UL for Panfish/Crappie

[stlwx21]

I'm narrowing down my search for a 6' ultralight rod, mainly fishing for crappie, bream, and small bass.  I will primarily be fishing in small ponds and creeks. 

 

I know there is a wide range of prices in the rods listed below, but I want a rod that will perform well and last awhile.  I don't think I have a strong opinion on 1 piece vs 2 piece, so it's not a major consideration.  I will likely pair it with some Pflueger/Shimano/Diawa but wanted to decide on a rod first.

 

• St.Croix Panfish
• Kuying Teton
• TFO Trout-Panfish
• BPS MicroLite
• ESP Ultra Lite
• All Star Dockshooter

 

Comments and feedback welcome! 

 

Thank you! 

[waymont]

39 minutes ago, stlwx21 said:

Kuying Teton

100% Great quality, and really reasonably priced, around $60 for twp piece and $95 for one piece. I sold my G Loomis panfish rod after I tried one.

Actually I bought two Teton rods.

[stlwx21]

19 minutes ago, waymont said:

100% Great quality, and really reasonably priced, around $60 for twp piece and $95 for one piece.

 

They sell a 1 piece in the 6' rod? Link?

[Crestliner2008]

Check out the B n' M rods at Grizzly Jig Co.. I have 6 of them (6' - 9') and they all perform extremely well. All my UL's are dressed with series #20 Pflueger Presidents and 2" test Fireline Crystal (with fluoro leader). Exceptional combinations that have performed well for me over the last dozen years.

 

Just recently purchased a 7' Diawa Presso which I used a couple of days ago. I'm really impressed! A bit more expensive than the B n' M brand though.

[JustJames]

I don’t have any of the rods you listed. I’ve heard good thing of St Croix panfish series and the only one I might get in the future.

Kuying Teton is another one that get a lot of positive feedback, I’m partial to Tsurinoya but don’t mind Teton if I have a chance, the Teton seems like target more of trout rod with a lot of parabolic bend while Tsurinoya is more like bass rod with stiffer backbone, I have 2 of Tsurinoya.

I also like Presso in 6’ or shorter longer than that it feel noodle for me, I have Presso 5’6 and Spinmatic 7’.
 

Other that I have

Shimano Sensilite 6’6, this one fish more like Light with good soft tip but plenty of backbone, good for 1/16oz or more. 

Majorcraft speedstyle S63UL, this one is definitely a UL bass rod, good backbone with super soft and fast solid tip. I use this one for bluegill, trout and bass, 1/32oz trout magnet is good, heavier weight you will have problem with accuracy. 

[evo2s197]

Awesome setup, its rated as a Light but it fishes more like a UL+

 

Legend Elite Panfish 7ft light extra fast, you can feel everything with this rod.

 

I use it mostly for weightless 2 inch senkos.

[FishinShakes]

will sams heaton super sensitive rod in 7ft or 9ft hold up for fishing from shore? ill be after crappie and walleye using cranks, jigs. jigs/bobber. Any other suggestions?

[jimmyjoe]

9 minutes ago, FishinShakes said:

will sams heaton super sensitive rod in 7ft or 9ft hold up for fishing from shore? ill be after crappie and walleye using cranks, jigs. jigs/bobber. Any other suggestions?

   The 9 footer will for sure. Good rod.      jj

[slonezp]

I prefer a 5ft UL for panfish but would definitely recommend a 1 piece whichever way you go.

[FishinShakes]

I may have to hoist them up them a few feet because bank conditions at times? (crappie) I was told it is strictly for vertical jigging not for casting? But Ive read people claiming it landing bass and even pike while holding up.

[jimmyjoe]

2 hours ago, FishinShakes said:

I may have to hoist them up them a few feet because bank conditions at times? (crappie) I was told it is strictly for vertical jigging not for casting? But Ive read people claiming it landing bass and even pike while holding up.

   A friend used it for slip bobber fishing. Bass (occasionally) were no problem, although he never had to lift them. Pike would just cut the line instantly. 

   I have landed pike with Presso UL rods, where I used leaders, and I see nothing less capable about the Sam Heaton rod.    jj

[FishinShakes]

just ordered the 9ft. Thanks for the input.

[stlwx21]

I forgot to include the St. Croix Avid in my original post.  

 

What about the Avid vs Panfish? Have my eye on the 6' UL version.

[stlwx21]

Has anyone used the Scheel's Ultralight rod?  If so, what are your thoughts/opinions?

[kayaking_kev]

I have the St.Croix Panfish Series 6'9 UL, I've fished a few times this week with it, including a few hours ago. I have yet to catch anything on it, so I can't say too much on it. I have it paired with a Daiwa Revros LT 2000 and it balances perfect and matches up with it color wise pretty good also. The rod weighs 2.7 oz. and is the most whippy rod that I've ever touched by far. I think even the smallest of bluegill, crappie, or trout is going to feel like a monster on it. I got it to throw 1/16 oz jigheads with a 1" gulp minnow and it does a pretty decent job at casting it. I was throwing a small crappie crankbait around a few hours ago and could feel what the lure was doing the whole time. I do think it could be a little faster and that would make it cast even better, and if I did it all over again, I would most likely get the 7'0 Light version. But until I actually catch a fish with it, I don't really know. I do know I wouldn't want to use it for bass, and scared of the thought of accidentally hooking up on a catfish, which happens a lot when I vertical jig for panfish.

 

Dobyns makes a 6'0 Panfish one piece rod for the Colt Series that just came out last August. I've heard good things about it and it's normally $80, but can be had for $48 right now if you call them before April 6th or they sell out.

[desmobob]

I bought one of the St.Croix Panfish series rods a couple of years ago and thought it was a great value.  I immediately bought a second one.  I use them a lot.

 

I also have two of the Kuying Teton rods that I enjoy very much.  If you're looking at those rods, also take a look at Ace Hawk's UL rods.  I have one of those and it's a very nice rod for a little money.

[redmeansdistortion]

Lamiglas makes a nice panfish stick too, the X11 Ultralight.  I have the casting version paired with a Fuego CT outfitted with a Ray's DIY spool.  It's a nice little combo.

 

https://www.lamiglas.com/collections/x-11-freshwater-trout-panfish

[stlwx21]

I'm leaning toward  St. Croix Avid 6'6" UL and pairing it with a Pflueger Purist (25). 

 

Thoughts on this setup?

[Wildbillb]

I just bought bought 2 St Croix panfish over the winter for my guntersville trip that isn't happening now.  So it will be a bit before I can tell you how they work.  I bought a couple of Lew's reels to put on them.  I'll have to look when I get home to tell you exactly what mode.

[stlwx21]

JDM gear won in the end.  Majorcraft rod and Daiwa reel.

[desmobob]

Nice...   I have a PX Type R on a Majorcraft Volkey and it's a ton of fun.

[redmeansdistortion]

On 4/14/2020 at 7:54 PM, stlwx21 said:

JDM gear won in the end.  Majorcraft rod and Daiwa reel.

Sounds like what I did too.  Digitaka had a sale going so I grabbed a Daiwa Alphas Air Stream Custom 7.2R and a Major Craft Troutino 4'10".  This is probably the lightest combo I've ever owned.  Both the rod and reel together weigh about the same as my Penn Fierce III 1000 all by itself.

[Loomis13]

On 4/2/2020 at 2:15 PM, stlwx21 said:

I'm leaning toward  St. Croix Avid 6'6" UL and pairing it with a Pflueger Purist (25). 

 

Thoughts on this setup?

Highly recommend the avid. I use the 6' along with a legend panfish and love it. A little more sensitive than the panfish series and a slightly different bend profile.