Which Rod; 7'mh Or 7'3Mh?

[NMUbassin]

Hey everybody,

It's that rare time of year again where I actually have the opportunity to purchase a new rod to add to my rather limited arsenal.  Currently, im looking at picking up a new Fenwick Elite Tech Bass; however, Im not quite sure which length rod to get.  Therefore, I have decided to try and pick the all-knowing minds of you members here on Bass Resource.

As of now, my current casting arsenal is as follows:

-7'mh Quantum Smoke paired with a 7:1:1 Lews
-7'1 H Powell Endurance paired with a 8:3:1 Lews
-7' M Quantum Smoke paired with a 6:4:1 Diawa
-6'6 M Bionic Blade paired with a 6:4:1 Quantum

As you can see, I have no real brand loyalty when it comes to my gear.  However, for my next rod, I am set on trying out the new Fenwick Elite Tech Bass rods.  I am looking to get another versatile rod that will work well for many different presentations and applications.  Because of this, I have been looking at the 7'3mh and the 7'mh.  In everybody's opinion, do you think there is much of a difference between the two rods?  Will one prove to be more versatile than the other?  Should I go with the 7'3 simply due to the fact that I don't have a rod in that particular length/action yet?

I fish the Great Lakes a ton, so naturally I enjoy throwing spinnerbaits, tubes, jigs, etc.  However, I do travel a fair bit and enjoy fishing all different types of bodies of water.

So, which particular rod would everyone recommend?

**Thank you for reading my long, drawn-out post.

TL;DR- Need a new versatile rod: 7'mh or 7'3mh?

[bigfishbk86]

I would definitely go with 7'3. Personally I love the 7'3 length, and given that you don't have a rod over 7'1 that makes it even easier.

[bigturtle]

7' will definitely be more versatile than the 7'3" because 

a ) its shorter, so it will be easier to cast accurately
b ) its shorter, so its easier to twitch/walk/pop with
c ) its a fast action vs the extra fast on the 7'3"

Buuuut, looking at your arsenal, the 7'3" might be better simply to fill in a hole, as a dedicated soft plastic/jig rod.

[NMUbassin]

7' will definitely be more versatile than the 7'3" because 

a ) its shorter, so it will be easier to cast accurately

b ) its shorter, so its easier to twitch/walk/pop with

c ) its a fast action vs the extra fast on the 7'3"

Buuuut, looking at your arsenal, the 7'3" might be better simply to fill in a hole, as a dedicated soft plastic/jig rod.

Would the x-fast taper make the rod too stiff for weightless/t-rigged senkos?

[bigfishbk86]

Absolutely not, and in most cases and xfast taper is prefered for soft plastics.  I won't argue with big turtle, but i believe the opposite.  For me, casting accuracy is better with a tish longer rod, and distance is slightly improved.  Also, I much prefer to fish any walking/popping bait on a 7'3 or 7'4 over a 7'.  I, like you, fish the great lakes, green bay, bay de noc, and for what you'll be doing I believe a longer rod will suit you much better.  You're fishing open water more often than not, which would suit a 7'3 better than a 7'.  For what it's worth also, i'm phasing out all my 7' rods for 7'3 and 7'4, as I love the added length. Just my $.02.

[NMUbassin]

Absolutely not, and in most cases and xfast taper is prefered for soft plastics.  I won't argue with big turtle, but i believe the opposite.  For me, casting accuracy is better with a tish longer rod, and distance is slightly improved.  Also, I much prefer to fish any walking/popping bait on a 7'3 or 7'4 over a 7'.  I, like you, fish the great lakes, green bay, bay de noc, and for what you'll be doing I believe a longer rod will suit you much better.  You're fishing open water more often than not, which would suit a 7'3 better than a 7'.  For what it's worth also, i'm phasing out all my 7' rods for 7'3 and 7'4, as I love the added length. Just my $.02.

A man who fishes Bay de Noc is a man I can trust!  Thanks to both you and bigturtle, 7'3 it is!

[bigturtle]

extra fast is most people's preference for plastics and jigs.

[zachb34]

For the past 8 years I've always preferred the 7' MH rods and rarely do I step out if that area for anything. A few weeks ago I broke a rod under warranty and the company only had a 7'3" in stock unless I wanted to wait until June. I've been fishing the rod a lot now and I prefer it to the same exact rod in a 7' and all of my other 7' rods. Lesson learned for me. Try it out and maybe you'll end up liking it. I haven't lost any casting accuracy and gained distance. Hooksets in theory should be better. The big thing for me is just how the rods action changed at 7'3". It has more tip with the same back bone.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Action and stiffness may have a correlation but it's not causal or definite. In general a longer rod casts further and a shorter is more accurate, but that's more apparent in 6" increments. If this is the same rod with the same specs except for length and the faster action of the longer rod, my guess is that the butt of the blank is a little longer. If I'm right, in use you won't see much difference at all. Handle both and see which feels better to you and go with it. FWIW, Fenwick and St Croix would be my first stops if in the market for a production rod.