Hi All - 

 

New to the forums here, so thanks in advance and apologies if this topic is posted elsewhere.  I know a little bit about a little bit when it comes to bass fishing and feel I'm a an ok angler.

 

I was just previously gifted a St Croix Eyecon 7'6'' MLXF 2 piece rod by my uncle who has since unexpectedly passed away.  He set it up with pflueger XT Summit size 25 reel with 8# seaguar FC.  Looking it up on St Croix, it says its a Slip-N-Rig rod.  Yep, I get that.  When I look at the comparable bass model in the mojo line it says, hair jig.  I don't fish many hair jigs for bass (yes, I'm sure I'm missing out), but another time.  

 

I have 6 other spinning combos all between 6' and 7'2" MF / MXF (worms, lighter jigs, jerks, plastics, drop shot).  I have the 6'8'' MF eyecon that I use primarily for drop shotting.   I have never really used a rod this long or this power for bass fishing.  I fish for bass way more than I do for walleye, because of where I live so I really don't want to just keep this rod on the shelf for when I do get away Walleye fishing.  Selling/trading the rod isn't an option at all and would prefer to not swap the reel. 

 

I have tried several techniques this summer from other various posts I have read; wacky rigging, drop shotting, small poppers, various plastics and I can't seem to find anything that really suits this rod well.  Drop shotting / weightless plastics seemed the best fit, but, just didn't feel right.  I saw a different post where people were using 7'6" MF casting rod for smaller cranks and light spinnerbaits.  I'm sure part of the problem is I'm just not used to the rod, but, I thought that by now I would have found something that felt more comfortable.

 

Just looking for ideas / opinions.

 

Thanks in advance!!

I don't have that rod, but one with similar characteristics.  It doesn't come out much, TBH.  Best use for me is small inline spinners and spoons for other species.  I hoped it would be good for small jerkbaits (90 and under), but I didn't really like it for those -- however, yours might be better at that application. 

Float n Fly rod meaning a bobber with a hair jig (fly).

Bill Siemantel has a vedio on this presentation using Spro hair jigs.

Tom

 

I mostly use a 7'6" MLXF for Ned Rigs or with a 1/8oz jig and a 2.8 inch Keitech. Also use it for small 1/8oz beetle spin style spinnerbaits with a curly tail grub. I have caught many bass and crappie with all three of those options.

 

Caught a couple nice bass this spring with a spybait as well.

I used my 76mlxf for dropshot.

10 hours ago, browne762 said:

I mostly use a 7'6" MLXF for Ned Rigs or with a 1/8oz jig and a 2.8 inch Keitech. Also use it for small 1/8oz beetle spin style spinnerbaits with a curly tail grub. I have caught many bass and crappie with all three of those options.

 

Caught a couple nice bass this spring with a spybait as well.

x2

 

great rod for long casts with ned or 1/8oz jigs with grub/small swimbait.  small spinners too

Ned rig it, that is what I would do...

Sounds like it would be a good crappie rod

The rod is made for walleye fishing slip rigs, not the most sensitive feedback blank St Croix offers. The longer any rod is the more it absorbs line vibrations, this rod isn't made for bottom contact feedback. Can you use for it for Ned jigs? sure you can use a fly rod but that doesn't mean it's a good choice.

Tom

5 hours ago, WRB said:

The longer any rod is the more it absorbs line vibrations, this rod isn't made for bottom contact feedback. 

Tom

Important point that is not often made in rod length discussions.

 

oe

8 hours ago, WRB said:

The rod is made for walleye fishing slip rigs, not the most sensitive feedback blank St Croix offers. The longer any rod is the more it absorbs line vibrations, this rod isn't made for bottom contact feedback. Can you use for it for Ned jigs? sure you can use a fly rod but that doesn't mean it's a good choice.

Tom

 

2 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Important point that is not often made in rod length discussions.

 

oe

The most highly touted rod for sensitivity out right now is 7'5" long, NRX895, go figure.

 

Purest say the ned rig is a no feel presentation  sensitivity of the rod isnt of high importance.

Thanks everyone.  Ned rigs it is.  I use them alot and have been previously using a 7'0" MF Daiwa Revros combo for ned rigs.  Looks like I will be changing.

 

I appreciate all the feedback and thank you WRB for the knowledge regarding the longer the rod, the more line vibrations it absorbs.  Never knew that.

 

Thanks guys!

11 hours ago, WRB said:

The rod is made for walleye fishing slip rigs, not the most sensitive feedback blank St Croix offers. The longer any rod is the more it absorbs line vibrations, this rod isn't made for bottom contact feedback. Can you use for it for Ned jigs? sure you can use a fly rod but that doesn't mean it's a good choice.

Tom

SCII is plenty sensitive.  True Ned rigging isn't a bottom contact presentation.  Most of my fish come on a no feel retrieve or dead sticking and watching my hi vis line for movement.

1 hour ago, Craig Palmer said:

Thanks everyone.  Ned rigs it is.  I use them alot and have been previously using a 7'0" MF Daiwa Revros combo for ned rigs.  Looks like I will be changing.

 

I appreciate all the feedback and thank you WRB for the knowledge regarding the longer the rod, the more line vibrations it absorbs.  Never knew that.

 

Thanks guys!

You'll keep fish pinned better on the medium light than the medium