Okay going to get an avid.

Now I'm a huge PLASTICS man. Who also likes to fish bass jigs. On a spinning reel and rod.

I have been doing my research on here and I want to make sure I get this right since spending the money on one from Reeds.

I want the 6'6" or 7' style.

But I'm going to want the MH power with fast action correct?

I saw something about the tip needing to be firm. Does that have to do with the MH compared to the M?

The line weight says 8 minimum but I want to use the Yo-zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6.

Will this be okay? As soon as RW responds lol I will place my order. Thanks. ;D

http://www.reedssports.com/Product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=4177

Looking at this one. Thoughts? Remember I like to wacky rig stick baits, use 7" power worms from Berkley, and some rapalas. 1/2 ounce bass jigs, some tubes, and t-riggin some worms. Thanks for the help!

I think the rod has a firm tip.

You will be fine with the line, YZ Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 is 11.9 lb test.

I think the rod has a firm tip.

You will be fine with the line, YZ Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 is 11.9 lb test.

Thanks RW. Sorry to sound like an annoying child. I'm on a limited budget and I just want to make sure that I'm fishing my plastics the best way possible. Ya know?

Love my plastics more than anything.  ;D

MH fast action is fine for soft plastics.

I question the six pound test line.    Personally I would use at least 8# is not 10

How clear is your water?  If not not ultra clear, you won't loose anyting with 8# and may just land a few more.

I use an extra fast action, MH power, BSR 803 GLX Loomis rod, with braided line, for plastics in the junk.

I could have maybe gotten away with Med power becouse we don't have many, if any, 12+lb fish here, but I'm happy with the MH.

I wouldn't have anything less than the extra fast tip, though. Keep in mind, the tip dictates the power and speed of the hookset. It also allows for better casting control. Tip action dictates the type of hookset you need for that application.

Going to a heavier power rod not only allows you to muscle in a fish easier, but it allows for better control when trying to lead the fish to you, as it's trying to get away in the junk. Power dictates how much control you need/want when fighting a fish. Use the lowest power rod needed for any given application.

If it was me, I would be looking at the AS68MXF. But that's just my opinion. It's up to you and what you expect/want out of the rod.

MH fast action is fine for soft plastics.

I question the six pound test line. Personally I would use at least 8# is not 10

How clear is your water? If not not ultra clear, you won't loose anyting with 8# and may just land a few more.

I was going to go with the 8 but RW pointed out that the breaking point on the 6 and 8 for the Yo-zuri is very very close and the #6 has a smaller diameter. So I'm going with the #6. I like to go as thin as possible and there are no huge 12lb monsters that I have heard of coming out of WNY waters. You hit 7lb around here and you have a massive fish.

I use an extra fast action, MH power, BSR 803 GLX Loomis rod, with braided line, for plastics in the junk.

I could have maybe gotten away with Med power becouse we don't have many, if any, 12+lb fish here, but I'm happy with the MH.

I wouldn't have anything less than the extra fast tip, though. Keep in mind, the tip dictates the power and speed of the hookset. It also allows for better casting control. Tip action dictates the type of hookset you need for that application.

Going to a heavier power rod not only allows you to muscle in a fish easier, but it allows for better control when trying to lead the fish to you, as it's trying to get away in the junk. Power dictates how much control you need/want when fighting a fish. Use the lowest power rod needed for any given application.

If it was me, I would be looking at the AS68MXF. But that's just my opinion. It's up to you and what you expect/want out of the rod.

Okay so MH has nothing to do with a firm tip then? A firm tip would be XF?

Man so much stuff to juggle around in my head. I keep going back and forth in what I want.

But the rod that you have pointed out is one that I was looking at last night in the catalog.

So an extra fast tip means that you can set the hook easier and faster correct?

Talk about information overload. I remember the days of fishing when I was 16 and not getting all technical. I still pulled in big fish and didn't have a care in the world. Sometimes I wish I could get back to that thinking. ;D

Yet another thing to consider with the tip is what size jigs/weights do you typically throw with your plastics.  The XF action tip will allow you to throw lighter jigs more accurately and the F action will do the complete opposite.  You can look at the "recomended" lure weights of the avids @ www.stcroixrods.com  What ever you decide I def think the MH power is the way to go with this application.  

Jason

Man, I know this can be confusing, but that makes discovery fun, too!  The Action of a rod is seperate from the firmness of the tip, it just varies from one model to another. However, the AS68MXF will meet your needs. I agree that this rod would be a fine choice for fishing soft plastics.

Man, I know this can be confusing, but that makes discovery fun, too! The Action of a rod is seperate from the firmness of the tip, it just varies from one model to another. However, the AS68MXF will meet your needs. I agree that this rod would be a fine choice for fishing soft plastics.

Finally some agreement from members on here lol.

Going with this model and its final! ha ha ha ha  ;D

Yet another thing to consider with the tip is what size jigs/weights do you typically throw with your plastics. The XF action tip will allow you to throw lighter jigs more accurately and the F action will do the complete opposite. You can look at the "recomended" lure weights of the avids @ www.stcroixrods.com What ever you decide I def think the MH power is the way to go with this application.

Jason

I was thinking of going MH but its not necessary in the waters that I fish. Most of my fish are caught on the brim of the junk and even when I get in the slop I have been doing just fine pulling them out this year with my medium action cheapy Bass pro rod that is 6 years old. I may get a MH in the future but for an all around rod with the conditions that I fish I think a medium action is still the way to go for me.

Thanks for your input though!

To answer your question I don't throw anything heavier than a 1/2" when it comes to plastics, jigs, or spinnerbaits. Most of the time I fish my plastics weightless. Haven't really got into the carolina riggin yet. Mostly wacky, weightless T-rigs, and some small tubes and 1/4 ounce bass jigs.

I use an extra fast action, MH power, BSR 803 GLX Loomis rod, with braided line, for plastics in the junk.

I could have maybe gotten away with Med power becouse we don't have many, if any, 12+lb fish here, but I'm happy with the MH.

I wouldn't have anything less than the extra fast tip, though. Keep in mind, the tip dictates the power and speed of the hookset. It also allows for better casting control. Tip action dictates the type of hookset you need for that application.

Going to a heavier power rod not only allows you to muscle in a fish easier, but it allows for better control when trying to lead the fish to you, as it's trying to get away in the junk. Power dictates how much control you need/want when fighting a fish. Use the lowest power rod needed for any given application.

If it was me, I would be looking at the AS68MXF. But that's just my opinion. It's up to you and what you expect/want out of the rod.

1) Okay so MH has nothing to do with a firm tip then? A firm tip would be XF?

Man so much stuff to juggle around in my head. I keep going back and forth in what I want.

But the rod that you have pointed out is one that I was looking at last night in the catalog.

2) So an extra fast tip means that you can set the hook easier and faster correct?

Talk about information overload. I remember the days of fishing when I was 16 and not getting all technical. I still pulled in big fish and didn't have a care in the world. Sometimes I wish I could get back to that thinking. ;D

1) Correct. The two terms used to describe the rod between the reel seat and the tip are "action" and "power".

Action is the first part of the rod, from the tip back. This is where casting, hookset, and jigging/lure "actions" are controlled. The faster the action, the faster the tip end of the rod transfers "power" to the "power" portion of the rod.

 There are 4 basic actions. Moderate, Moderate-fast, Fast, and Extra-fast. An Ugly stick has a Moderate action. A typical fiberglass rod has a Moderate-fast action. Most off the shelf production rods will either be Moderate fast, or Fast. It depends on what market they are targeting the rod for. This is where the "power/action" confusion comes from. A lot of low cost rods will have an action that matches the power. Say a $30 UL rod will have a Moderate-fast action, but the same line in a medium "power", might have a fast action.

 "Power" is more of a constant. Power refers to the "backbone" of the rod. The portion from where the tip transfers to the mid section of the rod, back to infront of the reel seat/handle. This is usually the same between a $30 rod, and a $300 rod. The "power" section is where the fish fighting takes place.

2) Extra fast action means the tip will transfer the leverage you put on the rod to the back bone faster than say a fast action. In simple terms, it's stiffer. The more work you want the tip of your rod to do in regards to lure action, including casting, topwater/underwater movement, and hookset, the faster the action of the tip needs to be.

I use an extra fast action, MH power, BSR 803 GLX Loomis rod, with braided line, for plastics in the junk.

I could have maybe gotten away with Med power becouse we don't have many, if any, 12+lb fish here, but I'm happy with the MH.

I wouldn't have anything less than the extra fast tip, though. Keep in mind, the tip dictates the power and speed of the hookset. It also allows for better casting control. Tip action dictates the type of hookset you need for that application.

Going to a heavier power rod not only allows you to muscle in a fish easier, but it allows for better control when trying to lead the fish to you, as it's trying to get away in the junk. Power dictates how much control you need/want when fighting a fish. Use the lowest power rod needed for any given application.

If it was me, I would be looking at the AS68MXF. But that's just my opinion. It's up to you and what you expect/want out of the rod.

1) Okay so MH has nothing to do with a firm tip then? A firm tip would be XF?

Man so much stuff to juggle around in my head. I keep going back and forth in what I want.

But the rod that you have pointed out is one that I was looking at last night in the catalog.

2) So an extra fast tip means that you can set the hook easier and faster correct?

Talk about information overload. I remember the days of fishing when I was 16 and not getting all technical. I still pulled in big fish and didn't have a care in the world. Sometimes I wish I could get back to that thinking. ;D

1) Correct. The two terms used to describe the rod between the reel seat and the tip are "action" and "power".

Action is the first part of the rod, from the tip back. This is where casting, hookset, and jigging/lure "actions" are controlled. The faster the action, the faster the tip end of the rod transfers "power" to the "power" portion of the rod.

There are 4 basic actions. Moderate, Moderate-fast, Fast, and Extra-fast. An Ugly stick has a Moderate action. A typical fiberglass rod has a Moderate-fast action. Most off the shelf production rods will either be Moderate fast, or Fast. It depends on what market they are targeting the rod for. This is where the "power/action" confusion comes from. A lot of low cost rods will have an action that matches the power. Say a $30 UL rod will have a Moderate-fast action, but the same line in a medium "power", might have a fast action.

"Power" is more of a constant. Power refers to the "backbone" of the rod. The portion from where the tip transfers to the mid section of the rod, back to infront of the reel seat/handle. This is usually the same between a $30 rod, and a $300 rod. The "power" section is where the fish fighting takes place.

2) Extra fast action means the tip will transfer the leverage you put on the rod to the back bone faster than say a fast action. In simple terms, it's stiffer. The more work you want the tip of your rod to do in regards to lure action, including casting, topwater/underwater movement, and hookset, the faster the action of the tip needs to be.

Thank you so much. No offense to anyone else....especially RW (has helped me a lot), but this explanation really helped me to understand it more. I will be purchasing the Avid that you recommended in the 6'8" Medium power Extra Fast model. Thanks again for helping my brain process all of this. I have been fishing for years but this is the first year where I'm really trying to get the right equipment for the right job. If I'm going to put all this money into my plastics, hooks and a new reel (Pflueger President). Than I want to make sure I have a rod that will suit me fine.  

Here is a thread you might find interesting:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

I read that thread and others.

For some reason I just couldn't understand it all as far as soft and firm tips went until the gentlemen above me explained it.

That is a great thread though RW!!!

There are a few misconceptions here...

an extra fast rod actually has a "lighter" tip than a fast or mod. The term fast means that it make a quicker transition (taper) from tip to mid and back (backbone).

Most of you are familiar with IMX and GLX rods... the MBR series is legendary. They are "fast" by Loomis standards (which are more like extra fast to other mfr's.) and thus have a light, delicate tip. Take the same rated St. Croix and you'll find a firmer (actually slower taper) tip.

If you have any doubts, take 2 rods of any brand (as long as they are the same brand- for continuity of definition of speed) and hang a weight (a couple ounces) a few inches from the tip. You will quickly see what I'm talking about. The rod with the tighter curve is the faster taper/tip and will also "feel" like the lighter tip... even if it has more power overall.

Where it gets confusing is that people (I think) confuse the tip with the mid sections. Where RW refers to firm tip for soft plastics, I believe what he means, and I agree, is a firm mid section... which is where the hooksetting power is most often realized.

When I get some free time, I'll lay a few rods out with different tapers, hang weights and snap pics so this all makes sense to anyone still confused.

The bottom line in all of this is just find a rod that feels good to you and go fish!!