M or ML st croix

[weemofisher]

I don't use spinning rods for bass fishing very often. I've decided on a mojo bass spinning rod. I have one of the casting rods and think it's a great stick for the price. This will mostly be used to throw 3/16 and 1/4 total weight small swimbaits and grubs. Mostly 1/8 oz jigs plus plastic to get to those total weights. I'd like to hear thoughts on the 6'10 ML XF dropshot rod vs the 7' M F plastics rod for these presentations. Please no "look at listed lure weights" as I find these to not be accurate w most rods . Appreciate any feedback. Slightly leaning M now but seems to be a pretty fair difference in power between the two. 

[Holetail]

No personal experience with the Mojo series, but I have added two spinning rods lately and did a bunch of research before buying. Ended up with a 7’ Dobyns Colt ML-F for drop shot / grubs and a Fury 7’ M-F for weightless worms / senkos. What lead me to these choices was that the M performs better if the hook needs to come through plastic and the ML is great for open hooks. Have caught several fish on both and couldn’t be happier with power / action choices. Hope this helps a little. Good luck

[Vilas15]

I use one 7' ML and one 6'6" M st croix. I would go with the ML. For me they both can handle 1/4 oz very well but the choice depends on which side of that you'll be on most.

1/4 oz and below? ML

1/4 oz and above? M

 

And I'm typically using 1/4 jigheads with a small plastic, so if youre using a 1/8 oz head I'd go ML for sure.

[Finessegenics]

This is a weird one for me because both those rods are capable of doing that. I'd say 1/8- 3/16 total weight is the sweet spot for the ML. For the M, it's closer to 1/4-5/16 but the M DEFINITELY loads up well with a 3/16 total weight. Another thing to consider is what line will you be using. Braided line helped me big time in casting lighter lures on spinning gear, at least distance wise. 

 

The decision ultimately comes down to personal preference and what else you plan to do with that rod. The ML rod is rated as XF but has a "hinge" like  tip. It flexes easily and is very responsive to whatever your bait is doing down there. I use the ML rod for most things with a total weight of 1/16 oz - 1/4 oz. Yes, the ML rod is rated up to 1/2 oz but I think that's more realistic if we're talking about vertical fishing. Think about dropshoting or jigging plastics directly under the boat. The ML will serve you better if you plan to throw 1/16oz heads with ned like plastics, small floating plugs like original rapala's, hair jigs or dropshots. 

 

The M bends deeper into the rod, with the whole upper 1/3 of the rod flexing rather than just the tip before you get the backbone. I use the M for most things within 1/4oz-1/2oz. For me, that's primarily wacky rigs, poppers, and tubes where the hook is exposed. The M can work better for you if you plan to throw heavier rigs.

 

Hope this helped. Good luck and if you've got any other questions just ask. 

[BrianMDTX]

I do not have a Mojo Bass, but I do have a Bass X BXS610MLXF paired with a Daiwa Revros LT2000. I really like it for weightless Zoom Tricks and Senko WR's. 

[weemofisher]

It will be braid to leader for sure 

[GReb]

I owned the Mojo 6’10 ML for a few months and sold it. It is super whippy. I thought since their M rods tended to be on the stouter side the ML would be closer to M but it definitely seemed truer to ML to me. I lost a few fish because due to poor hook sets and replaced it with a Sierra 703. Unless you are throwing really thin wire hooks I would go for the medium. 

[Scott F]

3 hours ago, weemofisher said:

I don't use spinning rods for bass fishing very often. I've decided on a mojo bass spinning rod. I have one of the casting rods and think it's a great stick for the price. This will mostly be used to throw 3/16 and 1/4 total weight small swimbaits and grubs. Mostly 1/8 oz jigs plus plastic to get to those total weights. I'd like to hear thoughts on the 6'10 ML XF dropshot rod vs the 7' M F plastics rod for these presentations. Please no "look at listed lure weights" as I find these to not be accurate w most rods . Appreciate any feedback. Slightly leaning M now but seems to be a pretty fair difference in power between the two. 

I’ve always found the lure weight ratings on St. Croix rods to be very dependable. You can trust what they say.

[FishTank]

33 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I’ve always found the lure weight ratings on St. Croix rods to be very dependable. You can trust what they say.

Same here on that thought. 

 

As far as the rod goes, I have a couple of Avids and based on those, I would go with a ML Fast.  I have a 6' ML Fast and use it for all sorts of lighter baits.  Never had any problems with it.   Great rod.  I caught my PB on this rod, 10lb 2oz with 6lb test and a Zoom Lizard. 

[Bankbeater]

I bought a new 6'6" m/f over the holidays.  I've been using it to fish with 1/16 ounce t-rigs, weightless 6" worms, and split shot rigs.  I'm not having any issues with it at all.  

[masterbaiter9117]

i have one it sits on the wall caus i use my falcon 7'm for a lot more than i planned on. but if im going really light i think about using it.. maybe this year

[evo2s197]

Since I have numerous St croix rods in every model, I will tell you the 6ft10 ml extra fast model is the one you want, the medium model is more of a mag medium, the ml extra fast has a ton of back bone with a lively tip.

 

On the ML 6ft10 xfast rods I have, I throw everything from ned rigs using 1/16 heads, to 1/4 shakyheads with trick worms and 4 to 5 inch Yamamoto grubs on 1/16-1/4 ball or darter heads.

 

It's also a excellent t rig rod, I use a 1/8 tungsten bullet weight, 1/0 roboworm rebarb hook and a 6 inch fat roboworm in purple brown hologram, it's awesome for that bait combo.

 

You'll be disappointed in the medium for the applications you are describing.

[weemofisher]

11 minutes ago, evo2s197 said:

Since I have numerous St croix rods in every model, I will tell you the 6ft10 ml extra fast model is the one you want, the medium model is more of a mag medium, the ml extra fast has a ton of back bone with a lively tip.

 

On the ML 6ft10 xfast rods I have, I throw everything from ned rigs using 1/16 heads, to 1/4 shakyheads with trick worms and 4 to 5 inch Yamamoto grubs on 1/16-1/4 ball or darter heads.

 

It's also a excellent t rig rod, I use a 1/8 tungsten bullet weight, 1/0 roboworm rebarb hook and a 6 inch fat roboworm in purple brown hologram, it's awesome for that bait combo.

 

You'll be disappointed in the medium for the applications you are describing.

Thanks! I've heard a lot of good things about the 6'10 ml XF model. My only hesitation was I "thought" I bought a rod for this last year. The fenwick elite tech walleye 6'9 ML XF. I just don't like the feel of that rod for these applications. It just doesn't feel crisp and those weights feel a little heavy. I've heard that a croix ml is a good 1/2 power stronger than that fenwick but hard to pull the trigger . I also though about a avid 7' ML fast. That felt a tad heavier than the mojo dropshot even though both are rated at ML. Thanks for the help

If the avid was split grip or the avid x didn't have micro guides I'd probably step up to that but sadly those aren't options

[evo2s197]

That blank is awesome no mater if its in the mojo or legend xtreme.

 

Just a great blank.

[Bluebasser86]

I've got a 6' 10" ML/XF LTB and it works great for what you're looking to do. I'd assume the Mojo would do the same.

[softwateronly]

18 hours ago, GReb said:

I owned the Mojo 6’10 ML for a few months and sold it. It is super whippy. I thought since their M rods tended to be on the stouter side the ML would be closer to M but it definitely seemed truer to ML to me. I lost a few fish because due to poor hook sets and replaced it with a Sierra 703. Unless you are throwing really thin wire hooks I would go for the medium. 

I second this.  I busted out a tip insert a few years ago on the Mojo drop shot and reshuffled my reels.  Still haven't fixed it.  This rod is the only technique specific rod that I have that really felt pinned in to that technique.  I never found anything that this excelled at for me.  Fyi, the ML Avid is my favorite spinning rod.

 

scott

[Randy Price]

I have the Legend X in 6'10" MLXF and I have the Legend Xtreme in 7'0" MF.  I like the ML for walleye fishing but for some reason prefer the M for bass.

[Finessegenics]

I kept thinking about your post and I just have to ask, have you tried weighing the presentations? Or is it a guesstimation? I have a small digital scale for cooking but it’s not accurate enough to say anything definitive. 
 

Now, I just read your other posts and saw that you mentioned finding a rod for 1/8 oz heads and 3.8 rhythm waves. Is that what you’re talking about here? IMO that would be much better on the M but the ML is definitely capable. In the picture I posted below both are 1/8 oz heads but one has a significantly larger hook. The berkley half head (the smaller jig) will go on a 3” slim swimz. I throw that on the ML mojo. 

 

The other  jig, which is homemade, is for a 3.8 rhythm wave because it sports the perfect size hook. I imagine the total weight of that homemade jig is a bit more than 1/8 oz because of the bigger hook. I’m throwing that on the M, no doubt. 
 

Now if I needed a rod throw both? I’m gonna choose the ML. But since I own both rods I have the luxury of choosing. Though I imagine your elite tech can handle the smaller presentation which probably has a total weight of 3/16. The 3.8 swimbait and that 1/8 head are probably closer to 5/16 oz than a 1/4 oz. Hence why I choose the M. Maybe you need to just fish with the Elite tech more before making a decision but that can be hard when the water is iced over  

 

Also, don’t mind the mess on my table there. Still have a few things to reorganize.

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 3/10/2021 at 1:02 PM, weemofisher said:

I don't use spinning rods for bass fishing very often. I've decided on a mojo bass spinning rod. I have one of the casting rods and think it's a great stick for the price. This will mostly be used to throw 3/16 and 1/4 total weight small swimbaits and grubs. Mostly 1/8 oz jigs plus plastic to get to those total weights. I'd like to hear thoughts on the 6'10 ML XF dropshot rod vs the 7' M F plastics rod for these presentations. Please no "look at listed lure weights" as I find these to not be accurate w most rods . Appreciate any feedback. Slightly leaning M now but seems to be a pretty fair difference in power between the two. 

The ML 6'10 Mojo is a great rod, you can do just about anything with it.  I use mine to throw 1/2oz tins at bluefish in the wash.  It can throw light baits (1/20, 1/16) under the suggested weight really well because of the XF tip.  I dont think you would be disappointed with the ML.

[weemofisher]

10 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

I kept thinking about your post and I just have to ask, have you tried weighing the presentations? Or is it a guesstimation? I have a small digital scale for cooking but it’s not accurate enough to say anything definitive. 
 

Now, I just read your other posts and saw that you mentioned finding a rod for 1/8 oz heads and 3.8 rhythm waves. Is that what you’re talking about here? IMO that would be much better on the M but the ML is definitely capable. In the picture I posted below both are 1/8 oz heads but one has a significantly larger hook. The berkley half head (the smaller jig) will go on a 3” slim swimz. I throw that on the ML mojo. 

 

The other  jig, which is homemade, is for a 3.8 rhythm wave because it sports the perfect size hook. I imagine the total weight of that homemade jig is a bit more than 1/8 oz because of the bigger hook. I’m throwing that on the M, no doubt. 
 

Now if I needed a rod throw both? I’m gonna choose the ML. But since I own both rods I have the luxury of choosing. Though I imagine your elite tech can handle the smaller presentation which probably has a total weight of 3/16. The 3.8 swimbait and that 1/8 head are probably closer to 5/16 oz than a 1/4 oz. Hence why I choose the M. Maybe you need to just fish with the Elite tech more before making a decision but that can be hard when the water is iced over  

 

Also, don’t mind the mess on my table there. Still have a few things to reorganize.

 

I have weighed them on a digital scale. Owner ultra round 1/8 oz 2/0 hook w a 3.8" rhythm is a tiny bit under 1/4 oz. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

2 hours ago, weemofisher said:

I have weighed them on a digital scale. Owner ultra round 1/8 oz 2/0 hook w a 3.8" rhythm is a tiny bit under 1/4 oz. 

That weight sounds more like the 2.8" Rhythm wave at least the ones I weighed.

JACKALL RHYTHM WAVE 2.8"                2.513g           0.09965oz

JACKALL RHYTHM WAVE 3.8"                6.772g           0.23887oz

[weemofisher]

8 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

That weight sounds more like the 2.8" Rhythm wave at least the ones I weighed.

JACKALL RHYTHM WAVE 2.8"                2.513g           0.09965oz

JACKALL RHYTHM WAVE 3.8"                6.772g           0.23887oz

I used a fairly expensive digital scale. 

Ok. ...good catch guys. Not sure what I did when I weighed it before. It is indeed about 5/16 total weight. That makes more sense and probably pushes me towards the M. Thanks guys!

[avid]

I can’t say much about the mojo bass rods but I think the avid series is the best $200 rod you can buy   I have 5 including a 6’ LF   6’8” Mxf  and a 6’6” MF 

ive caught big bass on all of these rods

as a general rule of thumb I use xf action for single hooks and fast for trebles
tight lines 

[avid]

On 3/10/2021 at 4:06 PM, Scott F said:

I’ve always found the lure weight ratings on St. Croix rods to be very dependable. You can trust what they say.

I agree   I’m a huge fan of the avid series spinning rods   The lure weights displayed on the rod are very reliable  imo

[weemofisher]

Thanks all. Purchased the 7 M F mojo spinning. I also grabbed a 7 M F mojo casting rod