Medium or Medium-Heavy?

[Brett's_daddy]

What is the best all-around bass/trout spinning rod...a Medium or a Medium-Heavy? I like the 7ft. length but I've been seeing a lot of Medium's in this spinning rod length and not as many Medium-Heavy.

[K_Mac]

I think M or even ML would be far better for most trout fishing that I'm familiar with and perfectly fine for much bass fishing. It really depends on the baits you generally throw. A Med spinning rod would be fine for plastics or jigs providing the weights were correct and lighter hooks used. It wouldn't work well for bigger baits or heavier cover though. There really isn't one rod that can do it all. Pick the one that is closest to what you use most, and add as needed. Good luck.

[Brett's_daddy]

I use a variety: senkos, crawfish, topwater, frogs, crankbaits and buzzbaits.

[Brett's_daddy]

Anybody else care to jump in on this?

[Burtonxj]

Think you're better off dedicating one for trout and another for bass fishing considering some of the other stuff you like to throw. If that isn't an option id probably go with a Medium Fast.

[Puggz]

18 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I use a variety: senkos, crawfish, topwater, frogs, crankbaits and buzzbaits.

Medium Power, Fast action with 8lb mono is what you need.  The only reason to go to MH is if you're fishing around cover such as weeds, grass, pads, docks, fallen timber, etc.  In these cases its nice to have the extra power to move the fish away from all the junk..

[Brett's_daddy]

Yeah, don't have a ton of money so looking for versatility here for multi-species.

Is there a Medium that is closer to a Medium-Heavy that would have more power over other Mediums (I know different brands view their rods differently)?

[Burtonxj]

Think St. Croix tends to be on the heavier side (just from what I've read) but I'm not too sure as that's all I've ever fished. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

[contium]

18 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I use a variety: senkos, crawfish, topwater, frogs, crankbaits and buzzbaits.

When I here frogs and buzzbaits, I think heavy cover. I would go with a medium-heavy. 5" senkos will be fine with it. But it will suck for trout unless you are fishing for big trout,

[Brett's_daddy]

I'm fishing for Rainbow's mostly in trout season. We usually go where the trophy's are stocked and catch some pretty decent sized ones around 20" and almost 2lbs. or so. Would a MH be okay for those?

[jeffalessi801]

If your looking for a cheap rod I can get the vigilante rid at Wal-Mart for 40$ with a two year warranty n I've used senkos to lipless cranks to pull in 8 pounders without a problem. However they don't compare to my specific rods.  But get the job done when I'm on the road and don't want to break my Loomis rods when I'm at races n ppl r setting up tents n bikes.  

[K_Mac]

A two pound trout is a decent trout, but a MH rod is more than needed, even in fast moving water with some cover. Throwing light baits for trout with a MH rod of any manufacturer will be a pain. If you have to have only one, a M will be more versatile. It is a compromise that may not be perfect for most of what you use though. If you insist on MH I would get a ML for lighter tackle. You don't have to break the bank, but there is no one rod that will work well for small trout and using a frog in the junk for bass.

[Brett's_daddy]

I tend to fish ponds mostly for both trout and bass. Last year all we used for trout were "Carolina rigs" with power bait...we had good success but it just doesn't feel like fishing, more like waiting and we'd like to try other methods this season. As for bass, we use all of the different baits/lures I mentioned above but I'm kind of partial to crank baits ?.

[Puggz]

6 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Yeah, don't have a ton of money so looking for versatility here for multi-species.

Is there a Medium that is closer to a Medium-Heavy that would have more power over other Mediums (I know different brands view their rods differently)?

Abu Garcia rods are usually rated low.  A Med will def. be more MH.  Also, St Croix are typically a bit heavier than others, but a more expensive product.

[J._Bricker]

Brett's_daddy, regarding your original post, IMO a 7' medium action spinning rod would have the versatility I think your looking for.  I fish a river for salmon with a Fenwick 7' medium action rod and a spinning reel spooled with 12lb test with no issues.  The exception would be frog fishing and pulling 'em out of the slop, heavy action and heavy braid....