What would you use a 6'3" M-MF casting rod for?

[new2BC4bass]

I use to think treble hook lures...specifically crankbaits...were the optimum choice for this action, but have come to realize that action is more versatile than that.  I like 7' or longer for my casting rods.  The addition of an Aetos 6'6" ML has renewed my enjoyment in rods of that length.  The 6'3" is a length I would use in a spinning rod, but not sure I would like it in a casting rod.  Can you give me good reasons for buying one?  Thanks.  I do own and use a 6' spinning rod, but nothing shorter than 6'6" in casting.

[crypt]

spinnerbaits when casting under docks etc. you can roll cast with that length and it works great. made one for myself and it's 6'4". also has a pistol grip. remember those?

[Jeff H]

Sounds like a good jerkbait rod to me!  What brand rod is it?

Never mind, I found it.  Looks like a great deal.

[MIbassyaker]

Anything 3/8 to 1/2oz, trebles or an open single hook that would benefit from target casting, squeezing a lure into tight areas around docks and such. I bet it would be good for skipping a wacky rigged senko.  I have been using a 6'4" M-XF Aetos for hard topwaters around that size, poppers, walkers, propbaits, even a whopper plopper 90.  It also works well for floating minnow-style crankbaits and underspins.

[new2BC4bass]

1 minute ago, crypt said:

spinnerbaits when casting under docks etc. you can roll cast with that length and it works great. made one for myself and it's 6'4". also has a pistol grip. remember those?

Remember, but never used one.  Didn't get into baitcasters until '09.  Oops.  Just remembered my Daiwa Minicast combo.  Although the rod I am looking at is rated 1/4-5/8 oz. I'm not sure I would go over 3/8 oz. with a spinnerbait considering they weigh more than listed, and the blades add a fair amount of drag.  I already have a 6' MH Lightning that I pretty much keep a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait tied on.  Total cost of that combo was $48.02 with tax.  Reel is a Daiwa Procaster 100HN.  Needless to say it fishes way above its price point.  

4 minutes ago, Jeff H said:

Sounds like a good jerkbait rod to me!  What brand rod is it?

Elite Tech Smallmouth.  You know...I like the Smallmouth rods I have.    a lot.  Guess I'll go ahead and get this one since I don't have anything in that length and action.

4 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

Anything 3/8 to 1/2oz, trebles or an open single hook that would benefit from target casting, squeezing a lure into tight areas around docks and such. I bet it would be good for skipping a wacky rigged senko.  I have been using a 6'4" M-XF Aetos for hard topwaters around that size, poppers, walkers, propbaits, even a whopper plopper 90.  It also works well for floating minnow-style crankbaits and underspins.

Never thought about small wacky rigged Senkos.  Thanks.

Now if I could just talk my brother-in-law into getting close enough to docks for me to reach under them with that length rod.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Shallow square bills thrown to targets. Slash baits (jerkbaits with more aggressive action than cold water ones)

[new2BC4bass]

Okay.  Went ahead and ordered this rod and the Aetos 7' MF spinning rod from FFO.  Was surprised they charged $13.99 shipping.  Last time I ordered from them it was a $75 Aetos casting rod and shipping was free.  Must have been running a special.  However, they took off a $35 discount.   NICE.

Purchased a used Sol spinning reel about a year ago and had no rod for it.

Hey Mike, I like using squarebills and jerkbaits.  Thanks.

[timsford]

I use mine for jerkbaits, too water walkers and poppers, and anytime I want an accurate cast with any reaction bait. It's the perfect length for roll casts and sidearm casts under trees and docks. Also works well for skipping too if you can do it with a baitcaster. If not get a daiwa sv spooled reel and you will be in business. It would also work for wacky rigged plastics and swim baits with trebles or jigheads. About the only thing I wouldn't use mine for is Texas rigged baits or jigs, but you could probably use it for that with lighter wire hooks and/or braid. 

I assume you are looking at the Fenwick ets rod on ffotackle. This rod and the 6'10" mh-mf are probably the two most versatile rods I own. The 6'9" mh-fast is a great rod for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chatterbaits, swimjigs, and is also plenty sensitive for bottom contact, especially at the price they have them for. Ffo has some really good deals right now. Someone could have a set of great rods to cover about any technique for not a lot of money.

[new2BC4bass]

timsford, funny you should mention those 2 rods.  I have both.  The 6'10" MH-MF is my favorite of the two.  I've got an Alphas SV105.  Really wanted to like this reel, but was very disappointed with it when I got it.  Has been tuned and upgraded since then.  No problems with it now.  Skipping is something I want to learn, and this will be the reel I will try to learn on.  Sounds like the 6'3" M-MF is the rod I should use.  Yes, it is the rod at FFO.

[lakeannaangler]

2 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Shallow square bills thrown to targets. Slash baits (jerkbaits with more aggressive action than cold water ones)

Yep. I like target casting square bills and using X raps with a rod under 6'6" to avoid slapping the rod against things

[Yudo1]

Jerkbaits and poppers.

[smalljaw67]

I have a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'3" M-MF and I'll tell you some details. First is the blank, it is as long as all my 6'6" rods, the only difference is the handle is short. It is the best rod I ever used for topwaters and jerkbaits, it lets me walk baits like a super spook Jr. with ease and it is an absolute killer for poppers. I'm old school when it comes to poppers, for years I would use a rod not made anymore, the G.Loomis  CR721 GLX and my G.Loomis JBR 752C jerkbait rod, the 6' length makes for the perfect angle to work a popper. This Fenwick has more power than those two rods which allows me to work larger topwaters and jerkbaits, like the 5/8oz Pointer 100. I also like it for roll casting small square bills and shallow cranks, I throw a DT-4 on it a lot.

[Bluebasser86]

1 minute ago, smalljaw67 said:

I have a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'3" M-MF and I'll tell you some details. First is the blank, it is as long as all my 6'6" rods, the only difference is the handle is short. It is the best rod I ever used for topwaters and jerkbaits, it lets me walk baits like a super spook Jr. with ease and it is an absolute killer for poppers. I'm old school when it comes to poppers, for years I would use a rod not made anymore, the G.Loomis  CR721 GLX and my G.Loomis JBR 752C jerkbait rod, the 6' length makes for the perfect angle to work a popper. This Fenwick has more power than those two rods which allows me to work larger topwaters and jerkbaits, like the 5/8oz Pointer 100. I also like it for roll casting small square bills and shallow cranks, I throw a DT-4 on it a lot.

I wish I hadn't read this. I'd almost convinced myself I didn't need that rod up until then.

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, smalljaw67 said:

I have a Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'3" M-MF and I'll tell you some details. First is the blank, it is as long as all my 6'6" rods, the only difference is the handle is short. It is the best rod I ever used for topwaters and jerkbaits, it lets me walk baits like a super spook Jr. with ease and it is an absolute killer for poppers. I'm old school when it comes to poppers, for years I would use a rod not made anymore, the G.Loomis  CR721 GLX and my G.Loomis JBR 752C jerkbait rod, the 6' length makes for the perfect angle to work a popper. This Fenwick has more power than those two rods which allows me to work larger topwaters and jerkbaits, like the 5/8oz Pointer 100. I also like it for roll casting small square bills and shallow cranks, I throw a DT-4 on it a lot.

Thanks Dan for the info.  Glad I took the chance and got it.  I also ordered the 7' MF Aetos spinning rod rated 1/16-3/4 and 10-17#.  Had an extra spinning reel.  Seldom use a spinning rod, but couldn't pass up that deal.  Have you used this spinning rod?

 

[smalljaw67]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Thanks Dan for the info.  Glad I took the chance and got it.  I also ordered the 7' MF Aetos spinning rod rated 1/16-3/4 and 10-17#.  Had an extra spinning reel.  Seldom use a spinning rod, but couldn't pass up that deal.  Have you used this spinning rod?

 

I have that spinning rod, it is really awesome to be honest. I got a St. Croix Avid X in a 7'ML-F for hair jigs, and to be honest the Aetos is just as responsive and sensitive but I wanted a dedicated hair jig rod with a lighter power and softer action. The Aetos worked for my with hair jigs because the tip is soft and the sensitivity is great but it has more backbone which makes it better as an all-purpose finesse rod. I still use my Aetos for hair jigs but I use it for 3/16oz and 1/4oz and it will work for the smaller ones as well but in the cold water with 1/16oz and 3/32oz hair with a size 2 light wire hook I like the softer action but other than that the Aetos is as good in my opinion.

[new2BC4bass]

8 minutes ago, smalljaw67 said:

I have that spinning rod, it is really awesome to be honest. I got a St. Croix Avid X in a 7'ML-F for hair jigs, and to be honest the Aetos is just as responsive and sensitive but I wanted a dedicated hair jig rod with a lighter power and softer action. The Aetos worked for my with hair jigs because the tip is soft and the sensitivity is great but it has more backbone which makes it better as an all-purpose finesse rod. I still use my Aetos for hair jigs but I use it for 3/16oz and 1/4oz and it will work for the smaller ones as well but in the cold water with 1/16oz and 3/32oz hair with a size 2 light wire hook I like the softer action but other than that the Aetos is as good in my opinion.

Thanks again for all your help.  Appreciate it a lot.  You are helping me build an awesome arsenal at a reasonable cost. 

[new2BC4bass]

Rods are suppose to arrive by the end of the day tomorrow.  Hopefully before I leave work.  Am taking my Alphas SV105 with 12# AN40 to work tomorrow, some jigs, a couple frogs and some Senkos.  Planning on a first skipping practice session if the rod arrives.  Been wanting to learn skipping.  Wish me luck.  I'll need lots of it.  

[Jeff H]

14 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Rods are suppose to arrive by the end of the day tomorrow.  Hopefully before I leave work.  Am taking my Alphas SV105 with 12# AN40 to work tomorrow, some jigs, a couple frogs and some Senkos.  Planning on a first skipping practice session if the rod arrives.  Been wanting to learn skipping.  Wish me luck.  I'll need lots of it.  

Heck, I've tried this several times and I'm just not cut for it.  I've given up on this, sticking to spinning gear for skipping.  Good luck to you, Dale!  I hope you can make it work for you.

I'm still tempted to grab me one of these for another jerkbait rod (which I don't need), let me know what you think of it after you use it a bit.