Freddie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:54 pm
MeatHead wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 2:28 pm
Freddie wrote: ↑Sun Jun 04, 2023 1:57 pm
How is the 6'9" medium-light with ned rigs? Is it sensitive enough for finesse bottom contact applications? I believe its rated from 1/8-5/8 oz.
I haven't used mine for Ned rigs as I bought mine for light inshore fishing, but using a 1/8oz jighead and 3inch paddletail for speckled trout the sensitivity is outstanding. Hits come through amazingly clearly. Paired with an Alphas sv tw and 16lb Sunline sniper, casting distance with those lures is excellent, and I have no doubt it could handle lighter with no problems.
I'm looking for a versatile medium to medium-light to replace my ML Abu Garcia Fantasista Premier. Specs are very similar but I'm concerned the Universal Light won't fish a 5 gram bottom contact (Cheburashka+TRD TubeZ) very well as 10 grams is more in the middle of its weight range.
However, I'm using straight FC so maybe that will help with sensitivity....
I fish 3/16oz heads (so: 5g) heads plus FattyZ worms on the UL and it does well, but those worms are longer (almost 5 inches) and heavier than those tiny TRD tubes. To fish what you describe (i.e. I have 5g Chebu heads that I use regular TRD Ned worms on) I'd stay with a ML rod. Especially because Elaztech is so buoyant that it makes the bait feel even lighter.
The 7'6" MML is a great Steez AGS rod for heavier/deep-water Neds; for 5g + trailer I'd use this rod over the Universal Light if I was given the choice. But of course it's way longer than the UL (and a spinning rod). The 761MML is super versatile, though, it can do tons of stuff (and you'll find a lot of info if you search this forum).
These Steez AGS rods are super sensitive in general, up there with a lot of other halo rods. Not disqualifying them for your applications based on their baseline sensitivity, it just feels like the Universal Light (as a M rod) will have too heavy a tip for good bottom contact deflection on the light baits you're describing. It'll do it, and do it well. But it won't be awesome at it.
At least IMO