St. Croix Rod for UL

[stlwx21]

Looking at the one piece 6'9" Panfish UL/F and the two piece 6'6" Avid UL/F.  I mainly fish for bream and crappie, but want to be able to handle the occasional 1-2 lb largemouth bass.  I mainly cast jigs between 1/64 and 1/32, no floats, and want to be able to cast it out there a ways since I bank fish.  

 

I keep flipping back and forth between the two.  Anyone use both of these rods and have any thoughts? 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

 

[jimmyjoe]

   I have no idea what you expect, either for weight/balance or sensitivity, but the Avid is far and away the better rod in my opinion. How much weight does the 2-piece construction carry with you, though?     ?    jj

[RedRob]

The avid is a better rod. If was me and bank fishing (the area I fish not a lot of trees to compete with) I would go with the 7' UL single piece. Not a fan of 2 piece rods. 

[FishTank]

Not a big fan of UL rods for bass fishing but the two you have chosen will get the job done, especially the Avid.  I have the 6' L Avid and the ML Fast and I use them for the same stuff you have listed above.  Based on what you mentioned though, if you are going after 2lb bass, the L would be a good go between.  The ML is better overall for bass but not for the lures you had mentioned.  

 

Based on the weight of those jigs, you are not going to get a lot of distance even with the wind at your back.   You will need to pair it with an especially light reel that is designed for long casts. The Stradic FL 1000 size might do it.  

 

The general rule of thumb, as I understand it, for long casts with light spinning gear.... long rod, small reel with a long, possibly wide, spool and 8-10lb braid. 

[Vilas15]

Since you dont use floats you'll need to feel the strikes so the avid is the better choice if you can swing the cost. But you'll also want the extra length for longer casts. Idk if Id step up to a Light action because you might lose casting distance with those baits. I'm not sure if theres any longer Avid UL models.

[Heartland]

I have the 7ft version of the St.Croix Panfish in Light power XF action, it casts 1/16 oz baits great, never tried anything lighter but feel like it may be capable of a little lighter baits.  The UL was a true buggy whip.

In terms of sensitivity I feel like it is a about on par with the avid, maybe a very slight edge to the avid. I have caught so many bluegill, crappie and small bass on this rod that I can honestly say that sensitivity has never been an issue.     This is one of my favorite rods it is a blast to fish with.

[Tywithay]

I actually prefer the Panfish rods over the Avid. I think the handles are more comfortable. I agree with the above about using a light, rather than an ultralight. I noticed no real difference in sensitivity between the Avid and Panfish models. I think the SC4-SC2 blend in the Panfish models is pretty decent. I wish they used better guides, but they are very light.

[stlwx21]

21 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   I have no idea what you expect, either for weight/balance or sensitivity, but the Avid is far and away the better rod in my opinion. How much weight does the 2-piece construction carry with you, though?     ?    jj

 

I'm looking for a sensitive rod that is not a whippy noodle. Fun factor is important as well and want the fish to put up a good fight. The reason I was considering the 2-piece is for traveling purposes...no truck/no boat.

[Teal]

Whippy noodle is pretty much what you are looking at with a longer UL.  I think a light rod would be good. I say that, because you cant dictate, when a big cat or larger bass jumps that little jig.  It would be nice if you could buy one of each.   An UL, and a L respectively.   

[jimmyjoe]

3 hours ago, stlwx21 said:

I'm looking for a sensitive rod that is not a whippy noodle.

   In almost any true UL, you're going to have a "whippy noodle". Some will be worse than others, but an ultralight is by definition a very flexible rod. If it weren't that way, you wouldn't be able to throw those 1/32 to 1/16 lures accurately and with reasonable distance.

   I know it's maddening, but you can't eat your cake and have it, too.   

   Good luck to you!     JJ

[JustJames]

 

4 hours ago, stlwx21 said:

 

I'm looking for a sensitive rod that is not a whippy noodle. Fun factor is important as well and want the fish to put up a good fight. The reason I was considering the 2-piece is for traveling purposes...no truck/no boat.

I think I trend to agree with JJ that most UL rods in US, especially 6’6 and over are pretty noddleish. I’ve never tried St Croix rod but heard a lot of good review about them and might buy one myself in near future.
If I may suggest other beside St Croix? I have 4 pcs Presso 5’6 which perfect for traveling and those 3 connection would make the rod stiffer (I assume should be the same with 6’6) compare to my 2 pcs 7’ spinmatic, it like night and day.
Another long route to be able to get what you after, is to go with bass class UL rod or AJing rod mostly available in Japan. These type rods will have a lot more backbone than usual and to be able to achieve soft tip for light lure) most will come with solid tip. I have Majorcraft Speedstyle SSS S632UL (2 pcs) lure rate 1/64-3/16oz. This rod can cast 1/64oz trout magnet 40’ easily but have a pretty good backbone. It is not whipping at all compare to 4 of my UL rod. I’m really having fun using this rod for bluegill.

 

[DaveT63]

I had the Avid 70ULF, but it was way too whippy for me.  When I broke it (my fault), I replaced it with an Avid 60ULF.  I get great casting distance with it, and have caught several bass over 5 lbs on it.  Love it and highly recommend it.

[jimmyjoe]

   I've been thinking about what the OP wrote. I especially thought about the 1/64th to 1/32nd weight issue.

   Why not use a short fiberglass fly rod meant specifically for bass? You could cast as light as you wish, and the fly rod and line would handle any panfish or crappie, and probably most if not all bass. Fenwick used to have a glass rod that was 7'-06", but I can't remember which line weight it happened to be.

   Might be interesting.      jj

[zell_pop1]

I was just gifted a 7'UL Premier with a 1000 Shimano Spirex and I think it will be ok for crappies, but honestly if you are planning to catch a few bass too, I would opt for a L action. The UL I have, unlike most St Croix rods is not a little over powered but a true UL.

[kayaking_kev]

I have the 6'9 UL St.Croix Panfish rod and it weighs 2.7 oz and is a noodle. It's good for panfish, but I wouldn't want to hook a 2 lb bass with it. I would at least go with a Light if you are wanting to catch some bass with it. The biggest negative I have with the rod is that it gets dinged up rather easy. I had it fall over a few times within the first few months I got it and now have scrapes and marks all over it. I use a spinning rod sleeve for it, but for some reason it comes up short on this rod and leaves the logo area uncovered and that part scuffs easily. The rod sleeve fits my other spinning rods I had of the same length, but not this one for whatever reason. 

 

The guides do feel rather weak on them as well.

[stlwx21]

15 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

I have the 6'9 UL St.Croix Panfish rod and it weighs 2.7 oz and is a noodle. It's good for panfish, but I wouldn't want to hook a 2 lb bass with it. I would at least go with a Light if you are wanting to catch some bass with it. The biggest negative I have with the rod is that it gets dinged up rather easy. I had it fall over a few times within the first few months I got it and now have scrapes and marks all over it. I use a spinning rod sleeve for it, but for some reason it comes up short on this rod and leaves the logo area uncovered and that part scuffs easily. The rod sleeve fits my other spinning rods I had of the same length, but not this one for whatever reason. 

 

The guides do feel rather weak on them as well.

 

Thanks for the feedback.  In addition to the Avid, I'm also looking at the Fenwick River Runner and St. Croix Trout Series.