Having Some Trouble

[Joey Kronholm]

Hey there, this is my first post! I'm new to the forum, and I'm using my phone so please excuse my lack of proper punctuation and such. I'll get to the point.

So I'm new to fishing with baitcasters. I bought my first casting rod and reel at bass pro this weekend. It's an Abu Garcia Revo STX 7.1:1 on a st Croix mono bass jig n worm (6'6 mhf). For the time being this is my go to rod for all situations. I primarily use soft plastics, but I throw a variety of things. My problem is it's so hard to load up the rod to get a good accurate cast. I had a medium power rod but I broke it and when I exchanged it they suggested the medium heavy power. I was very comfortable and accurate with the medium but now this medium heavy is giving me a really hard time casting just about anything. Am I going to eventually get used to it or should I switch back to the medium?

[Joey Kronholm]

Also I'm using 12# seaguar invisx floro

[Tywithay]

That's a very stout rod. I'm guessing it isn't loading up properly when you're casting. If you enjoyed the medium before, I'd go back to a medium. A St Croix medium is only slightly softer than most other companies medium-heavy.

[ThatZX14Fella]

Try not casting with so much power until you get used to the flex of the rod, then start casting harder. Also, leave more line out when you're casting. It took me a while to get used to casting light lures on mine and I have a heavy Abu Garcia Vendetta. I'm not sure if it's fast or extra fast, but a lot of it also has to do with the way you set your reel to cast.

[Catch and Grease]

Are you using lure inside the rods weight recommendations?

[ThatZX14Fella]

I've never listened to the rods weight recommendations. I go over the weight for catfish and under the weight for brem and bass.

[Catch and Grease]

I've never listened to the rods weight recommendations. I go over the weight for catfish and under the weight for brem and bass.

Yes, rod weight limits aren't something you have to follow but the farther and farther you get from those recommended weights the harder and harder it gets to cast

[Joey Kronholm]

Yes I'm within the reccomendations for lure weight, and line for my reel. I liked how the medium was easier to cast but that pole is "designed" for jerk baits, they say a mhf is teccomended for fishing soft plastics andbtgats what I'm doing the majority of the time but I can't cast for crap lol. Idk if I should get used to it and hope I get as good as I was with the medium and stick with the reccomended rod for my style of fishing or go back to medium cause It's easier...

[ThatZX14Fella]

It's not about what kind of rod is recommended for your style, it's about what rod you're comfortable with using. Personally I cast farther with a stiff rod, and I just like having a stiff rod so I can feel confident in my hook sets.

[Catch and Grease]

I'd say stick with it because it will be worth it... I can't imagine fishing Texas rigs on whippy poles now that I use MH/F rods. You'll get used to it, anybody that buys a new rod has to get used to it because every rods different

[Joey Kronholm]

It's such a hard decision! Lil

[Tywithay]

Yes I'm within the reccomendations for lure weight, and line for my reel. I liked how the medium was easier to cast but that pole is "designed" for jerk baits, they say a mhf is teccomended for fishing soft plastics andbtgats what I'm doing the majority of the time but I can't cast for crap lol. Idk if I should get used to it and hope I get as good as I was with the medium and stick with the reccomended rod for my style of fishing or go back to medium cause It's easier...

Rods are designed for "fishing." A medium St Croix makes a great rod for weightless plastics and light t-rigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, etc. The medium-heavy works better around cover and with heavier baits, in my opinion.

[Hogsticker]

If the rod isn't loading on the cast with the weight you are using you are using the wrong rod, period. Get the medium power. St. Croix rods run a little on the heavy side concerning power as Ty suggested.