Panfish Rod Recommendations?

Looking for a 5′ – 5’6″ lightweight panfish spinning rod for the grandkids (and me) to use. The few “crappie rods” I’ve used over the years start to flex at the handle – similar to a cheap ice fishing rod. Anyone have a recommendation? Would like to get a better quality rod and will likely buy several for the boat.

Thanks
Pete

St croix premier series is what I use with an abu garcia cardinal. Seems sensitive for the money. I have it in light power and even use it for finesse walleye jigging.

My buddies and I have all gotten these because they are so $^&$%^ cool for the money. I have two in ultralight. 6.5 and 7 foot. They are sweet. I recommend the 6 or 6.5. Even the 5 if you need a short rod. The 7 doesnt balance well but still great action.

We test our rods quite extensively at my buddies private lake where we catch crappie after crappie every time we go. You quickly figure out rods. I’ve got a a couple Fenwick HMG’s I love too but spending twice as much for a rod that barely performs better if at all is no longer something I do.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gander-Mountain-Angler-Series-Panfish/Trout-Rod-5-Ultra-Light&i=831032&r=view&from=grid

I’ve always wanted exactly what you described and I never found a commercial light/Ultra-light rod that had enough backbone. Last year when I was purchasing a Walleye rod at Tuned Up Custom I mentioned it to John and he told me he had exactly the right blank for me… He was right. I’d give TUC a call and I’m sure they can get you exactly what you are looking for.

Will

My son has this rod and it is awesome for panfish and has plenty of backbone.

http://stcroixrods.com/products/freshwater/panfish-series/

Ben

I second the St. Croix panfish series rods. I have the 7 foot light. Nice backbone, soft tip, great for panfish and even split shot rigging walleyes. Ultra light is too soft for me. The 7 foot balances well with a spinning reel in the “1000” size. They list for $120, but you can find them cheaper. Good luck!

john_h wrote:

I second the St. Croix <em class=”ido-tag-em”>panfish series rods. I have the 7 foot light. Nice backbone, soft tip, great for panfish and even split shot rigging walleyes. Ultra light is too soft for me. The 7 foot balances well with a spinning reel in the “1000” size. They list for $120, but you can find them cheaper. Good luck!

X3

I have a 1000 symetre on mine.

love it

john_h wrote:

I second the St. Croix <em class=”ido-tag-em”>panfish series rods. I have the 7 foot light. Nice backbone, soft tip, great for panfish and even split shot rigging walleyes. Ultra light is too soft for me. The 7 foot balances well with a spinning reel in the “1000” size. They list for $120, but you can find them cheaper. Good luck!

I have this rod too, love it!

I just started using them this year, but the Cabela’s Eagle 50s Light, 7′ 6″ rod has been amazing…. Also just because I had one rigged with a bobber I corked with it a little on Mille Lacs and ended up catching a few 20″+ smallies and it handled them no problem….

Scheels rods only way to go.i was a ugly stik guy but those rods are amazing

St Croix Travel 6’ 4 piece Lite Fast w Shimano 500 Sahara. Fits in small briefcase or motorcycle or wherever. Always ready, can catch anything from Perch to Crappie to Bass to big fat 5lb drum on the Ohio (took a while, lol). Great rod I keep tucked away somewhere, inside the yak or assembled and ready.

I use BPS Crappie Maxx 6’6 and 7′ Crappie rods. About $50. Plenty sensitive. I landed a 13lb Channel Cat on one. Had to play the fish but I beat her. Yes, used a net.

Not sure what your price point is but the Fenwick Eagles are very nice for $60. They are more than capable of taking the kind of abuse that Grandkids can dish out.

No8. Hellbent. Great rod cheap price. I use a 1 piece 7 ft and really like it

My vote is for the Croix panfish rods, I like mine longer for casting light rigs at a distance for shallow spooky early season fish up shallow. Wont be long now!

I also use St.Croix. I have a 6ft premier light and a 7ft eyecon finesse light. No complaints.

I got an ugly stick combo last year for Father’s Day. It’s a light action 5’ rod w/ Shakespeare reel. I loved it so my kids bought me another one for my birthday this year. Now I have two for the boat. I’ve always been an ugly stik guy. I own 8 ugly combos. Two of them are close to 20 yrs old.

If you order over $50 on ugly stik website, free shipping. You can also send in for a free t shirt with a combo purchase and the combos are on sale right now on their site.

The combo is only $39.99 so the kids also got me a red hoodie for $20 to get the free shipping.

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I went through this 2 years ago. I ended up getting a scheels ultra light series. It has a fast tip and good backbone. Definitely worth a look at.

Limit Creek has a sweet panfish rod that I believe is 5’10” and loads well with plenty of spine. Very clean rod and won’t break the bank.

I have an older Guide Series 5 1/2 ft UL and a newer St Croix 6 ft panfish UL. They are both real good and a lot of fun when you get a pie-plate. I almost prefer the Guide Series because the eyes on the St Croix are so small that a bobber stop gets hung up easily.

I’m looking for a ~7ft Light or Ultralight rod under $40 that is NOT a two piece. It seems like every single L or UL rod 6’6 and up are all two-piecers, save for the high end rods.

ejdelvo28 wrote:

I’m looking for a ~7ft Light or Ultralight rod under $40 that is NOT a two piece. It seems like every single L or UL rod 6’6 and up are all two-piecers, save for the high end rods.

My hellbent is 1 piece but I see now they are discontinued. To bad it is a really good panny rod

If your interested at fleet farm in cambridge if your close a 5ft 6 hellbent ultralight xtra fast is on clearance right now. You’ll really like it