I'm looking to replace my old POS spinning rod with one (hopefully) new avid on sale.

The main fishing that I do is on small ponds with mainly weed cover. I've got a MH BC setup for weighted worms and jigs and a M BC setup for cranks. I need a weightless plastic rod and also would like it to be able to throw the small rapala's (J-7's and such) that weigh 1/8 oz. Would the AS66MLF be too soft for plastics? Would the AS69MLXF work for the small cranks?

Do the medium light rods just not have enough backbone for good plastics hooksets?

Thanks for the info!!

I'm looking to replace my old POS spinning rod with one (hopefully) new avid on sale.

The main fishing that I do is on small ponds with mainly weed cover. I've got a MH BC setup for weighted worms and jigs and a M BC setup for cranks. I need a weightless plastic rod and also would like it to be able to throw the small rapala's (J-7's and such) that weigh 1/8 oz. Would the AS66MLF be too soft for plastics? Would the AS69MLXF work for the small cranks?

Do the medium light rods just not have enough backbone for good plastics hooksets?

Thanks for the info!!

From what I have learned your not going to want the XF action for cranks. You may just end up ripping a big hole in there mouths with that firm tip on a big hookset.

MLF probably is a bit too soft for what you want it for with the plastics. I think it was Chris Tech that said it was too "whippy" for his tastes.

I have the as68mxf and it works great for my senko style baits, IKAs, flukes, etc.

Haven't tried cranks on it yet. But it's a pretty good stick for my style of fishing. Jerkbaits and spinnerbaits work good on it as well. So if your a bank beater like me this rod does a great job for that style of fishing.

The AS68MXF is a winner.  Great rod for soft plastic.

The AS68MXF is a winner. Great rod for soft plastic.

But what about the AS69MLXF?  The AS68MXF is rated down to 3/16's which is just a bit heavier than the 1/8 I want to be able to throw.

I have used all of the Avids you mention a lot.  I would agree that the As68MXF is a good rod for soft plastics as long as the cover is not too heavy.  The AS69MLXF is intended primarily as a drop shot rod, due to its very soft tip.  I have also used mine quite a bit with light crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

The AS69MLXF is intended primarily as a drop shot rod, due to its very soft tip. I have also used mine quite a bit with light crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

Thanks for the info.  Looks like I will be going with something else then.

Yeah, I think you'd find the MLF would NOT be good for plastics.  For in line spinner and maribou jigs, it'd be fine, but def not weightless plastics.

I have the AS69MLXF and I'm slowly coming the the realization that it's a bit too light for what I use it for -- splitshot rigs and shakeyheading.  Using braid with a mono leader helps quite a bit, as I had too many instances of setting the hook and losing the fish due to lack of power when it was all mono.

With that said, I think the AS69MLXF would be great for smaller crank and minnow-type baits.  Just not weightless plastics

Like someone else said, the AS68MXF would be a good place to start.