When fishing extremely tiny creeks/streams, do you find an ultralight setup to be more ideal?

[Ohioguy25]

25 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

I think it would work pretty well. I had an older St. Croix Panfish 6'4" L/F that I loved using for stuff like that. 

Yeah, 5’ and even 5’6” seems awfully short for casting distance.

[WIGuide]

5 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Yeah, 5’ and even 5’6” seems awfully short for casting distance.

For sure, I believe they even have a 7' L/F in the Panfish line now which would give you a ton more distance over the 5' and 5'6". 

[bulldog1935]

and 7' seems really silly considering the OP's question.  

 

You might be able to fish that rod length and extra cast distance in 10% of this overhang.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to bank-fish ponds and lakes, fish panfish from a boat, the 7' rod is right.  If you want to wade creeks, you want no more than 5-1/2', and you might find 5' more useful.  

[Ohioguy25]

5 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

and 7' seems really silly considering the OP's question.  

 

You might be able to fish that rod length and extra cast distance in 10% of this overhang.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair point, how about 6’ still too much/minimal added casting distance?

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

and 7' seems really silly considering the OP's question.  

 

You might be able to fish that rod length and extra cast distance in 10% of this overhang. 

 

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Fair point, how about 6’ still too much/minimal added casting distance?

That situation - 6'0' would be the longest rod I'd pick...I'd be more inclined for a 5' or 5'6"

[redmeansdistortion]

5 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Fair point, how about 6’ still too much/minimal added casting distance?

You shouldn't be concerned about distance in a creek setting.  The vast majority of your casts are going to be inside of 10 yards.  Accuracy and maneuverability are far more important in creek fishing.  

[Ohioguy25]

5 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

You shouldn't be concerned about distance in a creek setting.  The vast majority of your casts are going to be inside of 10 yards.  Accuracy and maneuverability are far more important in creek fishing.  

Good point. 5’ just seems awfully short and I know for sure that some of these creeks do have runs that are clear of brush and open so I just didn’t want to want that distance and not have it.  How much more accurate is 5’ going to be over 6?

[redmeansdistortion]

32 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Good point. 5’ just seems awfully short and I know for sure that some of these creeks do have runs that are clear of brush and open so I just didn’t want to want that distance and not have it.  How much more accurate is 5’ going to be over 6?

With good technique, you can attain very respectable distance even with a shorter rod.  Even then, you're not going to be bombing casts on a creek, you're going to put your bait in the trees.  Look at it this way, you want a rod for creek fishing, but you're set on the possibility of having random opportunities of water without obstruction so you can swing for the fences.  You're going to be in the spinach 90% of the time, so why purchase a rod that's only suitable for that other 10%?  

[Derek1]

Definitely 5’6” and a small reel. You’ll be able to cast plenty far. 

[Ohioguy25]

2 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

With good technique, you can attain very respectable distance even with a shorter rod.  Even then, you're not going to be bombing casts on a creek, you're going to put your bait in the trees.  Look at it this way, you want a rod for creek fishing, but you're set on the possibility of having random opportunities of water without obstruction so you can swing for the fences.  You're going to be in the spinach 90% of the time, so why purchase a rod that's only suitable for that other 10%?  

Only issue is limited options under 6’ L.  So far that major craft is all I’ve seen, everything else is UL or longer.

[MN Fisher]

17 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Only issue is limited options under 6’ L.  So far that major craft is all I’ve seen, everything else is UL or longer.

Oh they're out there - just have to look.

One example...probably more power than you're looking for.

https://okumafishingusa.com/collections/rods/products/reflexions-b-series

[Ohioguy25]

6 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Oh they're out there - just have to look.

One example...probably more power than you're looking for.

https://okumafishingusa.com/collections/rods/products/reflexions-b-series

Awesome, thx! Sounds like 5-5’6” is pretty unanimously agreed to be the sweet spot. Just ordered the Miravel 1000 from Digitaka, you recommend 4 or 6 lb Trilene XL?

9 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

With good technique, you can attain very respectable distance even with a shorter rod.  Even then, you're not going to be bombing casts on a creek, you're going to put your bait in the trees.  Look at it this way, you want a rod for creek fishing, but you're set on the possibility of having random opportunities of water without obstruction so you can swing for the fences.  You're going to be in the spinach 90% of the time, so why purchase a rod that's only suitable for that other 10%?  

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/13-fishing-omen-panfish-spinning-rod

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/st-croix-trout-series-spinning-rod-101088610

 

How are these two, both offered in

5’6” L - or do I want full cork on this short of a rod vs split grip?

[redmeansdistortion]

4 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Awesome, thx! Sounds like 5-5’6” is pretty unanimously agreed to be the sweet spot. Just ordered the Miravel 1000 from Digitaka, you recommend 4 or 6 lb Trilene XL?

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/13-fishing-omen-panfish-spinning-rod

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/st-croix-trout-series-spinning-rod-101088610

 

How are these two, both offered in

5’6” L - or do I want full cork on this short of a rod vs split grip?

I would opt for the 13 seeing as it is rated for bigger baits in the 2g to 7g range while the St Croix is in the 1g to 5g range.  St Croix trout rods, while they have a nice fit and finish, don't lend themselves well to lure fishing with their moderate action.  St Croix does rate them as fast, but compared to other trout rods their action is markedly slower.  Their action is more conducive to fishing live bait, like crawlers and crickets.  Split vs full grip is personal choice.  I'm indifferent to both of them as long as the grip is comfortable.

[Ohioguy25]

8 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

I would opt for the 13 seeing as it is rated for bigger baits in the 2g to 7g range while the St Croix is in the 1g to 5g range.  St Croix trout rods, while they have a nice fit and finish, don't lend themselves well to lure fishing with their moderate action.  St Croix does rate them as fast, but compared to other trout rods their action is markedly slower.  Their action is more conducive to fishing live bait, like crawlers and crickets.  Split vs full grip is personal choice.  I'm indifferent to both of them as long as the grip is comfortable.

Cool, thx.  Are 13 quality rods? What lb test and line type would you go for?

[PhishLI]

9 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Are 13 quality rods?

Yes

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

Yes

Would you say better or worse than Major Craft?

[PhishLI]

17 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Would you say better or worse than Major Craft?

Dude...If you were my brother, you'd currently be in a headlock getting noogies.

 

Why not ask how it compares to 50 other brands? It'll get the job done. It's not a junk rod. It's good. It's easy to get quickly and has a good warranty.

 

Stop reading the internet, or at the very least, stop hanging on every quibble you've see written. The gear has very little to do with your success as a fisherman. Just a tiny percentage. My idea of perfect is another guy's idea of junk. Both of those ideas are in fact overblown, so who are you going to believe? Just get some decent stuff and fish with it, then you'll find the baseline for what matters to you, not anyone else. Trying out a cross section of gear yourself is the only way you'll know for sure. Hopefully your wallet is as deep as your neurosis. Education comes with a price tag. Regardless, if you suck at fishing, nothing you buy will really matter. If you're good at it, same thing.

[Tatulatard]

47 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Would you say better or worse than Major Craft?

Worse no doubt.  Majorcraft stuff is excellent.    

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

Dude...If you were my brother, you'd currently be in a headlock getting noogies.

 

Why not ask how it compares to 50 other brands? It'll get the job done. It's not a junk rod. It's good. It's easy to get quickly and has a good warranty.

 

Stop reading the internet, or at the very least, stop hanging on every quibble you've see written. The gear has very little to do with your success as a fisherman. Just a tiny percentage. My idea of perfect is another guy's idea of junk. Both of those ideas are in fact overblown, so who are you going to believe? Just get some decent stuff and fish with it, then you'll find the baseline for what matters to you, not anyone else. Trying out a cross section of gear yourself is the only way you'll know for sure. Hopefully your wallet is as deep as your neurosis. Education comes with a price tag. Regardless, if you suck at fishing, nothing you buy will really matter. If you're good at it, same thing.

Lol sorry I just try to be a cautionary shopper. I am well aware how little gear quality has to do with success, and everything to do with comfort and enjoyment of use.  I have upgraded most of my setups to the Stradic/Curado/LTB level of quality and wasn’t looking to regress.

[Ohioguy25]

9 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

I would opt for the 13 seeing as it is rated for bigger baits in the 2g to 7g range while the St Croix is in the 1g to 5g range.  St Croix trout rods, while they have a nice fit and finish, don't lend themselves well to lure fishing with their moderate action.  St Croix does rate them as fast, but compared to other trout rods their action is markedly slower.  Their action is more conducive to fishing live bait, like crawlers and crickets.  Split vs full grip is personal choice.  I'm indifferent to both of them as long as the grip is comfortable.

What do you recommend for line, 4 or 6 lb  Trilene XL?

[MN Fisher]

19 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

What do you recommend for line, 4 or 6 lb  Trilene XL?

4# Yo-Zuri Hybrid - IGFA tested it at 8.5# actual breaking strength, same diameter as 6# XL.

[Alex from GA]

There's an upside to building your own rods.  You can have your cake and eat it too.  I have a kayak rod I built for small stream fishing that I've been using for a bunch of years.  It's a 6'2" blank I cut to 5 1/2' xf tip.  I use 1000 size reel filled with 6 lb mono.  Very sensitive and light, 9 oz.  I also have a full size rod with the same blank that I use in my boat.

[Ohioguy25]

50 minutes ago, Alex from GA said:

There's an upside to building your own rods.  You can have your cake and eat it too.  I have a kayak rod I built for small stream fishing that I've been using for a bunch of years.  It's a 6'2" blank I cut to 5 1/2' xf tip.  I use 1000 size reel filled with 6 lb mono.  Very sensitive and light, 9 oz.  I also have a full size rod with the same blank that I use in my boat.

Yeah honestly for special applications nothing beats a custom rod

[redmeansdistortion]

4 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

What do you recommend for line, 4 or 6 lb  Trilene XL?

6lb Berkley x9 (#0.8) with a 5lb Maxima Ultragreen leader.

[Ohioguy25]

2 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

6lb Berkley x9 (#0.8) with a 5lb Maxima Ultragreen leader.

Is mono problematic on that small of a reel?