Ultra-light or Light for my new gill setup.

[Eric Eilers]

Alright, I am new here so I'm sure this has probably been discussed. I'm looking at getting one or two new rods for gill fishing. I have never owned a rod under Medium light power so I wanted to get some advise. I'm really not fixed to a budget but don't want to get crazy, say max around $250.

I'm looking at St. Croix panfish series or avid series rods. I just don't know what power I want. Will I be upset going UL for general bluegill fishing?

Any other recommendations? I'm a big fan of St. Croix so I think I'm sticking to that but persuade me otherwise if you would like, I'm all ears (or eyes).

[Tony Livingston]

I love St. Croix rods. I have both the Avid, and the Panfish series in ultralight, and they are absolutely superb. I also have one of Walt's awesome custom rods, built for a specific purpose, and it's a blast to fish with. I don't think you'll go wrong either way.

[Eric Eilers]

Okay, I have some choices to make now but will contact Walt first.

[dick tabbert]

Sounds like your mind is made up. St Croix makes good rods I will only add when you go to store to pick one out pick it up put it in your hand shake it flex it a little and if all that feels good in your hand buy it. You can pick up 10 of the same rod a some will be different which is why you always want to pick up everyone to see which is the best suited for you. The rods today are so sensitive it really unbelievable.

[Craig Stockton]

I am a die hard G.Loomis guy, but I have also bought 2 Phenix Elixir 8' rods. One 2-8 and the latest the 8' 1-6lb.  Very nice rods, just over $200.00 ea. but very worth it. I know what being brand loyal is all about (34 'loomis rods) so just thought I would add my .02 cents worth.

 

Craig

[wag]

       

          3 4      G L o o m i s     Rods   -------->  W O W <-------

   

          Now  I  don't  feel  as  bad  flyfishing  for  panfish  

          with  a  Winston  fly  rod  ( got  2  of  them )   

[Steve Totten]

Isn't that illegal?   Definitely immoral and unethical.

[Craig Stockton]

Was in the tackle business for 20 years so you collect a few things. Now it's been upgrade  time to the fly rods/fly fishing gear, never seems to end!  Most of my rods are for bass and steelhead, the steelhead rods I use for surf fishing.  throw in some trout and pan fish rods I think I'm up to around 50 rods and 40 reels.  I guess at sometime I have to fish and stop aquiring stuff.

 

Craig

[dick tabbert]

You know we tend to do that collect rods and reel of sorts it's not like we need it we want it but if your like me you have them favorites you always pull out first time after time.

[Craig Stockton]

Dick, you are right.  I hate to say it but I have rods, reels and baits that have never seen the water. I wanted a new fly rod and reel, and a couple of other things a couple of weeks ago.  I went to guy I know who owns a very well know fly shop and have been doing some trading.  I took 6 x 3600 trays down to his shop full of japanese lures, not a few, these were jammed full.  Ended up leaving 4 trays there (about $1,400.00 worth of baits) but got my Hardy Zenith 9'5wt, Hardy UL 2000CC reel, GPX line and a few other little toys "I needed".  I guess it's time to fish and stop worring about collecting.

Craig

[dick tabbert]

You know Craig it's easy to say but hard to do. I have 2 vices in this world and feed them both well. #1 is eating which I do so well and paying for it dearly now and # 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 is fishing and anything related.  So Craig be it for me to preach to the choir about having to much stuff. I love to walk through the isles at my sporting good stores and the bad thing is I have to visit them all I guess I buy things on occasion quit frequently if you ask my wife she'll always say you already have 5 or 6 of them and I'll tell her this is the new improved version. I love to try and keep updated with the newest things out there and believe me when I say most of them are to catch fisherman not fish and I am caught frequently. I'm upgrading as I speak. Bought a new loomis 8"UL like I need another rod and some fly reels and 3 new Pflueger reels because I'm upgrading. So it's a vicious circle and as long as there is new stuff out there I'll be checking it out and probably buying as usual.

[Craig Stockton]

I guess we keep the economy going that way.  I still have a 6wt and 7wt I would like to upgrade, but, it's not like the rods are no good, just older technology.  My wife just shakes her head and says she doesn't understand.   I tell her welcome to my world!

Craig

[dick tabbert]

Larry I can't use that one. My wife has always been the frugal one and being she only has 2 or 3 purses I'm well beyond that that wouldn't work for me.