I am going to get the St. Croix Premier Spinning rod, 7', fast action rod and was debating on getting a medium or medium heavy power.  What weight bait is most common?  I usually fish the texas rig in less than 25 feet of water, but I use all other baits too.  What power should I get?  I have been using a browning medium light power rod (about $40), but I can't tell the difference between hitting the bottom and getting a bite.  I also can never set the hook.  What power should I get?

7' medium/fast

You're going to want to spool up with flourocarbon. It's a more sensitive line and will give you better feel.

A 7' medium-power, fast-action rod is the best spinning rod for all-around use with lighter lures (1/2 oz. and under). I would try recommend trying that, and going from there.

 

Try rigging it with 15-20 lb. PowerPro braid this season. You'll have some fun with that.

I am going to get the St. Croix Premier Spinning rod, 7', fast action rod and was debating on getting a medium or medium heavy power. What weight bait is most common? I usually fish the texas rig in less than 25 feet of water, but I use all other baits too. What power should I get? I have been using a browning medium light power rod (about $40), but I can't tell the difference between hitting the bottom and getting a bite. I also can never set the hook. What power should I get?

You have what I would call a generic trout rod designed to use light line and lures with hooks that are much smaller then we use for bass. Your rod is about a 2 power medium light moderate action.

The generic bass spinning rod is a 3 power or medium fast action rod. The next stronger spinning rod is a 4 power or medium heavy fast action rod.

It's really the line size and hook size/ hook wire diameter that determine how much power you need to properly get a hook set into the bases hard mouth.

For general purposes the 3 power or medium fast rod works well with 6 to 10 lbs mono or FC line with lures 1/8 to 1/2 oz. the 4 power or medium/ heavy rod can handle heavier line up to 15 lb for spinning reels, lure between 1/4 to 3/4 oz.

since you are used to the lower power rod, the 3 power or medium fast with 8 lb line could work well for you. The medium/ heavy would be a better choice for small jigs and Texas rigged worms with 10 lb FC line.

Tom

O.K, I will go with medium.

_{ya medium with a fast tip will be perfect for you.}

I'll echo the others and say a medium with fast tip is a good general-purpose rod. My rods are 6'6" and my reels are spooled with 15# Power Pro and I use them on all techniques.