Spinning rod bottom contact

[Creek Chub 1]

I’m looking for suggestions for a bottom contact spinning rod for river smallmouth jig fishing. I’ll be dragging 1/4 - 3/8 ounce jigs with trailers. I have a few medium light set ups and considering a step up. 
Budget is $400ish but will consider and prefer lower costs if the quality is there

[MN Fisher]

I know most river guys want a shorter rod...so

St Croix Legend Tournament 6'8" MXF (LBTS68MXF)

if you want longer

St Croix Legend Tournament 7'1" MF (LBTS71MF)

[padon]

mn fisher gave you some good options i can also recommend shimano expride and megabass orochi. 6foot 8 to 7 foot 2 your choice.

[Reel]

If you want the best for bottom contact, you should look no further than the G. Loomis NRX 852.  It's expensive but well worth it.  Two other that I also have and that are exceptionnal are the 7 foot 6 Curado spinning rod and the 7 foot 6 Intenza.  Less expensive but really good.

[Susky River Rat]

I know you are looking in the higher price range but, I run St. Croix premiers for bottom bouncing. 7’ med. anything lighter then 1/4 I will use a med lite. I can feel smallies slurp it off the bottom with these rods.

[TnRiver46]

Mojo bass 

[r83srock]

I have never fished a St. Croix I couldn’t feel the bite with. I use 7’ m Triumph and 7’1 m mojo for my spinning rod needs. Legend tournament will be even better.  You will get a Fuji reel seat and guides.

My buddy bought a Trika T3 in 7’ medium that he put to work this last fall on smallies.  I made some casts with it and admittedly it is very nice. Super light, balanced. Sensitive. 

[PBBrandon]

7ft medium fast Expride B is my go-to spinning rod. Great rod that can do a lot including jigs in that range. The newer Legend Tournament rods are awesome too

[Creek Chub 1]

5 hours ago, Susky River Rat said:

I know you are looking in the higher price range but, I run St. Croix premiers for bottom bouncing. 7’ med. anything lighter then 1/4 I will use a med lite. I can feel smallies slurp it off the bottom with these rods.

I have a ml premier and it’s a nice rod. The tip is a little soft for heavier jigs

1 hour ago, PBBrandon said:

7ft medium fast Expride B is my go-to spinning rod. Great rod that can do a lot including jigs in that range. The newer Legend Tournament rods are awesome too

I have the Expride A version light stick. It’s a nice rod and rated to 7/16 ounce. It’s awesome for neds, lighter jigs

[RipzLipz]

31 minutes ago, Creek Chub 1 said:

The tip is a little soft for heavier jigs

@Creek Chub 1 - A common trait for rods marketed as “feel" rods or sensitive. My Dobyns Xtasy baitcasting rods are like this & very sensitive. Wasn’t sure if I would like that but have grown to love them after fishing with them for the year. Unfortunately I cannot attest to their spinning rods as I have not used any of them.

[WRB]

In the 1/4oz-3/8oz plus trailers is my bait casting wheel house so no help with spinning outs. I do use spinning for 1/8 oz jigs and use St Croix Victory MXF rods with Shimano Vanford 2500 reels. The XF tip is a little light for jig hook set imo, MHF would be better for the jigs you are using. Braid line?

Tom

[Susky River Rat]

47 minutes ago, Creek Chub 1 said:

have a ml premier and it’s a nice rod. The tip is a little soft for heavier jigs

I do agree with this. That is why I use 1/4 at the heaviest on mine. 

[Creek Chub 1]

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

In the 1/4oz-3/8oz plus trailers is my bait casting wheel house so no help with spinning outs. I do use spinning for 1/8 oz jigs and use St Croix Victory MXF rods with Shimano Vanford 2500 reels. The XF tip is a little light for jig hook set imo, MHF would be better for the jigs you are using. Braid line?

Tom

Generally I do use braid on a few setups with copoly on the rest

4 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

I do agree with this. That is why I use 1/4 at the heaviest on mine. 

That ml premier is a good all purpose rod. It does great with jerks and cranks too

[Susky River Rat]

@Creek Chub 1 I use the medium as my all around rods. 

[Creek Chub 1]

17 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

@Creek Chub 1 I use the medium as my all around rods. 

 Based off your screen name, I’d say we fish similar styles. I fish the new river in VA for smallies

[Susky River Rat]

@Creek Chub 1 yes sir. Always wanted to get to the new river for musky.

[Creek Chub 1]

6 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

@Creek Chub 1 yes sir. Always wanted to get to the new river for musky.

There is a healthy musky population in the areas that I fish. I generally see a couple on most trips when the water is clear

[Susky River Rat]

@Creek Chub 1 I mean honestly at this point I’d love to fish for bronze backs there too. 

[gim]

Put me in the camp of medium action for the rod.  I personally think a ML does not have enough back bone for smallmouth.

 

For walleyes, yes.  Not for brownies.

[Hulkster]

IMX Pro SJR 902

 

I have the SJR 901 and its amazing for light stuff/small stuff. 

 

The 902 would be the perfect all around spinning rod IMO

 

7'6 length really lets you cast a mile. the IMX pro's are sensitive 

[FishTank]

G. Loomis 803S GLX. I have the NRX version. Great rod and it handle a variety of weights but a 3/8oz jig with a trailer might be it's max. 

[Columbia Craw]

Take a look at the NFC Edge Epitome 764S.  On special for 295.00. Two hundred bucks off.  You will have wait for it however.  They are made to order. 

[webertime]

Hot take.  2 Daiwa Fuego 2500s and a Fenwick hmx in m and one in mh from scheels.  Under 200 out the door.  Use them until you figure out your dream/ideal set up.  Sell them for what you paid.

[DogBone_384]

20 hours ago, Creek Chub 1 said:

Budget is $400ish but will consider and prefer lower costs

I fish mostly Kistler rods.  If you sign up for his emails you'll get pretty steep discounts.  I really like the Helium line (fast action) and KLX (mod-fast).  I use a 7' Helium ML/F for drop shot and Ned, usually with a Tatula LT hung under it.  Very light and sensitive... Also made in Texas. 

 

Their customer service is very good.  I once called to pay for a custom rod and Trey answered the phone and a spent a couple minutes talking about the order with me.  You won't find that with many other rod manufacturers. 

 

Best of luck with your choice.  In your price range, you're gonna end up with a class A rod no matter what brand.

[Creek Chub 1]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m kind of leaning towards the SC legend elite medium extra fast. Trying to decide between the 6’8” or 6’10”. The rod would likely see some jerk bait action when I’m not dragging jigs on the bottom