Medium Light Casting Rods

[Mojo Bass]

How many people out here use medium light casting rods? I’m thinking of getting a 6’10 medium light rod for, unweighted plastics and other light baits…… is it worth going to medium light vs just sticking with a medium? 

[Jig Man]

I only have 1.  I use it for Ned rigs and slider grubs with 6# line.  3/32 is the lightest head I can cast with a TRD.  I haven’t tried anything else.

[FrnkNsteen]

I don't have any ML casting rods at the moment. I had one in a BPS Crankin Stick, but gave it away because I wasn't a fan.

 

I guess I just feel like if I am throwing that light of stuff I will just throw it on my spinning reels

[casts_by_fly]

How light of a lure do you want to fish?  An unweighted 5" senko has plenty of weight for a heavier rod if you want.

 

For me, I have a ML Lamiglas that I built some time ago.  1/8-1/2 oz, 6'6".  I fished it a lot last year before I picked up my falcons and it was fine for light hooks.  I got an 18" largemouth on a TRD craw and 1/10oz head but that was pushing the lower end of weight for that rod and reel combination.  I used it for drop shotting with a 1/8 of weight and light plastic on gamakatsu thin wire dropshot hooks.  All of this on 10 lb fluoro since I want a spinning tactics baitcaster.  Ultimately, I realized that I don't prefer to fish those techniques and the rod was only suited for light crankbaits otherwise so I benched it.  If I want to throw unweighted plastics I use a MH Falcon expert finesse jig.  Its more M than MH but has a quick tip.  With 12 lb sunline I have no problem throwing medium to light unweighted plastics plenty long.  I haven't tried a 1/10 and TRD craw, but I think it will do it (need to check that!).  It definitely will fish a 1/15 head and a TRD Ned.

 

rick

[T-Billy]

I have the 7'1" ML Phenix Feather paired with a Curado BFS. Outstanding rod for neds and small swimmers. 

[casts_by_fly]

14 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

How light of a lure do you want to fish?  An unweighted 5" senko has plenty of weight for a heavier rod if you want.

 

For me, I have a ML Lamiglas that I built some time ago.  1/8-1/2 oz, 6'6".  I fished it a lot last year before I picked up my falcons and it was fine for light hooks.  I got an 18" largemouth on a TRD craw and 1/10oz head but that was pushing the lower end of weight for that rod and reel combination.  I used it for drop shotting with a 1/8 of weight and light plastic on gamakatsu thin wire dropshot hooks.  All of this on 10 lb fluoro since I want a spinning tactics baitcaster.  Ultimately, I realized that I don't prefer to fish those techniques and the rod was only suited for light crankbaits otherwise so I benched it.  If I want to throw unweighted plastics I use a MH Falcon expert finesse jig.  Its more M than MH but has a quick tip.  With 12 lb sunline I have no problem throwing medium to light unweighted plastics plenty long.  I haven't tried a 1/10 and TRD craw, but I think it will do it (need to check that!).  It definitely will fish a 1/15 head and a TRD Ned.

 

rick

 

Just checked.  It will do a 1/15 and 2.75" Ned TRD, but not the same head and a Ned Bug.  The Ned bug can overhead cast a lob just fine, but a side arm or roll cast I was blowing it up more often than not and accuracy would be an issue for me.  This is with a revo MGX and 12 lb Sunline supernatural.  A 1/10 oz on the TRD Bug would have been fine.  A Ticklerz with 1/15 would have probably worked too.  If you want to go that light on the lures then you're going to have to get down to a M or ML.

 

rick

[QED]

Most of what I throw is in the 1/16 - 3/8 oz range (total lure weight) so the casting rods I use most frequently are in the UL/BFS/L/ML range and the rod/reel combos are in <= 8 oz range.  If you haven't fished really light casting rigs, it will be a real eye opener.

[AmmoGuy]

I'm currently considering the Tatula ML/R for squarebills. 

Per the ratings, it seems like its more of an M than a ML though. 

[FryDog62]

57 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

I have the 7'1" ML Phenix Feather paired with a Curado BFS. Outstanding rod for neds and small swimmers. 

This is a great set up - both the Light and ML Phenix. The other rod that I've had that is a Medium power but fishes like a ML is a Majorcraft Don Iovino 6-10 Medium XF.  I prefer all 3 of these rods over a standard Medium power for lighter lures and unweighted plastics. 

[T-Billy]

36 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

This is a great set up - both the Light and ML Phenix. The other rod that I've had that is a Medium power but fishes like a ML is a Majorcraft Don Iovino 6-10 Medium XF.  I prefer all 3 of these rods over a standard Medium power for lighter lures and unweighted plastics. 

I've come to prefer the L for neds in open water myself. Long casting and it still has enough power to drive a #1 or #2 hook home just fine, and loads deep into the blank with even small bass. I rarely lose a fish on it. 

 I'm with you on the medium XF too. I recently bought a St Croix Avid 6'8" M XF. It's great for small baits and weights down to 1/8 on 8# XT. I've been using it to throw light Trigs on grass flats lately. Very happy with it. Paired it with my KastKing Zephyr. I had the same trouble with that reel as everyone else with 6# mono or light braid getting into the gap around the spool. It fishes great with 8# mono though. Long casting and very smooth.

[Woody B]

I had a ML and kept losing bass.  It was a cheaper 2 piece rod, but I think it was too soft to get and keep the fish hooked.   Now my light stuff rod is a Medium with moderate action.  1/8 ounce is pretty much the lightest stuff I use.  I can cast that stuff  just fine.  (Shimano SLX DC with 10 pound mono)

[Blaine Donders]

I have a Vertas PLX Tournament ML and a Kistler KLX M (they rate their rods more like Dobyns).

 

I use mine for tubes and 1/16oz jigs. They work great with light wire hooks.

 

You don’t need a ML for a weightless Senko, but a wacky rigged Yum Dinger likes the ML. 

[new2BC4bass]

3 hours ago, AmmoGuy said:

I'm currently considering the Tatula ML/R for squarebills. 

Per the ratings, it seems like its more of an M than a ML though. 

I feel just like you.  1/4-5/8 oz. is a good Medium power rod rating.  I have 3 MF rods rated for 1/8-5/8 oz. and at least 5 Medium power rods (with different actions) with the same rating as the Tatula 7' MLR.  Personally I think a ML should handle 1/8 oz. with a top end of no more than 1/2 oz. (which is MF territory).  My MF Falcon rods are all rated 1/4-1/2 oz.

[Mojo Bass]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I was thinking of using it for 4inch dingers wacky rigged weightless and 1/16 ounce neds mainly….. and maybe the odd 3/16 ounce jig and light swimbait On a 6’10 ML Veritas plx tourney rod that @Blaine Donders said he has too coincidentally…… either that rod or another 7foot MF…… I think I’m leaning towards the ML ??‍♂️ 

[Mojo Bass]

Also worth noting I am in Canada and will be using the rod almost exclusively for strong smallies and was wondering if anyone can say if I’ll be feeling like I’m just totally outmatched or what with the rod? Because I know with my Medium if I’m in a pinch and absolutely feel like I gotta reign a bass in harder than I’d like to, to avoid wood or weeds I can do it in a pinch but typically don’t need to….. just wondering if I’ll just be totally hopeless with a ML or can I still apply pretty good pressure in a situation I may have miscalculated and need to apply some oooommmff in a pinch

[papajoe222]

You can land some big fish on a ML casting rod given the right conditions.  Not only that, but in those situations, the fun factor is multiplied. You'll need to decide where it's applicable, but I say go for it.

I have one that I built specifically for smallmouth, that I've used for everything from crappie to largemouth.

[jdr99a]

I use my ML casting rod (BPS Carbonlite 2.0) and Shimano SLX MGL for Ned rigs and light squarebills/lipless cranks. It works very well for light baits. I still prefer spinning gear for Neds but I prefer the casting gear for the moving baits. 

[ATA]

10 hours ago, VanIsleBassSX said:

How many people out here use medium light casting rods? I’m thinking of getting a 6’10 medium light rod for, unweighted plastics and other light baits…… is it worth going to medium light vs just sticking with a medium? 

There is always reason to get new tackle :), I am using 5'.6" ML rod on my BFS setup and I really like it.

[bulldog1935]

That's kind of where rod rating is all over the place. 

I have a rod marked ML that's really MM,

MM rod that's a true BFS with backbone for wide lure range and big fish

short marked ML that's a stream UL. 

(I even have one salt rod marked ML that's MH with a really wide lure range)

 

@VanIsleBassSX the rods you're listing should be no problem on smallie shoulders in river current. 

 

The right ML will enhance your fishing by adding feel through the rod, and light-in-hand is always fun to fish. 

[evilcatfish]

I have 5, soon to be 6, medium light casting rods and use them all extensively. I fish ozark rivers a lot and with few exceptions, these are my bread and butter  on the river. Get one, you’ll like it!

[Cbump]

My jerkbait and small topwater rod is a ML Seth Feider. 

[king fisher]

Only one way to find out, besides you can't have to many rods.