panfish guys….rod length

With the help of Kevin dueceduece I’m set on getting a st.Croix panfish series rod as a gift for the Old Man, but in store I was feeling them out and wondering what lengths you guys find the best. I personally didn’t like the 7′ ul but the 6’6″ or 6’8″ L can’t remember felt it would have more control. Crappie fishing mostly tossing lil jigs or long lining till he finds him.

Also anyone know in the twin cities area where a store carries the SMB series by Croix, I want to get my hands on one this winter.

Short notice but I’m picking up after work about 5ish so in a hurry. I’m such a procrastinator

From what you posted I would stick with the longest possible rod especially if he is straight lining. The 7 ft UL will be the best bet also for casting super light jigs for distance due to the whip effect it utilizes. From what I’ve heard these rods are legit, haven’t scraped the funding together to get one yet but hope to in the future. In my personal opinion for pannies, the longer the rod the better, I use exclusively 6’6 and longer for all my fishing but that’s just me.

I don’t like the 7’er either. I like the 6’9 though! Its the best multi-purpose UL rod I have ever held. Great for throwing crappie jigs and also great for tight lining late fall.

What kind of lines you guys using? He really sticks with his 4# mono and thinking a light rod may be better for some hook setting power, where braid might shine on an UL. I’m out of my realm with pan fishing so may not be the case

I use 4 and 6 lb mono on all of my ul and light rods and I have never noticed a difference. But I can see how braid would possibly help hook-ups. I guess if you are worried about it go with the 6’9 light, its conservative and will do the job. Does he normally prefer one or the other?

He’s the box store whatever they got on sale guy, so most his rods are really short 5-6.5′ ft. But been wanting a nice rod so thought I’d help him out. Thanks guys!

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What kind of lines you guys using? He really sticks with his 4# mono and thinking a light rod may be better for some hook setting power, where braid might shine on an UL. I’m out of my realm with pan fishing so may not be the case

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4lb trilene XL and 4lb powerpro braid. Both work equally well on UL rods.

For my ML that I use for bigger crappie jigs I have 6lb seaguar flouro which has the dia of 4lb.

i use a 6′ 6” rod. also have a 7′ rod but prefer the 6′ 6” i use 4lbs berkly xl

I have about 10 crappie rods that are from 6′ super light weight [rated for 1/64 heads] to a 10 footer. I have a pair of 6’6″ rated for 1/32 jigs. I have one 6’9″ ultralight and a 7′ ultralight, plus the two super ultralights mentioned….all of these are custom builds. I have a few St.Croix Trophys too in 6’6″ light weight.

There really isn’t any magic length that is universal. Its about what you are comfortable with. I know people who were talked into 7 foot ultralights that hate the things and never fish them anymore. I know people who simply can’t fish a rod unless its 7 feet long. Everyone is different. Now if it were me, I’d be running down to a FleetFarm or Gander or even [censored] and picking up the ultralights in various lengths just to see how they feel in the hand. I’d even bring a reel along to hang on the rods to see how the balance is and just how well the feel is on each one. I would never buy a rod sight-unseen again. Ever.

People vary, their likes and dislikes vary and then the rods themselves vary even between two supposedly identical rods. Money is hard to come by anymore so I suggest doing some footwork and shop around some to determine what length of rod feels the best in YOUR hands.

6’9″ UL with Sedona 1000. One of the few gifts that I’ve given that I don’t want to give, and selfishly keep for myself BC this combo is freaking unbelivably sweeet

A lot to say for something I have yet to use, nor will anytime soon, but for the money it can’t be beat IMO. Got me stoked to find the small mouth series rods from Croix if I can find em.

Side note reason why I can’t find the St.Croix line is BC its Fenwick that has the Small mouth line

One heck of a combo there!