Medium Spinning Rod Recommendation

[RyanDR]

I have been loving my new ML Shimano Compre. It covers pretty much everything I need for bank fishing (Ned rig, hair jigs, grubs, lighter crankbaits, lighter jigs). It's rated 1/16-3/8. But one thing I am worried to throw on it is a senko. As I only like to bring one rod bank fishing and if the fishing is slow my backup/confidence lures are typically lighter lures. I'm looking for a rod, preferably medium with a rating of 1/8 to around 5/8 so I can throw anything from a grub or 1/8 ned rig up to a 5 or 6 inch senko. The medium compre has a rating of 3/16-5/8. Will the 1/8 to 3/16 difference of ratings even be noticeable when throwing for example a 1/8 ned rig? One of the only medium rods I found with a 1/8-5/8 is the Fenwick HMX, so any thoughts on that rod? If the 1/8 to 3/16 difference wont be noticeable than I would prefer to g with a rod with the 3/16-5/8 rating, which I already have some in mind. 

[Yudo1]

You should fine with a rod rated 3/16-5/8 for 1/8 rigs especially if your primary use will be senkos and you want to take one rod.   You definitely don't want to use the ml for senkos t rigged.

[RyanDR]

10 hours ago, Yudo1 said:

You should fine with a rod rated 3/16-5/8 for 1/8 rigs especially if your primary use will be senkos and you want to take one rod.   You definitely don't want to use the ml for senkos t rigged.

I was planning on using this rod as pretty much my "Swiss army knife rod" when bank fishing. So a rod with that could be used with a wide variety of techniques. 

[Allen Der]

I think St Croix Medium Fast rods are the most versatile rods I've tried.

[RyanDR]

Just now, Allen Der said:

I think St Croix Medium Fast rods are the most versatile rods I've tried.

What model for do you use? I would love an Avid X but I don't have that much disposable income right now. 

[Allen Der]

The new SCIII Mojo Bass 7'1 MF or Premier 6'6 or 7' MF would be your best bets.  If those are too expensive I'd look to a Fenwick Silverhawk when they are on sale at Cabelas.  They have much better guides than the HMX.

[Yudo1]

A medium power spinning rod is one of the most versatile of all.  What's your budget?  Look for sales.

[Darren.]

11 hours ago, RyanDR said:

I have been loving my new ML Shimano Compre. It covers pretty much everything I need for bank fishing (Ned rig, hair jigs, grubs, lighter crankbaits, lighter jigs). It's rated 1/16-3/8. But one thing I am worried to throw on it is a senko. As I only like to bring one rod bank fishing and if the fishing is slow my backup/confidence lures are typically lighter lures. I'm looking for a rod, preferably medium with a rating of 1/8 to around 5/8 so I can throw anything from a grub or 1/8 ned rig up to a 5 or 6 inch senko. The medium compre has a rating of 3/16-5/8. Will the 1/8 to 3/16 difference of ratings even be noticeable when throwing for example a 1/8 ned rig? One of the only medium rods I found with a 1/8-5/8 is the Fenwick HMX, so any thoughts on that rod? If the 1/8 to 3/16 difference wont be noticeable than I would prefer to g with a rod with the 3/16-5/8 rating, which I already have some in mind. 

My St. Croix LT is MLXF and rated 1/16 to ⅜ and
I have used it for up to 5" senkos...it has performed
flawlessly. Has plenty of backbone, and when the
spinning reel's drag is set properly, it'll land some
good bass. 4# is the biggest I've caught on this
rod thus far as I've not fished it too long.

That said, I've got two previous gen (cork) Compres
that are both M power. They are fantastic for most
soft plastics....

[new2BC4bass]

 I tend to like longer rods, but if you are fishing from shore with any kind of brush, tress, etc. nearby, the 6'7" Medium with the same rating would most likely be a better fit for you.  I am a fan of Fenwick rods,  The 7' ML HMG is rated 1/8-5/8 oz. and a better rod than the HMX....from hearsay...at $10 more.  I've got a few HMGs, but no HMX.  I have zero experience with the new Tatula XT, but they have a 7' MF rated 1/8-3/4 oz.  I do like my original Tatula casting rods a lot, but they were a more expensive rod.

Never used a Phenix rod, but the Maxim 7'2" MF is rated 1/8-3/4 oz.  You have a lot of choices.  Remember that some rods....such as St. Croix and Abu fish slightly heavier than their rating while others fish a little on the light side.  Notice that Darren has no problem fishing 5" Senkos on his MLXF.

[Chris at Tech]

Kistler KLX in Medium

It's a touch heavier than in power than other typical mediums, but that's what I love about it.  The spics show it rated for 1/8 - 1/2, but the line rating of 10-15 lb test is the more accurate indicator that it's more powerful.

[tander]

I don't worry about rating too much. My Lews Custom is rated 1/8-3/8 but I throw 1/16oz with ease. it is line rated for 6-12, I use 8lb. test.

[fishwizzard]

I wanted a similar rod, for more or less the same reason.  I ended up going with a custom from Smallie Stix in PA.  It is on a  6' MHX CS722 blank.  It is rated for 1/6-3/8, but will cast a 5" senko well enough, although I admit it feels a bit light.  I have yet to try a 4" one but I suspect it will be fine.  I can't recommend his rods enough, it casts like dream and somehow seems as light and nimble as my 6' L rod.  I plan on ordering a "M leaning to MH" rod from him shortly to be a fluke/senko/weightless plastics rod. 

[fvogel67]

I like my 7' MF 1st gen Mojo.Just a great all around spinning rod.

[RyanDR]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like I will focus more on lure rating than specifically a medium rod. The fenwick HMG is definitely up there, but preferably I am trying to find a split grip, as they feel better in my hangs for some reason. About 130 is my top dollar. 

[lmbfisherman]

Fenwick Aetos Spinning Medium Fast 7' 1/16 to 3/4 there you go.

[RyanDR]

1 hour ago, lmbfisherman said:

Fenwick Aetos Spinning Medium Fast 7' 1/16 to 3/4 there you go.

Any personal experience with this rod? If it can really cast a 1/16 and a 3/4 adequately. Then that looks like I may never need another rod again. That covers pretty much everything I throw 95% of the time. 

[lmbfisherman]

I have this rod, I haven't used it personally for 1/16.  Unfortunately I can't test it out for you until two weeks from now.  Fenwick however at least the previous generation was lighter than some other manufacturers medium fast.  It does have soft tip and think it can handle it.  Maybe another person has this rod on the board who can test it out.  Mine is paired with a Stradic 2500 FJ.  This rod is always with me.  Wait a sec last year I used it with a weightless finesse Zoom Worm and it handled it fine.  Not going to get a lot of distance but it was a fair distance.  

Edited May 15, 2016 by lmbfisherman

[ChrisD46]

Wacky rig your Senkos on a 1/0 drop shot hook  - then ML spinning rod would work fine !

[avidone1]

17 hours ago, tander said:

I don't worry about rating too much. My Lews Custom is rated 1/8-3/8 but I throw 1/16oz with ease. it is line rated for 6-12, I use 8lb. test.

totally agree.  I find the line and lure ratings on most rods to be nothing more than suggestions.  Once you put it in your hand you can pretty much tell what it will comfortably handle.

[RyanDR]

On 5/15/2016 at 1:30 AM, lmbfisherman said:

I have this rod, I haven't used it personally for 1/16.  Unfortunately I can't test it out for you until two weeks from now.  Fenwick however at least the previous generation was lighter than some other manufacturers medium fast.  It does have soft tip and think it can handle it.  Maybe another person has this rod on the board who can test it out.  Mine is paired with a Stradic 2500 FJ.  This rod is always with me.  Wait a sec last year I used it with a weightless finesse Zoom Worm and it handled it fine.  Not going to get a lot of distance but it was a fair distance.  

With a 1/16 I don't know how much distance is expected to begin with. Is the weightless worm the lightest you have used?

[lmbfisherman]

Yes that is the lightest I've used with that combo.

[smalljaw67]

Listen to Lmbfisherman, the Fenwick Aetos 7' medium power, fast action spinning rod is a good bet because it handles the smaller stuff but still have enough backbone for larger baits. If you can wait a couple weeks for a sale, Cabelas has an exclusive rod that will work for you. It is a Fenwick Silverhawk 7' M-MF rated 1/4oz to 5/8oz and it is $99 right now but if you wait for the next sale, it may go as low as $59.99. The reason that rod will work for you is the action, it is a mod-fast, that softer tip section will allow you to work with smaller baits in the 1/8oz range even though it is rated at 1/4oz. It has a good backbone and the kicker is they made it with a Fuji reel seat with Fuji Alconite guides, when I was looking for my hair jig rod, my friend has this rod and let me try it, I was able to fish a 1/16oz jig head with a small 3" single tail grub on it, no more than 1/8oz and it not only worked but I was able to feel the tail resistance and it will work with a 5" Senko without a doubt. Another to consider is the St. Croix Mojo spinning rod, either the 6'8" medium, extra fast or the 7'1" medium, fast, the shorter rod with the extra fast action will load faster and be great for Senkos, the 7'1" would work also and I'd go that route if the majority of things you are going to throw are going to be under 3/16oz, but any of those will be fine.

[blckshirt98]

Phenix M1 MXS72M or 78M - I've used my72M to dropshot, carolina rig, texas rig, shakey head, wacky senko, and prefer it for smaller crankbaits like KVD 1.0 sized squarebills.  KVD 1.5 size squarebills are the largest I'll go but it'll cast a mile.

[RyanDR]

Sold an old setup so I decided to put that money towards the Medium Fast Aetos. Should be here in a few days. 

[RyanDR]

I will probably make another post once I am able to fish this rod for a bit. But just made some quick casts in my yard and all I can say is wow. This thing can launch my 1/8 rigs super far. It could even cast my 1/16 hair jigs decently far. I have 7lb flourocarbon currently. My initial reaction to this rod is it's awesome. Light and comfortable. I'll report back again once I get a chance to fish. Unfortunately won't be able to for a few days. But first impressions is this rod is awesome. The ml shimano compre is the highest end rod I have used besides this. So this is my highest end rod I have ever used.