I have an Edge MB703-1 7' Med Light casting rod, rated 1/16 - 3/8 oz.  Would it be strong enough to set the hook on a 1/4 oz total weight single hook spinnerbait, or am I better off trying some other bait?  I'm just dipping my toes into BFS and want something I can catch fish on soon so I don't lose interest in it.

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

Really only one way to find out

You'll be fine.  1/16  to 3/8 oz is a nonsense rating and heavily skewed to the upper end so you will be fine.  There isn't a "1/16 oz" bait that rod is actually able to cast.  

I can’t speak with certainty on that specific rod, but I can tell you I use ML spinning rods in cover and with hooks that would make you shake your head. You should be fine if the hook is sharp. 

I set some pretty big single hooks on ML - 4/0 - bigger than finesse spinnerbait hooks.  

The safe thing is don't high-stick set, but set with the rod below 45-degrees, so you're loading more of the butt and less of the top third.  

 

You will be fine. I built a rod using the same blank and 1/4 is not an issue.