Ultralight spinning rods?

[Jeff Soto]

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?

[Taylor]

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

[Mark McKinney]

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

[tim ricks]

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.

 

 

[Jim Gronaw]

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.

[Mark McKinney]

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

[John Sheehan]

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.

[John Sheehan]

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.

[John Cachel]

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!

[Troy Dorman]

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.

 

 

[Matt Goeldner]

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. 

[Matt Goeldner]

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.

[Jeff Soto]

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....