ML vs. M finesse spinning rod

[EGbassing]

About to buy a Shimano Clarus for all around finesse fishing. The main techniques I plan on using are dropshots, ned rigs, and shaky heads. Should I go with a medium light, or medium power? Also, would a fast, or medium action be better?

[dsqui]

Why buy one wen you can buy both lol ok seriously my Ned and drop shot rods are 7'4" ml fast action and my shakey head rod and med finesse applications is a 7'4" MED fast action.  I prefer a little stiffer rod for shake y head fishing do to the fact that I throw it a little deeper then most so I use heavier weights usually .25 oz.

[EGbassing]

Just now, dsqui said:

Why buy one wen you can buy both lol ok seriously my Ned and drop shot rods are 7'4" ml fast action and my shakey head rod and med finesse applications is a 7'4" MED fast action.  I prefer a little stiffer rod for shake y head fishing do to the fact that I throw it a little deeper then most so I use heavier weights usually .25 oz.

Right. Why spend $80 when you could spend $160? ? And yeah, I'm kind of leaning towards the medium light now. I'm planning on using it with pretty light line, so...

[WRB]

Weight of the lure along with line diameter, hook/wire size and size of the bass you are planning to catch factor into your decision. Spinning rods go with fast action, ML lures under 3/16 oz, M lures 3/16 to 1/4 oz....decision decision only you can make.

Tom

[EGbassing]

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

Weight of the lure along with line diameter, hook/wire size and size of the bass you are planning to catch factor into your decision. Spinning rods go with fast action, ML lures under 3/16 oz, M lures 3/16 to 1/4 oz....decision decision only you can make.

Tom

Thanks. I'm planning on using a lot of ned rigs, so I'm probably going to go with the ML. 

[Jig Man]

Even the ML might be too much rod for the Ned.  I've gone through 8 rods so far and have not yet settled on a good Ned rod.

[Team9nine]

Another vote for ML, and if you can get it in a slightly more moderate action, go that route, too.

[d-camarena]

49 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Even the ML might be too much rod for the Ned.  I've gone through 8 rods so far and have not yet settled on a good Ned rod.

8 rods? I use a cheap lews mach2 meduim light rod and i think its a great ned rod. I dont think ive ever tried a bad ned rig rod. Theres not much to a ned rig, just watch the line.

[Angry John]

5 minutes ago, d-camarena said:

8 rods? I use a cheap lews mach2 meduim light rod and i think its a great ned rod. I dont think ive ever tried a bad ned rig rod. Theres not much to a ned rig, just watch the line.

It's called the search for "the one".  Will a rod work, sure.  Is it perfect for how and where you fish, that's what the search is all about.

[dsqui]

2 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Even the ML might be too much rod for the Ned.  I've gone through 8 rods so far and have not yet settled on a good Ned rod.

Same for me as well I finally settled on a dobyns champ extreme 742.  Not cheap by any means but it's my favorite rod to fish.  

[BobP]

I use a Shimano CRS-DX68M medium power dropshot rod rated for 1/8 to 3/8 oz for all that stuff.  Mine is the older version with cork handle and has a “hinged action” with a soft fast action tip mated to a medium power shaft.  My favorite rod for any finesse presentation.

[LCG]

For me I choose which power of rod based on conditions. Open water is a medium light. Cover or wood nearby is a medium. A zman TRD weighs about .15 oz plus the weight of the jig, so your in at roughly 3/16oz range.

 

The rod I fish all those techniques with is a st Croix mojo 6'8 m-xf spinning rod. Very versatile. 

[PatrickKnight]

I go ML vs M based on the hook I am going to use.

 

Heavier hook I'll step up to the M really light wire I will go ML.

[Darren.]

I'd go with ML especially throwing a lot of Ned rigs...

Better choice, IMHO.

[EGbassing]

On 6/11/2018 at 3:03 PM, Darren. said:

I'd go with ML especially throwing a lot of Ned rigs...

Better choice, IMHO.

Would you still go with the medium light when fishing near light cover? (i.e. small pond with sticks on the bottom, some weeds around the perimeter, etc.) Just for hooksets and everything, I would definitely go with the ML, but I'm afraid I'm going to get broken off or something when using a rod that light.

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, EGbassing said:

Would you still go with the medium light when fishing near light cover? (i.e. small pond with sticks on the bottom, some weeds around the perimeter, etc.) Just for hooksets and everything, I would definitely go with the ML, but I'm afraid I'm going to get broken off or something when using a rod that light.

It's actually the reverse...you'd be more likely to get broken off the heavier you go in rod power. Unless where you are fishing has an abundance of larger than normal bass, I still say ML is the way to go unless you can find a more moderate action M rod. Getting a bit harder these days since everybody seems to want F/XF for whatever reason.

[EGbassing]

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

It's actually the reverse...you'd be more likely to get broken off the heavier you go in rod power. Unless where you are fishing has an abundance of larger than normal bass, I still say ML is the way to go unless you can find a more moderate action M rod. Getting a bit harder these days since everybody seems to want F/XF for whatever reason.

I know that a M is more likely to break the line on a hookset or something, but I was thinking that I won't be able to fight the fish quickly, making it more likely to wrap me up. Is that a real concern?

[Team9nine]

41 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

I know that a M is more likely to break the line on a hookset or something, but I was thinking that I won't be able to fight the fish quickly, making it more likely to wrap me up. Is that a real concern?

Yes, but it's a game of trade-offs. How frequently might you lose fish by having a bit heavier rod and applying too much pressure to the small hooks every trip? You'll have to make the call. If it's just minimal scattered cover, I'd go ML. If you actually have enough that fish might constantly be taking you into places where landing them becomes difficult, then go M. A few scattered sticks and thin weeds wouldn't be enough in my opinion to upsize. You can still put a decent amount of pressure on a fish with a ML if you have to. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Sure you have to fight the fish, but first you have to get bit. I find myself gravitating toward ML power for most spinning rod applications. I have a M power with braid for skipping docks and casting into the wind. 

[EGbassing]

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

Yes, but it's a game of trade-offs. How frequently might you lose fish by having a bit heavier rod and applying too much pressure to the small hooks every trip? You'll have to make the call. If it's just minimal scattered cover, I'd go ML. If you actually have enough that fish might constantly be taking you into places where landing them becomes difficult, then go M. A few scattered sticks and thin weeds wouldn't be enough in my opinion to upsize. You can still put a decent amount of pressure on a fish with a ML if you have to. 

Alright. Thank you. I guess I'll go with the ML.

[Darren.]

7 hours ago, EGbassing said:

Would you still go with the medium light when fishing near light cover? (i.e. small pond with sticks on the bottom, some weeds around the perimeter, etc.) Just for hooksets and everything, I would definitely go with the ML, but I'm afraid I'm going to get broken off or something when using a rod that light.

Yes, @Team9nine explains it best. I often fish my ML

in/near downed trees, stump fields, etc. 

5 hours ago, Team9nine said:

It's actually the reverse...you'd be more likely to get broken off the heavier you go in rod power. Unless where you are fishing has an abundance of larger than normal bass, I still say ML is the way to go unless you can find a more moderate action M rod. Getting a bit harder these days since everybody seems to want F/XF for whatever reason.

 

[new2BC4bass]

I am looking to try some of those techniques this year.  I picked up a used Benkei 6'7" LF spinning rod rated 1/16-1/4 oz. for my Ned Rig rod.  According to seller this is a bass specific rod and not a whippy JDM trout rod.  I bought a 6'10" MLF rated 1/8-1/2 oz. for my all around finesse spinning rod.  Because of a careless error one night, I now have a 6'10" MLF baitcast rod as well.  Can't have too many rods, tho.    Now to find the time to use them.

 

[EGbassing]

1 hour ago, Darren. said:

Yes, @Team9nine explains it best. I often fish my ML

in/near downed trees, stump fields, etc. 

 

Yup. About to place my Tackle Warehouse order. Going with the ML.  

[Boomstick]

On ‎6‎/‎9‎/‎2018 at 1:27 PM, EGbassing said:

About to buy a Shimano Clarus for all around finesse fishing. The main techniques I plan on using are dropshots, ned rigs, and shaky heads. Should I go with a medium light, or medium power? Also, would a fast, or medium action be better?

I picked up a 6'9" ML/XF St Croix Avid X earlier this year for drop shots and ned rigs. It's nearly impossible to miss a bite on it, and it's still a decent fight with a larger fish as well. I have a far inferior (although surprisingly passable) Pflueger President M/F combo I would use for shaky heads, as shaky heads are better with a little extra backbone and slightly heavier line (8lb vs 6).

 

Personally, if it was me, I would go with the ML which is rather ideal for ned rigs and drop shots and just have to deal with a less than optimal shaky head setup (although it should be fine). I find I use a ned rig or drop shot far more often anyway. The other thing is that while I am not entirely sure about the Clarus, a lot of Shimano's rods are quite a bit beefier than their rating says.

 

You will definitely want a fast action.

[fishwizzard]

On 6/9/2018 at 3:07 PM, Angry John said:

It's called the search for "the one".  Will a rod work, sure.  Is it perfect for how and where you fish, that's what the search is all about.

I have almost found "the one" for Ned Rigs, an inexpensive custom on a CS722-MHX blank, but in my inexperience I had the builder put a really minimalist reel seat on it when I now think I would prefer a fatter cork one.  The power and taper are almost perfect, but the tip could be just a bit softer.  

 

I prefer lighter and shorter spinning rods due to a dislike of large/heavy spinning reels.