, I still say you're good-to-go with a M or ML.

[WRB]

The simple truth is; no standard for rod strength or action exists. Rod makers that rate strength in numbers are a little more accurate between brands. Are you looking for a spinning or bait casting rod?

Tom

[29JMP29]

The simple truth is; no standard for rod strength or action exists. Rod makers that rate strength in numbers are a little more accurate between brands. Are you looking for a spinning or bait casting rod?

Tom

 

Finesse, so definitely spinning.

[Raul]

I own both, for that weight ( 1/8 oz ) both are fine, but which one I choose for that weight depends a lot on what type and density of cover I´m going to fish, little weed cover and no wood ---> ML & 6 lb test, some wood and more weed cover ---> M & 8-10 lb test. For less than a 100 dollars Shimano Clarus would be my choice.

[WRB]

Finesse, so definitely spinning.

2 power is generally close to medium light, 3 power for medium. Most bass rods are fast action and appropriate. I fish with 3 power spinning rods for general use application with 6 to 8 line and lures from 3/32 to 1/4 pz. 2 power bass rod is marginal for most presentations, good for drop shot.

The $100 budget limits quality guides, reel seats and warranty. The Shimao rods are a good choice, as they tend to be a little slower action and under powered; there medium is usually about 2 1/2 power, which maybe ideal for what you are looking for.

Tom

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[29JMP29]

Thanks for your help everybody. Leaning towards a medium light

[ClackerBuzz]

i bought a 6'8" ML for those purposes and wish I had bought a 7'2-7'6" from the start.  You can achieve such a greater distance with less effort.  And can throw 1/16th oz or even lighter if needed. Now i'm going thru the process of selling it and buy a 7'6". Just  some food for thought

[SirSnookalot]

The simple truth is; no standard for rod strength or action exists. Rod makers that rate strength in numbers are a little more accurate between brands. Are you looking for a spinning or bait casting rod?

Tom

Once again I think WRB is ahead of the pack.  Just have to find a manufacturer that makes what you like,  I do not give specific brand recommendations.  I personally would be looking for a rod that fishes best in the waters I mostly frequent, I'd be leaning to a weak med, or strong ml, depending on how the manufacturer made it.

[skeletor6]

The simple truth is; no standard for rod strength or action exists. Rod makers that rate strength in numbers are a little more accurate between brands. Are you looking for a spinning or bait casting rod?

Tom

Yes, each company arbitrarily assigns power and action ratings at their own will. There are deviances even within a companies own rod lineups as to what to what a medium power or fast action is.

So if you can its always best to get your hands on a rod and test it for yourself or gather as much information as possible from peoples experiences to get an idea of how a rod fishes. Don't just look at medium or medium light in terms of absolutes.

[new2BC4bass]

I purchased a ML Villain for duty as a panfish rod.  Rating is 1/8-1/2 oz.  To me the 1/8 is the only thing making it a ML as my Medium Falcons run 1/4-1/2 oz.  I figured being a spinning rod that 1/16 oz. would be no problem.  Wrong!  Not even with 10 lb. braid.  Rod just won't load at that light.  I wound up getting a Fenwick 7'2" River Runner rated for 1/32-5/16 oz.  This puts your 1/8 lure right in the middle.  It does a decent job casting lighter lures (How far do you think you should be able to cast a 1/16 oz. lure?  Haha.).  I can't comment on its power once a fish is hooked because I went fishless both times I had it out last year.  Going fishless locally is a too often occurrence for me.     Florida is looking better all the time! 

[skeletor6]

I 2nd those fenwick rods for finesse fishing. I think the elite tech smallmouths are a great value, very light and sensitive. The ML/F and M/XF spinning versions.