I plan on upgrading my all around casting rod this Christmas, but I am having some trouble. Here is my conflict:

I found out the other day that the rod (h20 ethos) I have been using for texas rigs (3/16 oz weight) and jigs (1/4 oz - 1/2 oz) for over a half year that I thought was a wimpy medium heavy, is actually a composite crankbait medium heavy rod! I am stunned that I never realized this. This rod has been great for what I used it for even though it is meant for cranking. It could quite easily set the hook with a 1/4 oz jig and the texas rigs.

I actually liked the power/action this rod had for what I was doing. I could get away with casting lighter stuff pretty well, and it had the backbone to set the hook with a pretty large bass. My only issue is that it was underpowered for 3/8 oz jigs + trailer weight and also for 1/2 jigs + trailer.

I am now looking for a rod action that would suit my needs, but have a bit more power than this 7' mh cranking composite, so I can use larger stuff too. I am not sure whether I should get a medium or a medium heavy rod. The new rod will be probably a 13 omen, or dobyns savvy, or powell endurance or something. Will NOT be a cranking rod. Will be a regular graphite rod, not composite or glass.

Anyone that owns this rod, please tell me this: How does the medium heavy cranking composite compare in power to other brands medium heavy? I am guessing it is much less powerful since it is a composite rod.

Also, please tell me if you think I should get a medium or a medium heavy for the 1/4 oz and 1/2 oz jigs and 3/16 oz texas rigs, and consider that I was almost satisfied with the power that the medium heavy cranking composite ethos rod had, but it was too underpowered for 3/8 oz jigs + trailer.

Thanks

Being a cranking rod it will have a much softer tip than other MH rods that are not designed for cranking. Be sure and look at the weight ratings on any rod you are considering. Some MH rods can handle up to 1 oz baits and others only 3/4. If you plan on using heavy jigs with it I would stay away from a medium action rod all together. YOu are going to want a MH that can handle up to 1 oz IMO.

The largest lure I would ever use on this would be a 1/2 oz jig + trailer weight. 80% of the time I would be using a 1/4 oz jig with trailer = 5/16 - 6/16. Most medium rods say 1/4-3/4 or 1/4-5/8 on the lure/bait rating. I feel like a 1/4 oz jig + trailer or 3/8 oz jig + trailer would fit right in with a medium rod since the minimum ratings on mediums is 1/4.

I am hesitant to get a MH because I sometimes might need this rod to cast something a bit lighter such as a texas rig weighing 3/16 oz + soft plastic. I am worried that the rod won't load enough to propel the bait. If I were to get a MH, which tip action would be best for versatility (ability to load with lighter softplastics in this case)? Extra-fast? Fast? Moderate/regular?

Thanks

I use a 7'1" 13 Omen MH/Fast for my T-Rig and I throw 3/16 oz. I can cast as far as I need to with it. Usually I'm only casting 50' or less. With a flick of the wrist it lets me skip under docks. My wife uses a Johnny Morris Carbonlite 7' M/Fast for her T-Rig set up. She really likes it and casts it like a pro. She had trouble with the MH rods for lighter baits.

How far do you think you could cast the 3/16 t-rig with that rod if you tried for distance?
Does it load nicely even though it is a med hvy? How does the power of the med hvy 7'1 omen compare to a medium st. croix, or a med heavy st. croix

The best Medium action rod I have ever owned was a Falcon BuCoo. Another one I can reccomend is the Abu Garcia Vendetta 7' medium action. It's rated a little bit heavier so you could get away with throwing the heavier stuff and still fling the lighter stuff just fine. I personally have no problem throwing my weightless fluke on a 7' MH Daiwa rod though. I can cast it a mile still and thats with alot lighter bait than a 3/16 oxz texas rig. MH will be more versatile in the long run. I know the Medium action rods are ususally rated they can handle 1/2oz or more but when you actually throw something that heavy on them it just doesnt feel right.

Why not just get another h20 rod made for worm/jig fishing?Thats about the best rod for the money that is out.I use a 7ft med/hvy for texas rigs 3/16 or 1/4 oz and light carolina rigs and jigs.I would rather have one of these than go spend big bucks for some other chinese made rod that cost $100 more.

Ok, I just walked outside and gave a few casts. Without really trying to hard I was getting about 70-75 ft. I also use 15 lb mono line on mine. Maybe dropping down to a 12 lb FC would give a little more feel and distance. I think the Omen Blacks might be slightly lighter than what they are rated at. It certainly has has a better feel and loads up better than the BPS Tourney Special rods I have. Those things are like broom sticks and are also MH.
I don't own any St Croix rods. To me they just have a heavy feel about them.
I think Tacklewarehouse has a demo program you could possibly use to try some out.

IMHO, a medium action rod is underpowered to throw jigs, especially jigs in the 1/2oz range. I would want at least a medium heavy for jigs. As far as light Texas rigs, a medium heavy will cast them just fine. I throw weightless plastics (flukes, senkos, etc.) on a medium heavy, and weightless frogs (ribbits, horny toads) on a heavy rod. Personally, I don't like a medium action rod for any single hook applications, with the exception of drop shots. A medium heavy or even a heavy is better suited for setting the hook and moving fish away from cover when using jigs and soft plastics.

Thanks for all the help guys! I ended up getting a MH Fast. I think this will do fine as I throw texas rigs about 5% of the time and the other times it will be jigs in the 1/4 - 1/2 range.

Which rod did you get?

Tatula 7'1" mh x-fast