FS Digest

I’m looking at getting a quality rod for panfish, crappie, trout, and whatever else will eat a micro lure. I’m stuck on whether I should go for a light, or ultra light rod. I mostly fish from the bank and want to use mostly micro cranks/jerks, jigs w soft plastics, and the occasional bobber with live bait. What are the pros and cons to light and UL, rod series really liking the St Croix if anyone has personal experience with either

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by grampsLS

FS Digest

Ultra light is awesome. Im a big fan of the Shimano Exage Telescopic Spinning Rod. Come in a hard tube case and stays under my seat. Its landed 15lb lakers and pulled 2lbers out of culverts. Super sensitive and goes great with an Optima Optix 20 or 30. Very inexpensive and pretty much my swiss army knife for fishing anything

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by Ender_v1

FS Digest

Geez, I wouldn’t have imagined a UL could handle a 15 lbs fish, that’s insane, and puts all of my worries about them to rest, thanks!

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by grampsLS

FS Digest

Haha yes modern rods can handle alot....but that was a battle. My hand was on the drag the whole time. Finessed that bastard into the boat after 30mins on 5lb braid. Intense

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by Ender_v1

FS Digest

Sounds like exactly what I’m looking for!! My medium and medium heavy bass rods bring em in quick, I’d love to fight some fresh water fish, do you mainly use braid? I see a lot of recommendations for mono

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by grampsLS

FS Digest

Braid is a game changer, especially for casting. Mono still has its place but mainly for abraision resistance in rocky waters. PowerPro is my brand of choice. The lil brochure it comes with will show you the knots to use with braid. Use them cause traditional knots will slip

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by Ender_v1

FS Digest

Do you have any problems casting such light lures on braid? I feel like wind catches braid way worse than mono or fluoro

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by grampsLS

FS Digest

Oh totally. Im fishing in creeks and rivers so I’m using splitshot. If I’m going super lightweight lure wise in wind, I just have to cast downwind. Which can be tough.

Another big advantage to braid is it doesnt stretch. So you can feel every bump, scrape and nibble

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by Ender_v1

FS Digest

Ultralight. If you’re needing to cast out a little further longer length rods will help with light tackle. I use 1/8-1/4oz tackle. I’ve got a 6’6” Okuma Celilo Ultralight I absolutely love. I’ve paired that with a Pflueger President 20 and Power Pro 8lb braid. Sensitive, tough, a blast to fish with, and I’ve landed a few larger pike and trout with it in the past. Pretty much the only setup I use anymore. I also like the fact I can fish all day and not experience the hand and wrist discomfort I’ve had in the past with heavier tackle.

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by uni_gunner

FS Digest

Thank you! I was worried about breaking a rod if I get into a bigger largemouth, but UL is stronger than I thought, and more fun

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by grampsLS

steelhead52

I'm old so I have used and collected a lot of stuff over the years. I have about a dozen ultralights and about 6 light actions. It so much depends on what your using them for. I used ultralights for years backpacking all over northern Pa for trout. Later in life I lived in western North Carolina and experienced some really great trout fishing in the mountains using ultralights. Usually for smaller stream fishing I use a 5' to 5' 8". When fishing lakes or ponds I have a 7' Fenwick Eagle that is an inexpensive moderate action and really stays connected to larger fish. These are on sale at Fenwick right now for super cheap. For alpine lake fishing in the Beartooths of Montana besides fly fishing, I use a St. Croix Triumph 3 piece ultralight. Packs real small and has pretty decent action. If I'm backpacking smallmouth rivers, I move up to a Loomis travel rod. I have two 3 piece rods, one in ultralight and one in light. Both make good rods from a kayak or canoe also. My favorite light action is a Loomis GLX 842. It makes a great all around large trout and smallmouth rod - pretty expensive though. I use it for finesse drop shot also. There are many good ultralights on the market today, but I always enjoyed Fenwicks; they just seem to have a great feel for super light fishing. I have Eagles and HMGs but my very favorite ultralight is the newer Fenwick Techna 5'8". I don't know if its because of its performance or that I got it for 60% off, but it has a wonderful action that casts spinners a mile. Its listed as fast but is a beautiful all around action for all my light trout fishing. The only thing I don't care for in the newer ultralights is the trend towards longer handles. I don't think they are needed for ultralight fishing and I would prefer the length put into the rod action itself vs the handle.

Mikeinmac Loc: Central Kansas

I use ultra light rigs all the time. Pflueger is a brand I have used for many years. The Trion GX-7 with the PFGXSP 50 1UL rod is just a super combination. I can cast this little outfit all day and not be fatigued. I use 4 lb line that works great for crappie, largemouth bass, white bass, perch, small mouth bass, rainbow trout, browns and even walley. I have even gotten a 26 lb flathead cat to shore with it, though I wouldn't recommend that. The reel is designed for 2-6 lb test. I have made thousands of casts and caught many hundreds of fish with them. They're just a delight to fish with and inexpensive.

Crappiebob Loc: NE Illinois. McHenry County

I caught and landed a 36” musky in my boat couple years ago. Ultralight rod with 4 lb test line. No steel leaders or anything like that. Was fishing for walleyes Small jig and a med large minnow. Took awhile to get him to boat. It’s all about knowing how to use your drag.

Crappiebob Loc: NE Illinois. McHenry County

Let me add to that post. Also needed a healthy supply of luck!

Salesrep Loc: Maryland

I would go for the light....you should be fine with the small lures plus if you want to go a little bigger you haves rod that can handle the bigger stuff.