Medium Light Rods? 2025

martintheduck reply :

So does anyone use a medium light rod for drop shotting? How different does it fish than a medium? Is it only really useful when fishing lighter weights like 1/8oz and 1/16oz?

Thanks!

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

The ML blanks I typically build on are rated 1/16-3/8. 1/8 casts well enough but 3/16-1/4 is the sweet spot. 1/16 works for vertical or short casts.

MichiganFishing1997 reply :

It works well for a lot of the weights in its rating. Tiny crankbaits, and spooks, small plastics, drop shot in light cover. I enjoy using mine.

5dollarsplash reply :

MichiganFishing1997 said it nicely. My ML LTB is a workhorse and one of my favorite rods. I actually switched to a true L for dropshot as I like my ML for so many other things.

J Francho reply :

Yes, Saint Croix Avid AVS63MLXF, Shimano Stradic CI4 2500, 6# InvisX.

ww2farmer reply :

I prefer ML power rods not only for drop shotting, but for all my finesse spinning tactics, like flick shake, shaky head, etc.... I am not a fan of M, or Mh spinning gear. I do use a couple of M spinning rods but not often, and about never for drop shotting.

hoosierbass07 reply :

I'm still learning about rods and power/action. Can medium/light rods be used to catch big Large Mouth Bass? If so, what medium/light rod would you recommend for a newbie who wants one for bass fishing in open water and bank fishing?

ww2farmer reply :

Plenty of 4-6lb largemouth and smallmouth have made it to the boat on ML spinning tackle. Know your tools and their limitations. Your not going to haul big ones out of mats with ML rods with any high percentage of success, but in light cover or mostly open water its not a problem.

tomustang reply :

Quite enjoyable actually, we use a 6'10MLXF, a 7'MLF, and a 6'9MLF. The 6'9 being a vendetta which feel stiffer than many other ML but once the fish is on its not bad.

On 11/7/2013 at 12:45 AM, hoosierbass07 said:
I'm still learning about rods and power/action. Can medium/light rods be used to catch big Large Mouth Bass?

Of course they can, we even use ultralights to catch plenty of bass in the 2-3 range with some 4's in there.

J Francho reply :

Here's a 7-1, caught on a Eyecon 6-3 MLXF, Stradic 1000, 20# Power Pro w/ 8# CXX leader:

martintheduck reply :

look at that fatty! So moral of the story is that ML are not necessarily strictly for little tiny 1/16oz weights... NOW - how much different does a bite feel on that ML rod?

J Francho reply :

I was throwing a 3/32 wacky jig and finesse worm. The bite felt like any other finesse bite - slight tap, then mush. Once I set the hook, though.....

MarkH024 reply :

On 11/7/2013 at 4:22 AM, J Francho said:
I was throwing a 3/32 wacky jig and finesse worm. The bite felt like any other finesse bite - slight tap, then mush. Once I set the hook, though.....

Bet that was a ton of fun!

Raul reply :

On 11/7/2013 at 12:45 AM, hoosierbass07 said:
I'm still learning about rods and power/action. Can medium/light rods be used to catch big Large Mouth Bass? If so, what medium/light rod would you recommend for a newbie who wants one for bass fishing in open water and bank fishing?

It´s all in the wrist my man.

In practical terms you can use any kind of power rating rod for LMB, even the big ones, I´ve caught a big bunch of 5+ lbs fish with even lighter rods and line, sometimes accidentally while fishing for other species ( bluegills )and other times intentionally, my largest LMB caught with a ML rod was a little bit above 10 lbs.

Lighter action rods allow many baits to have a much better and more attractive action, jerkbaits like flukes have a deadly action when fished with ML or L rods and 6-8 lb test line, action that I don´t see when I fish with a M and up.

thehooligan reply :

i use a 6'8 medium action cumara for most of my finesse tactics. Its very light action, it really feels like a medium light to me. I love it for dropshot, flickshake, and shakeyhead.

I actually just picked up a 6'10 medium light cumulus last night, really hoping its the perfect dropshot/flickshake rod...

00 mod reply :

My favorite setup I own is a Pinnacle 7' ML/F with a ci4 2500. It is my shakey head/drop shot/drift rig!

Jeff

DogBone_384 reply :

I have a BPS ML/F Cranking Stick under a Pro Qualifier. I use it for lighter worms & spinner baits. It casts great but I sometimes question it's hook setting ability against a M/F rod.

I've not caught many fish on this rig so it'll have to wait until next season to make a more educated decision....

dam0007 reply :

I run a ml cumara paired with a Stradic ci4 spooled with 6# InvizX. I primarily use it for drop shot but also have been using it as my trout rod. Something feels special about getting a huge fish on a light gear.

tomustang reply :

On 11/8/2013 at 12:33 PM, DogBone_384 said:
I have a BPS ML/F Cranking Stick under a Pro Qualifier. I use it for lighter worms & spinner baits. It casts great but I sometimes question it's hook setting ability against a M/F rod.

It's a crankbait rod, has more a moderate action no matter the label bps put on it.

mjseverson24 reply :

I have three dropshot rods all different actions, i have one st. croix triumph 7' ML/F great for light cover, a 7'6" ML/F triumph, a little more power, and better for longer casts the last is a st. croix mojo 7' M/F for heavier weed cover. the ML rods work great as long as the weeds are not too thick.

Mitch

martintheduck reply :

On 11/11/2013 at 12:35 PM, mjseverson24 said:

I have three dropshot rods all different actions, i have one st. croix triumph 7' ML/F great for light cover, a 7'6" ML/F triumph, a little more power, and better for longer casts the last is a st. croix mojo 7' M/F for heavier weed cover. the ML rods work great as long as the weeds are not too thick.

Mitch

Is there any particular reason you prefer a ML in light cover as opposed to a M in the same type of cover?

SirSnookalot reply :

Whether it's a light or ml rod with the appropriate reel it's like fishing with a toothpick, very light and comfortable. I use them in ponds down here, sometimes in canals void of vegetation and it's a lot of fun, especially when a sizable fish is hooked. Can't seem to get interested in dropshotting, too slow for me I like fishing fast with moving lures.

mjseverson24 reply :

I like the ML for light cover because often times with a dropshot you only skin hook the fish, the ML reduces the tension on the fish when it makes a run. also with a ML if you are shaking the bait in place, and a fish picks it up the tip is much softer and will not alert the fish if you dont set the hook right away. with the medium i have lost fish from shaking the bait and not recognizing a bite early enough. now if i am fishing in deep water or rougher water with heavier weights i will use the M in these cases, but most often I use 1/8 oz and less weights and that is perfect for a M/L. its personal preference, but it seems to be a good recipe for success in my boat.

Mitch

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

On 11/11/2013 at 12:25 AM, tomustang said:
It's a crankbait rod, has more a moderate action no matter the label bps put on it.

In addition a spinnerbait hook is stout, a ML may not drive that hook home.

martintheduck reply :

On 11/12/2013 at 7:12 AM, mjseverson24 said:

I like the ML for light cover because often times with a dropshot you only skin hook the fish, the ML reduces the tension on the fish when it makes a run. also with a ML if you are shaking the bait in place, and a fish picks it up the tip is much softer and will not alert the fish if you dont set the hook right away. with the medium i have lost fish from shaking the bait and not recognizing a bite early enough. now if i am fishing in deep water or rougher water with heavier weights i will use the M in these cases, but most often I use 1/8 oz and less weights and that is perfect for a M/L. its personal preference, but it seems to be a good recipe for success in my boat.

Mitch

Let me ask you this, too... do you"feel" the 1/8oz better with that ML than with a M? I find with my current setup, when I drop below 1/4oz I can't feel my bottom contact worth a crap.

bigbill reply :

I just purchased the 6' med/lt spinning rod along with a med action rod and a med/ heavy action rod. I notice the upper tip section is the main difference between rods actions. I'm new to this action and power thing. I'm looking for more hook setting power.

mjseverson24 reply :

i do feel the bait better with the ML when using the light weights, but i also use 10 lb braid with 15' 10-12 lb floro leader, use tungsten dropshot weights in the pencil shape. the feel should be just fine as long as the wind and waves are not too bad, the braid and tungsten make a big difference. Also with the 1/8 oz weights you can let the bait free-fall longer, and just line watch, the weight is light enough the fish rarely drop the bait because of it. dropshot is probably the only technique that produces for me every single time out, total confidence bait for me.

Mitch

martintheduck reply :

On 11/13/2013 at 12:00 PM, mjseverson24 said:

i do feel the bait better with the ML when using the light weights, but i also use 10 lb braid with 15' 10-12 lb floro leader, use tungsten dropshot weights in the pencil shape. the feel should be just fine as long as the wind and waves are not too bad, the braid and tungsten make a big difference. Also with the 1/8 oz weights you can let the bait free-fall longer, and just line watch, the weight is light enough the fish rarely drop the bait because of it. dropshot is probably the only technique that produces for me every single time out, total confidence bait for me.

Mitch

I agree with you on the braid. I just swapped out my fluro spool for some 10lb power-pro braid and I will say, it has made a huge difference. I used to use lead weights and started spending the $ for tungsten about 5 months ago... also a GREAT decision. I've been struggling with making a decision on buying a ML light rod because it will be a very technique specific rod and not see as much action as everything else... with that said - I also have this issue where I spend a pretty penny on rods because I can't STAND a crappy rod. Based on what you've said, I'll be buying a ML rod in the next few weeks. I was really wondering if they legitimately handle smaller weights better than a M action, but still have enough power to handle the fish. Thanks for the responses. Lots of help!

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