Help with a new summer panfish rod choice

The last few years I’ve started to do ALOT more panfish fishing ( mostly early spring and late fall ) All of my panfish rods are Rather short ( 5′-6′ ) I think I’d like to purchase something new prior to this open water season. Most my panfishing is done with Bobbers – using the bobber itself to indicate the bite ( I wish I could find a supply of the old plastic Pencil style ones ) So a rod with Great sensitivity is not really needed. I’m thinking going the new longer rod trend is the way to go. Just not sure what length to go. I know I don’t want anything like some of the 9 ft rods I’ve seen some use. I’m thinking probably something in the 7 – 7 1/2 ” is probably what I’d want. Does anyone have any recommendations for a Brand and model. Also what are your thought on the ideal length? I assume I’m probably going to need to look at a 2 piece rod if I go anything longer than 7′ – transporting either in the rod locker or in the Auto will become a issue if over 7″

I have a StCroix Avid 66` ultra light and talk about a hoot to fish with and yet I have landed a 46 inch Northern on it with 6lb test mono, pure luck as the jig was right in the corner of his mouth. Scheels Panfish series in 7 foot are very nice for the price also have one of them I like it not as light as the StCroix but does an excellent job as I do like the extra length.

Limit Creek telescoping 8fter med light is a great panfish rod, plus a great walleye stick.

We have a really nice 7’2″ UL rod at TUCR. It’s a one-piece rod. It is spendy, but you will have a super rod that will perform exceptionally. Right now they are 15% off.
Dan

TUCR APEX ELITE SERIES 7’2″ Ultra-Light Fast Action

You can’t go wrong with a st croix ultra light.
I have a 6ft premier and a 7ft eyecon finesse light.
Both are great crappie sticks and both handle finesse walleye techniques very well also.

Another option (depending on your budget) is the JT Panhandler. I have the 6’6″ rod and use it for anything from bobbers to pitching small jigs for panfish in shallows, vertical jigging suspended crappies and also walleye fishing when its a very light bite.

I have a 7′ and rarely use it. I much prefer the smaller/lighter 5.5-6.0 size.
Everyone has there own preference. My two favorite meat haulers are HMG’s.

I have been using a St. Croix Panfish series 7 ft rod for 6 years, and I love it. If you want 2 piece, the freshwater Trout series 7 footer is 2 piece and has nearly identical action to the panfish (at least in the generation of rod that I purchased) and IIRC the Panfish series only have a 5 year warranty, where the Trout series have the lifetime warranty, but they are a bit more $ too.
I have the Shimano Symetre mounted on it, and that is an exceptional combination.

mojo wrote:

I have been using a St. Croix Panfish series 7 ft rod for 6 years, and I love it…..I have the Shimano Symetre mounted on it, and that is an exceptional combination.

I have the exact same set-up for one of my panfish rigs. The other has the same reel but on the St.Croix TRS66F Triumph rod. I also have the Limit Creek telescoping 8 footer that catmando refers to with a 1000 series Sahara on. All are exceptional panfish rods. I also have six others I built all on 1 piece Avid blanks that range from 6 foot to 7 foot, all carrying Saharas in the 750-1000 series sizes. All of these are spooled with clear 4 pound XL line.

I am trying a 2 piece Crappie Styx. I should stay off You tube. We found the further you cast away from boat the better. Will let yo know in summer. Price was pretty good also

Have a 7 foot g-loomis. It is absolutely awesome! If you are looking to bobber fish especially it is very important to have a longer rod (near 7 foot or more) so that you can pick up the slack line off the water easier and quicker. You will be suprised at how much easier and funner it is. I have shorter rods for other methods, but for bobber fishing or making longer casts with light weight jigs 7 foot ia about perfect. No shorter

mojo wrote:

I have been using a St. Croix Panfish series 7 ft rod for 6 years, and I love it. If you want 2 piece, the freshwater Trout series 7 footer is 2 piece and has nearly identical action to the panfish (at least in the generation of rod that I purchased) and IIRC the Panfish series only have a 5 year warranty, where the Trout series have the lifetime warranty, but they are a bit more $ too.
I have the Shimano Symetre mounted on it, and that is an exceptional combination.

That is one of the best panfish rods I have ever used.Light enough tip where you can cast light jigs/rigs,but enough backbone to not act like a wet noodle.I wish StCroix offered that blank alone for sale.

Following. Been looking for a lite rod in the 6’6″ – 7’6″ range, will most likely be getting a 25 series President. Seems like with A LOT of the UL rods they’re pretty noodley. Makes setting the hook on a longer bobber cast not great.

I like my Fenwick Elite Tech River Runner. It’s an ultralight action 6′ 9″ and it’s a ice all-round panfish/trout rod. Long enough, but not cumbersome.

Another fan of the St. Croix rods. I use a 7-foot for panfish. It’s versatile, has enough backbone when a big sunnie tries to drag you in to the pads to get it turned. It’s also enough for the random bass caught while panfishing.

I have 3 6’6″ Croix Avid lite that I love for crappie fishing. Doesn’t matter if pitching or running bobbers.

catmando wrote:

Limit Creek telescoping 8fter med light is a great panfish rod, plus a great walleye stick.

I just bought that exact same rod last weekend at the Wisconsin Fishing Expo in Madison. Great show they have and I also picked up a complete Finicky Fooler package. Was a fun time with my daughter, SIL and grandsons. Went to Toby’s after for bluegill dinner.

Sorry, I digress…that Limit Creek rod I’m planning for slip bobbin walleye. It seems a bit stiff and heavier action for panfish.

For panfish I have one rod, an UL Gary Roach series 6’6″ rod made before they went to crap. One is all I need for the amount of open water panfishing I do.

I wouldn’t spend heavy on an open water panfish rod.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

Sorry, I digress…that Limit Creek rod I’m planning for slip bobbin walleye. It seems a bit stiff and heavier action for panfish.

With 4 pound XL my Limit Creek collapsible tosses a 1/16 jig a mile. Its a great panfish rod but lines over the 4 pound range will create issues casting light jigs. This rod flings a small float and a 1/32 jig/plastic a long, long ways.

I also use the Limit Creek collapsible on the breakwater in Two Harbors for tossing light spinners and up to 1/4 ounce spoons. While the rods were designed for slip-bobber rigs for walleyes I honestly think they’re very under-used if that is all they get used for.

I have the 6′ 9″ St. Croix panfish series rod, and really like it. I fished with a JT Panhandler last year, and will probably be adding one of those to the locker soon. The JT gets into the backbone faster than my SC, but still has a tip that’s light enough to throw a light bait a good distance. Overall I would call the JT a more versatile rod.

Those Limit Creek extendables are versatile rods, too. Although I wouldn’t have thought of them as panfish rods. I use mine mainly for slip bobbering walleye, but have used them as rigging rods, and pulled light bouncers with them.

My favorite all around rig is a 4 piece 14 wt fly rod with a nice spinning reel on it. You can put on a steel leader with a 1oz Johnson silver minnow and go pike hunting, or setup a bobber rig and pitch it an outrageous distance.

Daiwa Presso is a fantastic ultra-light panfish rod. I have the 6’ 1-4 pound. They make them up to 11’ I believe. I use 4 pound Maxima Chameleon. I use it mostly for dry flies with a casting bubble and streamers behind a leader, swivel, and a bullet sinker. It’s also a great rod for bobbers and jigs. Handles panfish to smallmouth. Under $100. Hard to beat in my opinion.

Tom Sawvell wrote:

I also use the Limit Creek collapsible on the breakwater in Two Harbors for tossing light spinners and up to 1/4 ounce spoons.

Tom can that telescoping Limit Creek handle a salmon ok? I assume that’s what you’re fishing from the breakwater anyway.

Fishthumper,
Have you tried one of the 9, 10 , 12 foot rods for panfish. They are a gas… I saw my neibors 9’00” Shakespeare Crappie Hunter rod and reel combo in his garage and kind of chuckled. I stopped at L and M in Cloquet on the way north one weekend and bought one ($25.00) on sale- easily my favorite rod for fishing crappies with a bobber 4 or 5 feet deep. The bobber twitches and a long sweeping hookset takes up the slack perfect every time. Also enough give in the rod that you can’t set the hook too hard. I actually bought 2 more of them on clearance for $22.00 I liked it so much. The fight is like on a fly rod.
Now I want to try a higher end long rod and quality reel.

Good Luck on you search

Steve

moustachesteve wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Tom Sawvell wrote:</div>
I also use the Limit Creek collapsible on the breakwater in Two Harbors for tossing light spinners and up to 1/4 ounce spoons.

Tom can that telescoping Limit Creek handle a salmon ok? I assume that’s what you’re fishing from the breakwater anyway.

Oh yes, and very handily. I’ve taken lake trout to 12 pounds using the Limit Creek telescopic rod. Spinners and lures to 1/4 ounce don’t labor the rod in casting a bit and I have at times flipped a 1/2 ounce Krokodile lure or two with it.

interesting thread. been after a good summer panfish rod for a while. in looking at the st Croix panfish series would you recommend 7ft rod listed as light action (PFS70LXF) or the 6′ 9″ listed as an ultra light (PFS69ULF). really enjoy fishing with a rod as light as possible so leaning the 6′ 9″ route but will listen to suggestions.

crappie55369 wrote:

interesting thread. been after a good summer panfish rod for a while. in looking at the st Croix panfish series would you recommend 7ft rod listed as light action (PFS70LXF) or the 6′ 9″ listed as an ultra light (PFS69ULF). really enjoy fishing with a rod as light as possible so leaning the 6′ 9″ route but will listen to suggestions.

X2. I was thinking a light action to help with the occasional bass/weeds scenario but was wondering how it would fling light lures. Casting distance is an important need for me.

I have the 6’9″ model and love it. If I want a longer rod I’ll use the Limit Creek being discussed here as well.

When a Big gill tries to bury into the weeds that Limit Creek really shines, I have rigged and jigged walleye, light bounce, panfish, and caught Steelhead with it, it’s a good rod. DK.

Just thought I’d give a update on what I purchased. I decided on the St. Croix panfish series rod. I got it in the 7ft light action. Paired it with a 25 size Pflueger president XT reel. Used it for the 1st time today and love it. I did later find a 13 fishing 7ft ul rod at less than 1/2 the cost of the St.Croix – i don’t think it’s as nice but it’s a great rod for the cost. I think I’m going to pick up one for my wife. Plan to pair it with a standard president also in the 25 size. Think it will be a excellent 100.00 setup.

crappie55369 wrote:

interesting thread. been after a good summer panfish rod for a while. in looking at the st Croix panfish series would you recommend 7ft rod listed as light action (PFS70LXF) or the 6′ 9″ listed as an ultra light (PFS69ULF). really enjoy fishing with a rod as light as possible so leaning the 6′ 9″ route but will listen to suggestions.

I went back and forth between the same 2 rods. I actually felt that the 6’9 ul felt slightly stiffer than the 7’ Light. I decided on the 7’ mainly because it seemed to balance out better with my reel choice. Don’t think you could go wrong with either choice. If you go with a slightly smaller reel the 6’9 mY balance better