Light power spinning rods...

[DitchPanda]

Anybody routinely use these in there bass pursuits? I'm experimenting with one now and I don't really have an opinion yet. What techniques you using them for?

[MN Fisher]

I have a Mitchell Avocet RZT-1000 mounted on a 7' Diawa Procyon L/F

Techniques I use it for

Ned rigs - 1/10oz or less

3/32oz or 1/16oz Owner Ultrahead Shaky with Zoom Finesse Worms

3/32 oz Gammy Offset Finesse Jig with Zoom Finesse worm

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Again, “Light” is a subjective label applied by the manufacturer. Such a rod may be appropriate if the lure weight range cover what you want to throw: Neds, small hair jigs, small inline spinners etc. Don’t get hung up on designations (L/ML/M…)

[DitchPanda]

44 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Again, “Light” is a subjective label applied by the manufacturer. Such a rod may be appropriate if the lure weight range cover what you want to throw: Neds, small hair jigs, small inline spinners etc. Don’t get hung up on designations (L/ML/M…)

I guess when I say light I'm mean something I'd typically only use for crappie. Lighter then my typical ML bass rods.

[MickD]

It is important for rods used for casting that the power be appropriate for the weight of the lure being cast, so that they load properly thus making longer and easier casts.  "Light" power rods are useful for casting small cranks and as mentioned above, Neds with light jigs.  They can handle big fish if the water is open rather than very weedy.  They cannot keep a big fish from diving into the weeds.

 

For light power rods longer is better because the casting distance and hook sets with the short "ultra lights" that many like are really problematic.  Longer rods cast farther and give better hook sets.

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, MickD said:

It is important for rods used for casting

Ummm - Mick - topic has 'spinning' in it.

 

FWIW.

35 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

I guess when I say light I'm mean something I'd typically only use for crappie. Lighter then my typical ML bass rods.

My L/F Procyon and my ML/MF Reflexions ARE my crappie rods as well as being used for bass.

[Team9nine]

45 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

I guess when I say light I'm mean something I'd typically only use for crappie. Lighter then my typical ML bass rods.

 

I almost never go less than ML for crappie. Have caught just under 3,000 of them so far this year, and nearly every one on a ML spinning outfit, the same ML rods that double as my finesse bass rods. You could go lighter still, but there really isn't a need for it. Saves a lot of extra money and equipment by pulling double duty 

[ironbjorn]

I only use spinning rods that behave like a ML. What the manufacturer claims on the rod is irrelevant to me since they're all so different.

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

They can handle big fish if the water is open rather than very weedy.  They cannot keep a big fish from diving into the weeds.

 

   I've landed big fish on my light power (Fenwick River Runner) and ultralight (Daiwa Presso) rods, but ONLY in unobstructed water.

   As soon as there is any kind of problem on the water's surface or under it, I go to a strong Medium power.

   However ....... if the water presents no problems, I admit they're fun as can be!  ?               jj

[MickD]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Ummm - Mick - topic has 'spinning' in it.

When I am using my spinning rods I often cast with them.  Often very long casts.  I seldom just drop the line below the boat.  Yes, spinning rods are used for casting.

1 hour ago, ironbjorn said:

What the manufacturer claims on the rod is irrelevant to me since they're all so different.

I don't have that problem since I build my own and use CCS objective power measurements.  

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, MickD said:

When I am using my spinning rods I often cast with them.  Often very long casts.  I seldom just drop the line below the boat.  Yes, spinning rods are used for casting.

Okay - got it - blame it on some sleep deprivation that made me think you were referring to BC rigs.

 

I'll back out now...

[Junk Fisherman]

I use a light action rod for Ned rigs (1/16th oz), finesse swimbaits (3"), and hairjigs (1/16th oz).  The Ned and small swimbaits are major parts of my arsenal.  While a medium light power is more versatile overall, the light action is much better for casting distance with those light baits.  

[islandbass]

6 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

Anybody routinely use these in there bass pursuits? I'm experimenting with one now and I don't really have an opinion yet. What techniques you using them for?

Heck yes!! It is so much fun. Just note for the record that when pursuing bass with this, I am not aiming for bass in heavy cover. As my shop teacher told me, “Use the right tool for the job,” lol. 
 

lures run a wide range. Small plastics, light drop shot, inline spinners, spoons, small cranks and floaters, live bait with a float or off the bottom*, pretty much normal bass lures but their smaller counter parts. 
 

Honestly, I’ve caught more fish and bass with this than my bass rods combined. When you can get away with light line, you just might be surprised if your catch rate is high. ?

 

* this is usually pan fish mode, so blue gills, crappie, pumpkin seed, and possibly trout. However, the incidental bass gets caught too. 

[QED]

I use ultralight casting and spinning rigs for most of my bass fishing.  I have heavy casting gear for when ultralight is not feasible but most of my fishing was in the San Joaquin county delta system, where sunken trees and brush were not usually an issue.  Caught panfish, catfish, stripers, and largemouth bass on light/ultralight baits.  That's part of the fun of fishing the delta, you never know what you might hook.  Where I fish, if you use 1/8 to 1/4 oz lures, you catch mostly bass and stripers and few perch/bluegills/crappie.  Caught a 32" striper on 6 lb test and that was a heck of a fight!

[Rob St Croix]

 

Had a Mojo 6'10" ml and sold it.

Easily my least favorite St Croix rod

[JustJames]

I have super old Crucial ML/F which today standard should be labeled as Light (1/16-1/4oz)

No I don’t really use this rod for bass, it is actually my main crappie rig. The rod is suitable for weightless finesse worm or 1/16oz Ned rig. The tip is too soft, slow to return and get over load with just a tad heavier weight. To me that is hard to get a good action out of any other techniques and also harder to get a good hookset on any but open hook or light wire hook application. Yes it is fun to catch a bass with light/ultra light rod, but my lake average bass are 3lb, a lot of rock, docks and tree. I stick with M/F 1/8-3/4oz rod.

[Bankbeater]

I have used L and UL before, but it's hard to snap the bait out of the vegetation.  Now I don't fish below a ML.