What are you guys using? Any hook setting issues with the ML? I throw a good bit of jigs for crappie and a lot of smaller light baits and thinking about a 6'6" - ie. St. Croix Premier or Triumph, perhaps a Fenwick.

Thanks for those who share their experiences.

I use a ML Kistler 7'and throw light jigs, spinners ned rigs and drop shots and never had a problem with hook ups...

I use a ML carbon lite for drop shots and I've never had any hookup issues

Medium light makes me nervous. I've been overpowered with medium when a bigger LMB runs for thick snarly cover (which they are usually in or real close to).

Medium is as light as I'll go for lmb.

Suppose if I was drop shotting 6lb test in 30-60ft with vast open water and had a very good reel with exceptional drag, I'd prefer a medium light; but I'm hardly ever in that situation.

Medium is as light as I go too

I fish med and med/light. Never had an issue with either, but i do fish primarily small bodies of water. Tried light rod once and lost quite a few fish with the weak hookset.

I think medium light would be ok for small topwaters and cranks.

Medium gets better cast length / accuracy / hook set for me.

I recently bought a 6'6" med light Allstar rod from Academy for just under $50. I really like it.

I've got 2 ML spinning rods for shakey head and other finesse stuff and I use them more than any of my other rods-its all about setting the drag right and not getting in a hurry to land the fish. Course I fish Conroe and most of that lake has few snags and cover.

+1

Thanks everyone

Seconding kirbydog here that it is about drag settings as much as rod strength. And, with good reels, like a Shimano Ci4+, you will actually adjust the drag a bit while fighting the fish. This is what lets us use lighter rods, smaller reels, and tinier lines.

Landing a fish on spinning tackle is done by letting the line get "dragged" out by the fish, then lifting up and reeling in the slack line as you lower your tip again, then repeating it until the fish can be landed. You never reel against drag on a spinning reel as it turns the arbor while line is going out . . . twisting it.

This is wholly different than bait casters where a rod may still actively use a drag but where the reel is often used to overpower the fish . . . and that takes a heavier rod with more power.

Anyway, I have both sizes, med lt and med, and it all depends on matching the rod to the reel and its drag capabilities. Then, it is just which rod do you think you can control the fish with best.

A good ultralight rod is all one needs for crappie and panfish, certainly if you plan to do any casting. You'll need an ultralight rod, a 1000 series reel or smaller, and 4 lbs. test or even smaller. And, even then, a nice sized LMB will jump on board pretty often . . . just snacking on your small baits.

Ben Tedrick has a video he published in the last day, his Fish Tales or Trail Tales series, and he landed a 4 or 5 lbs. LMB on Nails Creek while fishing light gear. He had no issues landing it.

Brad

Brad, thanks Sir, good stuff, I may set up both, have a Ci4+ AND FK in 2500, and a FK 1000.

None the less, I use many 20 and 25 sized Pfluegers for Crappie and Bluegill for casting and corking jigs.

I use a 5 and 5.5 Clarus UL which has good backbone for hook sets on and a couple of Browning Airstream UL, 5 and 5.5, also a bit stiffer than a good many UL rods out there. I don't like too whippy. The other rod is a 6.0 TFO Light. Using mostly 6# P-line CX and occasionally hook smaller bass and jackfish - those will often cut the line whether CX or Braid (have 15# on one spool). So, I want something to have for this area where Crappie and Bass both spawn and the bite is on at the same time as will often take a break from Crappie and focus on Bass. I like lighter spinning tackle so perhaps those Stradics with a ML or M in 6'3 to 6'6 will be overall a lighter weight package. I might run 8-10lb mono or P-line, or 10-15 braid, not sure yet but feel no need for heavier line. Will use various jigs, but more top water, weightless worms and flukes as the water is about 4-5 ft max, and weed beds so I try staying out of that. Most fish are under 4# but there are occasional larger fish caught by others who use various plastics on traditional baitcast. Hooked into something good last year, either bass or catfish and it was in an area with lilly pads. The small jig and my 6# line were broke off. Hurts not know what hit that...I was corking for panfish.....never know when a big random fish grabs a little bait Such is fishing, the fun, and memories. Lol Wishing all a great 2017.

I use a 7'2" medium crucial. no problems with hook ups and biggest fish I've landed is 8 pounds so far. Just have the drag set right and you will be alright.