All-Around Spinning Rod Help... 2024
Catch and Grease reply :
Hey guys, I wanna get a Pflueger President and pair it up with a nice all around rod... I'm not too experienced with spinning set-ups and would like yall's help. I'm looking for more help on the rod power and action rather than a brand but by all means give me suggestions on good rods.
(Price range is 100$ or less...)
I wanna be able to dropshot on it and also be able to throw stuff like weightless/light texas rigs (Speed Craws, Senkos, etc....) and while those are the two important things to me I would like to be able to do other stuff on it too... I fish decently thick cover like grass and cypress trees.
I'm thinking a M/F would work good, Does that sound about right? Or should I go for something like a medium/moderate??
Missourifishin reply :
M/F sounds about right to me.
illinifan4152 reply :
I use a 7ft M/F for all my finesse techniques
adam32 reply :
I would go with a 7' medium power fast action. Bass pro carbonlite is a good rod for 100 bucks.
Catch and Grease reply :
I was looking at those St.Croix Mojo rods and they look pretty good too for about 100$, they get pretty good reviews... Anybody have experience with em?
aavery2 reply :
Back when the Mojo rods were first released I purchased a couple based on cost and build quality. I was disappointed when I began using them, they felt heavy and did not transmit vibration well. I used them for a short while for moving baits and they were fine for those techniques. One of my least favorite rods from St. Croix.
If you have a Gander Mountain close check their closeout rack, our GM here has the Rage rod for 99, it has a much better blank is much lighter and IMO a better rod overall. Some will criticize the use of SS guides on the Rage rods, in my hands using a mixture of line, I have had no problems.
my .02
Missourifishin reply :
On 11/13/2014 at 12:57 AM, Catch and Grease said:I was looking at those St.Croix Mojo rods and they look pretty good too for about 100$, they get pretty good reviews... Anybody have experience with em?
I'm a big St. Croix fan. I've never used a Mojo spinning rod. But I have a casting one that I like a lot. There are a lot of options to check out around $100 though.
Catch and Grease reply :
There is a gander here so I'll stop by and see if they have those rage rods your talking about and I'll give em a look
hatrix reply :
I don't know how much grass you fish and to what level you want to fish a specific technique. I bought a new spinning rod this year for primarily fishing grass and also double as a rod for small hollow body frogs ect. It is a fenwick HMG 7' M/H. It is plenty strong to be able to pop a bait out of grass or drive a hook home. If I was fishing tons of grass and only had 1 rod I would rather be over powered then under powered. They also have a full front grip and that is a big factor for me in spinning rods.
Catch and Grease reply :
I wouldn't be fishing it in really heavy grass but a bass could run into a a big clump of grass or try to run around a tree or something, not really worried about hooksets, more worried about just getting the bass back to the boat before he gets in some junk...
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
I find myself going more and more toward ML power rods for spinning tackle. I use them on the outside weed edges and even deeper in lilly pad pockets with no problem. They present the small baits better and I have better feel and contact with lighter baits. I use my medium spinning rods the way a lot use MH casting rods, but when the wind is making casting a pain.
hatrix reply :
Well it depends what you want to throw on them. Some frogs and even jigs and hollow belly swimbaits can have a fairly decent sized hook and I like be able to stick them easily since I use it for the highest range of things I would use on spinning. I am not above going lighter with it though if I had to. I can make it work easily.
fishindad reply :
On 11/13/2014 at 2:43 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:I find myself going more and more toward ML power rods for spinning tackle. I use them on the outside weed edges and even deeper in lilly pad pockets with no problem. They present the small baits better and I have better feel and contact with lighter baits. I use my medium spinning rods the way a lot use MH casting rods, but when the wind is making casting a pain.
I tend to agree with this. I live in Michigan and therefore mostly chase smallies, and mostly with spinning tackle because of the typical windy conditions on the Great Lakes and, my relatively uneducated casting thumb, lol. And I lean towards the lighter side of all my gear since we don't have thick vegetation (until late Summer) or flooded timber up here, at least on Lake St. Clair and Erie. And I am gradually switching to 832 for all my setups so going down in rod power work fine, for me.
That said, I've used spinning rods that were no good for dropshotting and casting rods that were great for dropshotting. Why buy a spinning outfit since nowadays you can get ML and M casting rods that would work great for what you need, especially since you tend to fish relatively thick cover? The main reasons that I see for using spinning gear for bass are: lightweight lures in windy conditions, ultra clear water that calls for 6 and 8 lb. fluorocarbon line, or you find a rod action that works beautifully but isn't available in a casting version. Both St. Croix and Loomis (as examples only) make both spin and casting rods with the same blanks. A MLXF or MXF blank from either company would do great for what you mentioned and you can get their casting version.
Not trying to sway you from spinning tackle since I fish it a lot but if it were me and I fished heavy cover most of the time, I wouldn't mess around with spinning gear. I don't frog or punch much here since I don't usually fish lakes that call for that. All this said, my advice would be to go to a big box store and have someone let you put that exact reel on a bunch of spinning rods and see what feels best to you in that price range. There are lots of good choices.
Raul reply :
On 11/13/2014 at 2:43 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:I find myself going more and more toward ML power rods for spinning tackle. I use them on the outside weed edges and even deeper in lilly pad pockets with no problem. They present the small baits better and I have better feel and contact with lighter baits. I use my medium spinning rods the way a lot use MH casting rods, but when the wind is making casting a pain.
I don´t think a ML rod is appropiate for the places C&G fishes, the guy fishes southern swamps where there are cypress trees.
Alonerankin2 reply :
You could still use a medium heavy spinning rod with a proper tip for casting, and beware cause all makers ratings are diff. My Falcons are good sticks however @ their MH rating? Nope, more medium for sure. I did use mh & m power rods in central fl. No sweat! I would prefer a bit stronger rod though, Croix seems to bit more powerful than their rod ratings indicate.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Fenwick HMG Is a great rod at 100$
ww2farmer reply :
I own several spinning rods from the $50 price point up to the $150 range... Of those rods, THE most versatile, and best bang for the buck is 7' M Berkley Lightning Rod Shock. It's primary duty for me is back up to my better rods, but on occasion I pick it up and fish it just for grins and giggles and it's not bad, not bad at all.
WIGuide reply :
I really like having an extra fast action for my finesse applications. I know you said you were looking at the Mojo. I've got a few of the casting models and they aren't bad at all. I've really heard good things about the "wacky rig" rod. It's a 6'8" M/XF. I'd check it out.
EmersonFish reply :
I'm with DVT on this one. If you are like me, and are use to using casting gear most of the time, you will want a spinning setup that will allow you to use techniques that you can't do well with said casting gear. So to me, if you are going to have one spinning setup, you should lean ML, or perhaps toward a M rod that is "underpowered." The only spinning setup I carry regularly at the moment is a ML "Shaky Head" rod, but it is actually a fine drop shot rod if used properly, and works well for the other finesse techniques I wouldn't use a M/XF casting rod for.On 11/13/2014 at 2:43 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:I find myself going more and more toward ML power rods for spinning tackle. I use them on the outside weed edges and even deeper in lilly pad pockets with no problem. They present the small baits better and I have better feel and contact with lighter baits. I use my medium spinning rods the way a lot use MH casting rods, but when the wind is making casting a pain.
tomustang reply :
Out of the ballpark but the croix legend tournament dropshot rod would be perfect, it's alot different than the mojo model.
Something lower in price would be a vendetta or veritas 6'9ML.
Catch and Grease reply :
On 11/13/2014 at 3:46 AM, Raul said:I don´t think a ML rod is appropiate for the places C&G fishes, the guy fishes southern swamps where there are cypress trees.
This is what I'm worried about... I mean if a bass makes a good run and gets on the other side of a cypress your pretty much done for unless you get lucky...
I'm leaning more towards M/F but I'll definalty look into ML more and see if I change my mind...
Catch and Grease reply :
Look at the setting of this picture. This is what I'm fishing most of the time, its cypress trees with moss and grass... If a bass gets around a tree or in a clump of grass/moss am I really gonna have the power to get them back with a ML??
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
That looks like one of the M spinning / MH casting situations I mentioned in my post. You have to get bit first before getting them in is a factor so it comes down to how light a rod will handle the baits you're talking about.
EmersonFish reply :
I guess if the sole purpose of having a spinning outfit is to fish lighter lures that might be difficult to manage with a baitcaster, but you still mean to use heavier gear, than maybe a M action rod would make more sense; but I'd still go with a XF action. To me a true M/F spinning rod is just kind of "meh." Nothing I'd do with it I wouldn't do with a casting rod anyway. But everybody is different. You'll just have to figure out what works for you.
Weld's Largemouth reply :
st croix triumph, these specs: TRS70MLF 7' ML Fast 1 4 - 10 1/8 - 1/2 4.2 4 $ 90
you dont need MH that will be stiff, lack of action in rod. ML is fine in florida, thats what i fish in florida and i have been in some heavy muck, its perfectly fine.
Once pulled a bass stuck around a solid pipe out, no problems
http://www.stcroixrods.com/products/freshwater/triumph/
Mike2841 reply :
Mojo bass or veritas 7' mf, I've used both to toss weightless trick worms all the time and you'll never haver to worry about having enough backbone with either rod.
hatrix reply :
If your worried about one getting behind a tree then throw on some braided line and crank down your drag. It can only go as far as your line. Plus letting a fish take drag is for the birds. That's like playing tug of war and your loosing to a little tiny fish! You gotta let them know who is boss and show them who wears the pants around here. Crank them in non stop no matter how big the fish is so they know you mean business.
Catch and Grease reply :
Why do many of you prefer a XF over a F?
deep reply :
Just make sure the power/ action you're getting in a particular model is what you're looking for. I once had a ML/F St. Croix Triumph. Decent rod, but definitely not a fast action. IMO, it was close to moderate actually. Plenty of folks here fish Croixes, ask for their opinions on the particular rod before buying it. Good luck!
EvanT123 reply :
I'm 50/50. It's a compromise. The brand I'm most familiar with right now (st.croix) but it might be the same with other brands. As you step up or down in powers regardless of brands you are going to gain or lose versatility and you have to live with that and decide where in your fishing that fits in. Do you want a rod that is going to be better at throwing a 5 inch senko or a rod that is going to be better at throwing a 3 inch twitch tail minnow and a 1/8oz drop shot weight? A medium light and a medium spinning rod can do both but one will be better than the other. If it was me I'd chose the spinning rod that was on the opposite end of the spectrum from my casting rods.
Catch and Grease reply :
The more I think about it the more I am leaning towards ML/F, The people that brought up the point about having a spinning rod that can do stuff you cant do on your casting rods is getting to me...
Its either getting a spinning rod and reel or getting a heavy action rod for flipping, pitching and jigs, they would both help me become more well rounded but I believe the spinning rod and reel would be a better choice for now and I can just get a heavy rod later down the road.
I was looking at the Abu Garcia Vendetta 2 6' 9" ML/XF and it seems like a decent rod, would this be a decent choice for drop shotting in shallow water 7ft or less while still being able to present other light lures?
EmersonFish reply :
I can only speak for me in that with Medium power spinning rods, I'm happier with one with an extra fast tip because I feel like it allows me to still cast lighter baits well, and those rods usually have that soft tip that is sensitive and fairly versatile for finesse applications, but allows me to move fish fairly quickly as well. To me the medium fast rods are more difficult to cast accurately, and I don't think I get all of those light biters that I am targeting that led me to use spinning gear in the first place. Of course, extra fast and fast can be a lot different from rod to rod. With ML rods, I don't mind a rod that is rated "fast."On 11/13/2014 at 8:33 AM, Catch and Grease said:Why do many of you prefer a XF over a F?
I have a St. Croix Rage M/XF Spinning Rod. That thing is pretty sweet. I can use it for just about any spinning application. It's out of your price range, but there is surely a Mojo equivalent. I know there is a fairly significant difference in the blanks, but a lot of people like the Mojos. In any case, it might be interesting to see what $100 can get you during the Holiday sales. They will be here very soon.
fishindad reply :
On 11/13/2014 at 9:49 PM, Catch and Grease said:The more I think about it the more I am leaning towards ML/F, The people that brought up the point about having a spinning rod that can do stuff you cant do on your casting rods is getting to me...
Its either getting a spinning rod and reel or getting a heavy action rod for flipping, pitching and jigs, they would both help me become more well rounded but I believe the spinning rod and reel would be a better choice for now and I can just get a heavy rod later down the road.
I was looking at the Abu Garcia Vendetta 2 6' 9" ML/XF and it seems like a decent rod, would this be a decent choice for drop shotting in shallow water 7ft or less while still being able to present other light lures?
One look at that photo of yours and the last thing that comes to mind is spinning gear. If that's the typical cover and lake you fish and typical size bass you catch (nice one BTW!) then I wouldn't be caught without a heavy action setup like a Falcon Amistad! JMO. I can send you a photo of St. Clair or Lake Erie and I guarantee you won't see anything like that cover, it's mostly all open water fishing, so most regulars use M and ML spinning rods.
aavery2 reply :
On 11/13/2014 at 9:49 PM, Catch and Grease said:The more I think about it the more I am leaning towards ML/F, The people that brought up the point about having a spinning rod that can do stuff you cant do on your casting rods is getting to me...
Its either getting a spinning rod and reel or getting a heavy action rod for flipping, pitching and jigs, they would both help me become more well rounded but I believe the spinning rod and reel would be a better choice for now and I can just get a heavy rod later down the road.
I was looking at the Abu Garcia Vendetta 2 6' 9" ML/XF and it seems like a decent rod, would this be a decent choice for drop shotting in shallow water 7ft or less while still being able to present other light lures?
I have that rod, a Gen 1 in a Veritas. It feels more like a medium power rod compared to several others that I own. I prefer the St. Croix ML power to this one.
Catch and Grease reply :
A lot of people are saying I should just drop the idea of spinning gear and just stick to casting... Maybe I should, I just feel dropshotting on casting gear is a pain...
The main reason I want a spinning setup is because I want to drop shot more and I feel that that's hard to do on casting gear because it calls for light line sometimes, and I don't care for 20lb braid on casting gear unless I'm cranking and I'll never put 6lb flouro on one....
The only dropshotting I do ATM with my casting gear is pitching with 50lb braid and 14lb flouro into heavy grass, and that works fine but I'd like something I can use more in the lighter cover..
Catch and Grease reply :
l've been reading a lot of stuff lately on spinning gear/ light line techniques around moderate/heavy cover And the more I read the more I think I may be able to get away with ML spinning rod and light line here where I fish...
Here is a piece from bass resource article which itself is a piece of a EBook called "how to catch more and bigger bass on light line
"I'm sure that some guys who consider themselves power fisherman might disagree with me when I say that you can even be successful with light line in heavy cover. Of course, you need to gain experience in fighting a big bass in this type of cover, but it certainly is not impossible to win some battles, and after you gain experience, most of the battles.
I'm a firm believer that you have to put baits in front of bass where they live. If they live in nasty places, then you must go in after them. Many anglers refuse to put their baits into locations that may break their line. I made a living early on slinging light tackle jigs into the worst possible snags and most of the time I won the battles. I always reasoned that I would rather have fought and lost a big fish then never had that fish bite my lure at all.
The only disadvantage you may find is that you can't horse a fish on light gear as if you were using 60-pound braid and a 7-6 flipping stick. If you approach your fishing and respect the gear you are using, you will find that it is possible to handle fish that the average angler may lose even on heavy tackle.
In truth, with experience, you can learn to adapt to heavy cover when fishing light gear. It is possible to hang up or break off if you choose the middle of a submerged tree as your battle ground. At the same time, these nasty places are also some of the areas where you will generate more strikes. So, if you fail to fish around these spots you may be limiting your action for the day. It is a compromise that you must consider. I would rather have lost a fish in heavy cover than never have hooked it because I failed to throw my bait there. You can't expect to be successful if you go out on the water and fish scared.
I've used light gear for many years. I know that you could have a hard time in heavy cover if you lack experience of fighting bass around it, but I think as you progress, you learn what not to do and what limitations your lighter line may have. You make up for it, you can cheat a little. You may have to put a little extra pressure on a fish to lead them out of heavy cover. You may pop some line. In the long run, you will be a better schooled angler.
Experience will be your guide as to how you approach each fish in heavy cover. Each bass is an individual and contrary to what many others will say, each fish has different habits, characteristics and certainly fighting ability. As you gain experience, you will learn to anticipate what each fish is doing or about to do on the end of your line. Take mental notes before you even hook into a fish. What will you do once you hook one? Be prepared and have a battle plan. It will pay off for you in the long run. Take note of your surroundings when you are working an area. Plan exactly what you want to do if you happen to hook up with a big fish.
If there is money on the line, perhaps light line might not be the best way to winch a bass out of a jam if you lack experience with it, but if you utilize heavier line and lures, you may miss out on the strike altogether. If that is the case, I'd take my chances on lighter gear any day!"
aavery2 reply :
Good post, I would add that the lighter the gear you fish, the better your equipment needs to be. Your line, your hooks, your rod and reels, all need to be in tip top shape. Small nicks in your line, cheap hooks that are not sharp or bend easily, a rod or reel in disrepair, can all spell disaster on light tackle. Light gear pushes fishing and your gear to an extreme, maintain your rods and reels and use good quality tackle and it had the possibility to be very rewarding.
EvanT123 reply :
I know this guy is the master but I'm sure you would have no problem using a spinning rod where you fish. Ml or medium
Mike2841 reply :
I've had both abu and at croix ml rods and I prefer st croixs. Also if you do get a croix their ml is labeled fast, but it's not its got a pretty parobolic action to it. I've been thinking of getting a croix ml xfast to replace it but I caught a lot of fish on that rod this year.
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