Ultralight reel on a 6'-6 rod?

[jb_adams]

I bought a nice Pfleuger ultralight combo but the rod was around 4'-6 or 5ft in length and extremely light action.  So light that I could not even throw a small bobber, two small split shot and a giant night crawler on a no. 6 crappie hook.  I could throw it but it wouldn't go very far.  My 6yr old was outcasting me (doubling my distance) with his ultralight with only a small beetlespin.  He'd get about a 60-70ft. cast and I'd get may be 35ft.  I'm used to a 6ft-7ft rod so I was probably overcasting.  Even when I took it easy, it was still a pathetic cast because the rod was so sensitive.

I did catch a nice 2lb white bass on a small Hula popper which was pretty cool fighting that fish on that little rig with 4lb line!

Anyway, my question is will it be OK to use this reel on a  6'-6 medium light action rod?  It feels great in my hands and feels like it is a deadly match for light tackle.  I can match my son's casts now!! (haha)  I plan on using small topwater baits, small buzzbaits (1/8oz or less) and flukes with this setup.  I see no problem with using a full sized rod on an ultralight reel.

Can you?

[Raul]

The higher you go on the power the more lure weight and strength you will need to "load up" the rod, so, no you won 't match your kiddo 's 60 ft casts with a ML rod while he 's casting with a UL. It 's not the reel, nor the line but the rod.

[Taliesin]

I think your problem may be too much weight for the rod. Depends on what you call "small" split shot and bobber. It also depends on how deep you are fishing with that bobber.

With my ultralight I usually use a tiny bobber (1/2" diameter) and one tiny split shot (1/64 oz), and a small piece of worm on a #10 hook. This worked great even with a 4' 6" Ugly Stik.

That giant nightcrawler is probably enough weight by itself. With all of that, you might move up to a Light combo.

BTW: My crappie rod is a 7' ultralight, and they make them longer.

[jb_adams]

The higher you go on the power the more lure weight and strength you will need to "load up" the rod, so, no you won 't match your kiddo 's 60 ft casts with a ML rod while he 's casting with a UL. It 's not the reel, nor the line but the rod.

I think you misunderstood me.

The reason I mentioned my son's casts were because he was using a 5'-6 ultralight (Zebco 11 spincast combo from Wal-Mart) and I was using the new Pfleuger spinning rod combo with only a 5' rod.  The difference in rod strength is quite a bit.  Both are ultralights but his is a bit more on the "Ugly Stick" strength while mine is a bit more on the super small diameter ultralight with really light action.  I've tried several small baits on the Pfleuger rod like a small Hula popper, beetlespins, etc. and it just can't match the casting distance of either my son's rod or my other ultralight.  I knew it wasn't the reel.  The reel is great.  I love the reel.  It was the Pleuger rod that came with the combo that is has a weak tip.  The bobber was very small 1/2 or 3/4 dia. and it was two really small split shots.

My question was is it OK to use an ultralight reel on a full sized rod (6ft or 7ft)?  I couldn't think of a single reason except maybe the drag becoming over worked due to a stronger rod.  Less flex means less give in the rod to absorb some of the initial impact or strain on the line which in turns engages the drag on 4lb line.  The longer rod is a 6'-6 medium light action and it's very flexible.

[JayW]

It should work fine. Maybe you're not casting as far because of the weight of the beetle spins and so forth (unless your Son is using the same thing and still casting further?)

[jb_adams]

OK, the whole son thing was more of a joke at myself. He is a good caster for a 6 yr. old though.

Again, I was just wondering if an ultralight reel will be OK on a rod that is not made for ultralights reels. It's made for a "regular" size spinning reel for bass fishing. Not offshore.  I really don't feel there will be a problem either.  I just wanted to double check.

Here is a pic of the little caster...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/jb_adams/Fishing/Jacob1.jpg

[jb_adams]

Just to update everyone, this little setup is now one of my favorite rod & reels to use.  It's light, very sensitive due to the fast action spinning rod, & the small reel is perfect for small flukes, topwater baits, etc.  I can cast a spot remover and finesse worm quite a ways.

This has been a great combination.  I recommend it to anyone who wants a light weight combo for light tackle.