Sensitive and (somewhat) versatile casting rod? 2025
VinnyR reply :
Hi all, first time posting here!
Looking for some suggestions/tips for getting a ~7' M or MH casting rod. I would use it a lot for texas rigged plastics, so sensitivity is important.
But if I could get away with it I'd want to also use it for weightless senkos, maybe a spinnerbait, lighter jigs & bladed jigs, and small-ish topwater lures.
My other two rods I carry (bank fishing) are a 7'2 ML spinning rod for finesse and a 7'5 H irod Fred's magic stick for heavy cover, frogs and larger topwater lures. Don't have a quality set up for what's in between.
Some rods that might work:
St Croix Avid 7' MH XF (or 7' medium)
Kistler Helium 3 7'1 MH (or KLX 7' MH, or KLX 7' medium)
Fenwick Aetos 7' medium
More budget friendly Dobyns Sierra 7' MH
I know of course there's not one amazing rod for all those tactics, but how about a great rod for a ~1/8-3/8oz Texas rigged rage craw, that can decently handle a 3/8 oz spinnerbait and a smaller Whopper plopper?
I don't want two new rods because I like to carry 2-3 at most while bank fishing, and don't have a boat. I might try carrying an extra reel spooled with mono to use on the same rod for treble hook baits like lipless cranks, smaller wakebaits and topwater lures, maybe a jerkbait (although not sure how well this work).
Happy to spend more on a rod like the helium IF it really is a significant upgrade compared to the cheaper options and I'll actually feel more bites.
I'm curious as to what some of the very knowledgeable and helpful people on this site might be able to tell me! Any tips? Thanks
Oledog reply :
Not sure if this helps or not . I purchased a MH mojo bass rod from ST Croix which I use as my all around rod. It is rated 3/8 to 1oz . I have casted as light as a 8" weightless a trick worm . The distance hasn't been as far as when I cast a jig but I was happy with it. It may be different for you since I fish out of a kayak.
basseditor reply :
Minutes ago I posted in another post “Dropping Dobyns...” Check it out.
5by3 reply :
Alx Zolo deputy or Dobyns champion 743 would be my suggestion. The alx rod will be more sensitive and less expensive. Dobyns has slightly better balance.
cant comment on Kistler rods but have heard they are good rods too.
WRB reply :
On 7/21/2019 at 6:12 PM, basseditor said:Minutes ago I posted in another post “Dropping Dobyns...” Check it out.
Buy USMC22's DC734C rod.
Tom
Squarebill79 reply :
BPS Carbonlite 2.0 rod would be my choice. I have a 6'6 M that I do all my senko and texas rigged fishing with. They are extremely sensitive and work well on the lighter baits. They play a little lighter though than they are rated so you may want to go with a MH as a more versatile rod.
diehardbassfishing reply :
An XF tip might not be the best choice. Too stiff to load up the rod during cast with the lure weights you're mentioning.
Karl
Chris at Tech reply :
MH KLX
WRB reply :
On 7/21/2019 at 6:01 PM, Oledog said:Not sure if this helps or not . I purchased a MH mojo bass rod from ST Croix which I use as my all around rod. It is rated 3/8 to 1oz . I have casted as light as a 8" weightless a trick worm . The distance hasn't been as far as when I cast a jig but I was happy with it. It may be different for you since I fish out of a kayak.
What does a 8" trick worm and hook weigh?
Tom
Scuba Steve reply :
Dont go extra fast. And that MH 7’ avid is a nose heavy broom stick.
I have a 6’8 M-F LTB that I use for basically everything 1/2 ounce and under. Fantastic rod.
LonnieP reply :
The Kistler H3 will be the most lightest and sensitive of the rods you have listed. Doesn't cost a lot more than the Avid if you get one while it's on sale. I have no experience with the KLX.
Junger reply :
Tatula Elite 7' M/MH XF AGS.
BigBass'n_Harrison reply :
Kistler Mag 2 6’9” Medium Heavy Fast. This rod is super versatile and seems pretty dang sensitive to me.
Shimano_1 reply :
Personally if I had a 150 to 200 budget I'd catch a sale on dobyns fury or basspro carbonlite rods and buy 2. I dont like a med hvy rod for weightless seniors and small topwaters. I'd want a med action for those and a med hvy for the Texas rigs. Lots of good options tho. If you can go to a store and handle several
VinnyR reply :
Thanks for all the suggestions. I think something rated around 1/4-3/4 oz, 10-15# will cover me, and some of the MH's I listed seem a little heavy after reading some reviews and your replies.
Might try to see how the magnesium MH feels compared to the helium LMH, which might be a good fit. Those two kistlers are basically the lower and upper ends of my budget, and I'm not sure I *need* that higher end. But even if it's the difference between, say, hooking up with 7 out of 10 bites compared to 6, it would be worth it to me (those 10 bites might come over 10 outings).
I'll avoid the XF action - thanks for that tip.
The medium LTB seems great but those are a bit more expensive, I know it's hardly more than the H3 but that's already pushing it. ALX zolo deputy and dobyns champion seem great too. I'll see what my local shop has in stock.
Appreciate all the replies! Glad this post caught some eyes. Will update
hwright38 reply :
I'd like to throw the Abu Villain 2.0 in the mix. It's what I use for exactly what you're describing: Mostly 1/4-3/8oz T-rigs and jigs, with a splash of topwater. Very light-weight sticks, and the 7' MH is the most versatile rod I own. You could also go with a Medium action too, as these rods run a bit heavier than a "true" MH. The Shimano Zodias is practically the same rod, and I've seen those in stores a lot more than the Villain. Worth checking out.
VinnyR reply :
Got my Helium 3 7'0 light medium heavy today. Unfortunately going out of town and can't use it till next week but man it's so light! I think I'm gonna be happy with it
Crankin4Bass reply :
Maybe a Loomis MBR 783 c or 843c. I have the GLX but you can get a E6X for under $200.
OnthePotomac reply :
I too am a Carbonlite fan (to include the 2.0 series) for many years and always at on sale prices. They take a beating in the Potomac grass beds and have never failed. The grips on the 2.0 are really, really comfortable and the rods are incredibly light. I use the 6'6"MH and 7' MED and MH baitcasters and the 7'2" MED spinning rods.
king fisher reply :
I fish from shore a lot. Most of my shore fishing is on small streams, and I like to cover lots of water. I used to carry one casting rod, and one or more spinning rods. Now,most of the time I only take one rod. The rod I currently use is a Diawa Ardito travel rod, combined with a Tatula CT reel. The rod is 7 ' rated for 1/4-3/4 oz lure, 8-17 pound line. I keep it simple and use 10 pound mono for line. I fish anything from 1/4 ounce inline spinners, to 3/4 ounce surface baits and everything in between. Sensitivity is good and I cast 1/4 oz lures almost as far as the spinning set up I previously would bring for the lighter stuff. I know most people don't like multi piece rods, but I like this one as much as most of my one piece rods in the same price range. I have even started using it while fishing out of a boat. Price is right and I can take it anywhere.
CaptPete reply :
On 8/1/2019 at 12:16 PM, VinnyR said:Got my Helium 3 7'0 light medium heavy today. Unfortunately going out of town and can't use it till next week but man it's so light! I think I'm gonna be happy with it
Perfect! I was just gonna suggest that rod or the 7'3" version. I have that H3, and the MH, and H versions, the LMH will best suite what you are asking for. The MH is more a 3/8-1/2oz rod imo. Enjoy it! (Do yourself(wallet) a favor and never try a zbone though 
)
bwjay reply :
I have 3 Helium3s, the 6'8LMHF, 6'9MHXF, and 7'HXF. The Fast action is close to a ModFast and the XFast is more like a Fast action. The tips are pretty soft so they are forgiving. I was cranking with the MHXF with no issues like losing fish because the rod didn't load up enough. The tip is soft enough to easily walk topwaters but it can be a little softer than desired to rip clear of weeds - but I just give the rod a harder flick and the bait comes right out.
All 3 toss 5" weightless Senkos but the HXF is a little stiff for it. I think the MHXF is a great weightless Senko stick and also works well for 3/8oz spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, and I was using it for even 3/4oz jigs with trailer, though the HXF is more suited to that. For 3/8oz jigs the MHXF works great. I would say 3/8-1/2oz is its sweet spot like CaptPete said. All 3 rods are stupid light and very sensitive. I only intended on buying 2 but the LMHF was out of stock so I got the HXF which I didn't plan on, and then the LMHF became in stock and I bought it so I could try all 3 rods. I planned on sending 1 back but, well, here I am, with 3 Helium3s...
FYI I am also a bank fisherman and don't bring many rods. I was looking for a nice do-it-all rod that wasn't too nice in case I scratch it up on the bank. Well, suffice to say, I got 3 do-it-all rods that I love. The MHXF is my just-bring-one rod and it works great for that, but if I bring 2 rods, I'll use the HXF for frogging and the MHXF for everything else. I suppose I could use the HXF for light punching too since you can do that with straight braid (which I use for frogging). I would use the LMHF more but Minnesota is ultra weedy in the summer and I don't have a boat, so I'm forced to fish around and through weeds, so more backbone is what I want at this time of year. In the spring though, I'll totally be running 1/4-3/8oz finesse and football jigs on the LMHF.
If a good sale on the Zbones pops up this holiday season, I may pick one up. Not that I need one, of course I don't. 
If you want a Helium3, see if Kistler will give you their sale price. And make sure to register an account, you get like 15-20% that way. I got all 3 of mine for like $220 each or something like that.
VinnyR reply :
On 8/2/2019 at 1:22 AM, bwjay said:I planned on sending 1 back but, well, here I am
Sounds about right!
On 8/2/2019 at 1:22 AM, bwjay said:see if Kistler will give you their sale price
He did, and he was really nice and helpful and even seemed really honest and not trying to upsell me. He suggested that the klx was just about as good as the helium and the best bang for buck, which was weird because I told him I was looking at that H3 LMH-F.
By chance, the comparable KLX rod wasn't as discounted as the others in that lineup, so it ended up being only $20 more to spring for the helium
Boomstick reply :
It sounds to me like you will have a tough choice between a MH/F rod and a M/F rod. A M/F rod that runs on the heavier side (like the St. Croix Mojo Bass "Plastics" rod or the 7' M/F Avid) , or a MH/F rod that runs on the lighter side (Dobyns Sierra 703C) would be a good bet for the lures you mentioned on a single rod.
It's been said before as well but I will say it again because it's very true and will save you from regrets later. The St. Croix rods rated for 10-20 or 12-20lb line are basically one step shy of a heavy rod and would be too stiff for your liking -- even the fast tipped models. If you are looking for a rod that can throw soft plastics and frogs on the same rod and is a fantastic all-around jig rod short of the thickest weeds, they are perfect for that.
new2BC4bass reply :
The OP purchased...and has received... a 7' LMH H3. All we can do is wait and see how much he loves the rod.
waymont reply :
I picked up a Kistler 6'8" LMH Helium 3 today with the 25% off email coupon. Should be here in a few days.
Scrapiron reply :
The Kistler H3 LMH/Fast rod is one of the most versatile ones I've used. Hope y'all enjoy it as much as I have.
The Mag2 LMH/Mod Fast is also darn good- the 6'8" is my topwater rod.
VinnyR reply :
It is extremely sensitive! I didn't update here because I haven't caught a fish on it and thought it might be bad luck or something. But since I got a few more replies...
It's sick. I've only had the chance to use it once so far, and like I said no fish landed yet, but I have a tatula 100 on it with 30# 832, and I can feel everything. At first I thought I was getting bit, but I was just touching grass, little bumps on the bottom, etc. where I wasn't used to feeling it. I did get one bite on a texas rigged 10" ribbontail but I was in really thick grass and when I set the hook, I got stuck in the thick stuff and it got off, and I pulled up a pound of gunk. The whole pond is thick with moss and overgrown, it's pretty unbearable. Not sure what else to throw besides topwater.
Anyway, the rod is sick. But i still need to catch a fish on it...
related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.