ML CASTING ROD

[jcm1976]

I'm looking for suggestions on a medium light (1/8- 1/2 oz) casting rod 6' - 6'3 length. Any suggestions? 

[bulldog1935]

Look at Abu Garcia.  

I'm taking 3 ML rods after redfish next week - two of those are JDM Abu Garcia.  

The shortest one, though, is 6'5" - the range is 1/16 to 5/8 oz.  

 

 

USM Vendetta offers a 6'3" that will probably match your lure range.  

https://www.abugarcia.com/products/vendetta-casting-rod?variant=42039898669195

[casts_by_fly]

Does it have to be that short?  The Phoenix feather ML is a pretty nice rod for light stuff.  I think it’s 6’10” though. 

[jcm1976]

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

Look at Abu Garcia.  

I'm taking 3 ML rods after redfish next week - two of those are JDM Abu Garcia.  

The shortest one, though, is 6'5" - the range is 1/16 to 5/8 oz.  

 

 

USM Vendetta offers a 6'3" that will probably match your lure range.  

https://www.abugarcia.com/products/vendetta-casting-rod?variant=42039898669195

Thank you for the suggestion! That is a good option 

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

Does it have to be that short?  The Phoenix feather ML is a pretty nice rod for light stuff.  I think it’s 6’10” though. 

For this combo I want to stay at that length. I like that length walking the bank, wading or floating creeks with thick brush overhang 

[GReb]

Budget?

[jcm1976]

51 minutes ago, GReb said:

Budget?

150ish or less.80- 100 is ideal, 150- 160 is max

[lettuceBEEcereal]

Its a tad longer and more expensive than you wanted but the Zodias 2 piece 6'4" light is $175 shipped on digitaka. 

[waymont]

On 9/29/2024 at 7:18 PM, casts_by_fly said:

 I think it’s 6’10” though. 

They make a 7'1" Feather ML casting rod.

[casts_by_fly]

8 hours ago, waymont said:

They make a 7'1" Feather ML casting rod.

 

Yeah, you're right.  That's the one I have.  I confused it with another rod.  Still a great rod for light stuff and I'll probably pick up a proper BFS reel to go on it this winter (the zephyr I have on it now is 'serviceable'.  

[jcm1976]

On 9/30/2024 at 9:03 PM, lettuceBEEcereal said:

Its a tad longer and more expensive than you wanted but the Zodias 2 piece 6'4" light is $175 shipped on digitaka. 

I'll check that out! 

[Big Hands]

On 10/1/2024 at 7:36 AM, casts_by_fly said:

 

Yeah, you're right.  That's the one I have.  I confused it with another rod.  Still a great rod for light stuff and I'll probably pick up a proper BFS reel to go on it this winter (the zephyr I have on it now is 'serviceable'.  

 

I have the Feather ML/F and have owned the Feather L/F. I also have a KastKing Zephyr BFS and a Kestrel BFS. The Feather rods are serviceable with the KastKing BFS reels, but I also picked up a Phenix Classic BFS rod and THAT ONE is a great match for either KastKing BFS reel.

 

The Feather rods are good light action rods, but for something more toward actual BFS, the Classic BFS rod is an easy choice for me if I want to throw something like a Lucky Craft Pointer 48 or a Texas rigged Tiny Brush Hog with a 1/16th or 1/8th oz worm weight. If you want a true ML/F then the Feather would be my pick for baits from 1/4 to 1/2 oz.

 

I actually like them (the KastKing BFS reels) better than the Curado BFS, especially the Kestrel BFS. Even though the Curado BFS has a better build quality, I would rather fish with the KastKing BFS reels because they cast better with lightweight baits.

 

JMHO.

[evilcatfish]

On 9/29/2024 at 5:54 PM, jcm1976 said:

I'm looking for suggestions on a medium light (1/8- 1/2 oz) casting rod 6' - 6'3 length. Any suggestions? 

Are you looking for an all around rod or will you be focusing on certain techniques?

[WRB]

If you are looking for a ML straight handle (trigger stick) rod your choices are very limited under 6’6” length. BSF rods are your best bet today.

Spin cast rods with pistol style handle you have more choices for shorter length rods.

Tom

 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

https://cajunrods.com/collections/medium-light-and-light-casting-and-spinning-fishing-rods/products/trigger™-721-br-6-ft-med-light-power-fast-action

 

 

6' ml/f 1/16-1\2 Sic guides lifetime warranty made usa on sale 

I don't own the brand but specs seem in your alley

 

[Rockhopper]

34 minutes ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

https://cajunrods.com/collections/medium-light-and-light-casting-and-spinning-fishing-rods/products/trigger™-721-br-6-ft-med-light-power-fast-action

 

 

6' ml/f 1/16-1\2 Sic guides lifetime warranty made usa on sale 

I don't own the brand but specs seem in your alley

 

Spec wise that actually looks like a decent rod.

 

I have a super light 5'6" ugly stick with a Mitchel that serves this role for me.  Basically the kids use it for panfish.  It has been a surprisingly good combo and is pleasantly fun to fish with.

 

https://www.uglystik.com/collections/spinning-rods/products/elite-spinning-rod

 

*Just realized we are talking casting rods.  But still, that ugly stick will surprise you.

[casts_by_fly]

On 10/3/2024 at 2:31 AM, Big Hands said:

 

I have the Feather ML/F and have owned the Feather L/F. I also have a KastKing Zephyr BFS and a Kestrel BFS. The Feather rods are serviceable with the KastKing BFS reels, but I also picked up a Phenix Classic BFS rod and THAT ONE is a great match for either KastKing BFS reel.

 

The Feather rods are good light action rods, but for something more toward actual BFS, the Classic BFS rod is an easy choice for me if I want to throw something like a Lucky Craft Pointer 48 or a Texas rigged Tiny Brush Hog with a 1/16th or 1/8th oz worm weight. If you want a true ML/F then the Feather would be my pick for baits from 1/4 to 1/2 oz.

 

I actually like them (the KastKing BFS reels) better than the Curado BFS, especially the Kestrel BFS. Even though the Curado BFS has a better build quality, I would rather fish with the KastKing BFS reels because they cast better with lightweight baits.

 

JMHO.

 

I'm not using it for true BFS work.  It's more like what you'd put on a spinning rod for finesse bass- neds, small texas rigs, etc.  Set up how I have it, a 1/16 head plus a finesse TRD or other small plastic comes in around 1/8 or 5/32 oz give or take and that's doing pretty well on it.  It takes a minute to adjust casting stroke when I've j ust been throwing a 1/2 oz on a H/F, but a coupel casts will do it.  

 

The Zephyr casts alright.  With a little work on my other ML/M (older rod I built a long time ago) I can throw a 1/32 head plus 2" twister.  The brakes on the reel are a bit finnicky.  There is a very small sweet spot that works and if you're not in it you'll struggle with the lighter stuff.  What I don't like is the build quality.  There is a lot of play in every joint and moving part.  When I put down a Bantam or Zillion and pick up a zephyr it just doesn't feel right.  I'm considering a JDM aldebaran BFS, but then for cheaper I could pick up a zillion with a high end BFS spool which could then do double duty if I wanted.  We'll see what the winter brings.  I've got 1, maybe 2 more fishing days left this year.

[FishTank]

Way more than your budget but the Megabass P5 Criffhanger Thrilling fits the bill. It's 6' long Its a little stiff but pretty versatile and sensitive. I use mine for small swimbaits, small jigs, light Texas Rigs, Ned Rigs, poppers and the occasional BFS crankbait.  It's kind of powerhouse in a small package.  I like using it in tight spots when I'm creak fishing for smallmouth or on my kayak when I'm bunched up in a cove. But for anything else, I'm going to a different rod. 

 

You can sometimes find this rod for around $300 at a few different JDM sites. 

[new2BC4bass]

JDM rods might be a good place to look.

[softwateronly]

On 10/4/2024 at 8:00 AM, casts_by_fly said:

for cheaper I could pick up a zillion with a high end BFS spool which could then do double duty if I wanted.  We'll see what the winter brings.  I've got 1, maybe 2 more fishing days left this year.

@bulldog1935 put me on roro x27 spool and palm side bearings for my bfs rig and with pe#1 it casts everything it's supposed to with great distance and is rated all the way to 20g.  Perfect for small spoons, hair jigs, t-rigs, free rigs, jigs, twitch baits, and jighead minnow presentations.  In theory I can swap back to the standard spool, but in practice from 1.5g to topping out at 20g lets me leave it in full time.

 

scott

[Eric 26]

I’m not sure if you’ve found what you’re looking for yet but the Bass Pro Shop Crankin Stick comes In medium light in 6’-0”, 6’-6” & 7’-0” for $79.99. I have the previous version in 7’-0” and absolutely love it I throw everything from 1/8 ounce inline spinners, 1/16-1/4 ounce road runners and my favorite a Strike King KVD square bill in 1.0 (1/4oz) or 1.5 (3/8 oz), I currently have a Tatula 100 paired with it for reference.

[jcm1976]

On 10/3/2024 at 7:01 AM, evilcatfish said:

Are you looking for an all around rod or will you be focusing on certain techniques?

Will be an all around rod

[jcm1976]

On 10/3/2024 at 3:02 PM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

https://cajunrods.com/collections/medium-light-and-light-casting-and-spinning-fishing-rods/products/trigger™-721-br-6-ft-med-light-power-fast-action

 

 

6' ml/f 1/16-1\2 Sic guides lifetime warranty made usa on sale 

I don't own the brand but specs seem in your alley

 

THANK YOU! That's exactly what I was looking for! Just ordered one.