Phenix Feather L vs ML ?

[Dan Strain]

 After some research, I bought the Phenix Feather LIGHT ( by mistake ) -I thought I was ordering the medium light.

 

But I was having a hard time deciding between the two, so I figured I would just try the light

 

I don’t need true BFS - I mostly just want to throw a TRD / Ned on a 1/16 Owner Blockhead. 
 

once I got it all rigged up, I could cast it very well, and was pretty excited.
 

However., I lost all four fish because I could not get a good hook set. My hook is “tex-posed” but this has never been a problem with even a light spinning outfit

 

I went home and re-rigged the reel / line  on my NRX +842C . Obviously, it doesn’t load the rod very well, but I landed every fish that bit.

 

my question is for those that have both the L and ML…

 

Is the medium light considerably more stout in the tip - compared to the L ? I will probably keep the light for small swimbait and open hook presentations because it had a nice taper, but just not enough strength to get a good hookset 

 

FYI… I had a medium light shipped to me and it arrived this afternoon — with a broken tip. !! ??‍♂️ 

 

I heard they were fragile, and I was frustrated enough to ask here first - instead of just exchanging it

 

what say ye ? 
 

thanks !!

 

Dano 
 

[Darth-Baiter]

i have the light.

 

i use the most needle like hooks i can.  i also tex rig my worms, so they have to penetrate that first.  

with the thin wire hooks, i havent noticed a problem.  i'm using 8lb flouro..

[Tatulatard]

Use a sweeping hookset and keep the rod loaded pulling the fish to you by pumping the rod.  The slack, jerk, freeze and reel hooksets are never something I liked.  

[T-Billy]

I have both and the difference is about what I'd expect going from L to ML. I throw a TRD Bug with a 1/8 tungsten and a 1/0 VMC flippin hook a good bit in the spring. It's a mini punch rig basically. I have no trouble driving that hook home with the ML. I prefer the L for exposed hook neds.

[Big Hands]

50 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

I have both and the difference is about what I'd expect going from L to ML. 

 

I have both, and I concur with your assessment. 

 

50 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

I have no trouble driving that hook home with the ML.

 

I fish my ML with 7" power worms sometimes with no issues.

[Dan Strain]

That’s very helpful… Thank you guys
 

I got the new Aldebaran BFS and put it on the L and fished it today… Did really well using exposed hook Neds- as well as a little 1/8 spinner bait

 

the L is a really great feeling rod - definitely gonna keep it - but I want the ML too now for things that need a harder hookset 

 

FWIW- after using a stock ALPHA AIR TW for a bit - the ‘22 Aldebaran BFS casts light stuff MUCH better IMHO - just saying 

 

Once again - thanks again for the advice. Such a helpful community here.

 

Dano 

 

 

 

 

[softwateronly]

I have a ML from black friday, but haven't spent anytime catching with it yet.  With a shallow spool alpha, pe .8, the ML lets me cast an 1/8 hair jig about 20-25yds.  3/16 seems like it loads the rod significantly better.  These are listed weights, I haven't broken out the scale.  Even with the ML, I'm slightly nervous about setting texposed hooks on a long cast.  I'm hoping it delivers on texposed and feel confident with open hook and light weed guard neds/ballheads/jigs.

 

scott