I am new here and have looked at other threads but they have not really answered my question I already own a medium heavy spinning rod but would like another rod for finnesse and smaller plastics and dropshoting I fish for WV largemouth and smallmouth we don't have many giant largemouths like in some other parts of the country considering the conditions what do you guys think the best rod would be.

i'd stick with med. have a lot more options.

Well..........what do you want to spend?  Any particular brand you prefer?  What weight range are you looking for?  There is no industry wide parameters for labeling rod powers.  I know what I consider ML, M and MH for bass, but companies don't always agree with me.  One Medium might be 1/4-1/2 oz. (Falcon) while another might be 1/16-1/2 oz. (Okuma EVX) or 1/8-5/8 oz, (Aetos) or a whole slew of other options.

The rod that I am looking at is the powell inferno. from what I have heard it is a great rod for the price.

Also the majority of my fishing will be for smallmouth on creeks and small rivers and the occasional lake

A Medium, Fast other X Fast will get you more options,

 

I may have to reconsider the powell as they only make one peice rods and transporting them may be a problem

Anyone who prefers medium light?

What 2 peice rod do you guys prefer around 100 dollars

Fenwick makes some 2-piece rods.  I have several Fenwick rods and have always felt they were a good value. My first choice would be the HMG 6'9" ML-F.  This rod is rated 1/8-5/8 oz.  I've never handled this rod, but the weight range is within the rating of many Medium power rods.  There is also a 6'6" MF rated 1/4-3/4 oz. I use mostly baitcast rods, and this rating is a solid MH rating for many baitcast rods and not what I would use for any finesse presentations.  Finesse being the same as "light" to me.  However, others consider heavier lures to also be finesse as it is consider by some to be a technique rather than a weight.  Two fields of view.  Neither wrong.

If $99 is too much, Fenwick offers 4 rods in the $60 Eagle series with ratings from 1/8- 5/8 or 1/8-3/4 oz.

Two-piece rods are not all that popular around here.  There was a thread on travel rods not long ago.  The Daiwa Ardito got mentioned as a very nice 3-piece rod.  The lightest I could find was the 7'MF rated 1/4-3/4 oz.  I would think it is a bit more than you are looking for....both in power and cost.

I am considering updating 3 of my finesse spinning rods to Don Iovino Major Craft 6'9" medium spinning rod, $119 @ TW.

Tom

I would get a ML based upon what you have noted. You also may want to consider the drop shot weights you plan using. I use a lot of 1/4 and 3/16 so ML is really all I need.

You could consider a Abu Garcia Vendetta MODEL # VDTS662-5. It specs for baits weighing 1/8 to 1/2.   It is a 2 piece 6'6 medium rod selling for around $79.95 but maybe available a little cheaper online with a little searching. I would match it up with a Pflueger President in a 6930 size.  They also have a 6'9"medium light rod in two pieces. it is a model  # VDTS692-4.It also cost the same about $80. Gander Mountain carries them as well as Cabellas. Cabellas also carries a 6'6 ml in their Eagle 50 series.

 

 

My medium heavy is a fenwick eagle and I definitely like it for the price. 99 isn't to much I was actually willing to go a little over that for a good rod

Let's be honest and dispell the debate between medium and medium light.

There isn't any standard to base the debate on! One mfr's medium is exactly the same as another's medium light. Base your decisions on how the rod performs using the presentation your desire. Extra fast action is good for drop shot.

Tom

So I should go with x fast or fast tip and base my decision on lure weight rating instead of rod power?

 

My medium heavy is rated at 1/4-1 Oz. 

21 minutes ago, Brent325 said:

So I should go with x fast or fast tip and base my decision on lure weight rating instead of rod power?

 

My medium heavy is rated at 1/4-1 Oz. 

Yup.

I have never really fished finnesse before so what lure weight rating do you guys prefer?

Every Company is different with power because there is no industry standard so it depends on what rod you get. I'd get a ML with a fast action because you want to drop shot as well as other finesse techniques and that is the key to it. Drop shot rods normally have a really soft tip, it allows the fish to take your bait without feeling the resistance of the rod and that way you can see the strike with the rod tip and then set the hook, it also allows you to work the bait without moving the weight much like a stiffer rod will. Since I use a drop shot but not a lot I got a rod that works for it while still letting me use other techniques and that is a 7'ML-F, it seems a lot of medium light rods with an extra fast taper are too stiff in the tip section to fish a drop shot effectively but the fast actions are a little softer. I found a St. Croix Avid X in a 7'ML-F that I got for hair jigs, works really well for drop shots in addition to other finesse techniques that I use lighter weights, and by lighter I don't exceed 1/4oz with the rod even though it can handle more.

What line do you prefer for finnesse and drop shot straight fc or braid with fc leader for sensitivty

Thanks I think I will go with the powell inferno in medium light with a fast tip.

Not enough info.

What line weights are you going to use? Lure weights and hook sizes?

What kind of cover will you be fishing around? Open water? Vegetation? Wood?

In general, for largemouth, and smallmouth in lakes and larger rivers, I'd be opting for M for my light rod. For smallmouth in "creeks" (little cover) I'd be opting for ML, L, or... I have often used UL.

Mainly smallmouth in creeks or largemouth in mainly open water. 6-12 lb line none of the lures will  be heavier than 3/8 of oz.