Big Fish Small Pond Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 What is the difference in utilization and application between a 5' Ultralight Power Moderate Action Spinning Rod and a 5' 6" Ultralight Power Fast Action Spinning Rod? Thanks, Big Fish Small Pond Quote
Super User jimmyjoe Posted October 22, 2016 Super User Posted October 22, 2016 For me, it's simple. I don't use braid/superline with a fast speed rod. I use mono with a fast speed rod. For a low-stretch line like braid, I figure I NEED the give and cushioning effect of moderate speed rods. The problem is that some companies offer "fast" speed rods that are what I would call "moderately slow". Better to see and handle the rod in person. jj 1 Quote
Super User NHBull Posted October 23, 2016 Super User Posted October 23, 2016 Since there is no universal standard, it is a tough question. My buddy loves his ultralights but given he uses mono, all are xfast. Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted October 23, 2016 Super User Posted October 23, 2016 Despite what the label on the rod says, I have never met a fast or XF ultralight. They all feel like moderates in my hands. With power that light, it's difficult to discern the difference because they all flex almost to the handle. Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted October 23, 2016 Super User Posted October 23, 2016 34 minutes ago, S Hovanec said: Despite what the label on the rod says, I have never met a fast or XF ultralight. They all feel like moderates in my hands. With power that light, it's difficult to discern the difference because they all flex almost to the handle. I felt the same, until I bought a UL/Mod rod. I swear I can almost tie it in a knot. It makes my L/F rod seem like a broom stick. Quote
Attila Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 I've got 2 UL's and they're both fast action rods, one being 7'6" and the other being a 5'. I use the longer rod for casting UL lures and the short one for my slip float fishing, the main difference being that there is still "some" backbone with the longer rod versus the shorter rod which makes me feel like I've gotten a better hook set into the fish. When it comes to line last year I ran 10lbs braid w/ a 4lbs fluro leader on my longer rod but changed that over to straight 4lbs mono this past year and noticed fewer tangles as a result. A bit of a story here to put things into perspective... Last fall I caught about a 10lbs musky on the 7'6" rod while throwing a small jerk bait for perch. I fought the fish for about 15 minutes and am convinced the minimal amount of backbone in the rod helped me in landing the musky, along with a smooth drag on my reel. Also last year I was out crappie fishing using my slip bobber setup and had a pike about 5lbs grab the small tube jig I was throwing. I didn't land the fish and as I was using the same reel type with a great drag I'm convinced that it was the lack of backbone which caused the loss. The line held and wasn't broken. Sorry to ramble, but I wanted to try to give you a clear picture of what the difference is between the rods that I use in hopes that it will help you. Cheers, Attila 1 Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted October 24, 2016 Super User Posted October 24, 2016 Shouldn't this thread be on a crappie/panfish board? oe Quote
Attila Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 1 hour ago, OkobojiEagle said: Shouldn't this thread be on a crappie/panfish board? oe Respectfully, I don't see why as there are are lot of people out there who fish UL's in small creeks or lakes for bass that are line sensitive. Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted October 24, 2016 Super User Posted October 24, 2016 I appreciate your respectful response. My post was my back-handed attempt to interject I don't believe ultra-light rods are effective bass rods. Light line I agree with... married to medium-light rods. As for rod action, I'm a proponent of stiffer actions with light power rods. Good fishing. oe Quote
Some tissues Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 If your sight fishing and free lining UL it can be very effective Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 24, 2016 Super User Posted October 24, 2016 I can't see using anything less than a medium light for bass, though I have seen a wide range of tapers with UL rods. Something slower might help in throwing 100th oz. jigs or something tiny, but I'd never use this for bass. Quote
Some tissues Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 2 hours ago, J Francho said: I can't see using anything less than a medium light for bass, though I have seen a wide range of tapers with UL rods. Something slower might help in throwing 100th oz. jigs or something tiny, but I'd never use this for bass. Is not ideal for bass it's more meant for panfish but med Light is defently better for bass because you can drop sot with it effectively but if you see the bass wacky rig a nightcrawler an ul will easily cast it weightless and the with a slow sink it's a slim chance he won't take it. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 25, 2016 Super User Posted October 25, 2016 Even when I did use night crawlers, it didn't take an UL to live line crawlers and softshells for bass. Any medium power spinning rod will do that. If you have an actual use for an UL, and your at the point of specializing in tiny baits, then the differences in tapers might be something you appreciate, and I say go for it. Back before bass season was open year round, I fished for crappie, and four rods for this. Micro jigs were the primary bait - under 1/32 oz. Having the right tools makes it a joy to fish. At any rate I agree, a medium-light x-fast rod is a great tool. Ask this fish, caught on a AVS63MLXF: 1 Quote
Attila Posted October 25, 2016 Posted October 25, 2016 1 hour ago, J Francho said: Even when I did use night crawlers, it didn't take an UL to live line crawlers and softshells for bass. Any medium power spinning rod will do that. If you have an actual use for an UL, and your at the point of specializing in tiny baits, then the differences in tapers might be something you appreciate, and I say go for it. Back before bass season was open year round, I fished for crappie, and four rods for this. Micro jigs were the primary bait - under 1/32 oz. Having the right tools makes it a joy to fish. At any rate I agree, a medium-light x-fast rod is a great tool. I appreciate your insightful comment outlining your rod preference for the techniques you outlined above. I've never actually live lined crawlers, it sounds like an interesting strategy for spooked bass. Up here in Ontario the lakes that I have nearby are very highly pressured during our short season with tournaments that see 100 boats casting the usual big style bass baits and it makes sense, as anglers have to catch the biggest bass around to cash a cheque. What I've come to realize is that on these pressured lakes, especially the week after a tournament was held, the bass weren't willing to bite a usual sized bait so I started to experiment with smaller lures including micro jerk and crankbaits as well as little 1" grubs attached to safety pin style spinners. In case anyone is wondering, my greatest success has come on rock flats with some having a weed edge nearby. I'm not throwing these baits in anything that involves cover like docks or heavy weeds; that would hurt the bass and I'm not willing to do that. Great conversation everyone, thanks for your insights. Attila Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 25, 2016 Super User Posted October 25, 2016 1 minute ago, Attila said: Up here in Ontario the lakes that I have nearby are very highly pressured during our short season with tournaments that see 100 boats casting the usual big style bass baits and it makes sense, as anglers have to catch the biggest bass around to cash a cheque. I'm just on the other side of the lake. Quote
Attila Posted October 25, 2016 Posted October 25, 2016 2 minutes ago, J Francho said: I'm just on the other side of the lake. Just noticed that...hi! LOL I've never had the chance to fish your side of the border, hoping to change that next year! Quote
blckshirt98 Posted October 25, 2016 Posted October 25, 2016 I have a Phenix Elixir FX802-1X that's an UL-Fast (most of the Elixirs are Fast rods as well). I use it for trout and for dropshotting in a particular local reservoir that's notorious for 1-2 lb bass, but did reel in a 6.25 lb bass on it with no issues last year at a different reservoir (that was a fun fight). The sales rep also said he has a few people in SoCal that uses that rod for surf fishing. I've held the Phenix Mirage rods(UL-Moderate) in hand and in comparison the Mirage rods feel soft and noodly, and the rep did not recommend those rods for bass/surf. But the Elixirs...if you're looking for an UL bass rod, look into that line, TONS of fun. Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted October 25, 2016 Super User Posted October 25, 2016 I hope the purpose of "our" bass fishing isn't to run our quarry to exhaustion after hooking it... oe Quote
Big Fish Small Pond Posted October 26, 2016 Author Posted October 26, 2016 Thanks for the feedback guys. Definitely appreciating the descriptive, informative, and lively discussion. Personally, I love hooking a 3.5-4lb bass on ultra light gear. That kind of fight is what fishing is all about. Thanks, Big Fish Small Pond Quote
Attila Posted October 26, 2016 Posted October 26, 2016 6 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said: I hope the purpose of "our" bass fishing isn't to run our quarry to exhaustion after hooking it... oe Again, respectfully, it's not about that. Like it or not there are going to be catches of bass that were either targeted with UL equipment or get hooked while using UL equipment. I've hooked, fought, and landed double digit musky and rainbow trout on UL gear and believe you me it's not something I intended to do, it just happened. I brought the fish in and spent the better part of 15 minutes reviving it before it kicked its tail and went back to the lake. I've never had to do that with a bass even though I've caught 5 pounders on UL gear; the fight was over in under a minute thanks to a smooth drag and a rod with a bit of backbone. I believe that was the initial question of this thread actually...again, not trying to ruffle feathers but there isn't anything wrong with targeting large or smallmouth bass with UL gear provided it's warranted in the conditions you're fishing. 2 hours ago, Big Fish Small Pond said: Personally, I love hooking a 3.5-4lb bass on ultra light gear. That kind of fight is what fishing is all about. Thanks, Big Fish Small Pond Agree, UL fishing is a whole lot of fun. Cheers, Attila Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted October 26, 2016 Super User Posted October 26, 2016 9 hours ago, Attila said: not trying to ruffle feathers No ruffled feathers, but certainly a healthy difference of opinion... oe Quote
Some tissues Posted October 26, 2016 Posted October 26, 2016 On 10/22/2016 at 1:36 PM, Big Fish Small Pond said: What is the difference in utilization and application between a 5' Ultralight Power Moderate Action Spinning Rod and a 5' 6" Ultralight Power Fast Action Spinning Rod? Thanks, Big Fish Small Pond When it comes to ultra light u don't really have to base the action off hooks because even a fast will bend like a mh mod-fast to moderate and a moderate ul bends like a complete (u) at least in my experience and depending on brands. They are not very technique specific like bass fishing so when choosing one go with the moderate action for the most part it cast lighter lures farther and the large bend in he rod helps cushion the light 2-4pld line if u hook into a bigger fish like a bass Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.