Light Or Medium-Light Baitcasting Rods: Major Craft Volkey Vs. ? 2025

desmobob reply :

I'm interested in a light or medium-light baitcaster to mount my beloved Pixie on. It would be used for finesse fishing, smallmouth fishing; maybe even crappie fishing. ;-)

I've heard and read lots of good things about the Major Craft Volkey rods and they're in my price range (about $170, shipped). I'm wondering if the VKC 69 ML/BFS is a little more versatile than the VKC 68 L/BFS. Will the VKC 69ML cast an honest 1/8th ounce reasonably, or is the VKC 68L required for that kind of use?

I'm also wondering how these JDM rods compare to our domestic choices like the Dobyns 701C, and what other L/ML baitcasting rods folks here are using.

Thanks for any experiences and insights you can share!

Tight lines,

Bob

Silas reply :

I have a Dobyns DX 702C and use an Airy Red Pixy with 6lb Tatsu fluoro for very light 3 inch Humdinger 3 inch worms, small cranks and small 65 Pointers.

Also the Loomis 721 with a 2004 Alpha with same baits.

However my Megabass Hedgehog I fantastic!

Oops, I forgot that my Jackson Trickster JDM in 6'4" also is perfect with a Pixy.

heyitzpetah reply :

I don't personally own a Volkey, but my friend does and he has the exact model you're looking at. I believe my buddy usually casts lures that are 3/16 and below. I've seen him throw weightless 3 inch senkos, 2 inch minnows, and really light 1/16th drop shots. The ML is definitely more versatile than the L because you can go really light weight finesse or you can go moderate 1/4 or maybe even 3/8th oz max. I've seen him pull in 5 lbers with this rod despite being mainly a bfs, course he had to play the fish a bit though.

Raul reply :

I would get the ML.

John G reply :

Light power rods are really fun to fish with. If you can do what you want with a light powered rod, get the light power. My Major Craft MSX-Limited is the MLC67L BFS and it is rated down to 1/16oz and IMHO, that is a stretch. It should start at 1/8oz. You asked about how the JDM rods compare to USDM rods. If you are talking about power, the only light powered USDM rod that I have experience with is the Loomis CR721IMX and it feels much softer than any of my JDM light powered BFS rods. If you are talking about style and build quality, the JDM rods that I have win hands down. The style and build quality on my MSX Limited won't take a back seat to any other rod and I have heard the same about the build quality of the Volkey.

poisonokie reply :

I would get the 68L. It is more versatile because it is a regular fast. It can be used for any finesse technique from moving baits yo Ned rigs. The 69ML is Xtra fast, so casting 1/8 will be limited. In my opinion, the 68L is perfect for any lure in the 1/8-1/3oz range. It is very very sensitive and more than enough backbone to set little finesse hooks, plus the flex to control fish on small cranks. That pixy will balance it out perfectly, too.

poisonokie reply :

Yeah, I have an ML basic series ms-x and that rod is just stunning in terms of quality and performance. I agree on going below 1/8th. You'd have to go UL for that, but what are you, trouting? 1/8 and up is bass territory, at least for me.

Mr_Poche' reply :

I own the vokley 69ml and although I love it for what I do with it. In terms of versatility I say go for the 68L. The casting sweet spot on the ml is around 1/4 ounce TOTAL weight. It has an extra fast taper which limits applications.

desmobob reply :

Thanks for all the input, gentlemen. I appreciate your taking the time to share your opinions and experience. I guess I'm looking for something with capability on the lighter end of things. I'll be ordering the 68L tomorrow. The 69ML might also be in my future. Or maybe the UL... :-)

Thanks again,

Bob

desmobob reply :

The 68L is ordered. Now, the long wait.

Oh... I decided to try one of those Alphas SV reels, too! I'm sure I'll put my PX-R on the Volkey. I have a medium power Kistler KLX I can try the SV on.

Tight lines,

Bob

poisonokie reply :

Dude, you'll love it. Anything 1/8-1/3rd, singles or trebles. I use neon braid with mine and the sensitivity, slack line or not, is fantastic. I just watch my line, set the hook, and play em in. Between that and the ml ms-x, I barely even look at my jig rod anymore, which is kinda sad because i love that setup, too.

Jrob78 reply :

I think you guys have about talked me into a 68L as well.

poisonokie reply :

On 10/24/2015 at 8:06 AM, desmobob said:

The 68L is ordered. Now, the long wait.

Oh... I decided to try one of those Alphas SV reels, too! I'm sure I'll put my PX-R on the Volkey. I have a medium power Kistler KLX I can try the SV on.

Tight lines,

Bob

If you ordered it from shimreels, it will only seem like a long wait. I had mine within a week.

desmobob reply :

On 10/24/2015 at 10:11 AM, poisonokie said:
If you ordered it from shimreels, it will only seem like a long wait. I had mine within a week.

I did. Cool! Maybe I'll get to use it a few times before I pull the boat out for the season.

Tight lines,

Bob

DogBone_384 reply :

I have an *** Black 6'10" ML with a PX68R SPR on it. It throws 3" Senkos quite well (EDIT: In back yard). It's so new I've yet to fish it.

I had a Core50 on it before that and like the way it handles light baits better than my ML Tatula, which, to me, feels like a light-medium instead of a true ML.

desmobob reply :

On 10/24/2015 at 8:17 AM, poisonokie said:
Dude, you'll love it. Anything 1/8-1/3rd, singles or trebles. I use neon braid with mine and the sensitivity, slack line or not, is fantastic. I just watch my line, set the hook, and play em in. Between that and the ml ms-x, I barely even look at my jig rod anymore, which is kinda sad because i love that setup, too.

I played around with the rod in the yard and was surprised how stiff it is... I was expecting it to be a lot softer. It feels nice and crisp with plenty of backbone. I was throwing a skinny 3" tube on a 1/16 stupid tube head and it seemed like it barely loaded the rod. I should have weighed it, but I'm guessing that tube and head must weigh about an eighth ounce. I could fling it plenty far. I had light braid on the PX-R but took it off and spooled up some 8 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid and that seemed to cast even better. I didn't play around too much because it was dark.

I can hardly wait for my days off on Sunday and Monday; I want to fish that rod! I know where there are some smallmouth hanging out that might appreciate some finesse.

When I bought the rod, I also ordered an Alphas SV105 from a Japanese eBay seller. He didn't ship it for several days. When I inquired about it, he said they were sold out and he'd ship it (and some free line for my trouble) as soon as he got some in. He didn't say when that would be, so I ordered another one from a different dealer who advertised them as in stock. I've heard so many good things about them, I figured it wasn't too risky getting two. Looks like I might need another one of those Major Craft BFS-type rods to put the second one on.

The darn tackle monkey has me in a strangle hold!

Tight lines,

Bob

Edit to add: PS -- forgot to mention how NICE the rod looks. Very nice fit and finish and a classy look. But... NO HOOK KEEPER! I hate that....

poisonokie reply :

I know that friggin tackle monkey is insatiable. It's screaming at me for an ss air, even though I absolutely don't need one.

DogBone_384 reply :

On 11/7/2015 at 10:27 AM, poisonokie said:
I know that friggin tackle monkey is insatiable. It's screaming at me for an ss air, even though I absolutely don't need one.

Yes you do....

desmobob reply :

On 11/7/2015 at 10:27 AM, poisonokie said:
I know that friggin tackle monkey is insatiable. It's screaming at me for an ss air, even though I absolutely don't need one.

You don't have to need it; you just have to want it....

Tight lines,

Bob

desmobob reply :

On 10/24/2015 at 8:17 AM, poisonokie said:
Dude, you'll love it. Anything 1/8-1/3rd, singles or trebles.

You're right... I love it!

I didn't do a whole lot with it... I didn't make it to my smallmouth lake, but I fished southern Lake Champlain this afternoon. I threw an unweighted t-rigged Seiko and quickly caught a largemouth that was about two pounds. The skunk was off the new rod almost immediately! I moved to a rocky point and tied on a 1/8 oz. swing-head with a twin-tail Hula Grub on it. I eventually got another bass about the same size as the first.

The surface temperature was 48* and fishing was slow, so I tied on a 1/20 Shroomz Finesse jighead and half a ZinkerZ and figured the ol' Ned Rig would help me pick up the pace. I immediately caught a small pickerel and many casts later, a big yellow perch. No bass! The pickerel bite was fun. I had the sense that something wasn't quite right the last time I gave the rig a little hop. The next hop felt very slack. I slowly raised to the rod to get a better feel of what was going on and the line went streaking off at 90* at what seemed like 100MPH. Pickerel!

Later, I caught a bass almost three pounds on a different rod, throwing a heavier Megastrike Shake2 head with a another twin-tail Hula Grub.

The rod fishes wonderfully. It casts light baits well, is very sensitive, and has plenty of backbone. If someone handed me that rod and asked me to guess what it was, I'd think it was a medium-light/fast, not a light/fast. If anyone is considering trying one and expecting it might be some whippy little toy of a rod, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I can't wait to get some serious fishing time in with this rod!

Tight lines,

Bob

poisonokie reply :

Awesome. I've brought in a few good size ones with mine without a hitch. I love that taper. Makes it great for nearly any technique and helps play in the fish easily. You can't horse them in or steer them all over the place, but you can still control them.

Try some 1/4 oz cranks with it. One of my favorite baits to throw on that rod is the Duo Realis Crank 48sr. Throw one of those in with your next TW order and you'll see what I mean. The little 3/16 rozante 63sp jerkbait is pretty awesome, too.

desmobob reply :

On 11/11/2015 at 3:03 AM, poisonokie said:

Try some 1/4 oz cranks with it. One of my favorite baits to throw on that rod is the Duo Realis Crank 48sr. Throw one of those in with your next TW order and you'll see what I mean. The little 3/16 rozante 63sp jerkbait is pretty awesome, too.

Thanks for the tip... I'll pick up a couple. That chartreuse gill halo color looks like it would be fantastic for the muddy waters I fish.

Tight lines,

Bob

poisonokie reply :

On 11/11/2015 at 5:59 AM, desmobob said:

Thanks for the tip... I'll pick up a couple. That chartreuse gill halo color looks like it would be fantastic for the muddy waters I fish.

Tight lines,

Bob

That's the color I use. It's bass candy even in clear water.

desmobob reply :

The Volkey 68L got a little better workout today. I was throwing a Ned Rig with it (1/20 Shroomz and 1/2 ZinkerZ) and caught two big yellow perch on the first two casts. I thought I may have to give up the Ned Rig, but the next fish was a big smallmouth! Despite the 47* water temperatures, she managed to "jump" (didn't totally clear the water) three times. This was my first decent fish on the new rod, and it did very well on the bigger fish. I then hooked a small largemouth, then a decent one, then a good one (~3 lbs.). I really had fun with that rod!

It casts light baits very well with the PX-R and 8 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid, and is very sensitive. I really like it a lot. I hate to see my fishing season coming to an end. I'll be looking forward to next spring and the opportunity to throw some small crank baits with the rod.

Tight lines,

Bob

poisonokie reply :

I didn't know they even made 1/20 shroomz. I throw the 1/15 + TRD on it just fine. I think it comes out to about 3/16 rigged that way. Those are actually pretty aerodynamic, so you can fling em out there a good distance.

desmobob reply :

On 11/12/2015 at 7:02 AM, poisonokie said:
I didn't know they even made 1/20 shroomz.

Yup... my favorites. I like to think that I get hung up a little less often with them, and I generally am fishing in pretty shallow water anyhow.

Tight lines,

Bob

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