Budget friendly, ultra light rod question

[TNcreekfishing]

So I have this little creek that I want to fish that I haven’t been to since I was a kid. It’s about 10-15 foot wide and shallower water but it does have some good deeper holes in it. So basically it’s going to be a wade fishing situation with a lot of overhanging trees all the way down it. The creek has trout, smallmouth and different panfish in it. Currently I have a 5’  ultra light ugly stick micro, but I would like a little more tip. Also I have a 6’ light power st croix triumph, but kind of want an ultra light for the fight and maybe something a little smaller.  2 options I’m looking at are the BPS micro graphite in 4’6 ultra light for $60 and the 5’6 ultra light lews speed stick (the yellow one) which is like $32 at Walmart.  I was wondering if anyone has experience with either of these rods or would recommend one over the other. I was also wondering which would be better for my scenario and why the BPS rod is double the price cause from what I can tell they’re both IM6 graphite blanks.. I’m just assuming slightly better components.  But most importantly I’m wondering if what I got will work just fine in getting the job done and y’all can convince me I just got a serious addiction to buying new gear..?. Thanks for the help!

[Eric 26]

Although I have not handled the bps rod I have 2 of the bps panfish elite rods and I absolutely love them. I’m not sure what guides or reel seat is on the micro series, I’m thinking sea guide but the reel seat which is the same design as my elite is absolutely fantastic imho. Also BPS is one of the easiest places when it comes to handling warranty issues. Conversely I have 4 Lews rods that have had zero issues. I don’t think you will go wrong either way but if it were my money I’m going BPS. Also yes you need a new rod as per the bait monkey ?

[Skunkmaster-k]

I got a couple of those yellow Lews from Walmart. They’re good for the price. 

[greentrout]

I have owned the BPS ultra-light for many years. Use when on occasion at Desoto National Forest lakes. It's a 2 pc. 6 ft. rod. Works well with small bass and big blue gills. Fun. The ultra-light rod will allow you to throw small lures like the Rebel Teeny Wee craws and grasshoppers. The 6 ft. more leverage and casting distance. The 4'6" rod better in tight spots and accuracy. Believe the Lew's rod should perform well.

 

[garroyo130]

Its going to come down to what you're throwing. For panfish lures like trout magnets and donkey tails, the Okuma celilo ultralight is a great rod. If you're throwing hard baits like the Rebel Teenies, I'd use the light power you have now. 

[volzfan59]

I have three BPS ultra lite rods that I used when wading. A 4'6" Micro Lite series, a 5'6" Bionic Blade and a 5'6" Carbonlite. Highly recommend any of them. I don't use any of them anymore as my wading opportunities are pretty much non existent now.

 

Like my friend @Eric 26, I've got two of the Panfish Elites (6'2") but mine are light action. Very nice rods. Also have a Denali Pryme series light action rod 6'6") that I like a lot. The Denali has a skeletonized reel seat that I really like. 

 

I do like buying BPS stuff as all of their products carry a minimum of a one year warranty with zero hassle.

[TNcreekfishing]

@volzfan59 funny because I made this post looking for a shorter ultra light for this small stream yet last night I purchased a 6’ ultra light panfish elite. I just really loved the look of it and a 6’ rod has always felt good in my hand cause I’m a bigger guy at 6’4 240lbs. However I do still really like the idea of a shorter rod so I’m still on the lookout for a 4’6-5’ rod. Like I said I got an ugly stik but I would rather have something fast action that isn’t as flimsy and a little more stout. I also have a F&S 5’ ultra light tango model but I would rather have something a little nicer. I bought it for my son and he never uses it and I have never used it much either so maybe I should give it a try and just see how it does and maybe that would fill the need. Something about a 4’6 rod just sounds so fun though. I’ve seen the 13 defy silver in 5’ ultra light fast action and I’m kinda wondering about it. Thanks for all the input ?. And one more thing.. GO VOLS! I live in east tn right outside Knox so I’m a huge fan.

[casts_by_fly]

I have the bps microlite in the 7’6” ultralight model. It’s a great rod for what I do with it which is 4 lb test light bait trout fishing. I have a 500 series Stradic on it and it’s fantastic for throwing weightless single eggs and drifting them through pools. If I wanted a rod for what you are describing, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another. 

[volzfan59]

@TNcreekfishing, I'm from the Powell area of Knox County. Live is AR since 2019. AR's not bad at all, but I sure miss home/east TN.

[Tennessee Boy]

I spent about 6-8 hours a week wading creeks in middle Tennessee when I was a teenager.   I preferred a short rod.  When you’ve got overhanging trees a long rod gets in the way.   As for the rod’s action,  it all depends on what you’re throwing.  I’ve never owned a rod that could catch fish without my help so personal preference is the biggest factor in selecting a rod.

[TNcreekfishing]

@volzfan59 I live in Blount county basically right outside the national park. The river I wade and that I’m talking about is the little river if you know which one that is. I used to travel for a company and they sent me to Arizona one time. Sierra vista, we were there outside the air force base doing some sales. I liked it most there more than all the other places I got to travel to besides Alaska. But after a while I started to miss these mountains for sure and it made me really realize this is truly my home.. kind of got homesick to be honest. Even turned down traveling to Hawaii.

 

@Tennessee Boy since you have a lot of creek and stream experience, what baits do you think work best for those smaller areas? Little jigs and swimmers? What did you use?

[Tennessee Boy]

3 minutes ago, TNcreekfishing said:

@Tennessee Boy since you have a lot of creek and stream experience, what baits do you think work best for those smaller areas?

I used mostly small crankbaits and Rapala minnows.  That was in the 1970s.

[TNcreekfishing]

2 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I used mostly small crankbaits and Rapala minnows.  That was in the 1970s.

Ok cool, I got quit a few of those so I’ll make sure I’m throwing them. I’m guessing since you threw these you preferred a slower action? Medium/fast? I was wanting a fast action simply because if I’m throwing small baits like trout magnets or grubs I could get a harder hook set.

[volzfan59]

@TNcreekfishing, I've waded the Little River some. Great river!

[Mobasser]

You could get a rod from the Charlie Brewer Slider company. They're blue rod is 4'9 long, fast action, and rated for lines 4-12lb. Two handle styles, a Tennessee cork grip or traditional reel seat.Not a true ultralight, but cast light baits very well with 4 or 6lb lines. Around 65 dollars. I like the tape on Tennessee grip.

[TNcreekfishing]

11 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

You could get a rod from the Charlie Brewer Slider company. They're blue rod is 4'9 long, fast action, and rated for lines 4-12lb. Two handle styles, a Tennessee cork grip or traditional reel seat.Not a true ultralight, but cast light baits very well with 4 or 6lb lines. Around 65 dollars. I like the tape on Tennessee grip.

Thank you so much for the recommendation I will definitely look into it. That’s what I was hoping is people would have other rods they know and would recommend because it is hard to find any that short.