What are the applications for a medium light or medium 6" baitcast rods? I have both.The ML I bought years ago to use on a float tube down a narrow river for Smallies. I wanted something short to keep the poles out of the trees. The Medium I picked up for jigging Stripers in the Chesapeake but I'm curious if it has any application for bass fishing. I'm selling my bass boat to strictly bass fish from a Hobie Kayak and I'm trying to choose a three rod setup.

I have some 6' medium BPS crankin stick rods that I use for crank baits and suspending jerk baits. I have also used them for spinner baits. The medium light should be good for small crankbaits.

I was with you, @bayvalle, until the last sentence...:)  I haven't been able to get down below five rods in the yak.

 

As to your question, I am only answering to tell you that there's on way I can answer.  There are soooo many variables possible in those rods.  Since you own both, you are in a MUCH better position than I am to answer your question.  Fish them both with a variety of the lures you use (that fall generally within the rod lure ratings) and see which, if either, works for you.  I don't have an 6' ML baitcast rod, but if I did, I'd probably try using it for target casting small cranks....or small jerkbaits...and see if it casts well for me...and flexes well with a fish on....and has sensitivity I want....

Small topwater and jerkbaits, inline spinners, lighter bent arm spinnerbaits.  They'd probably be nice for Slider heads as well.

26 minutes ago, bayvalle said:

What are the applications for a medium light or medium 6" baitcast rods? I have both.The ML I bought years ago to use on a float tube down a narrow river for Smallies. I wanted something short to keep the poles out of the trees. The Medium I picked up for jigging Stripers in the Chesapeake but I'm curious if it has any application for bass fishing. I'm selling my bass boat to strictly bass fish from a Hobie Kayak and I'm trying to choose a three rod setup.

I also fish from a kayak, and with rod holders on a milk crate, you can carry a few more rods. I carry 3 to 4 rods when fun fishing and up to 7 when tourneying.

I have a 6' MH Lightning casting rod that is my dedicated shorter range spinnerbait rod.

   For me, the 6' is a jigging (jigs and spoons), snapping and twitching (spoons) and jerking (jerkbaits) rod. Anything that's an erratic, high torque technique is better for me with a shorter rod. That's because the shorter rod transfers less leverage to my arm compared to a 7'. It doesn't make much difference first thing in the morning, but it sure does after about 2 hours.  jj

The length of the baitcasting rod that affects performance is between the reels level wind guide and rod tip. The handle length behind the reel affects casting leverage.

Most of today's baitcasting rods have straight trigger grip handles that extend 12" or more behind the reel. Pistol grip handles are shorter and extend between 6" to 8" behind the reel. Why is this important? If you cast 1 handed a short pistol grip handle style rod extends the rod length in front of the reel. 

72" overall length rod - 12" for the handle = 60" or 5'.

72" o/a rod - 6" = 66" or 5' 6" 

I think most kayaker's use rod holders designed for straight handle rods and may not hold pistol grip handles effectively.

Tom

21 minutes ago, WRB said:

The length of the baitcasting rod that affects performance is between the reels level wind guide and rod tip. The handle length behind the reel affects casting leverage.

Most of today's baitcasting rods have straight trigger grip handles that extend 12" or more behind the reel. Pistol grip handles are shorter and extend between 6" to 8" behind the reel. Why is this important? If you cast 1 handed a short pistol grip handle style rod extends the rod length in front of the reel. 

72" overall length rod - 12" for the handle = 60" or 5'.

72" o/a rod - 6" = 66" or 5' 6" 

I think most kayaker's use rod holders designed for straight handle rods and may not hold pistol grip handles effectively.

Tom

Mine is the 5'6" sp what is the significance?

13 minutes ago, WRB said:

I think most kayaker's use rod holders designed for straight handle rods and may not hold pistol grip handles effectively.

You're right about this, but there's a couple that can accommodate a pistol grip.  There's also a few rods that feature a shorter rear grips, with kayak anglers in mind.  FOr example, Mojo Yak series.

I looked at the Mojo Yak series when I was shopping for a St Croix. They are a bit more expensive which I assume is due to the limited market for them.

2 minutes ago, bayvalle said:

Mine is the 72" o/a rod - 6" = 66" or 5' 6" . So what is the significance?

When straight handle or trigger grip handle became popular the length increased to 6'6" shorter 6' pistol grip rods to maintain the same function rod length in front of the reel.

Todays straight 7' handle handle rods have longer handles,the rod length in front of the has only increased about 4" from the older pistol grip rods, most of the rod length increase is in the handle. The significance is function rod length, the longer it is the easier it is to cast longer distance, everything else being equal. If you cast 1 handed the longer rod is more difficult to cast accurately.

I would look at what was noted with Mojo Kayak series rods.

Tom

6 minutes ago, bayvalle said:

I looked at the Mojo Yak series when I was shopping for a St Croix. They are a bit more expensive which I assume is due to the limited market for them.

It's the Winn Grips.  They add to the cost to produce. 

 

BTW @bayvalle which Hobie are you rocking?

 

Here's mine

39 minutes ago, J Francho said:

It's the Winn Grips.  They add to the cost to produce. 

 

BTW @bayvalle which Hobie are you rocking?

 

Here's mine

Great lookin Yak is that a PA? Mine is a 2018 Hobie Outback, picked it up a few weeks ago. Awesome way to fish. After over 50 years of boat fishing it has changed my perspective and energize my excitement for lake fishing.

8 hours ago, bayvalle said:

What are the applications for a medium light or medium 6" baitcast rods? I have both.The ML I bought years ago to use on a float tube down a narrow river for Smallies. I wanted something short to keep the poles out of the trees. The Medium I picked up for jigging Stripers in the Chesapeake but I'm curious if it has any application for bass fishing. I'm selling my bass boat to strictly bass fish from a Hobie Kayak and I'm trying to choose a three rod setup.

What lakes in MD are you going to be fishing?  I fish out of a yak (but not as often as I want to) in central MD.  

 

My kayak casting line up is a pair of 6' MH rods, a 6'6' ML rod (I went crazy, it's so long!), and a 6' 2" M rod.  I generally round it out with a 6' ML spinning rod, but sometimes a 6' L casting rod comes along.  I went for short rods for east of handling, more leverage, and I feel like I high-stick a lot less with very short rods.  

 

That being said, I do at times bring longer and heavier rods along, but the bread and butter is short rods with short butts.   

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

It's the Winn Grips.  They add to the cost to produce. 

 

BTW @bayvalle which Hobie are you rocking?

 

Here's mine

One fine boat.

 

15 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

What lakes in MD are you going to be fishing?  I fish out of a yak (but not as often as I want to) in central MD.  

 

My kayak casting line up is a pair of 6' MH rods, a 6'6' ML rod (I went crazy, it's so long!), and a 6' 2" M rod.  I generally round it out with a 6' ML spinning rod, but sometimes a 6' L casting rod comes along.  I went for short rods for east of handling, more leverage, and I feel like I high-stick a lot less with very short rods.  

 

That being said, I do at times bring longer and heavier rods along, but the bread and butter is short rods with short butts.   

I use my Hobie in Ohio. In MD if I'm kayak fishing I'm using a cheap lifetime Triton to get into the backwaters for snakehead but I'm mostly on a boat in the Bay targeting Stripers.

10 minutes ago, bayvalle said:

I use my Hobie in Ohio. In MD if I'm kayak fishing I'm using a cheap lifetime Triton to get into the backwaters for snakehead but I'm mostly on a boat in the Bay targeting Stripers.

Ah, got you.  There is surprisingly little kayak or boat pressure on a lot of the smaller lakes around here and there are some real jems among them.  I have yet to get a snakehead out of my yak but I have been way too lazy about getting it back into difficult places.  

16 hours ago, bayvalle said:

Great lookin Yak is that a PA? Mine is a 2018 Hobie Outback, picked it up a few weeks ago. Awesome way to fish. After over 50 years of boat fishing it has changed my perspective and energize my excitement for lake fishing.

This is the Compass, their light, simple standup model.  That new Outback is a sweet rig.  I agree, Hobie has upped the game, and while I own a Bullet bass boat, I prefer the kayak to that lately.  Haven't had the Bullet out in over a year.

Here is mine !

9 hours ago, J Francho said:

This is the Compass, their light, simple standup model.  That new Outback is a sweet rig.  I agree, Hobie has upped the game, and while I own a Bullet bass boat, I prefer the kayak to that lately.  Haven't had the Bullet out in over a year.

The Compass is a great Buy. Someone posted on snaggedline they picked up a new 2018 compass for $1,550. It appears that since Hobie patent has run out on their Mirage Drive their pricing is being more competitive

3 hours ago, GeekFisher said:

Here is mine !

Sweet ride!