good length for ultralight panfish rod? 5' or 6'? for lake

[fishhugger]

just starting doing some ultralight fishing for panfish at my small lake. i  fish chiefly close to the bank - i've heard its pretty tough to find fish out in the middle of the lake... unless you no where the structure is,etc.

i fish holes, logs, reeds, grass, overhanging brush, and ledges and points --- all close to the bank. 

i use 1/24 oz or less jig heads... trying out some thill, 1/2" slip bobbers, mepps, trout magnets... etc... and rapala.

so i have a 5' shakespeare micro series, w a shimano sienna 500, and a 6' okuma celilo, w 1000 shimano sedona. they both got 4# hi vis mono.. there's such a difference between these rods. sometimes i like one, sometimes the other. i figured i'd hate the 5' one. yet it seems to cast surprisingly well, and cast far --- uh - 40' or more, and cast accurately. then the 6' feels clunky and heavy - wow - ..... i figured i'd hate that 5' rod...

any suggestions or what do youse guys like and why? 

gee, should i get a 5 1/2' rod?? seems like splitting hairs.

tysm and happy fishing

[MN Fisher]

Since you're fishing close to shore - the rods you got seem good enough.

 

Can't imagine the 6' Celilo feeling 'clunky' - my 7' Celilo Light and the 7'6" Celilo Ultra-Light feel good to me...course I'm fishing from a boat mostly, but even shore fishing with them is good.

[fishhugger]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

Since you're fishing close to shore - the rods you got seem good enough.

 

Can't imagine the 6' Celilo feeling 'clunky' - my 7' Celilo Light and the 7'6" Celilo Ultra-Light feel good to me...course I'm fishing from a boat mostly, but even shore fishing with them is good.

thanks, mn.... i didn't word that very well... the difference in weight (2 oz) between my 5' shakespeare and the 6' celilo make them seem so different. it's the reels - one is a 1000, the other 500. i might try to balance them better so there's less of a weight difference... maybe that's just me... 

just wondering what length rods other ultralight guys are fishing with - esp. from the bank... i'm so surprised i like the 5' rod, i wondered what others felt about short fishing rods... 

in addition, i may try a 7' rod. they're pretty inexpensive. maybe that's a benefit of ultralight equipment.

 

[MN Fisher]

26 minutes ago, fishhugger said:

the difference in weight (2 oz) between my 5' shakespeare and the 6' celilo make them seem so different. it's the reels - one is a 1000, the other 500. i might try to balance them better so there's less of a weight difference... maybe that's just me... 

Ya - I've got a Lews Wally Marshal Signature 100 on my 7' Light and a Mitchell Avocet RZT-1000 on the 7'6" UL - both are 1000 size reels.

Difference in weight is .08oz (11.08 for the UL vs 11.16 for the L) The UL rod is heavier by .10 (longer, so more rod), but the Avocet reel is lighter by .18

[mrpao]

I have both the same rods as you:

5' Shakespeare micro series and 6' Okuma celilo. They are decent little rods for the money. Both are fun to fish with but not very sensitive.

Not sure how much you plan to spend on your next rod but i would consider at least a 6'6" rod. It will help in casting distance and controlling larger fish. 

 On a boat i prefer a 6'6" to 7' rod. On shore, having to deal with trees and other obstacles, i think a 6'6" is plenty long enough. 

There are many nice options out there. If you like both those two rods you have already, then maybe get longer versions of them. I have the 6'6" version of the okuma celilo also. Its also a fun rod to use but still not very sensitive either.

[fishhugger]

15 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Ya - I've got a Lews Wally Marshal Signature 100 on my 7' Light and a Mitchell Avocet RZT-1000 on the 7'6" UL - both are 1000 size reels.

Difference in weight is .08oz (11.08 for the UL vs 11.16 for the L) The UL rod is heavier by .10 (longer, so more rod), but the Avocet reel is lighter by .18

thanks --- i'm trying the rods out with 1000 size reels on both.. the 1 1/2 oz difference between my reels was too noticeable .... 

3 hours ago, mrpao said:

I have both the same rods as you:

5' Shakespeare micro series and 6' Okuma celilo. They are decent little rods for the money. Both are fun to fish with but not very sensitive.

Not sure how much you plan to spend on your next rod but i would consider at least a 6'6" rod. It will help in casting distance and controlling larger fish. 

 On a boat i prefer a 6'6" to 7' rod. On shore, having to deal with trees and other obstacles, i think a 6'6" is plenty long enough. 

There are many nice options out there. If you like both those two rods you have already, then maybe get longer versions of them. I have the 6'6" version of the okuma celilo also. Its also a fun rod to use but still not very sensitive either.

when do you reach for the five footer, and what do you like about it?

perhaps i'll try a longer rod, the 6'6"  or 7'.... wasn't aware it helped with larger fish.  i do have various obstacles, from shore, lots of reeds, etc. i sometimes lift my rod up high, trying to get the line out of the water. for more control, a direct line to my float, etc... seems like my reasoning... other times, prefer the tip low. i think that's when my bait is close to shore and i don't want to pull it up that much...

what rods do you use for more sensitivity?

tysm....

[Eric 26]

As a guy who loves ultralight/light powered fishing rods (7) currently, Im going to throw my suggestions out here. Without knowing what you’re willing to spend my suggestion is a bps “panfish elite” rod in 6’-2” light power. If you’re looking for something shorter they have a 6’-0” ultralight or if you’re looking to go longer the next step up is a 6’-8” ultralight which I have, I also have the 7’-2” light powered rod. The sensitivity is really good on these rods for the price and I believe it’s due to the Fuji guides and reel seat. Don’t be fooled by the light power designation as these are definitely panfish rods. As far as reels I use a 500 size to a 1500 size (varying brands) with my 2 favorites being Piscifun Carbon X reels in 1000 size. They weigh 5.7 ounces and I have enough 4 pound monofilament on them to cast as far as I need to. They are also available in 500 size and are around $70.00 but if you’re patient you can find them as low as $55.00 usually during the holiday sales. I know it makes zero difference but I’m also a sucker for the color combination on these rods/reels.

[Further North]

I have a7', and another I think is 8' 6" or 8' 4".  Two piece.  Haven't used either in years.

 

Improves casting distance casting. Degrades accuracy. 

 

Action on both is great.

[mrpao]

I dont fish with the 5' Shakespeare micro series very often. I actually bought then for my kids to trout fish with at the river. I do take them on the boat to catch bait while catfishing. 

To be honest i normally dont purchase any rods under 6'. I purchased those rods because they were $15 at Walmart. I had two Lews 500 size reels on them. I just wanted to try them out to see how a $15 rod would preform.

 

My most sensitive "true" ultralight rods are probably my Rapala Extreme ultralight rods. Though older rods they are high modulus graphite and a true fast action. No problems feeling a crappie suck a jig in 30' down.

 

Lately on my boat I've been using- Kuying teton 6'6" light, 6'4" ultralight. Daiwa presso 6', 6'6" and 7". 

13 fishing omen panfish 6'9" ultralight.

I have two or more of each rods, so my deck is all ultralight rod.

Have a Daiwa 6' trout X extra ultralight rod coming from Digitaka this week. It should be fun on some of spotted bass and channel cats on my home lake.

[fishhugger]

5 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

As a guy who loves ultralight/light powered fishing rods (7) currently, Im going to throw my suggestions out here. Without knowing what you’re willing to spend my suggestion is a bps “panfish elite” rod in 6’-2” light power. If you’re looking for something shorter they have a 6’-0” ultralight or if you’re looking to go longer the next step up is a 6’-8” ultralight which I have, I also have the 7’-2” light powered rod. The sensitivity is really good on these rods for the price and I believe it’s due to the Fuji guides and reel seat. Don’t be fooled by the light power designation as these are definitely panfish rods. As far as reels I use a 500 size to a 1500 size (varying brands) with my 2 favorites being Piscifun Carbon X reels in 1000 size. They weigh 5.7 ounces and I have enough 4 pound monofilament on them to cast as far as I need to. They are also available in 500 size and are around $70.00 but if you’re patient you can find them as low as $55.00 usually during the holiday sales. I know it makes zero difference but I’m also a sucker for the color combination on these rods/reels.

 

 

thanks ----   bps panfish elite... it could be in my price range...list price is about $80.  there's really a difference in sensitivity between that and a celilo? they are both graphite ---  i've seen the st croix and other rods, but never outside a store. i've just always - maybe naively - felt graphite rods were all about the same, except uh ... for components and finish???

15 hours ago, mrpao said:

I have both the same rods as you:

5' Shakespeare micro series and 6' Okuma celilo. They are decent little rods for the money. Both are fun to fish with but not very sensitive.

Not sure how much you plan to spend on your next rod but i would consider at least a 6'6" rod. It will help in casting distance and controlling larger fish. 

 On a boat i prefer a 6'6" to 7' rod. On shore, having to deal with trees and other obstacles, i think a 6'6" is plenty long enough. 

There are many nice options out there. If you like both those two rods you have already, then maybe get longer versions of them. I have the 6'6" version of the okuma celilo also. Its also a fun rod to use but still not very sensitive either.

k.. thanks guys... uh..  okay -  well, i am interested in trying a more sensitive rod...  the only ultralights i've tried are the rods i've mentioned here, i don't think 1970's fiberglass spin rods count... a fenwick and a browning silaflex. 

are you happy with all the rods you listed in this thread ? and i'm wondering why you're getting an ultralight trout rod... i would've thought one of the panfish rods would have been good for that?

thank you

[Eric 26]

I’m not going to try and tell you the bps rods are more sensitive than the Okuma Celilos or st croix (panfish series) im assuming as I don’t have either. I will say before I purchased my second bps rod (7’-2”) I handled the st croix (panfish series) for comparison and for the money I feel the bps is a better value. I have no problems telling when I’m ticking weed tops vs the light bite of a crappie using my panfish elite. As far as bluegills go they are relatively aggressive so I usually don’t have to worry about sensitivity with them. If your budget allows st croix introduced the avid panfish series which cost 2-1/2 times more than the bps rods but I’m assuming are probably superior as far as sensitivity if that’s a concern. I will say for me at least the light powered rods are a tad more sensitive due to the blank being slightly faster, I could be completely off base here but it’s just my observation. 

[fishhugger]

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

I’m not going to try and tell you the bps rods are more sensitive than the Okuma Celilos or st croix (panfish series) im assuming as I don’t have either. I will say before I purchased my second bps rod (7’-2”) I handled the st croix (panfish series) for comparison and for the money I feel the bps is a better value. I have no problems telling when I’m ticking weed tops vs the light bite of a crappie using my panfish elite. As far as bluegills go they are relatively aggressive so I usually don’t have to worry about sensitivity with them. If your budget allows st croix introduced the avid panfish series which cost 2-1/2 times more than the bps rods but I’m assuming are probably superior as far as sensitivity if that’s a concern. I will say for me at least the light powered rods are a tad more sensitive due to the blank being slightly faster, I could be completely off base here but it’s just my observation. 

thanks, eric, for the honesty... i've only been fishing a couple years, and this sensitivity thing is pretty challenging... yeah, it's hard 'reading' what is ticking my lure 100%, but i feel the celilo is okay at it. algae, twigs, rocks, a quick bite - are sort of distinguishable.  so maybe a st croix would make it *that* much more distinguishable. 

but then there's the reels - i feel my shimano sienna probably won't respond well if something over a few pounds grabs my lure, i mean, respond as well as a more expensive reel, in terms of drag, or even strength, etc.. so maybe i should spend more $$ on my reels. (i'm buying slightly higher cost shimano's now, which is sedonas).  

if i get a more expensive panfish rod, i'd either go for something like the bps panfish elite, or even higher.  a higher priced rod, i mean, up to $150, might be what i'd go for... maybe.

but, yeah, the issues are a little clearer now!

[casts_by_fly]

for me, I prefer a longer rod.  Sure a 5' rod is find for catching fish that are close to shore and where there is not a ton of grass.  The advantages of the longer rod are a couple things.  You'll get longer distance casting out of it.  You might not need it most of the time, but if you want to cast a 1/32 jig out that extra 20' you might get stuffed with the shorter rod.  if you're going to a bobber and jig setup and fishing 4' deep, you're going to struggle with a 5' rod.  If you have any type of weed cover right along the shore, a longer rod will help you get the lure out of the water before getting back into the weeds.  And, if you do end up hooking into a big fish, the longer rod will give you more play with landing it.

 

My go to ultralight is a 7'6" UL Bass Pro microlite.  Cork grips, very light guides, good blank.  I bought it mostly for trout and have landed trout to 24" on it.  It works great in the ponds for small bass and bluegill also.  I have a 500 series shimano on it with 4 lb test.  Good balance, easy to fish all day, and I like the length for line control and casting.

[fishhugger]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

for me, I prefer a longer rod.  Sure a 5' rod is find for catching fish that are close to shore and where there is not a ton of grass.  The advantages of the longer rod are a couple things.  You'll get longer distance casting out of it.  You might not need it most of the time, but if you want to cast a 1/32 jig out that extra 20' you might get stuffed with the shorter rod.  if you're going to a bobber and jig setup and fishing 4' deep, you're going to struggle with a 5' rod.  If you have any type of weed cover right along the shore, a longer rod will help you get the lure out of the water before getting back into the weeds.  And, if you do end up hooking into a big fish, the longer rod will give you more play with landing it.

 

My go to ultralight is a 7'6" UL Bass Pro microlite.  Cork grips, very light guides, good blank.  I bought it mostly for trout and have landed trout to 24" on it.  It works great in the ponds for small bass and bluegill also.  I have a 500 series shimano on it with 4 lb test.  Good balance, easy to fish all day, and I like the length for line control and casting.

i've been comfortable, since i can cast 'only' about fifty feet with my 5' shakes, that my 4# mono is fine for hooking up...   how far are you comfortable casting - and hooking up - with 4 # mono? i'm thinking of the stretch factor...  and i guess, the weight factor of that much line out with a tiny bait....

thanks!

[casts_by_fly]

The weight of the line isn't much when you're talking 4 lb test, so I wouldn't even consider it.  Stretch is something to think about, but if you're fishing an ultralight you're throwing really light hooks anyway.  We used to fish 4 and 6 lb for steelhead in the lake and you'd cast a lil' cleo about a half mile to reach out to them (they would cruise about 50-100 yards off shore and you could wade out about 10 yards, so distance casting was needed.  Then again, it wasn't an UL rod).  I have no problem throwing a little trout magnet 25 yards and hooking up with little bass and bluegills.  A small local pond has an island about 25 yards away and the island has trees laying down from it.  The fish hang off the tips of the trees.  Another has two fountains and not much else.  The fish lay along the pipes for the fountains which run from shore out to the middle, around 25 yards.  A 1/20 ned head and a small trd bait will cast a long way with that rig, but I don't push it out that far.

[Eric 26]

3 hours ago, fishhugger said:

thanks, eric, for the honesty... i've only been fishing a couple years, and this sensitivity thing is pretty challenging... yeah, it's hard 'reading' what is ticking my lure 100%, but i feel the celilo is okay at it. algae, twigs, rocks, a quick bite - are sort of distinguishable.  so maybe a st croix would make it *that* much more distinguishable. 

but then there's the reels - i feel my shimano sienna probably won't respond well if something over a few pounds grabs my lure, i mean, respond as well as a more expensive reel, in terms of drag, or even strength, etc.. so maybe i should spend more $$ on my reels. (i'm buying slightly higher cost shimano's now, which is sedonas).  

if i get a more expensive panfish rod, i'd either go for something like the bps panfish elite, or even higher.  a higher priced rod, i mean, up to $150, might be what i'd go for... maybe.

but, yeah, the issues are a little clearer now!

As far as going higher end I can honestly recommend in your price  range the 13 fishing omen ultralight rods. Although I don’t own the rod/rods I have a 13 fishing fate black in med light I purchased on the recommendation of others on this site especially @bulldog1935 who has a omen series rod and he speaks highly of it. In my opinion my rod is extremely comfortable, well built and very sensitive for the price. As far as reels I don’t think you can wrong with Shimanos at pretty much any price point but as the saying goes “you get what you pay for”. As for me I’m going to stick with my Piscifun Carbon X reels as I really enjoy them and find the drag as smooth as I’ve needed. With that said I’m hoping maybe this upcoming spring to purchase what would be (for me) a top tier combination of an Avid panfish rod and a Shimano Stradic  FL reel, which if I could I would purchase through the Japanese domestic market now as the exchange rate is absolutely in our favor. Any questions on that just search on this site and you will see what I mean. PS I know they’re not huge but both came on my 6’-8” ultralight/Carbon X combo.

[JustJames]

On 9/26/2022 at 8:18 AM, fishhugger said:

 

but then there's the reels - i feel my shimano sienna probably won't respond well if something over a few pounds grabs my lure, i mean, respond as well as a more expensive reel, in terms of drag, or even strength, etc.. so maybe i should spend more $$ on my reels. (i'm buying slightly higher cost shimano's now, which is sedonas).  

if i get a more expensive panfish rod, i'd either go for something like the bps panfish elite, or even higher.  a higher priced rod, i mean, up to $150, might be what i'd go for... maybe.

but, yeah, the issues are a little clearer now!

Reel is not really about sensitivity but if reel balance well and comfort on the rod, would enchant sensitive. Sienna at 7 something oz might not balance well why you feel chunky on 6’ rod. 
Expensive rod is nice but not necessary better. The better rod might help you feel crisper bite but experienced is way more important. Typically bluegill bite are obvious any level rod would feel the bite given line is suitable. Crappie different story, often time they bite and swim up, hard to tell no matter how expensive the rod.

I have from 5’6” all the way to 7’8” depend on location and how far I wanna cast. For tight space or when I jigging a lot, I prefer shorter rod, easy to cast and easy to shake the rod. If distance matter and I only slow retrieve usually longer rod.

This is one of my favorite rod, not expensive and very light weight. Daiwa Presso 5’5” and Sahara 750 or any Daiwa LT 1000. It is really hard to beat Presso line in weight and sensitivity is very reasonable. Daiwa Legalis, exceler LT 1000 come in at 6something oz very smooth and pair well with light weight rod. I catch a bunch of bluegill and crappie with this setup.

 

[fishhugger]

thanks a lot guys... i'll do a lil research on these... maybe i'll be making a trip to dicks or bps... actually, i may be going to reno soon. i live in california............ our outdoor shops sort of suck compared to those in reno or is it sparks..... wow. actually, our shops totally suck compared to the ones in NV.

[JustJames]

Do you have any Turner’s outdoor nearby? Their house brand California rod is pretty good from what I’ve heard. They also carry Daiwa line of rod including UL for trout ppl.

[fishhugger]

6 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

Do you have any Turner’s outdoor nearby? Their house brand California rod is pretty good from what I’ve heard. They also carry Daiwa line of rod including UL for trout ppl.

i'm in the bay area --- there's one in sacto... that's possible. i'd never heard of turner's... i'll check them out...

[bulldog1935]

rounding it out, to me, 5' rods are for stream fishing. 

 

I'd recommend 7' and longer for bank fishing or boat fishing, but can also see where shorter rods might fit in better if you're tight in trees and brush on the bank. 

[Masaccio]

St. Croix makes shorter Ultra Lights in two series: Avid and Premier for around $165.  I pounced on this thread when I saw it.  I gave away my St. Croix (either 5' or 5'6", can't remember) to a friend with a grandson, thinking they would have fun with it and I was all about the bass.  I'm not kicking myself for the generosity, but I would have killed to have had that rod today, looking for trout or panfish.  Not having a short ultra light rod is no joke in close quarters.  I'm going to re-buy it for myself.     

[Eric 26]

I believe St Croix used to make a 5’-0”and 5’-6” ultralight in the Triumph series also. I just checked and they still do.

[PressuredFishing]

So many good budget and expensive ul rods, shakesphere microlight is great and imo has a blank that many 60$ uls have. 

Other notable mentions include 

 

Okuma cellios (slower action than shakesphere)

 

Diawa presso (amazing)

 

Shimano sensilite, a true fast action

 

Bps airstream, very delecate have broke two, one my fault one manufacturers fault (broke at ferrule), but maybe slightly better than presso (travel and 2 piece are two different animals, travel is not a true ul.

 

Reels are a different animal, your best bet is diawa for the 50$ pp, won't explain why because it would take all day, shimanos are fine but heavy, every other brand is garbage at that pp, the pfluger included, won't by another again after I tried diawa

[MN Fisher]

41 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

shimanos are fine but heavy,

Unless you go JDM and get a size that's functional and not available USDM for just a bit more.

 

I've got a Nasci 2000s on my wishlist - 26IPT, 7.3oz....$78 from Digitaka...for some reason they don't sell the 2000 size over here.