When doing so say fishing arties all day do you prefer a shorter rod like a 6’ or 6’ 6" or a 7-8’ rod? I know most like a 2-3000 size reel as to keep weight down, just curious on thoughts on rod size for a lot of lightweight casting. Talk to me!
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
I think you answered this for yourself. 6’ 6" rod and 2000 reel. Light enough to cast all day yet strong enough to handle the fight.
Thats partially what I am after, that and I find myself being more accurate with a shorter rod but the longer rods seem to cast futher…also with the long rod I feel like I loose some sensitivity
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
quote:
Originally posted by StumpNockerThats partially what I am after, that and I find myself being more accurate with a shorter rod but the longer rods seem to cast futher…also with the long rod I feel like I loose some sensitivity
I have a 9’ ultralight rod that I use for finesse baits like trick worms on a shaky head jighead. Watch your line. You’ll see bites and react to them faster if you rely on your eyes instead of your hand feeling it. Thanks to fatrat and Penny for teaching me this. 
For topwater I use a 6’6" rod, but I’m pointing that at the water when I’m working it back to me. For hard baits and paddlers I use a 7’ rod.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
I may have to give that a whirl! I only use my ultra light 1000 on a 9’ or 10’ for Crappie and the Shad run …that set up will cast a 1/32 oz jig a mile with 4lb test! But like I said I will give it a try and see how it goes!
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
Stillwater or soft plastics?
14’ Skiff-“Redfish Reaper”
quote:
Originally posted by StumpNockerI may have to give that a whirl! I only use my ultra light 1000 on a 9’ or 10’ for Crappie and the Shad run …that set up will cast a 1/32 oz jig a mile with 4lb test! But like I said I will give it a try and see how it goes!
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
You should use your crappie gear. What is the worst that could happen.
My inshore rods is a Loomis UL 2-4# at 6’9" paired with a Stradic Microlite 1000 and #5 Power Pro. I had 5 nice fish today out of about 15 bites. I fish about 1.3# of drag. If I get crazy 1.8#. All on topwater. Perfect setup IMO.
One trout was pushing 30".
My preference is a 6 foot rod, graphite (for sensitivity), on a spinning reel that can hold around 150 yards of 20# braided line.
I do not prefer longer rods for artificials. I am (personally) FAR more accurate on my casts when beating the weedline if I have a 6 foot rod instead of a 7 foot rod. I’ve not found the 6 footers to sacrifice much in terms of casting distance. The only compromise that I have found is that you have less cushion when large redfish (or bonnets, rays) make hard runs when close to your boat; a 7 foot rod gives you a bit more flex… so on my 6 foot rods I run a lighter drag.
When I fish, I carry two 6 foot rods and two 7 foot rods. Honestly, it’s just because my rods serve double duty and that’s just what I have. But if I were only fishing inshore saltwater for reds/trout/flounder, I’d have mostly just 6 footers.
Graphite rods and braided spectra lines are the key to me.
quote:
Originally posted by Courtland[quote]Originally posted by StumpNocker
You should use your crappie gear. What is the worst that could happen.My inshore rods is a Loomis UL 2-4# at 6’9" paired with a Stradic Microlite 1000 and #5 Power Pro. I had 5 nice fish today out of about 15 bites. I fish about 1.3# of drag. If I get crazy 1.8#. All on topwater. Perfect setup IMO.
One trout was pushing 30".
No doubt that ultralights add a whole new dimension to using finesse baits.
I’m sure you are an experienced angler and all but I think it’s a bit better of an idea for most folks to be tossing 10-20 pound line when fishing for trouts and reds— it’s just way to easy to get a 10 pound red pull you up in the weeds or cut you off in the oysters, and you have lost a lure, some line, and you now have a fish running around with a lure stuck in it’s mouth.
Using ultralights de
30" trout?!?! DANG! You meant 20 right? lol
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
quote:
Originally posted by StumpNocker30" trout?!?! DANG! You meant 20 right? lol
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
OK. I didn’t measure it at the time. I did just measured the reel and scaled it to the photo. 28"… So not a bad guess, pushing 30".