I can't seem to distiguish when it is needed to get a Heavy power rod vs a MH for Jig fishing. Will not be punching with this rod but will be in semi thick vegetation. Upper midwest so it's not like Florida mats. Jigs is my weakness and I'm determine to make that my go to lure for big bass this year.

 

 

It is a tough question to answer. As you probably already know there aren't any industry standards on what constitutes a Heavy vs a Medium Heavy. There can be variation in the amount of power company A's medium heavy has vs company B's medium heavy. The shimano cumara 7'2 MH xf rod for example is just a beast of a rod. Feels more like a heavy from Loomis say there 844 (7' heavy rod).

Back to your question... the weights listed on the rod blank may be the best determining factor to consider when you question getting a Heavy vs Medium Heavy rod. If the smallest jig you will throw is ocassionally a 3/8 oz jig plus trailer, but find yourself fishing 1/2 + jigs plus trailer the heavy may be better.

Me personally I typically fish the 3/8 variety and ocassionally the 1/2 oz plus trailer and bigger in certain conditions. I toggle back and fourth between medium heavy and heavy but majority of the time it is a medium heavy. I too call the waters of the Midwest home and feel the need to have both handy especially this time of year when weed growth runs rampant.

Let the weight of the jig dictate when to make the jump.

Look at the rod rating. Not all MH's are created equal. My Crucial rates at 1 oz and is a good stuff tip. My Loomis is rated H at 3/4 oz.

It also depends on the size of the jig and trailer. I use only 1/2oz with medium sized trailers. A MH doesn't always cut it. I prefer H or XH.

I use loomis imx and mh does it up to and including 1/2 oz 1/2 oz with big trailer along with 3/4 and 1 oz work better on my h.

For me it is a combination of things but if I'm fishing light pads or brush with a 1/4oz or 3/8oz jig I'll stay with a MH but if I'm going to use 1/2oz jig or heavier then I'll go with the heavy. I'll also use the heavy is I'm fishing a 3/8oz jig around dead falls that have a lot of limbs, the reason is I'll be using heavier line as the limbs are pretty strong unlike the britte and whippy limbs on brush. If you think you'll need to really horse a fish out of cover using a heavy jig then you may want to use the heavy power.

MH is rated at max 3/4 oz.

H is rated at max 1.5 oz.

Phenix Recon gen 1 btw. Saw a site that still sells the gen 1 at a discount because that's all they have left of the gen 1's.

With my Dobyns Extremes anything over 1/2oz goes on the 5 power

Weight and cover will dictate what I use.  In that order, I'll use my GLX 3 (MH) power between 1/4 - 1/2 oz, anything 1/2+ oz I'll use my 4 power.  Then the next determining factor is, what is the cover?  If it's sparse up to moderate cover, I will use my MH.  If it's heavy cover I'll go up to my 4 power. 

Cover will dictate what you need as stated.  But also very important is amount of line out you will have.  When fishing points and deep ledges if I want really long cast I  use a heavy rated rod so that I can set the hook if a fish hits in 20 feet of water at the very end of my cast.  So even in open water, I may use a heavy with a bait that only finishes at 3/4.

All rods are different though, and I think a MH sounds like what you want.  if you are missing hooksets, retie on a heavy.