Lightest Power Rod You Use In Tournaments...

[Blues19]

Like the question says, what is the lightest powered rod you use in Tournament fishing?  I have an ultra light but have never brought it on the boat. Considering getting a Medium Light spinning rod for something like roostertails or small 1/8 oz jigs incase its a crazy tough day.  Personally, I have a few medium powered rods that I take.  Does anyone take an ultra light or light on your tournament outings?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I fish ML spinning tackle regularly for bass both in and outside tourneys. I might fish a light 8' float and fly setup if you do a late season tournament (38-45* water).

[J Francho]

ML. Same for not fishing tournaments. Not sure why there is difference.

[Blues19]

ML. Same for not fishing tournaments. Not sure why there is difference.

I just feel like a lot of people throw bigger baits for bigger fish for tournaments. I know some who do just go BIG for tournaments.  It could be tournament or not I guess.

[J Francho]

I go for the most weight. If that means using a 6' ML spinning rig or and 8' XXXH punching rig then so be it. One of my biggest bags came from spinning rods, 4 and 6 lb line, and little baits.

[ColdSVT]

A 7' ML croix eyecon...its my dropshot rod. Works great and has saved the day more than a few times!

[rippin-lips]

Just like Francho said. Whatever the right tool for the job is that day. Sometimes it's a 4" wacky senko on a ml rod and light line and sometimes it's a 1.5oz weight and a XH rod with #65 braid.

[kickerfish1]

I fish a 7'2 ML Cumara spinning rod and 6'9 ML elite tech spinning rod. No light or ultralight rods make it with me currently for bass fishing.

[Tywithay]

I have an ultralight and a ML at all time. I've added a lot of weight to the boat using drop shots and light jigs, in certain conditions.

[fisherrw]

ML is a good rod for small dropshots

[Bluebasser86]

I used a 6' light spinning rod and 1000 size reel with 4lb fluorocarbon (normally a trout rig) to pitch small craws and worms to bedding bass on Table Rock in a tournament once, ended up taking 4th place doing it too. 

[ww2farmer]

ML. Same for not fishing tournaments. Not sure why there is difference.

 

 

I go for the most weight. If that means using a 6' ML spinning rig or and 8' XXXH punching rig then so be it. One of my biggest bags came from spinning rods, 4 and 6 lb line, and little baits.

Same......While some of my bigger bags were not caught with spinning gear, some of my winning bags were.

[gulfcaptain]

I'd say M/ ML.  My dropshot rod has 10lb braid and I adjust the leader as needed.  Normally 8lb but will drop to 4 or 6lb if needed and yes in a tournament as well.  If I had to fish light to get bit so be it.  I'd rather be getting bites and putting fish in the boat then powerfishing and catching nothing.  So if you're fishing a tournament, don't be afaid to drop down to get bit.  Got to get a bite before you can put one in the boat.

[WIGuide]

I've got a ML dropshot rod that I use all the time and I've got a few other medium power rods that I use as well. 

[Mike L]

If my tournament is on Okeechobee, Toho, Istokpoga, St Johns River, Harris, Kissimmee chain or the Everglades it's a moderate action composite crank rod.

All others are MH/F.

Any other lake or canal system its a M/F spinning rod.

Mike

[Trey Harpel]

DX701C with 4lb line throwing Drop shots up north....

Ive also used it to "mess around" with here and caught some 5lbers on it late fall winter...

[Blues19]

I think I will probably purchase a ML spinning rod this winter or spring.  I tend to start smaller in tournaments to get that limit, then try to upgrade a bit. But most of the time the smallest things I throw are small 4" Finesse worms on an 1/8oz shakey head.  I think there are times a small scrounger may be a good choice, but my Medium with 8 lb test makes it a bit tough to throw.  Thanks for your responses.