I would use a light-medium-heavy Kistler Helium for what you describe. It has a lighter tip that would give you added casting distance and sensitivity with medium heavy backbone.

I have both spinning & casting models. They’re very universal for me.

 

On 11/21/2025 at 12:53 PM, WRB-2.0 said:

Prefer spinning or casting?
Tom

I’m good with either. Would logic suggest a spinning setup provides further distance, but a baitcasting setup more power? Even for this relatively lightweight application?
 

6 hours ago, Kayak Koz said:

My opinion is that you're better off pitching and flipping to targets in the lily pads rather than casting into them.

There are times where I will drop the lure into the holes in the pads. I will add a 1/16-1/8oz pegged weight for those instances but that does make it harder to then retrieve over the top. Up to me to figure out what they prefer on any given day. 

Rods cast lures reels hold line. The new generation BFS reels on a MF rod should be able to cast 1/8-3/32 oz total weight lure well over 75’.

ML casting rod will increase casting distance but getting average size bass out of pads would difficult.

Tom