JW Black Demon M or MH?

[PeteyHD]

I was at the shop the other day and really like the black demon rods just can’t decide between the M or MH. I plan to use it primarily for blackfish but would like the flexibility to use for offshore seabass, Nantucket fluke and cod/haddock up north. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[Dclark2]

Take a friend with you and check the rod under load. I use to bring 20 lb test line and some sinkers witch you may be using. Run the line through and check the bend on different weights.. Look at the bend on the rod under pressure to insure a nice bend with the line. Never buy a rod that when you put the pressure on the rod the line touches the blank. HOPE that helps and that is my standard before the purchase................

[Gerry Zagorski]

I think you'd be happier with the medium for blackfishing and offshore seabass and Nantucket fluking because it will be much more finesse/feel fishing and fun where a lower rated rod is better.

I guess it would handle the Cod and Haddock as well but the medium heavy would be better for that.. There's nothing finesse/feel needed for either of those species and you could practically fish with a broom stick and it wouldn't matter...

Having said all this I'd go with the medium and when you cod/haddock fish suffer a little bit or leave it home and bring any old junky rod on the heavier side.

Probably not much of a difference but you might want to bring the reel you intend to fish to the store and see if there's a difference on how your reel balances with each of the rods.

[PeteyHD]

Take a friend with you and check the rod under load. I use to bring 20 lb test line and some sinkers witch you may be using. Run the line through and check the bend on different weights.. Look at the bend on the rod under pressure to insure a nice bend with the line. Never buy a rod that when you put the pressure on the rod the line touches the blank. HOPE that helps and that is my standard before the purchase................

Thanks for your input Dano. The guys at the shop which I'm not sure I can name these days since they aren't listed as a sponsor are great and loaded both rods for me. I put 12oz and 16oz on each. The M is rated at 2-10oz while the MH is 3-12oz. These are spriral wrapped so line touching isn't an issue and JW knows what they are doing with the production of these.

Biggest concern was the heavier sinkers got that M bend about 1/3 down the blank while the MH handles the heavier sinkers with no issues.

[PeteyHD]

I think you'd be happier with the medium for blackfishing and offshore seabass and Nantucket fluking because it will be much more finesse/feel fishing and fun where a lower rated rod is better.

I guess it would handle the Cod and Haddock as well but the medium heavy would be better for that.. There's nothing finesse/feel needed for either of those species and you could practically fish with a broom stick and it wouldn't matter...

Having said all this I'd go with the medium and when you cod/haddock fish suffer a little bit or leave it home and bring any old junky rod on the heavier side.

Probably not much of a difference but you might want to bring the reel you intend to fish to the store and see if there's a difference on how your reel balances with each of the rods.

Thanks Gerry. I think the M would be perfect exclusively for blackfish and seabass but as I mentioned to Dano it feels a little overloaded with anything more than 8-10oz. The main issue I'm having is if/when I have to go up in weight the M rated 2-10oz might be a little too light to handle the heavier sinkers we need to use in current even with braded line. I really like both but can really only buy 1. Also I like to swing fish a lot but have never fished this rod so not sure if I can do that with the M.

[Dclark2]

Never buy a rod that does not have a even arc through the guides .....

[PeteyHD]

Never buy a rod that does not have a even arc through the guides .....

Thanks Dano this is solid advice.

[PeteyHD]

Gerry I went with your recommendation and bought a Medium. I actually preferred the action of the jigging world retro 7’6” M rated 3-10oz but handled 12oz no problem. The retro has more of a glass feel which I liked over the black demon so that’s what I ended up getting. Thanks for your help, can’t wait to use it!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Gerry I went with your recommendation and bought a Medium. I actually preferred the action of the jigging world retro 7’6” M rated 3-10oz but handled 12oz no problem. The retro has more of a glass feel which I liked over the black demon so that’s what I ended up getting. Thanks for your help, can’t wait to use it!

My pleasure... I think the Medium covers more ground and these new tech rods are so sensitive you get a good feel on either M or L ad I like the M just in case ;)