7' Medium Light Casting Rod

[dreamertino]

What would you guys use it for? I was thinking shallow cranks and topwaters mabey jerkbaits too.

[tomustang]

Light weight finesse based from the weight rating on the rod. Smaller tubes, trick worms, etc

[Goose52]

I have 7' ML rods in both moderate and fast actions.  I go to ML rods to accommodate ligher baits and lighter lines in mostly open water.  ML-F is used for lighter t-rigs, really light jigs, light lipless cranks, light minnow baits, etc.   ML-M is used for 1/4oz to 3/8oz lipped cranks, sometimes lipless cranks.

 

I fish ML rods quite a bit; they're sorta like fish magnifiers - you get a bit more fight out of the fish...

 

5.3lb LMB / 7' ML-M / 3/8oz Yo-Zuri lipless crank:

 

[KDW96]

I used a 7ft M/L Crankin stick this past summer. Used it to throw KVD 1.5&1.0. Was alittle worried about being strong enough,but it handled 4 & 5lbs easy.

[smalljaw67]

I'd say it depends on the ratings, fast action would probly make it an excellent jerkbait stick, a little long for me but the action would work. I know a guy in our club that uses a mediu light fast action rod for fishing shaky heads,and drop shots, he doesn't like spinning, you could do a lot with that stick depending or what action and line and weight ratings.

[ww2farmer]

I would use it for the same things as a ML spinning rod......assuming it's a fast or xf action. Me?.....I would put a smaller LP reel like a Curado/Chornarch 50/51E on it, spool it up with some 20lb braid, run 8 or 10lb fluoro leaders, and use it for drop shotting, flick shakes, shaky heads, small jigs, etc....

[new2BC4bass]

I picked up a 7' ML Crankin Stick just as the cold weather settled in.  I mounted my other gold Carbonlite reel on it spooled with 6# Elite.  Braved the cold one afternoon to try it with a 3/16 oz. Shad Rap.  I plan on using it with the lures you mentioned...in smaller sizes, natch.    Also plan on having a lot of fun with this combo.  It is one of 3 such combos I have.

 

If you prefer baitcast reels to spinning reels, then you owe it to yourself to try a ML rod.  Just make sure you mount a reel on it capable of throwing light weights.  It needn't be something as expensive as a Pixy or comparable reel.  My Carbonlites can throw that Shad Rap just as far as my tuned and upgraded 105H....at least in my hands.  Maybe they won't keep up once I get better with light lures, but distance is more than good enough.  The Prolite should be even better if you can find a used one in decent condition.  A 50 series Shimano should work nearly as well, but at a higher price.

 

Unlike some people think, it truly isn't necessary to have a $350-$500 reel in order to throw light lures.

[5dollarsplash]

I use mine, like others have said, for small jigs or trick worms. It works and balances well with a 50 size reel, everything else on it felt wrong to me. 20lb braid with a leader to suit the presentation your going for and your set.

[dreamertino]

It has a moderate taper to it. And its rated for 1/8-1/2 oz baits

[Jrob78]

I would probably use it for small hardbaits.  It would be great for 0.5 size crankbaits and small jerkbaits, as well as small balsa baits.  You can use a rod like that for small jigs and light plastics but you need to make sure you're using very sharp, fine wire hooks.  It will be hard to get a good a very firm hook set, so large hooks probably won't penetrate well.  Also, the baits you will be throwing are best suited to lighter line.  I would probably be using 6-8 lb test mono or fluoro and a reel that can handle light weights.

[5dollarsplash]

With the moderate, I'd agree with Jrob78.  Small pop-r's and the like would be my bait of choice, along with shallow running cranks.

[aMurderOfCrows]

_{I just did an internet searc for this type of rod because I was thinking it might be good for weightless senkos, worms and flukes?  I think I'd like just a ML/F so there's a little more backbone que no?}

[Jrob78]

_{I just did an internet searc for this type of rod because I was thinking it might be good for weightless senkos, worms and flukes?  I think I'd like just a ML/F so there's a little more backbone que no?}

I use a MH/F casting rod for those techniques.  A ML wouldn't have enough power for t-rigging those baits, (for me.)  If you're talking about wacky rigging and open hooks, it would work a little better.

[rippin-lips]

I'm ordering a Phenix recon 7'1 ml/f tomorrow. It's rated up to 1/2oz. It's basically going to replace my spinning rod. 1/8oz tubes,1/8oz trick worms,4-5" wacky worms,1/4oz buzzbaits,3/8 spinnerbaits,3/16oz rage craws.

[aMurderOfCrows]

Update us on how that works. I'm looking to use one the same way with wacky rigged senko and weightless worms and flukes.

[rippin-lips]

I'll let you know. It'll be here on Wednesday and I have a trip planned for Monday.

[aMurderOfCrows]

Right on. Good luck.

[smalljaw67]

I have a Fenwick Aetos 6'6" ML-M 1/4oz to 1/2oz and I use it for small shallow running cranks and top water baits like the zara puppy and the pop'r. It is a fun rod to fish as well as effective as it lets you fish the smaller treble hook lures without overpowering them.

[Master Bait'r]

I've always kind of oogled Lamiglas's ML 7'1"er. Anybody used those infinity rods?

[Drew K]

On 10/6/2014 at 9:40 PM, rippin-lips said:

I'm ordering a Phenix recon 7'1 ml/f tomorrow. It's rated up to 1/2oz. It's basically going to replace my spinning rod. 1/8oz tubes,1/8oz trick worms,4-5" wacky worms,1/4oz buzzbaits,3/8 spinnerbaits,3/16oz rage craws.

Do you still use this setup? Thinking about doing the same thing and getting a Curado 70.

[rippin-lips]

12 minutes ago, Drew K said:

Do you still use this setup? Thinking about doing the same thing and getting a Curado 70.

Yes, sir I do.  I went with the 713 Recon 2.  It's a nice stick that does everything I wanted it to.  I've been tossing around the idea of picking up the 682 to try out also.

[Goose52]

42 minutes ago, rippin-lips said:

.................. I've been tossing around the idea of picking up the 682 to try out also.

682s work, can haul in fish...

[I.rar]

39 minutes ago, Goose52 said:

682s work, can haul in fish...

Yes they can!

 

[rippin-lips]

1 hour ago, Goose52 said:

682s work, can haul in fish...

What do you generally use it for and do you feel the weight ratings are accurate? I have a spare tdz with air spool that's spooled up with #8 yozuri. It needs a rod. 

[Goose52]

7 hours ago, rippin-lips said:

What do you generally use it for and do you feel the weight ratings are accurate? I have a spare tdz with air spool that's spooled up with #8 yozuri. It needs a rod. 

The weight rating on the rod is 1/16 to 3/8 oz.  I haven't a clue how it would work at 1/16 as I don't toss anything that light. I have the PX Type R shown in the photo and two stock Pixies and they are not really happy at a true 1/16 oz. so I don't know how the rod works down there. The 3/8 oz is probably accurate as I wouldn't want to go over that on a rod rated as "light power". I mostly toss THIS bait with this rod: