New Rod Buyer's Remorse, help!

[keltonz]

I need your help convincing me either to stick with what I bought, or return it and get something better...

 

I ordered my first baitcasting rod, a 7' 1" M/F and am now wondering if I should have gone with a MH/F!

 

Up to this point I have never fished with anything but a spinning setup. I have a nice spinning setup that I like a lot (6' 6" MF), but I just can't throw the bigger lures on it - like a Spook Jr., bigger Spinnerbaits, and fatter Swimbaits. So I wanted to get a baitcaster to throw slightly heavier stuff.

 

I fish almost exclusively from shore, but will start kayak fishing this year. I rarely throw into any heavy cover at all, so it's mostly open water fishing. Though I am sure it will get deeper when I fish from the kayak, I am sure it will still be pretty shallow... the waters I fish now get to maybe 6' or 8', but are almost always 3' or 4'. And most of the fish I pull out of there are between 1 and 2 pounds.

 

All that said, I was convinced a Medium rod would take care of most of my fishing. I am not fishing any huge lures or deep waters. Since I am going to be fishing from a kayak, I want my rod arsenal to stay small (<4 rods total), so getting a versatile rod really matters to me.

 

Thoughts? Start with a Medium power or Medium-Heavy power rod for my shallow water and small fish?

[XzyluM]

A medium should be fine for fishing open water.  What size lures are you planning to throw? Most of my rods are MH, but I am always pitching to cover or fishing grass most of the time. A MH would be better for heavier lures and cover. Both are very versatile and it really depends on what you prefer and how you plan to fish it. 

[bigfruits]

since you already have a M spinning rod, id go ahead and exchange your rod for a MH. i think a MH/F baitcasting rod is the most versatile.

 

 

[roadwarrior]

Medium Power/ Fast Action will probably be a very good fit for you.

 

[smalljaw67]

The medium should be fine, but if you want to know for sure just look at the rod specs. I'm guessing the rod is rated for 8-17lb line and a lure weight of 1/4oz to 5/8oz, if you plan to use baits over 5/8oz a majority of the time then you'll want to go to a MH. The other thing is you want an "all purpose" rod that you are going to throw both single hooks and treble hooks, the medium power, fast action rod is more forgiving and a better choice for that as long as you are within the rods weight specs.

[Spankey]

I don't see your problem. You like it. Fits your needs. You'll enjoy it. Probably use it a lot. Hence your getting your money's worth. 

 

Will you most likely need or really want that MH set up? Yes. So you work toward filling your needs. 

 

You most likely don't need a $500-600 set up. Don't know you but most likely are not the type of guy who will go impulse buy and take food out of your wife's and kids mouths. Your expressing remorse over a combo. Seem like a good dude. Enjoy it. Enjoy the MH set up when you get it. Life is too short. 

[fishballer06]

That's not buyers remorse, that's called the bait monkey, and you have already been bitten. 

 

There is no known cure. Best of luck. 

[Angry John]

I would exchange the rod if you got it locally.  I love to frog fish and a MHF is the rod of choice for me.  Some people use a heavy but no one I know uses a medium.  Also if your into single hook baits like jigs and spinner baits I like the extra power of the MHF to drive the hook home.  Its just how I fish and you may be different.  Any desire to use small swim baits, the extra weight capacity may help...

[bigfruits]

IMO a MH is going to be better for things like jigs/plastics, 1/2oz spinnerbaits/chatterbaits/lipless and heavier stuff. Id even grab a MH over a M for those applications in open water (maybe not the lipless). Thats what I throw the most of in NoVA. I use Meds for smaller cranks, small paddletails, finesse plastics. But as long as cover allows, its all personal preference. But if you ever paddle in the Potomac (Mattawoman creek maybe) youre going to be glad if you have a MH.

 

If exchanging the rod is a hassle or you plan on buying a MH soon anyway, keep it. Also keep in mind that when comparing two brands (and even two models of same brand) the power rating's can be very different. 

[Angry John]

10 minutes ago, bigfruits said:

IMO a MH is going to be better for things like jigs/plastics, 1/2oz spinnerbaits/chatterbaits/lipless and heavier stuff. Id even grab a MH over a M for those applications in open water (maybe not the lipless). Thats what I throw the most of in NoVA. I use Meds for smaller cranks, small paddletails, finesse plastics. But as long as cover allows, its all personal preference. But if you ever paddle in the Potomac (Mattawoman creek maybe) youre going to be glad if you have a MH.

 

If exchanging the rod is a hassle or you plan on buying a MH soon anyway, keep it. Also keep in mind that when comparing two brands (and even two models of same brand) the power rating's can be very different. 

The last statement about power could not be more true.  One 3 power rod could be a lot different than another.  Some companies use numbers and others are just medium.  I fish a lot of st croix and they are very powerful.  A 3 power Dobyns is a lot less powerful than a medium st croix.  I like both rods but if you had a st croix medium power i would say you were good to go.  If your in the dobyns rods i would recommend a 4 power at least.  I still prefer a MHF st croix for most applications.

[bigfruits]

yep. id choose a M St Croix over a M Loomis if i had to choose 1 medium versatile rod.

 

what rod did you order?

[keltonz]

42 minutes ago, bigfruits said:

yep. id choose a M St Croix over a M Loomis if i had to choose 1 medium versatile rod.

 

what rod did you order?

 

43 minutes ago, Angry John said:

The last statement about power could not be more true.  One 3 power rod could be a lot different than another.  Some companies use numbers and others are just medium.  I fish a lot of st croix and they are very powerful.  A 3 power Dobyns is a lot less powerful than a medium st croix.  I like both rods but if you had a st croix medium power i would say you were good to go.  If your in the dobyns rods i would recommend a 4 power at least.  I still prefer a MHF st croix for most applications.

 

It's funny you guys both mention St. Croix - I didn't know that would be relevant! It is a St. Croix Mojo Bass. Yeah, not the best rod, but it should get it done. So it seems a M St. Croix is about as good as a MH?

[bigfruits]

nice rod! 

what exactly do you want to throw with this rod? where are you fishing?

 

in my experience a M St Croix will be almost but not quite half way between a M and MH GLX Loomis. Almost a 2.3 or 2.4 Loomis if they did fractions. An NRX medium is less powerful than the GLX (at least in the upper section!). You can see what I mean in the variances between different models of the same manufacturer.

 

id guess that a St. Croix Medium is a little heavier than most manufacturer's mediums. dont quote me on that.

 

if you ever wanted (not that you needed) a little bit better MH rod for bottom contact as well as 1/2oz+ moving single hook baits, you could get a MH Avid and keep the Mojo for shallow cranks and smaller single hook moving baits. Weightless plastics?

 

 

[Angry John]

I hear that the new mojo has the sc3 blank the same as my older avids.  That medium should do you well but will not be good for frogs even so.  I think that blank will do 3/8 jigs ok but does better 1/4 and less.  I use sweet beavers a lot and they are not a lite trailer.  If you are using a paca craw or some type of double tail grub then you should be able to do 3/8ths good.  same goes with swim jigs the medium does good on 1/4 with a 4" paddle tail.  My jig rod is a legend MHF and i use it above 3/8ths.

[Fishes in trees]

Keep that rod and buy another one.  I repeat - keep that rod and buy another one.  If nothing else, you've started your collection of "back up rods".  The notion that you have to bring every rod you own with you every time you go fishing is false.   The notion that each rod you own must have a "purpose" is false.  The idea that you should only own a "reasonable" number of rods is false.   When you walk up to your rod rack to decide which rod to take on each particular fishing trip, considering what kind and where you'll be fishing that trip,  you want each rod screaming "take me, take me!!!"

If all the rods are guaranteed a spot on the traveling team, they won't do that.  I'm glad I could help and put it into true perspective for you.

[Choporoz]

That will be a great rod for fishing from a kayak.  You will eventually (probably soon?) also want an MHF, but when in a kayak, I use MF nearly as much or more than MHF. 

[Preytorien]

If you're not throwing to heavy cover a Medium should be fine. Even throwing to heavy cover sometimes I wish I would've stuck with a Medium. With the bit more flex I could get lighter lures a bit further out there. Oh well

[basss]

The brand makes some difference too.  For example, I have several Abu's that fish "heavier" than they are rated for.  I would say, just fish with it for a few days and return it if you do not like it.  Or better yet, use it as an excuse to get your second baitcaster setup.

[keltonz]

23 hours ago, bigfruits said:

nice rod! 

what exactly do you want to throw with this rod? where are you fishing?

 

in my experience a M St Croix will be almost but not quite half way between a M and MH GLX Loomis. Almost a 2.3 or 2.4 Loomis if they did fractions. An NRX medium is less powerful than the GLX (at least in the upper section!). You can see what I mean in the variances between different models of the same manufacturer.

 

id guess that a St. Croix Medium is a little heavier than most manufacturer's mediums. dont quote me on that.

 

if you ever wanted (not that you needed) a little bit better MH rod for bottom contact as well as 1/2oz+ moving single hook baits, you could get a MH Avid and keep the Mojo for shallow cranks and smaller single hook moving baits. Weightless plastics?

 

 

I'm not exactly sure, but right now I know what I would like to throw that I can't on my gear: ~4" plastic swimbaits on underspins or swim jigs; 1/2 oz spinnerbaits; larger spooks and a whopper plopper...

[XzyluM]

10 minutes ago, keltonz said:

I'm not exactly sure, but right now I know what I would like to throw that I can't on my gear: ~4" plastic swimbaits on underspins or swim jigs; 1/2 oz spinnerbaits; larger spooks and a whopper plopper...

 

Personally, I prefer to throw all of those on a MH. I use whopper ploppers in the 130 size and throw those on a H, but I know a lot of people throw them on MH as well. 

[bigfruits]

14 hours ago, keltonz said:

I'm not exactly sure, but right now I know what I would like to throw that I can't on my gear: ~4" plastic swimbaits on underspins or swim jigs; 1/2 oz spinnerbaits; larger spooks and a whopper plopper...

 

if/when you end up with MH, put a 1/2oz chatterbait + paddle tail in your ammo box. im liking the Picasso shock blade + keitech fat.

[BrackishBassin]

My first rod was a MH because that's what came with the cheap baitcaster combo I got to get started. First rod I bought after I decided to stick with baitcasters was a M. I've found I can throw almost everything I want to on my M, but that's just not the case with my MH. I can't seem to throw lighter crankbaits or jerkbaits on my MH no matter how many adjustments I make with the reel. I haven't found anything I fish, yet, that I can't throw on my M. Now, that may be a function of a better reel vs a cheapo combo reel, but it's the experience I've had. 

[deaknh03]

2 suggestions..if your going to keep the 1 rod, go with a mh, its more versatile and you mentioned that was important to you....but, if do wanna keep the medium, plan on buying a mh soon.

15 minutes ago, BrackishBassin said:

My first rod was a MH because that's what came with the cheap baitcaster combo I got to get started. First rod I bought after I decided to stick with baitcasters was a M. I've found I can throw almost everything I want to on my M, but that's just not the case with my MH. I can't seem to throw lighter crankbaits or jerkbaits on my MH no matter how many adjustments I make with the reel. I haven't found anything I fish, yet, that I can't throw on my M. Now, that may be a function of a better reel vs a cheapo combo reel, but it's the experience I've had. 

thats a function more of the rod than the reel. I have some mh rods that will throw light lures just fine, but others that will not.

[snake95]

On 1/18/2017 at 2:44 PM, keltonz said:

Up to this point I have never fished with anything but a spinning setup. I have a nice spinning setup that I like a lot (6' 6" MF), but I just can't throw the bigger lures on it - like a Spook Jr., bigger Spinnerbaits, and fatter Swimbaits. So I wanted to get a baitcaster to throw slightly heavier stuff.

@keltonz I wanted to respond because I hate the buyers remorse feeling, and I think I've been down a similar road recently enough.

I started baitcasting only in 2015, coming from many years of spinning.  I also fish mainly from shore.  I wanted it for accuracy and throwing slightly bigger lures too, and because that's what bass guys use.  I started off with a MF, and have since been bit by the rod monkey and have a number of additional rods, including MM, MHF, HF, etc.  Here are my perspectives:

 

1.  Keep it, you won't regret it because you will certainly use it, and it might remain your main baitcaster.  My medium rods are the most used versatile rods for me for the size of baits I throw the most.  I certainly supplement my M spinners with them.  It will add versatility. Focusing on the baits and depths you mentioned, consider the following (all baits I throw in conditions I fish weekly):

- Super Spook Jr - 1/2 oz

- Whopper Plopper 90 - 1/2 oz

- 3/8 to 1/2 oz spinnerbaits and buzzers

- Rapala skitter walk - 7/16 oz

 

Some others that I throw:

- KVD 1.5 (3-6 ft dive) - 3/8 oz (I use the 1.0 and other comparable cranks more often)

- Red eye shad - 1/2 oz

- Keitech or other paddletail on 1/4 oz head

 

In reality, I fish a lot of 3/8 oz range lures for these depths, and find myself fishing more and more plastics these days that wind up working well with a M rod.  Because of the depth you are talking, I'm not using heavy weights or jigheads with the lures.

 

Then look at the ratings on the rods.  They are only a guide, but still the main place to start.  My M Abus are rated up to about 5/8 oz.  So, you might be near the upper end for 1/2 oz baits, but personally I use 1/2 oz baits on my M rods and don't at all feel overloaded.

 

2.  The next step will be to get a MH.  Before you know it, you'll find a use for both M and MH rods.   Road Warrior put out a super thread that states the three basic bass rods: MH/F, MM or MF, and spinning.  My experience coming at it as a beginning baitcaster is this is right on the money, even as a bankbeater.

As I got more into bass I found that bigger baits such as 3/4 oz redeye shads and 1/2-3/4 oz walking baits also get a lot of use, and a heavier power is needed.   

 

3.  Re-consider the rod rating vs lure weight if you remain unsure after all that.  If you absolutely must have only one bc rod for more than a year, and you are going to throw significantly heavier baits, then you might think about this further.  

 

4.  I hate to tell you this but if you like to throw crankbaits, before you know it, you'll be looking at the action, not just the power, and you'll be considering which moderate action rod you need.  Eventually.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MickD]

It should work fine for almost everything, and better than a heavier power for some things, so I'd keep it, use it, and then later buy a heavier one if you find you'd like a heavier power for some techniques.  You'll never find one rod that can do everything well, and at some time, you'll want to have several and keep them rigged for their best techniques. 

 

One can never have too many rods.