To round out my rod/reels I want to get a spinning rod to match my Sahara.

I can't decide what length and power I want.

This setup will be used for senkos and weightless plastics.

I really like the feeling of fighting a big bass on a 6'6" MF spinning rod (you kinda feel like the fish has the advantage instead of going up against a flippin stick) but I also can never get a solid hookset on long casts with copoly.

So should I get a 6'6" M or MH? I was also wondering if braid would be a better option for Senko fishing.

Thanks!

Weigthless ? how light ?, senkos ? how light ?

Any rod can cast a 5 inch senko, weighting around 3/8 of an ounce the bait is anything but light; a 4" senko weights little less, any rod can cast a 4 inch senko, now a 3" senko that 's when things start to get interesting, that 's the point where you need a rod that loads with the lighter weight.

Weightless ( the correct term should be unweighted  or no sinker ) would also have a lot to do with how heavy the bait is, a "weightless" Sweet Beaver or a Brush Hog for example are still pretty beefy baits, while a "weightless" trickworm is pretty light and won 't cast well on a MH rod because it doesn 't have enough weight to load the rod properly.

I don 't understand why you can 't get a solid hookset with a MF rod, I get solid hooksets with a UL rod so that makes me think that your lack of good hooksets has more to do with:

1.- Your hooksetting technique

2.- The way you rig your baits

3.- The sharpness of your hooks

4.- The thickness of your hooks

Alone or in combination or all together. You use a very different approach to hook setting when you fish with a low power rod and light line than when you fish with a more powerful rod and heavier line.

You will be able to cast farther and take up more line on a hookset buy stepping up to a 7' rod. When selecting a power for the rod, make sure to understand that a MH from one company could be the same as a M in another company. Many of the low end rods will be overrated for what they are truly capable of. If I had to choose a rod for throwing senkos it would be a 7'M Falcon Bucoo.

Weigthless ? how light ?, senkos ? how light ?

Any rod can cast a 5 inch senko, weighting around 3/8 of an ounce the bait is anything but light; a 4" senko weights little less, any rod can cast a 4 inch senko, now a 3" senko that 's when things start to get interesting, that 's the point where you need a rod that loads with the lighter weight.

Weightless ( the correct term should be unweighted or no sinker ) would also have a lot to do with how heavy the bait is, a "weightless" Sweet Beaver or a Brush Hog for example are still pretty beefy baits, while a "weightless" trickworm is pretty light and won 't cast well on a MH rod because it doesn 't have enough weight to load the rod properly.

I don 't understand why you can 't get a solid hookset with a MF rod, I get solid hooksets with a UL rod so that makes me think that your lack of good hooksets has more to do with:

1.- Your hooksetting technique

2.- The way you rig your baits

3.- The sharpness of your hooks

4.- The thickness of your hooks

Alone or in combination or all together. You use a very different approach to hook setting when you fish with a low power rod and light line than when you fish with a more powerful rod and heavier line.

Sorry, I should have been more specific.

Maybe I should just get two spinning setups: One for "unweighted" trickworms and other lightweight plastics, and a 6'6" MH with braid for senkos.

What you said made me realize that they really are two different classes of baits.

Thanks for the insight!

G, Matt is correct with his rod statement.  I have 2 name brand spinning rods both of which are MF 6.5' and they aren't even close to being the same.  So the brand can make a big difference.

Now the big question, how much you want/will/have to spend ?

Now the big question, how much you want/will/have to spend ?

No more that $80.

I was thinking about a Clarus 6'6" MHF with 15 lb PowerPro, for senkos. What do you think?

All Star Platinum 6'6" MF was $68 at TW this morning

Maybe I should just get two spinning setups: One for "unweighted" trickworms and other lightweight plastics, and a 6'6" MH with braid for senkos.

What you said made me realize that they really are two different classes of baits.

Thanks for the insight!

As stated, different manufacturers have different "ratings". That said, if you find the right setup you'll be able to handle both techniques admirably with a single rod. I also agree with Matt's recommendation to bump up to a longer rod in this case.  I use a 7' MH Daiwa L&T rod for all lightweight plastics and have never had a problem with it performing for either technique you mention or either line type (mono, hybrid or braid).

-T9

To round out my rod/reels I want to get a spinning rod to match my Sahara.

I can't decide what length and power I want.

This setup will be used for senkos and weightless plastics.

I really like the feeling of fighting a big bass on a 6'6" MF spinning rod (you kinda feel like the fish has the advantage instead of going up against a flippin stick) but I also can never get a solid hookset on long casts with copoly.

So should I get a 6'6" M or MH? I was also wondering if braid would be a better option for Senko fishing.

Thanks!

M is too light, except for ~finesse situations. I use M rigs with 6-10lb with smaller plastics: jigworms, and 4" stickworms.

But for most LM applications, where there is cover I would strongly recommend a MH: 8 to 14lb / 8 to 17lb; 6-6 to 7ft.

You want sensitivity (as light and crisp as you can afford), a somewhat light tip to pitch weightless plastics (although stickworms are anything but light) and power too for hooksets and steering fish around cover.

Good quality MH rods are light enough to certainly enjoy the fight.

I have two MHs I use now: A 6-6MH Fenwick Techna AV, and a 7M Kistler LTA -both are rated for 8-14 and weigh either side of 4oz.

Its all relative the the rod's taper as well.  My Kistler 6-9 ML/X-Fast has landed several bass over 5, and one over 6 in moderate weed cover without any major fuss.  Some manu's "MH" is like others' H.  St. Croix comes to mind there.  The line ratings can give you a better clue to their relative power.

I use a MF BPS Extreme that has all the power I need for those applications. They tend to the high side on power ratings. I would recommend comparing your finalists in hand if possible, before making a choice. Good luck.

G if possible get the rods in your hand and decide.  I had a 7' MH for one of my plastic applications.  It was like a pool cue.  I finally found a guy in San Fransisco who had the next down 6.5" M and we did a trade.  I love the one I now have.

Thanks guys! I'll have to hold some different rods. I definitely want to check out the Clarus.

Now the big question, how much you want/will/have to spend ?

No more that $80.

I was thinking about a Clarus 6'6" MHF with 15 lb PowerPro, for senkos. What do you think?

I have that rod, the blank is very powerful but not with 15 lb test Powerpro is as thin as a hair and won 't stand sharp objects ( like rocks ), I wouldn 't spool such thin line, 30 lbs is what I would use.

Now the big question, how much you want/will/have to spend ?

No more that $80.

I was thinking about a Clarus 6'6" MHF with 15 lb PowerPro, for senkos. What do you think?

I have that rod, the blank is very powerful but not with 15 lb test Powerpro is as thin as a hair and won 't stand sharp objects ( like rocks ), I wouldn 't spool such thin line, 30 lbs is what I would use.

Okay, so will the guides take the PowerPro? If I don't like the braid, I want to be able to use other lines without the grooves.

Now the big question, how much you want/will/have to spend ?

No more that $80.

I was thinking about a Clarus 6'6" MHF with 15 lb PowerPro, for senkos. What do you think?

I have that rod, the blank is very powerful but not with 15 lb test Powerpro is as thin as a hair and won 't stand sharp objects ( like rocks ), I wouldn 't spool such thin line, 30 lbs is what I would use.

Okay, so will the guides take the PowerPro? If I don't like the braid, I want to be able to use other lines without the grooves.

yes.