How to Choose an Ultra Light?
I was going through ebay earlier and looking for some ultra light rods to use while spring panfishing. To be honest there wasn’t much of a selection even though I had 51 hits for an ultra light rod in the sporting goods heading. Lots of cheap stuff probably bought on a close-out by someone looking to unload them just on the website.
So how do you choose a good ultra light for chasing crappie and bluegill? Factor in your style of fishing; do you cast, or just use live bait and a bobber? Do you do both? Sure Michigan allows for two rods per angler. Do you jig over open water? Are you fishing an open area or will there be some trees or docks in the area? What size baits do I use? Is strictly live bait your only tactic or do you like a jig and plastic to throw out?
Now factor in your budget. Do you want the best? Do you want a good quality rod, but just don’t have a ton of money to spend? Do you want something in between or just the cheapest thing you can find? You do have some play here in your choices. You might consider spending more money on a casting or jigging rod, and then less on a bobber rod.
My rods are from St. Croix, not only do I like the quality, but it is an American company, whose products are made in the United States. Take that back, the Triumphs series is made overseas, but the Premiers, Avids and Legends are made in Wisconsin. That is nothing against G. Loomis rods which are made in Washington state, but owned by Shimano. That’s nothing against the parent who goes out and buys an Ugly Stik by Shakespeare for their child. In fact its probably not a bad idea for kids to go out and fish the ugly’s for a while. Kids are hard on rods, come to think of it, so are a few buddies of mine. They are an excellent choice in the low end range for a bobber rod. They just don’t make one long enough in my book.
This might make a few people cringe, but that’s ok too, not everyone fishes all the time, but a good starting point for a rod will be in the $70 range retail. From there the sky is pretty much the limit. A good jigging rod, or one for casting in close quarters will be in the 4′6″ or five foot range. A good casting (open water) rod will be 6 ft or 6′6″ long. Bobber rods should be 6′6″ or 7′ in length.
Why a long rod for your bobber fishing? Leverage and hook set for the most part. If you fish relatively close in to your target area, don’t feel like these guidelines are set in stone, because they are not. A 6ft rod can be just as effective. I like setting up 10 to 15 yards from where I know the fish are, and when I lift my rod tip I want to be able to set the hook as quick as possible. The longer rod allows for this. Now if you are only throwing your bobber 10 foot away, you can use that 6ft rod and get the job done.
Those are some of the things I look for in a panfish rod.