Buying a new baitcast combo and was curious on the best length, and also the best action. I think the MH is a little stiff. ANy advice is helpful thanks.

What applications do you plan to use it for ?

I would say a 6'6" to 7' MH is the best multipurpose rod. Which brand did you try that made you believe it was too stiff???

I would say a 6'6" to 7' MH is the best multipurpose rod. Which brand did you try that made you believe it was too stiff???

X2

If you dont like MH I use a M with my gear, and it has worked fine for me.  I would say that you should get one with a fast tip.  This would be a good all around rod.

That's sorta like asking "what's the best golf club to use?" - hard to answer until you know what you're trying to accomplish.

i am trying to accomplish catching the most fish i can

Like Glenn said every rod length, power, and action has a specific application that it will perform best at, and I'm sorry but we can't give you the one "Almighty Jesus rod" that will do everything and perform the best in every situation. However, a great versatile rod for a baitcaster is a 7' Medium Heavy with fast action. If you really feel a MH is too powerful than another versatile rod would be a 7' M-fast or extra-fast action. hopes this helps  8-)

do you fish open water? thick grass?

what do you throw? t-rigs? cranks?

once again...there is very little that I can not accomplish with my 7' MH fast action rod. with the little information you provided I would say that is your best bet! good luck

Here's a link from the fishing articles tab at the top of the page. I recommend you spend some time and read some of the great articles.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/rod-actions-power.html

Maybe this will help you get started:

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

8-)

Also, in open water, i.e. no casting restrictions, some guys like a 6'6" and others prefer a 7' or longer, in that sense, it's kind of a personal thang..I don't fish in a restriced area, and fish mostly from shore, so I choose a longer rod for comfort, and longer cast's..

The best do it all rod imo is a 66 mh fast action rod. I like a 66 med if i can get away with it because a med is just a little bit more sensitive.

Let me ask you a few question and see if I can narrow it down for you.

1. How tall are you?

2. Do you mainly fish reaction baits (spinnerbait, crankbait) or do you prefer soft plastics?

3. Do you prefer distance or accuracy?

Come on guys, ease up on the fella a little bit.  He is obviously new to fishing, and he is looking to get a little info on what type of gear to purchase.  Don't beat up on him too bad.

You can go with a rod between 6' to 6'9", medium to medium heavy with a fast tip.  That will get you in the ball park of what will feel pretty good to you.  The amount of fish you catch is not relevant to what gear you use, it is about the presentation you put before the fish you are trying to catch.  If you put the right presentation out there, you can use a stick with a shoe string and a paper clip for a hook and get them to bite.

...If you put the right presentation out there, you can use a stick with a shoe string and a paper clip for a hook and get them to bite.

Good point Larry, I've caught fish on every rod/reel I've purchased (including Scooby-Doo.) I think what BadBass94 is looking for is good advice to make the purchase count and not miss the show...

As we all know our rigs are great conversation starters when meeting a new club member, angler, etc.

i am trying to accomplish catching the most fish i can

I like this guy...

That is the most outstanding answer I've ever read, and I haven't been on the board since hunting season started.

As far as action ect..depends on the make of the rod, some are stiffer than others, i.e. my Shimano is rated for 1/2 to 1oz lures, yet will toss a 2oz lure easily..I think a mh f is a good all around set up..Although if you plan on fishing lighter lures, and more open water than heavy stuff a mf should do the trick.

In regards to lenght..a 6'6" rod will allow you to be more accurate with your cast's..usually..Although alot of guys, including myself that are over 6' tall prefer 7' rods. However, if I'm under a tree, or I have limited room to toss my 7 footer, then I use the 6'6" rod.

Then you get into swimbaits, flippin ect where rods are usually at least 7'6" often you see them at 8'.

In the end, get what's comfy for YOU to use. My bet is you'll wind up buying more rods and reels down the line.. ;D

When asking a broad question such as yours, it's best to give as much info. re: how and where you intend to fish, makes it lots easier to answer.

i searched and took the recomendation for a good all around rod, since i mostly bank fish or fish with my buddie on lake magdalene i needed a rod that with a lil bit of training of my end would perform well in all techniques, but since i moslty fish t-riged womrs, i was looking for a 6 '6" or 7' mh rod with a fast action tip.

i got an all star select 6 '6" mh fast rod i was hoping to find a 7 footer but ot a great deal on the 6'6" , my rod is rated for 1/4 to 3/4 oz lures an 10-20 lbs test line. i really like it its light has good back bone for pulling the few fish i have caught with it. a medium i think would have been too light and the abu garcia ambassadeur i had before was too heavy but i liked the action on it.