Hi all,

 

I really need to add a bottom contact rig to the mix and the only rod I have open is a casting Helium 4 MH Fast with a 20 Tat SV TW open. The rod is rated 1/4 to 1 ounce. I do a lot of northern Missouri and Iowa lake fishing so I’m pretty limited to largemouth bass. What would you rig up?

I'd spool up some 17lb fluoro and toss 1/2 jigs with it. 

These days the ratings on most rods is directly related to what sells the best and have no connection to reality. Try dropping a 1/4 oz jig on the bottom and see if the tip bends at all before the jig comes off bottom. I'll bet you'll need a half ounce to get the tip to load, maybe more on a high modulus rod like the helium. Back in the day nearly all MH rods were rated 3/8 to 1 oz, and 3/8 of an ounce wasnt enough to load the tip. Ive been building custom rods for about 40 years and have seen some of the most reputable companies use the exact same blank to build rods they rated at 14 lb and others rated at 20 lbs. This isnt my best guess, this is what the manufacturers told me.

   Your best bet is to ignore the numbers and experiment with different weights to find the sweet spot that works best for you. Remember, the performance that works best for you may not be what I would consider ideal, or anyone else for that matter.

Bought a MHF rated 3/16-3/8 oz.  Emailed company as that was more in line with a ML in my eyes.  Owner said the rod would cast on both sides of those weights and was a true MH.  Had no problem casting a .58 oz. spinnerbait in my local river.  (So pulling against a slight current.)  Same for lures.  Weighed a 1/2 oz. Strike King spinnerbait.  My scale said .82 oz.

 

The only truthful person around here is me and you.  Sometimes I doubt you.