Rod for Bluegill and Panfish

[nso123]

I love fishing for bass, but have always had a passion for bluegill and panfish. What do you feel is the best rod available?  I have several, but am looking for the best, nicest rod for them.

[MN Fisher]

That covers a lot of ground - I've got 4 rods I use for bluegills/crappie/perch - different lengths/powers/actions based on what lures I'm using. Are you going to primarily use a jig and bobber? Are you going micro-crank/jerk? How about hair jigs?

 

St Croix Legend Elite and Dobyns Xtasy are two top-of-the-line rods - now pick a length/power/action.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Coworker just got a daiwa presso air ags rod it very nice

[nso123]

59 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

That covers a lot of ground - I've got 4 rods I use for bluegills/crappie/perch - different lengths/powers/actions based on what lures I'm using. Are you going to primarily use a jig and bobber? Are you going micro-crank/jerk? How about hair jigs?

 

St Croix Legend Elite and Dobyns Xtasy are two top-of-the-line rods - now pick a length/power/action.

 

Sorry about that I guess I was a little vague. I would be primarily using small jigs and live worms. I have a different setup for crappie.  

[Bird]

Do you deliberately want to spend much on a bluegill rod ?

Wife catches bushels on Zebco bullet.

 

They are a blast on an ultralight though.

[nso123]

Just now, Bird said:

Do you deliberately want to spend much on a bluegill rod ?

Wife catches bushels on Zebco bullet.

 

They are a blast on an ultralight though.

I am at a point in my life where I do.  I like nice stuff, and have some health conditions that, while not debilitating, stand a good chance of causing me a rapid departure.  My doctor likes to call me his favorite genetic anomaly. 

[MN Fisher]

Well, what you use for crappie will work fine for any panfish - but

 

Jigs and worms under a bobber or free-retrieve?

[nso123]

7 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Well, what you use for crappie will work fine for any panfish - but

 

Jigs and worms under a bobber or free-retrieve?

Under a bobber mostly, with occasional free-retrieving. 

[MediumMouthBass]

If panfishing its hard to beat anything from ACC Crappie Stix.

Shimano also has the Sensilite and Daiwa has the Presso if you want something that looks a bit nicer.

[Eric 26]

I just recently bought 2 St Croix panfish rods. My most recent is the panfish series and prior to that a Avid Panfish series rod and although I don’t have a ton of time or catches on either they’re both well made with the Avid being worth the extra money in my opinion. For a good handful of years I have been using 2 BPS panfish Elite rods and although lower in price they are excellent, again in my humble opinion.

[MN Fisher]

17 minutes ago, nso123 said:

Under a bobber mostly, with occasional free-retrieving. 

That's gonna take two rods unless you're the upper end of panfish jigs (1/4-5/16oz)- bobber adds weight so a ML power would be best here. Casting light jigs alone, you're looking at a L or UL - which would be overpowered when a bobber is added.

 

[Hulkster]

the Loomis trout rods are amazing, although they are discontinued except for one GLX model. 

 

I have the TSR 791 and its amazing. a true fast action UL rod. 

[Eric 26]

For what it’s worth I have several different “panfish” rods ranging from short 5’-6” ultralight & light powered rods to my personal longest 7’-2” light powered rod and a handful of others in ultralight to light powered and if I had to choose only 1 for all of my panfish applications it would be either my 7’-0” St Croix Avid Panfish light powered rod or my 7’-2” BPS Panfish Elite light powered rod for the versatility of casting and retrieving jigs/smaller crank baits or casting a jig or baited hook under a bobber, I feel the light powered rods are more versatile. I fish from the bank with very little obstructions in my path but if I need I have a 6’-4” light powered rod that will handle the same duties I mentioned above that I also love. As far as I’m concerned if the rod in question is only for panfish there are quite a few rod companies from low end to high end specializing in panfish series rods but for my money light powered fast action rods are the most versatile with soft tip sections but good backbone to be versatile.

[ATA]

Never seen better rod in this price range.

 

https://troutmagnet.com/trout-magnet/fishing-rods/trout-slayer-series-rod.html

[FishTank]

If you want to go all out for a luxury item..... the Megabass Great Hunting Huntsman has been on my list for a while. I dream of pairing it with a Pagani/Isuzu reel but another Shimano Conquest BFS would work. 

 

The rod I currently use for panfish and trout is a Tenryu Rayz Integral 4'8'' L-4 piece with a Shimano Conquest BFS. Great rod but like most trout rods, if you hook into anything big, you will need a net.  It has been a pleasure to fish. I can through a 3 gram lure a pretty good distance with this set up. 

 

For some true fun and the group of guys I fish with haven't done it in years..... The Barbie Fishing Rod Challenge. We would all get a cheap Barbie rod, put some money together for charity and the guy with the most fish gets bragging rights.  It's was a blast. 

 

Just in case, I probably wouldn't use the two trout rods mentioned above on a boat. 

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, ATA said:

Never seen better rod in this price range.

 

https://troutmagnet.com/trout-magnet/fishing-rods/trout-slayer-series-rod.html

 

Link says out of stock.

 

OP, sorry about your health.  I'm with you.  Prefer better quality rods and reels these days even though I don't catch more fish with them.  However, they do give me more pleasure.

 

I can't afford what you are looking for so not going to make any suggestions.  My panfish rod is a 6' ML Lightning that's around 50 or so years old.  I have an Ace Hawk Double (C602UL/L) for when I get the urge to try panfish with a casting rod.

 

[Hulkster]

I have heard good things about the loomis GCX lite rods, but I've never handled one.

 

they do make a 7 foot fast action 1 piece UL rod which is my favorite configuration for an UL rod. 

 

they do very well with a 1000 size shimano spinner and 4 pound mono 

 

Long and fast. no little 5'6 UL rods for me 

[KP Duty]

My brother just picked up the Legend Elite panfish...loves it.  He also raves about his Phenix panfish rod.  

[Dreveal]

I have one of the Cashion panfish rods and love it. 

[Alex from GA]

A friend recommended a blank for a bluegill rod and I built one.  6' ultra light moderate action.  I used it in FL for the past couple of months with a 1/32 oz beetle spin and caught dozens of bluegills and a few bass with it.  Fun rod.

[casts_by_fly]

Off the rack, the St Croix panfish rods are great.  Lots of options for length and power to suit you.

 

That said, given your want to have something to truly enjoy I would suggest a conversation with DVT about a custom rod.  It probably won't cost as much as a GLX (it certainly doesn't need to) and it will be exact to your specifications.  

[thunderblack]

I just ordered a St. Croix Avid Panfish 6-9 ML. If its like the walleye series they are really nice for the money. St. Croix has the best selection of panfish rods in my opinion. 

[PBBrandon]

I have the 6ft UL and 6’6” L St Croix Premier rods and they are great for panfish. I know there are nicer rods out there but they are very nice and made in the USA. St Croix makes some great panfish rods. Also the 6’6” I have is a 2 piece which really does come in handy when walking along a creek where you can break it down

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I currently use a Poison Adrena for gills and crappie. Put on some 5# Varivas braid and throw 1/124 jighead and 1' gulp minnow fairly good distance for the weight. Super sensitive and there is an UL model, I have the ML.

[msgf91]

Check out i_fish or fish anything on YouTube. They review a ton of UL panfish rods. The i_fish guy was promoting some JDM prototype rod as the best panfish rod. I want to get a nicer panfish rod because I also catch big bass with panfish gear. But I keep catching big fish on my cheaper rods like my Handing Magic L and TFO signature series (TFO makes a good panfish rod). I picked up the Handing for $30 and the TFO used for $50.