Medium Heavy vs Heavy - Pros/Cons?

[Greg728]

Hello -

 

I apologize if this topic has already been beaten to death I tried searching the forum and wasn't able to find the answers I really want. 

 

I'm looking to get another BC setup. Currently I have light and medium spinning setups and a MH BC setup. I want to add another BC setup to my arsenal but I want to get some advice first. The two rods I use most are my medium spinning for finesse and lighter stuff and my 7 ft MH BC which I use for anything over 3/8 oz to 1oz. I primarily target largemouth in ponds and lakes but I also frequent the river for smallmouth and (attempt to) target smaller stripers, pike and muskie. I keep 12lb mono on my MH BC but I want an all-purpose rod (if possible) for topwater bass, jigs, and something that can handle bigger fish in the river. I would most likely keep braid on this rod and switch out different leaders for different things. I just don't know if I should go with MH or H for my new BC setup.

 

I hear a lot of people talking swearing you need nothing less than a H power rod with at least 50lb braid for jigging and frogs. I'm open to that, but I'm not sure I fish a lot of water where this would be necessary. Here are a few things to consider:

 

- I'm a bank fisherman (for now. Kayak probably next year)

- Most of the places I'm able to fish hold bass 2-5lbs with 5lbs being less probable and the average fish being in the 2-3lb range.

- I haven't come across any seriously heavy vegetation where I'm going to be punching through or around really heavy weeds. 

- I will be targeting pike and muskie as well but statistically a lot less chance of catching them than bass as I have to travel a bit to fish for them and they're not as easy to catch

 

Based on these factors can anyone recommend whether I should go with H or MH rod? 

 

Thanks

[The Maestro]

A true frog and/or punching setup will be pretty technique specific and not very good for much else.  

 

A good all purpose rod would be a 7'2" MH Expride.

[jimmyjoe]

   Be aware; this is what works for me, but I'm not telling you that it will be what you need.

   I use a St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass rod, 7'-02", heavy/moderate. It's called the "Rip 'n' Chatter", but I don't pay attention to their faddish names. I've got 15 lb. Big Game on it right now. I have no idea how it would work with braid.

   I TARGET bass, but it seems I CATCH pike and (sometimes) musky.

   This is a great bass rod for everything except bottom contact ..... and if I had to save my life by using it for bottom contact, I think I'd be OK. I'd just have to concentrate more. It has the forgiving tip of fiberglass, but because it's Heavy power, it has "authority" out the yin-yang.

   Is it perfect? Oh, heck no! It's heavy, and it's insensitive. But I can compensate a certain degree for those failures. I don't know .... maybe you can, too. Maybe not. (I was taught on fiberglass, many years ago. That helps.)

   Look at the specs, and see whether you'd like to consider it. If there are any questions, give me a PM and I'll see whether I can answer them.       jj

[dodgeguy]

Topwater and jigs are two totally different rods. Topwater you want flex so they take the bait. Frogging is the exception. I have no problem fogging with a 7-6 heavy flipping stick with a fast tip . you can also use it for big jigs.

[Bankc]

The question I'd ask myself is, do I want an application specific rod, or another general purpose rod?  If you want the application specific rod that won't get used as often (most likely), get the heavy.  If you want a second general purpose rod so you can switch between baits or lines quickly, then get another medium-heavy.  Being a bank and kayak angler myself, I'd rather have the second medium-heavy.  In fact, I'd probably get a second medium before getting a heavy rod.  

[Greg728]

1 hour ago, Bankc said:

The question I'd ask myself is, do I want an application specific rod, or another general purpose rod?  If you want the application specific rod that won't get used as often (most likely), get the heavy.  If you want a second general purpose rod so you can switch between baits or lines quickly, then get another medium-heavy.  Being a bank and kayak angler myself, I'd rather have the second medium-heavy.  In fact, I'd probably get a second medium before getting a heavy rod.  

Thank you for your input. I think I do want another all-purpose rod but I guess I was curious if I use thick enough braid could I technically use a medium heavy power rod for frogging. I don't have enough local access to good frogging water so I can't justify getting an application specific rod that I'm only going to use two or three times a year. I am interested in checking it out though and trying it.

[Fishingmickey]

3 minutes ago, Greg728 said:

Thank you for your input. I think I do want another all-purpose rod but I guess I was curious if I use thick enough braid could I technically use a medium heavy power rod for frogging. I don't have enough local access to good frogging water so I can't justify getting an application specific rod that I'm only going to use two or three times a year. I am interested in checking it out though and trying it.

Hi Greg,

     The reason most/majority of fisherman use a heavy power rod and 50# (or more) braid for frog fishing is because you have to get the fish moving quickly to get them out of the slop and vegetation.  That requires "heavy" muscle and braid provides the power to drive home the double hooks of a frog and to get the fish turned and moving.

     You can use a medium heavy for frog fishing but sometimes you might have to go in and get them. 

FM 

[BrianMDTX]

3 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

Hi Greg,

     The reason most/majority of fisherman use a heavy power rod and 50# (or more) braid for frog fishing is because you have to get the fish moving quickly to get them out of the slop and vegetation.  That requires "heavy" muscle and braid provides the power to drive home the double hooks of a frog and to get the fish turned and moving.

     You can use a medium heavy for frog fishing but sometimes you might have to go in and get them. 

FM 

That is a very good explanation. 

[new2BC4bass]

You don't mention a budget.  I'd take a serious look at the ALX Zolo Toadface....a MH+ if it is within your budget.   Supposedly a MH tip on a Heavy backbone.  Very versatile.  Check out reviews.  Owner of ALX has said he carries 5 of them on his boat.  They are that versatile.

[Koz]

I have a 7' 6" heavy rod that I use when fishing in heavy weeds and lily pads as well as the occasional swim bait. It's like casting with a tree. It's definitely not something that I want to fish all day long.

 

I'll use my 7' MH with frogs, Sprinker Frogs, etc. but it can be harder to drive the hooks when they hit. Sure, it works, but the hookup rate is lower.

[Greg728]

4 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

You don't mention a budget.  I'd take a serious look at the ALX Zolo Toadface....a MH+ if it is within your budget.   Supposedly a MH tip on a Heavy backbone.  Very versatile.  Check out reviews.  Owner of ALX has said he carries 5 of them on his boat.  They are that versatile.

I'm probably gonna stay in the $100 range but am willing to go a little higher if there's something out there that is worth the extra money. This $$ is adding up this year lol. 

1 hour ago, Koz said:

I have a 7' 6" heavy rod that I use when fishing in heavy weeds and lily pads as well as the occasional swim bait. It's like casting with a tree. It's definitely not something that I want to fish all day long.

 

I'll use my 7' MH with frogs, Sprinker Frogs, etc. but it can be harder to drive the hooks when they hit. Sure, it works, but the hookup rate is lower.

Casting with a tree.. lol. I think I'm going to go with another MH. I'm not opposed to the H rod but I won't use it enough to justify it. Maybe once I get a kayak and find some areas where I'll want to jig and punch I'll pick one up. Thanks

[new2BC4bass]

In that case the Toadface is out.  Way above your budget.  I'd look for a Tatula on sale.  Sportsman's Outfitters has the 6'10" MHF for $110 (normally $150).  Definitely worth spending the extra $10 in my book.  No experience with the Aird X, but they get good feedback on here.

 

Zero experience with the Academy Sports Ethos rods, but they are said to be excellent rods for the money.  Same for the Fenwick Eagle.  Some on here have praised Lew's Carbon Fire Speed Stick at Dick's.  Lew's TP1.  Quite a few decent choices, but I can't personally vouch for them.  I do have a few OG Tatulas and the Toadface.  Very nice rods.