Good spinning rod for casting light lures and gaining distance?

[bitsandbass]

I was reading how the Rapala original minnow 1/16oz is good for trout.  Im guessing bass too.

 

But if I'm lake fishing and want to cast out and retrieve, I need to find a rod that can launch the lure out. 

 

Right now I have more bait fishing sticks, 1/4-3/4oz rods.  They dont work for ultra light lures.

 

Any recommendations for a decent spinning rod that wont break the bank?  Thanks.

[NYWayfarer]

I am loving my 6'6" Kastking Calamus light action rod right now. Matched with a 1000 size reel spooled with 4lb line I am able to launch a 1/8oz Leland Trout Magic crank quite a distance.

 

I only wish it came in a one piece model in that size.

[Tywithay]

The easiest way to gain distance is to go longer. Find a good medium-light or light rod that covers your lure specs and get one that's like 7'6" or so. It'll fling it a mile.

[bitsandbass]

12 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

I am loving my 6'6" Kastking Calamus light action rod right now. Matched with a 1000 size reel spooled with 4lb line I am able to launch a 1/8oz Leland Trout Magic crank quite a distance.

 

I only wish it came in a one piece model in that size. 

Thanks.  I see these are around $70 on Amazon.  At that price you're getting close to a St Croix Premier which is pretty highly rated. 

 

What's the go to rod for say $40 that can cast out a 1/16oz lure say 30 yards! Thanks.

 

 

2 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

The easiest way to gain distance is to go longer. Find a good medium-light rod that covers your lure specs and get one that's like 7'6" or so. It'll fling it a mile.

 

I was looking at getting 6'6 rod which my 6 year old seems to be able to cast pretty well.  6'6 also seems to be a nice compromise for fitting in a car, storing connected in my garage etc.  7'6 feels a bit long, especially when casting in tight places.  But I am open to it if the marginal distance gain is worth the added hassle. 

[NYWayfarer]

9 minutes ago, bitsandbass said:

Thanks.  I see these are around $70 on Amazon.  At that price you're getting close to a St Croix Premier which is pretty highly rated. 

 

What's the go to rod for say $40 that can cast out a 1/16oz lure say 30 yards! Thanks.

 

I have a Premier as well. They are over $100 and a great rod as well. Kastking does offer discounts from time to time. I got the Calamus at a 15% discount. For the price it's an excellent rod. very sensitive and light.

 

I am a frugal fisherman and even I don't have any rods that cheap. The closest to that price I can recommend would be the Abu Garcia Vengeance if you can find a medium light version. It will run about $50

[tholmes]

I've been using a  6'6" BPS MicroLite  for several years and been very happy with it. They're a little above your price point, though.

 

Tom

[Armtx77]

I run a 7' ML-F Fenwick HMG with 8lbs Nanofil. I paid 95.00 and have no issues with 60ft casts of 1/16th oz lures(I dont know what a long cast means in terms of ft)

If I up it to an 1/8th oz...country mile stuff,that gets hard to accurately cast into tight spaces.

 

Longer rods with not quite a buggy whip action Light to Medium Light.

[bitsandbass]

What about the Ugly Stik Elite, 6'6,  1/32-1/8 ?  MSRP of $50 but can probably be had for under $40?

[bitsandbass]

How would you guys rank these for casting 1/16 lures for bass & trout?:

 

Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Glass Spinning Rod = $20

Eagle Claw Featherlight Spinning Rods = $25

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod = $50

Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rods = $40

Okuma Celilo Graphite Lightweight Ultra Light Trout Rods = $28

St. Croix Premier Spinning Rods = $120

Berkley Lightning Rod Trout Spinning Rod = $40 (NEW)

Berkley Cherrywood Spinning Rod = $25

[WRB]

Dobyns CL702SF is a good all around spinning rod that can cast Rapala original floating minnow F08, 09,11, all good bass and trout lures, and use it for split shot, drop shot or Ned rigs.

Shimano Sadona 1000 spinning reel and you have a quality outfit with warranty.

Tom

[Gilgamesh]

A lot of casting distance (with light lures) depends on your line as well.  If you're throwing a 1/8 oz bait on 12lb flouro, you won't get it that far out.  If you're throwing it on 10lb braid, it'll go a mile.

[greentrout]

8 hours ago, bitsandbass said:

How would you guys rank these for casting 1/16 lures for bass & trout?:

 

Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Glass Spinning Rod = $20

Eagle Claw Featherlight Spinning Rods = $25

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod = $50

Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rods = $40

Okuma Celilo Graphite Lightweight Ultra Light Trout Rods = $28

St. Croix Premier Spinning Rods = $120

Berkley Lightning Rod Trout Spinning Rod = $40 (NEW)

Berkley Cherrywood Spinning Rod = $25

Inexpensive rod...Shakespeare Agility light rod 5'6"...throw my Rebel Micro Critters on 4lb. test with ease when fishing creeks and ponds...

 

[OCdockskipper]

7 hours ago, Gilgamesh said:

A lot of casting distance (with light lures) depends on your line as well.  If you're throwing a 1/8 oz bait on 12lb flouro, you won't get it that far out.  If you're throwing it on 10lb braid, it'll go a mile.

^^This.  Not only will your casts go farther, you will nearly eliminate line twist issues.

 

I use Berkley Nanofil, but there are many choices.

[islandbass]

Go with the okuma. I have their 7’ light action rod and you can’t beat its bang for the buck. 

 

Ill admit it, I use this rod more than my bass rods. I’ve been in a panfish wave these past few years, catching crappie, gills and trout. It will cast that rapala Minnow but as already mentioned the appropriate line is also a crucial choice to make. 

 

Although not ideal, but it is functional, you could Carolina rig that  minnow (the size 5 one) with a light weight, say 1/8 oz if you’re desperate for casting distance.  I’ve done it so I know it works. Give yourself about a 2’ leader 

[Junger]

I just got the Cabela's XML 6' L/F paired with a Daiwa BG 1500 with 5lb fluoro, and I love it. I'm flinging 1/16oz + TRD ned rigs 50 yards with ease. The build on the XML is really nice and the guides are really strong, they don't seem like they'll bend very easily when the rod is being transported. I like the parabolic action on it, it's not whippy, but has enough tip and I was hauling up some large branches today with it. The 5lb Sniper FC fluoro is no joke either...I must have been putting 10+lbs of pressure on that line pulling up branches.

The XML is on sale at Cabela's for $90, and of course the lifetime warranty it comes with. If only they had this rod with these specs for a BFS.

[DropShotHotShot]

might be on the higher end, but look at rods built for hair jigs.  I just picked up at 7'6" Diawa Cronos MML/XF, haven't had it on the lake yet , but seems to offer good distance in the back yard.

 

Also keep in mind the other factors, a lighter braid may help get you some more distance as well. 

[Subaqua Adinterim]

On ‎5‎/‎2‎/‎2018 at 4:08 AM, islandbass said:

Go with the okuma ... you can’t beat its bang for the buck.  

Agree with the above, however consider spending $10 more for the SST model.  I have used both the 6' and 6'6'' lengths for years and love the Okuma SST.  Have used the 6'6" mostly and have landed many trout with it along with bass and some northern pike.

Keep in mind that the "one thing that can do everything well rod" does not exist. However, if you know what you're primarily going to use it for, and don't stray too far away from that, then you'll be happy.   In other words, don't expect to horse bass out of thick weeds with this rod; but if your fishing for trout and get surprised with a good sized bass or pike in open water, you will be able to handle it, and have fun if your drag is set properly.

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

[I.rar]

Look into the Fenwick River runner as well. Some retailers run deals on them every now and then putting them around the $85 mark. I've owned a couple and they are a great value. Good luck 

[islandbass]

6 hours ago, RichPenNY said:

Agree with the above, however consider spending $10 more for the SST model.  I have used both the 6' and 6'6'' lengths for years and love the Okuma SST.  Have used the 6'6" mostly and have landed many trout with it along with bass and some northern pike.

Keep in mind that the "one thing that can do everything well rod" does not exist. However, if you know what you're primarily going to use it for, and don't stray too far away from that, then you'll be happy.   In other words, don't expect to horse bass out of thick weeds with this rod; but if your fishing for trout and get surprised with a good sized bass or pike in open water, you will be able to handle it, and have fun if your drag is set properly.

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

I’ve been looking at those sst rods for the longest time especially to fill a couple holes in my salmon/steelhead Arsenal. Thanks for nudging me closer to them. You are right about those okuma rods.   Even my light action that’s practically a UL has handled 3-4lb bass incidentally caught. Talk about a blast of a battle.