Long or Short pole? Ultra light....Light?

[Nathanael Deloach]

     I am wondering what my fellow Blugillers thoughts are on the rods used?  I am finding after 10+ years of being a Bluegill fanatic that I am becoming more selective with the gear I use to fish for gills.  I have some formulated opinions based on the way I like to fish but my thoughts on rods are starting to change.  Please share your thoughts and reasoning for the rods you use, I would like to hear the opinions of my gill peers....:-) 

[Dwayne Denison]

I always take a short 4'10" and a 7'5" rod. Most of the time I take about four rods, but if only were to take two it would be these. Can use short for casting under trees,bobbers,beetlespins. I can use longer for crankbaits, jigging and spoons.

[chuck lanc]

Im using on a daily basis ... for BG's, Reds, and Crappie  my Tenkara AMAGO pole 13'6"  that rods sings on every catch...  

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I use ultralight mostly, since it is what I have and they fit in the kayak. Given a larger boat and some more open waters than my usual blackwater swamps, Id opt for some light, long casting rods.

A 2-3wt fly rod, 7' and fitted with ceramic line guides would be about right.

[dick tabbert]

You know in todays fishing they say you have to have this for that  and that for this. I've been using 5 foot ultra light rods for years. They are easy to handle and easy to use and on any one day I might have 5 or 6 rods on the boat. This year I purchased 2 seven foot rods for that little longer casts and I do like them but I find myself picking up the 5 footers most the time. The 7 footer tend to tangle most in the rod storage box. What ever you decide in todays fishing we always have more than one rod with us so what ever you decide I'm sure it will be a good decision. My only suggestion would be when you go down to purchase a new rod take it of the rack shake it be sure the flex is mostly on the upper 1/3 of the rod see how it feels in your hand cause it is an extension of your arm and I love the handle's where you can feel the rod blank through the handle a little extra sensitivity. Rods have come along way with vast improvements.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Oddly, I prefer the flex to run from the middle to the tip - fully half the length. I want them to whip like a fly rod. At least on panfish rods I like this.

[Nathanael Deloach]

I am with you on the flex being in the top third.  I like a light action rod with a strong back bone and I have found them hard to find especially in the 6'+  range.  I have used 5' rods for years but I am starting to try longer rods as I have found myself needing a longer cast at the lakes that I fish.......I started shaking the rods a few years ago when I realized that I have a preference in how my rod feels, I will not by a rod sight unseen.  Thanks for the input Dick! 

[David Dillman]

I use shorter rods.  I have a 6 foot power lite rod made by norsemanoutdoors.  I guess it is like a lite rod action.  It has vibration amplification technology.  That means it has a graphite Tennessee handle.  In between the graphite handle and im6 graphite rod, there are alloy disks which amplify the vibration of the rod. 

It is the most sensitive rod I have ever used.  I like the shorter rods, so that I can shoot jigs under tree branches.  It is handier to use with a float tube.  It casts 1/32 oz jigs around 30 feet, which is far enough in a float tube. 

Dilly

[Tom Beauchamp]

I use three lengths, a 12ft light action crappie rod with a wagler slip bober, a nine ft for tight lining, and a 5 1/2ft for up close tight lining over cover, but the nine ft is my favorite.

[Allen Morgan]

I've been thinking about getting one of those 12' crappie rods.  However, I'll be using it for White Bass.  I'm not sure if those poles can handle a White bass, or the occasional small Striper.  I'm also not sure if those poles are designed for Spinning reels or not.  The eyes are awfully small.

[Badgerloader]

When I am fishing from a boat, I like a 12' light action spinning rod with 6# Fireline & 4# fluoro leader for deadsticking 1/64 & 1/32 jigs.  I usually use a 9' or 8'6" spinning rod with 4# Fireline Crystal & 4# fluoro leader for casting with small plugs & spoons.

I do have several 7' light action spinning rods with either 4# XL or 4# Crystal as "all-around" rigs.  My shortest is a 6' light action but it does not get much use.