Med Light/Fast vs Medium Fast rod

[James Morgen]

I am looking for a rod that fish a 1/10 EWG Ned Rig with 2.75 Z-Man TRD Worm & Keitech 3.3 or 3.8 Fat Impact on an 3/16 Owner Flashy 3/0 hook.

It would be nice to also throw an occasional light 1-3 ft or 2-5 ft crankbait or shallow jerk bait under 10ft. I will buy 2 rods if absolutely necessary. 

 

I am considering:

1. St Croix Premier 7' Med Light Fast 4-10 lbs line and 1/8-1/2 oz

2. St Croix Premier 7' Med Fast 6-12 lbs line and 1/4-5/8 oz

3. Falcon Lowrider 6'10" Medium Moderate 8/12 lbs. and 3/16-1/2 oz

4. Faclon Cara or St Croix Victory, but both of these are a little more of what I really want to spend on a spinning rod unless they are that much better.

 

I intend to pair the rod with a Shimano NASCI 2500 or Daiwa Exceler LT 2500 (New Version)

 

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated! I primarily use baitcaster rods and dont have my knowledge with spinning gear. 

 

[Jig Man]

I have both your #1 and #2 rods.  I use the ml for that kind of fishing with Shimano 2500 sized reels, 15# braid and 10# fluorocarbon leader.  The m works better with heavier baits.

[LCG]

I have both a medium light and a medium spinning combo. I find wacky rigged senko and swim baits to be at the very upper end of the medium light. It can do it, but not around cover. 

 

The medium can throw Ned rigs, (actual weight is about 1/4oz with a 1/16oz weight) along with other lures up to about 1/2-5/8oz. Better if cover is nearby. 

 

Medium light is fun, especially for multi species fishing. The medium is my choice around wood, vegetation, or docks and mainly for large and smallmouth.

 

Medium more versatile, medium light more fun. 

[casts_by_fly]

I prefer a ML for what you’re talking. If I am going to a medium powered spinning rod, I’m probably throwing the same thing on a baitcaster. For an eighth plus a trd or a 3” rubber of some sort I want a pretty light tip on the rod so it loads up quickly. I prefer a faster action and I think I’m going to love my new extra fast. 
 

Im a big falcon fan, but their spinning rods haven’t turned me on. They are all just a little more moderate than my liking for a given spec (or heavier power). The only one that ever drew my attention was the 6’10” expert drop shot (1/8-3/8, fast action, ml).  The new 7’2” Cara finesse rig also has a great spec and might be one I’d try but I haven’t tried it so can’t recommend it. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The majority of my spinning tackle is ML these days going to M where weight and cover dictate. Keep in mind there is no industry standard for power designation.  Weight range and action are most important specs. 

[Brian11719]

Can't speak to the Falcon gear but if you are going to go w/ St. Croix I'd suggest the taking another look at the Victory...specifically the VTS73MLXF (for ned rigs). Yes it's a bit more but the blank on that one is their SCIII+ which is a mix of their SCIII and SCVI and you get a 15 year warranty. Alternatively, the premier is their SCII blank and you get a 5 year warranty. Bit more expensive but well worth it IMHO and I've used the SCII blank, the SCIII blank, and the SCIII+ and I think the difference between the II  and III is very noticable especially for finesse stuff. The III+ is a bit nicer than the III so the jump up from the II to the III+ is significant.

[James Morgen]

Brian 11719 I was also considering the St Croix Victory rod and the warranty alone may make the price well worth it. I tend to fish Kistler KLX and Chromium baitcaster rods, or a Falcon Cara, will the SCIII+ blank be on par with those rods by chance? 

[Brian11719]

36 minutes ago, James Morgen said:

Brian 11719 I was also considering the St Croix Victory rod and the warranty alone may make the price well worth it. I tend to fish Kistler KLX and Chromium baitcaster rods, or a Falcon Cara, will the SCIII+ blank be on par with those rods by chance? 

Wish I could answer that but I'm not familiar with Kistler. I will say my very first rod was a St Croix Triumph (also an SCII blank like the Premier). I eventually realized I was drop shotting a lot so I figured I'd try out one of their old mojo bass 610mlxf rods and that was the first rod I went fishing with that I completely fell in love with. The jump from the SCII blank to the SCIII made my jaw drop and I ended up taking that rod every time I went out (either on my kayak or bank fishing). Sadly I smashed a guide on that one but when I called them they sent me an upgrade to a Victory for like $40. That one was also nice and I used it for a while but then I saw a 610mlxf Legend Xtreme on sale (used) and while I normally wouldn't spend that much for a rod I sold the Victory and bought it. These days I pretty much like St Croix and the Shimano Poison Adrena for spinning rods. The Shimano rods are a bit different and while I like them for other stuff I'll probably never move away from a St Croix 610mlxf for a drop shot.

 

If you are interested Polish Pete did a rod bend on the one I suggested when he was at Omnia and you can see the action on it here:
https://youtu.be/MlAnzbMkf5E?t=277

 

If you are ok with a foregrip and like to hold a spinning rod above the reel the Mojos might also be worth taking a look at. I know some people were upset with the new design but I've held a few of them and I think they are fine I just personally don't like a foregrip on my spinning rods. But honestly the jump from the SCII blank to the SCIII was the most noticeable for me which is why I mentioned it. The jump past that to the Victory was a little nice and from that to the Legend Xtreme blank was also a little nice but not as much of an improvement as it was going from the SCII to the SCIII so if anything if you are going to pick up a spinning rod for finesse lures I'd say at least go with the SCIII. The Victory is the first one that also gets you the 15 year warranty and I personally think that's worth the jump from the Mojo to the Victory. Hope you end up liking whatever you decide on.

[Susky River Rat]

I have both the premiers you are talking about. I use 10lb braid on both with ultegra 2500s 
 

The medium will be your best all around rod. Good for the cranks, jerks and ned rigs. 
 

the med lite I use for 1/4 and below ned, shakey, paddle tail stuff like that. it gives me great bottom contact feel. 
 

I would get the medium now. In the future I would get the med lite for the applications  above to get a little better bottom contact feel. Not needed but, if you ever get both you’d see what I mean. This is why I stick with the same models and brands just different actions. That way I always know what to expect. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The older SC 1/8-1/2 MLs were a little stouter and would do a better job at what you're looking for.  The inshore ML models still have a little more power to them, which might be worth looking into.  The newer M XFs would probably work really well too, especially if you're using 1/10 heads.  I would highly recommend that you go with a Victory 6'8 M XF over any premier.  In hand the Victory is so much lighter, better balanced, sharper action and much more sensitive, worth the extra money for sure.

IMO there are companies that make a much better budget rod than SC now.  @ 150$ the Daiwa Tatula outperforms SCs well above its price point, with the only exception being the lighter weight of a Victory.  The M F Tatula blanks fish just like the older SC MLs blanks except they are better balanced, slightly lighter and I find the grips much more comfortable.  They offer M powers in 2" increments from 6'6 to 7', so you can get exactly the length you want.  

The other option would be an Orochi whipsnake.  They're on sale for 200$ until tomorrow and are exactly what you're looking for.

 

   

[Junk Fisherman]

Medium light is the most versatile spinning rod action for a bass fisherman.  A medium power is too heavy for a 1/16 and 1/10 oz Ned.  I’d rather use a light action rod than a medium action rod for a Ned.  I’m using a medium or a medium heavy baitcaster rig for the Keitech Fat Impact on a 3/16th oz jig.  For the shallow cranks I’m using a medium crankbait rod.  Hope it helps.