Which Rod Should I Choose?

[robster80]

medium heavy

[JGBassinAL]

The only thing I use a medium action baitcasting rod for is small jerkbaits and the occasional 1/8 oz shaky head.

[ABW]

Put that Speed Spool on a 7'1" M/F *** Black and enjoy. The MH is too stiff for weightless flukes, light T-Rigs and 3/8 oz jigs without trailers (I know, because I have one).

David, have you used Senkos on your MH ***? Do they cast well?

[JGBassinAL]

I have used the 7 ft mh and have played with the 7 ft medium in store and they both have the same tip. So it makes sense to go with the mh cause it gives you more backbone. Someone said something about not getting a medium heavy because of the weightless flukes. The mh has the tip to throw them and work them just as good as the medium. Plus the mh can be used for so many more things.

[JGBassinAL]

It will have plenty of power to set the hook. The MH rods just won't be able to load any of the lighter lures that you want to throw which will cause you to have more backlashes than you will want to deal with. And anytime that you don't backlash your casting distance will be subpar.

Ok in all seriousness alee17, the tip is light on the 7'1"mh and can throw those weightless baits with ease. I don't use a medium heavy much, I use heavy most of the time except for my glass cranking rods. I can throw a weightless senko or 3/8 oz jig 40 yards on a 7'4" heavy all purpose rod that I have, and it  has a way stiffer tip than the 7'1" mh *** black. But I also have a Shimano Curado 200E7 that is super tuned on that rod. Still, if I can cast those baits that far on a heavy power rod...you get my point. Oh and I rarely ever get backlashes.

[new2BC4bass]

Ok in all seriousness alee17, the tip is light on the 7'1"mh and can throw those weightless baits with ease. I don't use a medium heavy much, I use heavy most of the time except for my glass cranking rods. I can throw a weightless senko or 3/8 oz jig 40 yards on a 7'4" heavy all purpose rod that I have, and it  has a way stiffer tip than the 7'1" mh *** black. But I also have a Shimano Curado 200E7 that is super tuned on that rod. Still, if I can cast those baits that far on a heavy power rod...you get my point. Oh and I rarely ever get backlashes.

 

As long as the rod will load with the lure being used, it won't matter what reel is on the rod.  It should still throw the lure.  Of course, some reels are better than others, so distance probably won't be the same as for your E7.  However, if the rod won't load, then it doesn't matter much what reel is being used.  I had that reinforced when I tried to throw a 1/16 oz. lure on a spinning rod rated for a low of 1/8 oz.  Wouldn't cast that lure for squat.  A b/c reel would be even worse.

[JGBassinAL]

My 7'4" heavy won't load on a 3/8 oz jig and I throw them all the time. Like I said I can cast it 40 yard easily. But I'm gonna get off this topic though. I think you would be happier with the medium heavy, way happier. If you have any questions alee17 just pm me.

[Hogsticker]

6'10 medium *** would be my choice.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Others have commented on the casting of the M/F I'll go into the retrieve of the M/F with jig.

 

I went out and tried my 7'1" M/F *** with a 3/8 Jackall spade jig w/rage tail baby craw on it. It for sure loads well on cast but with this it loads just as much when retrieving. For me the tip was not strong enough to work jig efficiently through the weeds. The tip would load too much meaning I have to pull more to get the jig moving. So instead of popping the lure free it seemed more of a yank. This was with 20# braid on as well so the no stretch show the weakness in the rod. If you plan to use a stretchy line like fluoro or mono it would be even worse.

So with braid M/F I would say is borderline, with fluoro no go get MH/F.

 

No harm was done to any fish during the testing for this review