Ultralight rods

[cyclops2]

With practice.  I have learned to roll cast spinning lures. Quick snap of the wrist & let go. Good distance after a while.

[bulldog1935]

On 12/2/2021 at 11:43 AM, shimano said:

What size reel would be good for a 7 foot ultralight? Or 6 foot.

I have fished 500 and 800 size reels, but now now go to Shimano C2000 (which is the same spool as USM 1000FL). 

 

This is especially true if you're going for distance on 8' and longer rod. 

If you're wanting a rod this long, I really think you should be looking at shore light game (rockfish) rods from Japan. 

I couldn't be happier. 

not recommending this specific high grade rod, but wanted you to see the specs

This rod will cast those 1- and 2-g gram lures well beyond 100'

For the sake of UL feel, keep in mind that rod weight goes up with length - the jewel above is 73 g. 

Also keep in mind you can build your own from a 4-wt fly rod blank. 

Search UL rockfish rod on ebay and see what you can turn up.

[Eric 26]

On 12/1/2021 at 7:27 PM, PressuredFishing said:

Line diameter makes the biggest difference, so 2-4lb is most important. Action of rod is most important, so ultralight is the best option as it can fling small baits with light line further than a light or med light.  Carolina rigs on ultralights can work but you need to use weights lighter than 1/4th oz or you risk snapping your rod. Do not buy the bass pro shops ultralight rods, both versions the airstream and the other one has eyes becoming wiggly on the blank and they bend as well. Also they have stainless steel guides that get line divits that can cause line damage. On top of that they snapped for me. The okuma cellios is an amazing rod I own it, it has silicone aluminum oxide guides which is important on light line. Avoid buying on amazon as shipping is poorly packaged. Other good rods include the shimano sensilite, shakesphere Featherlight, and diawa presso. All of these rods are affordable and good for the price. You will have hard time finding rods especially here on West coast because of shipping crisis

I disagree with the bass pro rod comment. I have a panfish elite rod I’ve been using for two seasons with no issues whatsoever. My favorite rod is a 6’-4” light powered all star rod marketed as a drop shot rod but it is unfortunately not in production any longer.

[PressuredFishing]

5 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

I disagree with the bass pro rod comment. I have a panfish elite rod I’ve been using for two seasons with no issues whatsoever. My favorite rod is a 6’-4” light powered all star rod marketed as a drop shot rod but it is unfortunately not in production any longer.

I'll send you  images of the broken UL rods and loose eye guides on my bps UL rods, loose eyes guides IS poor quality control

[Eric 26]

11 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

I'll send you  images of the broken UL rods and loose eye guides on my bps UL rods, loose eyes guides IS poor quality control

Not saying you didn’t have issues with your rod/rods just pointing out my experience with my rod. As stated it’s not my favorite for ultralight fishing and I own/owned  a couple different bps rods along with other brands for my ultralight fishing.

[PressuredFishing]

45 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

Not saying you didn’t have issues with your rod/rods just pointing out my experience with my rod. As stated it’s not my favorite for ultralight fishing and I own/owned  a couple different bps rods along with other brands for my ultralight fishing.

Yeah I hear you, plus when fishing light lines the stainless steel guides get cut through with divits by the thin diameter line, the ones I haven't broke won't cast well and knick my line because of the divits. Anything that has aluminum oxide guides is a win for me, okuma cellios is one of my favorite for the price, half the price of bps rods with better components, other notable mentions would be shimano sensilite, and my absolute favorite of them all being the diawa presso for 60$, same price as the bps but it's easy to travel with and comes with a fantastic travel case. 

[Gera]

On 11/30/2021 at 12:49 PM, shimano said:

Hello, so I've be thinking about a okuma cellio 7 foot trout rod. I want to cast martin panthers for trout. Would a ultralight rod cast panthers better? But can you use carolina on the ultralight too? Where can I find a ultralight 7 foot trout rod?

 

Hi!! 

Which rod did yo punchase?? did you get the Celilo?? I'm also looking at it as I would like to take my daughter fishing and that seems like a good starter pan fish rod. I have no idea about this kind of fishing but it may be fun for her. I guess she is kind of curios why her dad spends so much time doing it. 

I'm thinking an Okuma Ceymar reel may be a good pair, I'm not sure if a 500 or 1000 model.

 

[Further North]

On 12/23/2021 at 4:06 PM, cyclops2 said:

With practice.  I have learned to roll cast spinning lures. Quick snap of the wrist & let go. Good distance after a while.

I find the difference between the gear fishing version of a "roll cast" and the fly fishing version of a "roll cast" interesting.

Completely different critters...

[cyclops2]

Narrow paths right to a steep drop into the water requires some odd ball casts. I should have stated it is NOWHERE like a true flyrod roll cast. It was easier to cast from bare ground under the surrounding big bushes. Nice fish area but I no longer do wading in currents anymore.

[Further North]

5 hours ago, cyclops2 said:

I should have stated it is NOWHERE like a true flyrod roll cast.

No need to, I looked it up the first time I saw it - because I couldn't imagine a roll cast with dear being made without a weighted line - and figured it out.  I was just commenting on the difference.

I imagine for most here, the gear version is what is understood.

[volzfan59]

On 12/23/2021 at 5:16 PM, Eric 26 said:

I disagree with the bass pro rod comment. I have a panfish elite rod I’ve been using for two seasons with no issues whatsoever. My favorite rod is a 6’-4” light powered all star rod marketed as a drop shot rod but it is unfortunately not in production any longer.

I've got an old (1986 model) BPS 5' or 6' Bionic Blade ultra light rod that I'll put up against any brand. It's been a great, reliable rod.

[cyclops2]

I have 1 #6 weight flyrod I converted to spinning for very small Rapala plugs with a Mitchel 300 reel.  I  changed the first guide to a much bigger one.  Fantastic casting ability.    AND   It is a very good balance.

 

Casting wet flies is a piece of cake.   A good rod can do almost anything well.

[Eric 26]

51 minutes ago, volzfan59 said:

I've got an old (1986 model) BPS 5' or 6' Bionic Blade ultra light rod that I'll put up against any brand. It's been a great, reliable rod.

I’ve got one also 5’-6” dark red in color full cork handle. I think it’s a 2006? I still use it for fishing with a bobber.

[volzfan59]

49 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I’ve got one also 5’-6” dark red in color full cork handle. I think it’s a 2006? I still use it for fishing with a bobber.

That's the same coloring as mine, cork handle too. I pretty much just use mine when wading, especially where there's a lot of overhanging limbs.

[Eric 26]

Does it look like this?  I have the same rod in 6’/6” med I won in a raffle at a fishing show.

[VolFan]

I have the same line of rod in M. Bought in 2008 for my honeymoon in Canada. 

[volzfan59]

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

Does it look like this?  I have the same rod in 6’/6” med I won in a raffle at a fishing show.

That's pretty much it. Mine has a Tennessee handle though.

 

37 minutes ago, VolFan said:

I have the same line of rod in M. Bought in 2008 for my honeymoon in Canada. 

Hey VolFan, are you a Tennessee Vols fan too?

[Further North]

On 12/3/2021 at 11:13 PM, islandbass said:

That would be a minimum in my neck of the woods. I have a 9’6” rod for rivers. 
 

The longest you can get away with is my suggestion. The longer rod length gives you greater casting distance BUT more importantly, IMHO, greater line control. 
 

You do have to take other factors into account like the flora around. If it’s close knit and tight quarters, then a 9’6” rod probably isn’t the best choice. 
 

 

Long rods increase distance, but sacrifice accuracy...the lighter the action, the more the sacrifice.

[islandbass]

3 hours ago, Further North said:

Long rods increase distance, but sacrifice accuracy...the lighter the action, the more the sacrifice.

I agree.  Although not with UL gear, there have been a few times I’ve simply admired my “awesome mega cast”, watching my lure sail away only to realize that I plum cleared the river and got my lure tangled in the shrubbery on the opposite bank (translation - over shot target by a mile).  Or, I think I hit my spot so I stop the cast and then realize after the lure lands, I’m a few feet off —  passed, before, or left or right of intended target. 

 

Fortunately, focused practice can greatly improve accuracy. I know a guy who could underhand cast his lure into a cup from over 75’ away, and I’m telling you, with the equivalent imagery of a swish. 

[cyclops2]

Bobbers are so exciting when the bass are not biting. But everybody else is  ?

Almost forgot   again  Crush the barb down !!!  They can suck that worm down instantly.  Gut hookings are normal with all perch. I have both a ball type unhooker & long S S forceps.

There are loads of dead perch floating around week ends.

 

  GOTTA get my hook back son. They cost money. 

 

Many still have their guts hanging out ripped apart or cut apart.   If you use meat bait ? Or still fish & set the hook hard as the line moves ?   Eat the fish.

[volzfan59]

On 1/10/2022 at 5:37 PM, volzfan59 said:

I've got an old (1986 model) BPS 5' or 6' Bionic Blade ultra light rod that I'll put up against any brand. It's been a great, reliable rod.

I must make an admission and an apology. After reading and posting, I got to wondering about the above rod so I checked it. It's actually a 4' 6" BPS Mega-Cast rod with a Tennessee handle. It's still a great, reliable rod. I have a Shimano Nasci 2500 reel. I'm sorry for the confusion.

[WC53]

The Okuma SST is a pretty good bargain for more distance. I have a mag taper version for throwing lighter lures, 1/4 + plastic, that I like. It was under a 100