Are there any good all around Medium casting rods?

[LunkerJunky]

Hi everyone! I'm looking for a good all around rod for crankbaits, jerkbaits, and small topwaters. I have been using a spinning rod for these applications but want to get a good medium casting rod. My budget isn't huge so I am looking for something in the $100-$160 range. I don't know if I should get a moderate or fast action. Thank You. 

[casts_by_fly]

Action can be personal preference, so go try a couple if you can.  That said, for me a MF MH is what I’d use for what you describe. I have the falcon bucoo 7’ mh MF trapcaster and I use it for all of those things. I fished it with a bunch of lines over the past year, but it really started to sing this year with 30 lb 832 braid.  It’s a super light rod and has a really light tip but a good overall flex.  I’ve been trying a bunch of different things on it and it handles them well. It also does just fine on big fish.  For $100 it’s a great buy.

 

thanks

rick

 

 

[WRB]

Major Craft Don Iovino signature Splash-It rod is what I use it’s 6’8” MF $129

Tom

[newapti5]

This: 

 

 

Or that:

 

[LunkerJunky]

Ok Thanks I think I'll go with a Moderate Fast has anyone tried the Halo HFX? I have heard from some people that it is crazy sensitive and several people I know have boat flipped 7lb bass with them. 

[walleyecrazy]

The Daiwa Tatula TTU701MRB 7' M is designed for exactly the techniques you are looking to use it for, and I find it does them all very well. I have used it for all of my shallow cranking, jerk bait fishing, and lighter top water fishing for the last two seasons, and I love that Daiwa rod. I bought a new dedicated jerkbait rod this year, but that was only because I wanted to keep the Daiwa rod dedicated for shallow cranks at the same time of year I am generally also heavily fishing jerk baits. 

[Aaron_H]

Shimano's 6'10" medium (in whichever line you feel comfortable spending) is wonderful for those techniques. They're rated anywhere from moderate fast to extra fast depending on the line, but they've all got plenty of bend in them.

[EWREX]

Daiwa Tatula Elite 7' ML casting rod. Specifically designed for shallow crankbaits, jerkbaits, and light topwater. I have it and it is up there as one of my favorite setups.

[Big Rick]

Everyone has their favorite and no one rod will be the best for everyone. I recently bought the Powell Naked CB rod. It is amazingly light, sensitive, and casts very well. I use it for the presentations you asked about. It's a great option to consider. 

[new2BC4bass]

Add Falcon BuCoo and Lowrider to your list.  The choices are many.  Hopefully you have a store near you where you can handle a few.  Where in PA are you?

[BrianMDTX]

21 hours ago, LunkerJunky said:

Hi everyone! I'm looking for a good all around rod for crankbaits, jerkbaits, and small topwaters. I have been using a spinning rod for these applications but want to get a good medium casting rod. My budget isn't huge so I am looking for something in the $100-$160 range. I don't know if I should get a moderate or fast action. Thank You. 

I will say that I really like my Dobyns Fury 705CB for crankbaits and jerkbaits. Haven’t really used it for topwaters. But I did try it out a few times tossing weightless TR with 5” Senkos and Neko Machos and was surprised how well it did. It’s listed as a MH/MF. I get the MF. It feels more like a M than a MH to me. 

[ChrisD46]

That 6'8" to 6'10" sure seems like an ideal length for working such baits mentioned (especially jerking down with while standing in a Kayak or from the bank to prevent rod tip slap on water or side of boat) .)

[Eric 26]

I have (2) 7’-0” recommendations, first is a Wright &McGill med. powered fast action available at Wal Mart at least it was when I last looked last Nov/Dec. It’s marked as a spinnerbait/crank bait rod and I’ve found it handles 4” tubes with a 1/4 oz bullet weight quite well also. The second is a bps carbonlite 2.0, mine is a medium fast but they have a medium moderate also, I throw everything on this rod with the exception of jerk baits as it’s not a technique I use often. The first option costs $55.00 at least last time I looked and the second is $129.99, they offer the carbonlite in 6’-6” also for $10.00 cheaper.  Going to add one more after thinking about your post, I bought a 6’-8” medium power fast Denali “Fission” off a co-worker several years back after he used it a handful of times and didn’t like it. He purchased the rod as a jerk bait rod which I’m not big into anyway. The rod is unique in my collection with a moderate tip of say the first 1/3-3/8 leading into a stout but not too stiff backbone if that makes any sense. I wouldn’t use this rod for heavy  gauge hooks but light wire hooks and especially light wire trebles this rod is awesome in my opinion. They no longer manufacture this series but you should be able to see what line replaced it.

Edited May 5, 2022 by Eric 26
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[GetFishorDieTryin]

For JBs and topwaters you want a crisp tip so I would go with a Fast.  Being a M power it's got give so you shouldn't have issues tearing trebles out of fish.  

I have a 7'1 M F Muse and the action/power makes it a great do it all rod.  I use it for it for shallow CBs, JBs, poppers/spooks, 1/4 spinnerbaits/bladed jigs, lighter finesse jigs and weightless plastics. The only thing I dont like about the Muse is that the locking nut has like a spoked fitting that keeps the blank centered within the nut.  The blank can momentarily slip from center and go between these pliable spokes, which I'm sure is supposed to happen.  The issue for me is that it feels like the reel seat momentarily loosens which gives the sensation that the reel foot has play in the hood.  

 

[Lead Head]

I don't remember the model number off the top of my head, but the 7' mh/f dobyns fury would handle that stuff pretty well. Its labeled mh/f but was a m/mf in my hands. Extremely versatile rod.

As stated above, getting your hands on a few rods is ideal because you are in a area where several rods will work well and personal preference will matter greatly. 

[MickD]

On 5/4/2022 at 7:54 AM, LunkerJunky said:

several people I know have boat flipped 7lb bass with them. 

I don't know several people who have even caught a 7 pound bass.  And boat flipping bass that large?  I'm surprised there isn't a report of several people breaking their rod. Doesn't pass the smell test.  

[rtwvumtneer6]

On 5/3/2022 at 11:45 PM, casts_by_fly said:

falcon bucoo 7’ mh MF trapcaster

In your price range you might also consider getting into the LowRider line, All 'round model.  It's available in both fast action and moderate fast, depending on your preference.  

[NYWayfarer]

My favorite medium casting rods are my St Croix Bass X and my Lew’s TP-1 Black.