Good Pan fish rod?

So what is a good pan fish rod? Spend most of my time fishing walleyes so most of those rods and line are just to stiff for decent pan fishing. Guess Im looking for something that will cast lighter jigs, 1/8th ounce and lighter. Figured Ill most likely have to drop down to #4 test. Do have a couple of 7′ medium light rods in the garage with #4 mono on them. Maybe I should look at a lighter braid for them? Planning on looking for some gils and crappies on the river. Found a few last weekend on the upper croix buried in the timber. Found a few more the weekend before that on the dams on pool 2. Both times I had to find smaller jigs in the boat and just tie them onto my walleye gear. Figured maybe I should get a little more serious about catching them and at least bring a panfish rod with and some tackle.

Any pointers on this would be great. Thanks

I’m certainly no expert, but the last couple of years I’ve had good luck with a cheapie Abu Garcia medium light 6 foot rod. Using 6 lb Sensation mono, which I really like (if I stumble across an eye – or northern, works great for them too). A week or so ago, I also used a 6 foot light action Gander rod I picked up cheap, with 4 pound test. And that worked great as well. On the river, I’ve generally been trying to use 1/8 oz. jigs (VMC, the hair/skirt version). Been slow so far for me. Last year was good. I know a lot of guys use the real long rods, too, but can’t speak to how well those work. I wouldn’t go any more than medium light, and any shorter than 6 foot. 4 to 6lb test, mono, seems fine. i tried braid, but as much as i snag dragging/casting the jigs, got tired of that.

If it were me I would go with a light action rod with a quick tip but a strong backbone especially if you are around timber perhaps as a money saving tactic you could use those ML rods you have. I like 6 foot plus rods (anything over 7’6 is a waste IMHO unless you are dipping around cover) for my pannies. And the reels spooled with 4lb (maybe you should use 6 lb if your fishing around snags) high vis green trilene xl mono, that stuff hasn’t failed me yet and it is cheap. I would invest in some 1/16th oz colored jigs if I were you though, in my experience that size and weight is the best for me granted I fish inland lakes often with only slip floats, and I assuming you are pitching these jigs or just casting and retrieving. Also take a look at getting some panfish plastics if you don’t have any already, they can be deadly on the big slabs. Hope this helps

I have been using my 6’9″ St.Croix Avid Medium Light with great success. I have 6lb. seaguar invizx fluoro spooled on it.
This is actually my clear water drop-shot set up for bass, but it works great for dragging 1/16 oz. jigs for panfish. They even cast pretty good with the 6lb. fluoro.
Big Bluegills and Crappies put a good bend in this rod, but I might go to a light action with 4lb. test if it were strictly for panfish.

i use 6′ 6″ st croix avid UL with 4lbs trilene xl and all are pair with some kind of shimano reel in the 1000 size. the rod has quit a bit of backbone for an UL.

I love the Panfish series rods from St. Croix. They have 9 different models, but for what you’re looking for I would probably recommend the 7′ LXF. It’s a great little rod for handling bruiser kills, slab crappies, and can also handle walleyes. I would pair it with a 1000 sized Shimano.

Mike

I use a light braid when digging fish out of wood or around logs. Saves a ton of retying! Unless you are tossing 1/32 or smaller jigs regularly, I think your ml rods will do the trick.

I am in lust with the Croix panfish rods though. Unbelievably light rod. I like the 69ul or 7lxf. I want one someday.

Good luck!

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I love the Panfish series rods from St. Croix. They have 9 different models, but for what you’re looking for I would probably recommend the 7′ LXF. It’s a great little rod for handling bruiser kills, slab crappies, and can also handle walleyes. I would pair it with a 1000 sized Shimano.

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I have the same rod Chris…love it for Crappie. Caught some 16″ White Bass, Walleye and a 6# Dogfish with that stick last fall on P-4!

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So what is a good pan fish rod? Spend most of my time fishing walleyes so most of those rods and line are just to stiff for decent pan fishing. Guess Im looking for something that will cast lighter jigs, 1/8th ounce and lighter. Figured Ill most likely have to drop down to #4 test. Do have a couple of 7′ medium light rods in the garage with #4 mono on them. Maybe I should look at a lighter braid for them? Planning on looking for some gils and crappies on the river. Found a few last weekend on the upper croix buried in the timber. Found a few more the weekend before that on the dams on pool 2. Both times I had to find smaller jigs in the boat and just tie them onto my walleye gear. Figured maybe I should get a little more serious about catching them and at least bring a panfish rod with and some tackle.

Any pointers on this would be great. Thanks

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Well, IMO a 1/8 is a HEAVY panfish jig. So yeah, a ML with 4 or 6lb line should be great for fishing 1/8 jigs. If you fish with 1/16 and 1/8 you might want a 7′ L action. I would not suggest an UL if you are going to fish 1/8oz jigs, just too underpowered IMO. 1/16 is max for an UL. I use my 6’6 ML Premier for crappie jigs (1/16) and it works great. I use 6# seaguar red label fluorocarbon (diameter of 4lb).

1/80 and 1/100 are light panfish jigs IMO. For them I use a 5′ UL with 2# ice line.

For 1/32 range I use a 6′ UL with 4lb powerpro braid.

I have 2 Croix Avid 6’6″ light one piece rods that I pitch Minnie mites for crappies. I use 6 lb. 832 or Fireline. I have one spooled with lime green and one in crystal. I love this setup. You can feel a crappie suck in 1/32 oz. jig with it and you get a nice top of the mouth hook set. I give it