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I'm in the market for a new spinning rod and I'd like to know what other serious Bluegill fishermen use.  I would like to find a quality 6 1/2 to 7 foot graphite rod, preferably one piece that's rated for 1 to 6 lb test line.   I use primarily 2 lb test while fishing tiny jigs in relatively snag free clear water.  Any suggestions?

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I've had good luck with those blue quantum ultralight rods that are $15, but I dont think they make them that long.

i use fenwick rods mostly and st croix rods but abu garcia makes some very very good rods for the price and u can get them at walmart between 35 and 40 dollers, for the money u cant bet these rods..let us know what u get

Absolutely...very disappointing trying to find a good rod, and the problem is compounded bu the fact that you usually have to BUY one to find out if its junk or not.

 

For years, I used a Daiwa graphite composite spinning rod... it broke on me when I snagged a stump. Lasted about 20 years.and it was expensive when i bought it.

 

I have had probably five or six rods since, and i can tell you, if you are looking for something that might be used in tightlining for sacalait, GOOD LUCK.  Most poles are either super flimsy or stiff like a broomstick and there is not enough sensitivity either way.

 

I bought a Bass Pro shops Wally Marshall UL spinner rod and I guess its ok.

 

 

I think if you want a true ultra light rod then I would strongly reccommend Bill's advice on this one. A friend of mine, Zig, on this site, has one an let me make a few casts with it when we went fishing for panfish last winter. Wow! There is a marked difference, and he clearly outfished me about 2 to 1 on our Susquehanna trip. Zig may have two of these, they are expensive, but top-line tools for fussy, selective panfish and would likely outfish most rods under most conditions.

Can you get by with much less? Sure you can, and I am still using, with success, commercial models of many brands and lengths. Two-pound test, I believe, is another critical factor in feeling tentative bites or fishing deep. This year, I went to 2 lb SOS mono by Trout Magnet and Triple Fish Green and I believe my numbers were way up from previous years.

A lot of this is personal choice. I have not, however, had bluegills, crappie or bass bust or break any ul rod I have. On my 5 ft 10 inch Bass Pro Microlight, a very nice rod for the money, I have landed largemouths over 6 lbs. pickerel to 5, channel cats nearing 10 and powerhouse white shad up to 6 pounds.

yea they are and the fenwick rods i think i like a little better than the st croix and somthing else too when u look for a ultralight rod look at the line size because some say 1-6 pound line and the others say 1-4 pound line and i think thats where u get a better ultralight rod that seems like a ultralight and i think it is a little more  sensitive than the other one with 1-6 pound line..hope it helps

I agree with Mark on this ! I have a one piece Shimano Sensilite UL Rod  rated 1-4#test and am very happy fishing 2-4 #test on it but wouldnt want anything over 4# on it .I use either a Pflueger President UL or a Daiwa 300 xt (Ibelieve thats what it is) I got the rod  new  for a great  price ,$40 ,it was going for $70 and it haas  served me well as a panfish and small stream Trout rod for about 5 years or more now.

  I'll be watching here because I may get another UL rod and reel.

Actually that Daiwa reel is a Spinmatic Z 300 T.It's alright but I prefer  Pflueger Presidents .I've had trouble with bail springs on the Daiwa and its not as smooth or durable as the Pflueger.

I use my Bass Pro Shop 7ft 6 inch UL Microlite rod and St Croix 7ft UL rod a lot of time for bluegills, crappies and bonus bass! If I make my own rod then I would perfer at least 7 ft and I like to see it to be IM8 graphic, 8 guides plus tip, Tennessee handle electrictape to hold rod and eye by handle to hold hook!

I've just got done purchasing six St. Croix light action, 6ft rods. The St. Croix's are pricey, but they're a great rod and the warranty is really good. The only reels I use anymore are Pfluegers, either the Trion or the President, they're both excellent choices. It's crazy to think I've got close to a thousand dollars tied up in these six rod/reel combos.

 

I've gotten away from UL's, choosing to go for the Light action because I'm fishing on bottom for redear. A really good redear can bust an UL pole up pretty good, so can the real big bluegill. I'm giving up a little action for sure, but I'm more confident of landing those big hogs on light action poles. Some friends that I know go to Kentucky lake and they sold me on the idea of going up into a light action rod. The big hog ears down there call for a little heavier gear and I use much bigger hooks than most bluegill people. I use 2's and 4's.

 

 

I read about a #1 fly rod blank used for a custom spinning rod in Fur, Fish & Game magazine.  I think the slower action of the fly rod blank is better for panfish than the fast actions of the better graphite rods--especially if one is fishing with premium hooks on their lures.  Don't forget to add the weight of a bobber if you're going to use one for you're rod's rated lure weight. 

I've gota 9'6" Rapala Steelhead rod for 2-6lb test and 1/16th to 3/8th lure weight.  I bought for chucking trout spinners and spoons but l think it'll work for float & fly or small plugs with good hooks.  It's long enough for live bait presentation.

 I like the less expensive rods because they have slower actions but they also have cheap guides, too.

I don't want to get a rod any longer than 7 foot-  I have an older Daiwa Spinmatic-X that's 6 ft and is rated for 1-4 lb that I just love, but it is 2 pieces.  I would like to find a 1 piece rod with the same slow action....

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