Looking for a new Ultralight setup: As most of you know there's nothing like ultralight fishing. The fight is amplified and the bend in your pole gets your adrenaline pumping. To make...

Bruce10892 Loc: Northeast Ohio

As most of you know there's nothing like ultralight fishing. The fight is amplified and the bend in your pole gets your adrenaline pumping. To make a long story short I have 2 of them. One is a KastKing 100 and the other is a Bass Pro Shop Dough bait combo. Anyway I want to seriously upgrade. I don't want to have to take out a mortgage for it but I want a nice setup. Either individual rod & reel or as a combo. Thank you in advance for your responses.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

Keeping a eye on this one

Bruce10892 Loc: Northeast Ohio

ranger632 wrote:

Keeping a eye on this one

What does that mean????

dec341

In my opinion the reel is much more important than the rod. The reel of my choice is the Daiwa SS 1300. Have had one since they came out years ago. Can find them on EBAY used if you don't want to pay for a new one.

Bruce10892 Loc: Northeast Ohio

dec341 wrote:

In my opinion the reel is much more important than the rod. The reel of my choice is the Daiwa SS 1300. Have had one since they came out years ago. Can find them on EBAY used if you don't want to pay for a new one.

Thanks...I appreciate the info.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

Bruce10892 wrote:

What does that mean????

Just want to follow and see what people come up with, hoping to learn something new.

Bruce10892 Loc: Northeast Ohio

ranger632 wrote:

Just want to follow and see what people come up with, hoping to learn something new.

Thanks Ranger....I hope we both learn something.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

Bruce10892 wrote:

Thanks Ranger....I hope we both learn something.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Within my small collection of ultra lite rigs my favorite one is a St. Croix 7' Premier model PS 70ULF2 rod and I pair it with a vintage Garcia Mitchell 308 spinning reel. The gear ratio is not the greatest, but I find it a blast to use in open water for small to mid sized fish...mostly bass, perch, panfish and trout under 18".

I have a similar rig set up with their 4 piece "pack version" that breaks down for hiking. I think that one is a 6-1/2 footer and I use a Garcia Mitchell 408 on it, which has a better gear ratio for faster retrieves that I find handy when using it on small brushy streams.

Both rods are graphite.

People who know me have discovered that using old vintage tackle, especially reels and lures, is one of my childhood carry overs! I do use modern stuff too, and I just take turns with different rigs depending on what I am after.

Using vintage reels takes my mind back to simple times when the pace of life was much slower and less complicated....

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I'm not familiar with either of the setups you mentioned. Are you looking for spinning or conventional? I own both. You can buy a decent spinning rig for a reasonable price. Conventional not so much. Probably gonna hafta buy Japanese, they're heavy into that "finesse" fishing.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

If you want to stay around $100, it is hard to beat an Okuma rod paired with a Pflueger President spinning reel. Rod length is up to your choice, and reel size is based on the line capacity you desire. I will have to get you the model # of the 2pc rod I have, though. Shimano and Daiwa also make excellent reels, but it all depends on your budget. St Croix makes great rods, but can push the budget up another $50-100. Good luck!

Mbsc707 Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

I have to second that on the Pflueger President Reel. Great all around ultralight/light reel depending on which one you buy. Starts at about $59. Better than more expensive reels. I pair it several different rods all under $100 or they sell it as a combo for $79 or so

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

I have a LaCross 5’ ultralight that my son gave me. I love it. I don’t normally spend that much for a rod. Input a Pflueger President on it, not sure of the actual size but needless to say it’s small. I love this setup I have caught 2-1/2 pound bass on this and it’s a blast

Bruce10892 Loc: Northeast Ohio

fishyaker wrote:

Within my small collection of ultra lite rigs my f... (show quote)

Thank you Fishyaker......I totally get it!

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

OJdidit wrote:

If you want to stay around $100, it is hard to beat an Okuma rod paired with a Pflueger President spinning reel. Rod length is up to your choice, and reel size is based on the line capacity you desire. I will have to get you the model # of the 2pc rod I have, though. Shimano and Daiwa also make excellent reels, but it all depends on your budget. St Croix makes great rods, but can push the budget up another $50-100. Good luck!

The Okuma rod I recommend is a 2pc, 8’6” Celilo paired with a size 25 reel and you’re in business. The rod will cast light lures a long way.
They have shorter models available as well for about $40