Are you an angler who wants to catch more fish?... DISCOVER The Best Medium Light Casting Rod and what separates it from the junk... and how to use it to make your catch rates soar... in less than 5 minutes!
photo @simmsfishing
Medium-light rods are critical to fishing lighter-weighted or weightless baits on the lake, but this no longer means you’re stuck fishing a flimsy trout rod that nearly bends itself in half (kinda like you are fishing with a rubber band). Old rods only are just waaay too flexible… leaving you struggling to set the hook! Luckily ever-advancing technology now gives anglers rod options made with extremely light materials that still offer a gorilla strong backbone, and insane sensitivity are by far the most popular options that serious anglers go for. Our picks for the best medium-light casting of 2022 below are broken down into three categories:
- Best Overall (For the Ultra Enthusiast. This rod has all the bells and whistles that an angler would ever want)
- Best Budget (For those who want an economic option)
- Editor’s Choice (For the weekend warrior fishing fanatic who goes fishing more than 2x a month)
- Best Of The Rest (Also great for the weekend warriors and serious anglers, however it’s not going to break any budgets either)
For more information, see the comparison table and buying advice below the picks. If you prefer to go even lighter and faster, check out our article on the best hiking shoes.
In A Hurry?
If you don’t have much time to read the details we totally understand. Simply use the links below to quickly find the best rods for your fishing needs. You can be assured we only choose the best products…
Best Overall – G Loomis GLX Jig & Worm Casting Rod (model: 802C JWR | 12534-01)
Best Budget – Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Fishing Rod (model: USCA701M)
Editor’s Choice – St Croix Mojo Series Bass Casting Rod (model: MJC68MXF)
Medium-Light Casting Rod Comparison Table
#ad / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why would you want or need a medium-lightcasting rod?
Simply put this style of rod is critical for the use of your lighter and light-weight fishing lures. Dainty lures such as your reaction baits such as smaller topwater lures (like poppers or small walking baits), smaller soft plastic swimbaits, swim jigs, crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, underspin jigs or chatterbaits.
Similarly, this style of rod is versatile enough to fish slower-moving lures such as a wacky rig Senko, Mojo rig, Texas rig, weedless tubes, or even a drop shot rig.
Furthermore, it’s one of the three pillar rod styles that are strongly recommended for bass fishing.
I’ve written a complete on the best rod styles for bass fishing. A hands-on review of the rods you need… (especially if you like catching more than your buddies!)
To check out my complete fishing rod overview report in full detail, read this post: How to Guarantee you have the right bass fishing rod so you can start catching so many fish your friends will think you are cheating. (You will have a rod ready for any situation!) – Click HERE to learn more!
1. G Loomis GLX Jig & Worm Casting Rod (802C JWR | 12534-01)
WINNER! Best All-Around Rod
But, why is the G.Loomis GLX Bass Jig & Worm rod the best?
It’s not just any fishing rod. It’s engineered down to the molecular level to provide performance where you need it.
G.Loomis GLX rods are not only designed to target a specific species of fish, they are specialized for individual fishing techniques.
The GLX Bass Jig & Worm Series rod is now produced with proprietary graphite blank combinations that provide a 20% lighter rod with enhanced balance and ergonomics.
G.Loomis GLX graphite blanks are well known for their strength and sensitivity, two important factors that we’ve already discussed.
GLX Bass Jig & Worm Series rod flat out catches you fish!
“It’s good for just about everything...You don’t want a rod that’s too stiff with that light line, this has to have enough backbone to set the hook”.
With lengths ranging from 6’8”-7’5”, it’s no trouble at all to find a rod that will fit your height.
The tip actions for this series rod are also extra-fast to provide accurate casts and amazing sensitivity for feeling everything on the end of your line, but the rod powers are on the medium to heavy end of the spectrum providing plenty of horsepower for fish of any size.
Topped off with Fuji K-Frame SiC guides to reduce line friction and a proprietary reel seat give you a superior feel over most any other jig fishing rod on the market.
Finally, G.Loomis’ lifetime warranty on rod blanks is one of the best guarantees in the industry and their customer service is widely known as going above and beyond.
Tech Specs:
- Length - 6’8”
- Power - Medium
- Tip Action - Extra Fast
- Line Weight - 10-14-pound test
- Lure Weight - 1/8-3/8-ounce
- Peices - 1
- Model Number - 802C JWR | 12534-01
- Warranty - Limited Lifetime Warranty
2. Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Fishing Rod (USCA701M)
WINNER! Best Budget
About The Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Fishing Rod...
We had tested the 6’6″-foot medium-light rod along with the 6’6″ – medium, and the 6’8″ – medium-heavy before writing this article.
We concluded GX2 series rods run a little stiff and the 6’10” medium-light rod felt more like a medium action rod with the best action tip. However, the 7’0″ is also an option.
This rod is a great rod for the price, it offered decent sensitivity.
When you use this rod it’s much stronger than it looks like it would be.
The rod itself is very tip heavy and feels slightly unbalanced, but overall the handles make it comfortable for all-day use.
The GX2 series rod backbone can handle any weighted Texas rig while taking on the biggest bass.
This Ugly Stick rod would excel for someone who is on a budget and loves bank-beating excursions, kayaking, and boat fishing.
Furthermore, we think this rod would be a great multipurpose rod and could also function as a dependable rod.
In summary, best budget rod for the price.
Tech Specs:
- Length - 7’0”
- Power - Medium
- Tip Action - Fast
- Line Weight - 8-20-pound test
- Lure Weight - 1/4-5/8-ounce
- Peices - 1
- Model Number - USCA701M
- Warranty - 7-years
3. St Croix Mojo Series Bass Casting Rod (MJC68MXF)
WINNER! Editor's Choice
About The St Croix Mojo Series Bass Casting Rod...
Mojo Bass – This is an outstanding product that mixes phenomenal quality at a price that is not going to break anyone’s budget. This product is perfect for the savvy angler who takes fishing seriously and demands quality and value.
There’s good reason these are the best selling rod line St. Croix offers. After a comprehensive overhaul in 2016, these technique-specific bass rods now feature sophisticated SCIII graphite and IPC® tooling technology for remarkable performance at an unbeatable price.
The Mojo bass rod is the rod you want to use if you don’t care about some of the bells and whistles that Avid X would include.
The rod also is made from a hand-rolled SCIII high-modulus, high-strain graphite fiber blank gives the rid its sensitivity, strength and durability.
The rod is covered by a solid 5-year warranty.
Tech Specs:
- Length - 6’8”
- Power - Medium
- Tip Action - Extra Fast
- Line Weight - 8-14-pound test
- Lure Weight - 1/4-5/8-ounce
- Peices - 1
- Model Number - MJC68MXF
- Warranty - 5-years
4. Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod FR 703C
Best Of The Rest!
About Dobyns Rods Fury Casting Rods...
Simply stated, anglers cannot say enough good things about this rod. It’s incredibly lightweight and sensitive for the price.
This rod so much lighter than you would expect for a rod with this price tag. You can feel it has enough backbone for setting hooks on a monster bass deep in floating mat.
Dobyns Rods utilizes Kevlar wrapping and Portuguese AA Cork handles to make the rod crazy light, incredibly strong, very well balanced and comfortable for all day use.
Furthermore, Dobyns strategically scaled back on cosmetics and other non-performance areas to keep the price of the Sierra Series down, while not affecting performance.
“Hands down this rod could easily be sold for over $350. But getting rid of some other frilly cosmetics allows me to afford this beauty. Thanks Dobyns”
Without a doubt, the Fury Series casting rod is very light, and can also be used for fishing jigs, flukes, Texas rigs, and spinnerbaits.
The Alconite guides will not chip, even if you’re using a blood knot for leaders.
The last thing I want to say is more about Dobyns rod company as a whole than the rod… My friend who also owns several of these rods had the unfortunate experience of breaking one of them. He called Dobyns and explained what happened. He said the rep was very polite and actually could tell that person was American and could speak fluent English. And within a couple of weeks, another rod was delivered. No questions asked.
Dobyns is an amazing rod manufacturer and Grade A business operation!
If you can shell out a little more, the Dobyns Fury casting rod is a great gift for yourself, Christmas, or Father’s Day!
- BUILT FOR: Texas-rigs, Jigs, Carolina-rigs, Spinnerbaits and Horny Toads. The Fury Series is sensitive, light, strong and balanced at an exceptional value! A tournament favorite, choose from 17-technique specific baitcaster and spinning rods.
- EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY: Dobyns Rods are designed and created by bass fishing legend Gary Dobyns. These high performing rods are made from the highest quality materials. A modulus graphite blank, Fuji reel seat, Kevlar Wrapping and Portugal cork grip.
- PINPOINT ACCURACY: Constructed by anglers, this perfectly balanced rod offers max sensitivity from line to hand and delivers unparalleled accuracy when you need it most. Smoothly and tirelessly cast all day with the comfortable 14” cork split handle!
- FOR EVERY SITUATION: Each rod is tailored to provide outstanding performance for every application. Looking for a budget-friendly option, adding to an arsenal or taking fishing to the next level, explore the Fury, Sierra, Kaden, or Champion Series.
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: Dobyns Rods values the satisfaction of our customers by offering a Limited Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the original owner.
#ad / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tech Specs:
- Length - 7’1”
- Power - Medium-Heavy
- Tip Action - Fast
- Line Weight - 10-17-pound test
- Lure Weight - 1/4-3/4-ounce
- Peices - 1
- Model Number - 733C
- Warranty - limited lifetime warranty and no hassle replacement policy
Check Out These Amazon Best Sellers...
#ad / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
George Servinson
My name is George and I'm been fishing my entire life and love all things outdoors. My passion is helping anyone catch more fish. The newest things I've been doing lately is learning how to break down and clean all my reels, teaching my boy how to kayak fish, and bushcraft wilderness survival.
