Why would one choose a heavy vs M/H rod? What applications benefit from a heavy action? What techniques are impeded?

Heavy baits such as the glide baits, or in heavy cover for flipping, frogging, etc.

Power is rated by Medium Heavy or Heavy the strength of the rod.  
Action is rated how flexible the rod bends from tip down.

Each rod maker rates the power and action differently!

For example swim bait rods power is listed in ounces whereas standard bass rods power shown in fractions of an ounce. 
Confusing…..yes!

Tom

My heavies are used when casting close to or into heavy vegetation. 4 lb bass+ 6 lbs weeds= heavy rod. Dragging a 10 lb lump cause the fish can't fight

I use my H rods for A rigs and heavy C rigs.  MH for lots of stuff.

My heavy rods are used for frogging, swimbaits/glides, and t-rigs or jigs fished in heavy vegetation. 

I own ( 1 ) heavy action rod and use it for frogs in junk and Magnum flukes.

Heavy or medium are power designations.  Fast or moderate are actions. 
 

A heavy power would be appropriate for heavier cover.  

20 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Heavy or medium are power designations.  Fast or moderate are actions. 
 

A heavy power would be appropriate for heavier cover.  

That makes sense. I guess I do tend to get that confused.

These will be very helpful, and should answer your questions:

 

 

 

Thanks Glenn. The first video was great, explained some things I was confused about. I'll watch the second video shortly.

Heavier rods = thicker hooks, heavier baits, heavier cover, heavier line, or any combination thereof

On 6/27/2025 at 7:30 PM, little giant said:

My heavies are used when casting close to or into heavy vegetation. 4 lb bass+ 6 lbs weeds= heavy rod. Dragging a 10 lb lump cause the fish can't fight

 

Speaking purely as a Florida largemouth bass fisherman, I do not enjoy using any heavy rods. I have gotten rid of just about every one of them except for my flipping sticks.

 

To me fishing is about the enjoyment of it. Not fishing for money. Just fishing for the pure enjoyment of doing it. And this pushes me towards tackle that is more balanced with the fish, not the environment.

 

I love slowly going around a lake or river along the lily pads and casting all the way to shore and retrieve back through the cover letting it drop into holes or skimming the surface, etc.

 

The environment may say heavy is better to get the fish into the boat, but is it the most fun way? Not to me. The heavy rods take the fun out of fishing for me. So today all of my rods for cover- except flipping sticks- are all MH. Spinning and baitcasting rods. All MH.

 

I find that my fishing ease, amount of work involved, and fun or enjoyment level are greatly increased by finding a better balance between the extreme ends of the rod spectrum.

 

I don't care if I get hung up, or have to go into the cover to get a fish out of there. That is all part of the fun of it. Using too heavy a rod giving me the ability to yank a fish, tree stump, and old anchor off the bottom just don't add up to a lot of fun. Giving the fish a chance with lighter tackle really makes it worthwhile for me.

 

In saltwater, I might find a different opinion just because the fish are so much bigger.

On 6/27/2025 at 11:25 PM, Bazoo said:

That makes sense. I guess I do tend to get that confused.

It happens all the time and not just to newbies.  I often see experienced fishermen referring to 'power' when they should be saying 'action'.

 

Like the above poster, I always used a MH rod (rated to 1 oz.) for fishing in the pads when visiting Florida.  It wasn't until I shipped a HF rod for frogs that I had a Heavy power rod in Florida.  Got stolen, but I've purchased another HF rated to 2 oz. since then.  It's the Amstad and won't be regulated to one technique.  Have retired to Florida.  Plan on using a HF for slop, but it is only rated to 1-1/4 oz.  I have a couple MH power rods rated heavier than that.  

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I have a BPS Crankin' Stick in heavy fast. I use it for various things, carolina rigs, crankbaits, river fishing. I haven't tried a MH rod yet.

@FloridaFishinFool

I wholeheartedly agree with what you're saying!

It's why I got into the BFS!

That is pure fun and  is challenging! My best, so far, is 8 lb on ML rod, luckily not a lot of cover.

I use heavy rods for heavier baits or lures with big hooks that need power for a hookset. But I also use heavy rods when throwing into heavy vegetation as well to throw things like TRigs and jigs I normally use on a medium heavy in clear water.

4 hours ago, Bazoo said:

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I have a BPS Crankin' Stick in heavy fast. I use it for various things, carolina rigs, crankbaits, river fishing. I haven't tried a MH rod yet.

I picked up a used ML for cheap.  It is one of the rods I learned to cast #5 Shad Raps on.  Handle may be a bit larger diameter than some would like, but it has been a good stick otherwise.  Diameter doesn't bother me but there is enough difference that even I noticed it.  Definitely can't complain about it given the price I paid.  

It’d be nice we could disregard subjective labels like H, MH etc altogether but it’s what we’re given to work with. However, we can take them with a grain of salt and apply our own experience when comparing and choosing rods. Look at the lure weight range first to be sure the rod will load and cast the desired baits. Second, consider fish size, cover and technique and look for backbone that’s appropriate. 

Thanks everyone for helping me figure it out.