I just bought a Shimano Symetre 1000FL reel and I am looking for a good rod to match up with it. Primary use will be going after trout, and maybe some sheepshead. Looking for a 6 foot rod, ultra light, but strong enough to handle a fish. Also, this is the smallest reel I have fished with in a while, is 6lb or 8lb braid preferred?
I am thinking in the $100 range. I know there are custom rods, but they may be out of my price range right now.
Thanks for any advice in advance.
Have a great week.
Stop by Haddrell’s they can point you to one. I’d recommend M/L, extra fast tip.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
Good luck with sheepshead with that…
Thanks Optiker & Hoppy.
Diawa Tatula about 130, I’m in the process of getting that exact combo the rod felt perfect for what I wanted, fast, light and extremely sensitive, I paired them up at field in stream when I went there with my brother while in north Charleston but didn’t get it because I didn’t have 200+ for a combo on a whim. To me it felt way better then anything they had comparable, they had some St. Croix that where close but 3 times the price. A trout rod and sheephead rod in my opinion should be 2 different rods because of the action and sturdiness of the rods are so different, a huge sheephead will likely to damage to most trout rods
There are a lot of nice rods out there, but I am pretty rough on mine. I have found that the 6’ Ugly stick performs very well for trout and Sheepshead and holds up longer.
If you’re fishing artificials for trout and you want a rod in the $100 range, I really like my St. Croix ($120). I’ve actually got it paired with a Symetre as well, though my setup isn’t an ultra-light.
Also, if you are going to be bait fishing, I would probably get a $50 Ugly Stik ELite and spend the leftover cash on fishing trips, or on a pair of sunglasses, or on a rain jacket, or boat goodies (…you get the idea) 
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
At the level (size) outfit you want to fish with here is my suggestion(s) -
1)The rod is the most important part. Spend the most money on it. Go higher quality, and 100% graphite You’ll never regret it. You don’t need to go loomis, but Crowder, Shimano, or such will make you happy. A quality 100% graphite rod will be the lightest and most sensitive you can get. That’s very important for fishing for trout with smaller and lighter sized artificials which will match your rod.
2) Make sure you use a good quality super braid. I use Power Pro. Why? B/C it’s the first one I tried 10 years ago and it’s served me so well I’ve never variated. Morever, the “no stretch” of the braid coupled with a high quality graphite rod will enhance your sensitivity factor. And obviously it will enhance your castability which ain’t going to be great with light lures and a short rod.
3) Your reel is fine. In an ultralight instance it’s really nothing more than a “line management system”. The drag, retrieve ratio, spool, and all that other cool stuff doesn’t mean much if you’re ultralight fishing. If you’re getting broken off a lot you either need to fish somewhere else or move up a notch in the size of your equipment,
Quick story - A buddy who worked at a boat dealership that sells tackle talked me in to a G-Loomis. I didn’t want to spend the $$. He told me to take it, use it for a couple weeks and if I didn’t like it either bring it back or pay him for it. I used to fish with uglystick-lites and was happy with them, but I said I would try it. I was out a week later throwing grubs with the loomis and got into a nice trout bite. I got hung up on the bottom and popped off. Instead of re-rigging I grabbed an uglystick that was ready and started casting. First off - I couldn’t reach as far as I could with the loomis. Second, after tossing the Loomis I felt like I was casting with a heavy tree branch with the ugly stick. After about 3 casts I put it down and re-tied the loomis. You’ll never regret going with high quality on a rod, especia
Thanks everyone. This was the depth I was looking for on the conversation.
@Hoppy, I do have a GLoomis Greenwater series rod. That is an amazing rod, and one of the best Christmas presents I have received in a long time.
Looks like Sheepshead may be reserved for a different rod.
I will be throwing nearly 100% artificial with this set up with Power Pro, as that has been my go to braid.
Last question, what maximum weight jighead should be thrown with this sort of combo? Do you go past 1/8oz?
I really do appreciate it. I have been lucky to have some success over the last couple years, mainly due to diligently reading this forum. And I will take a peek at the Daiwa.
For bottom bumping prob 1/8 - 3/16. Don’t be scared to rig a grub with a weighted flutter hook either. I never did it when I used to fish UL’s, but I bet free lining and artificial shrimp would be fun too. Since they’re always fished with a belly 1/4oz might not be bad?
I’m a huge fan of ALX rods. Their BOKU line of rods are geared specifically for inshore fishing. Their Speck7 is designed for trout and other light tackle saltwater fishing. The Mt Pleasant Palmetto State Armory store has a great selection of ALX (and every other brand name) rods in stock.
I’ve found that lighter weight jigheads force me to fish slower and that can be very beneficial this time of year.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
I wasn’t trying to sell you anything…
quote:
Originally posted by HoppyAt the level (size) outfit you want to fish with here is my suggestion(s) -
1)The rod is the most important part. Spend the most money on it. Go higher quality, and 100% graphite You’ll never regret it. You don’t need to go loomis, but Crowder, Shimano, or such will make you happy. A quality 100% graphite rod will be the lightest and most sensitive you can get. That’s very important for fishing for trout with smaller and lighter sized artificials which will match your rod.
2) Make sure you use a good quality super braid. I use Power Pro. Why? B/C it’s the first one I tried 10 years ago and it’s served me so well I’ve never variated. Morever, the “no stretch” of the braid coupled with a high quality graphite rod will enhance your sensitivity factor. And obviously it will enhance your castability which ain’t going to be great with light lures and a short rod.
3) Your reel is fine. In an ultralight instance it’s really nothing more than a “line management system”. The drag, retrieve ratio, spool, and all that other cool stuff doesn’t mean much if you’re ultralight fishing. If you’re getting broken off a lot you either need to fish somewhere else or move up a notch in the size of your equipment,Quick story - A buddy who worked at a boat dealership that sells tackle talked me in to a G-Loomis. I didn’t want to spend the $$. He told me to take it, use it for a couple weeks and if I didn’t like it either bring it back or pay him for it. I used to fish with uglystick-lites and was happy with them, but I said I would try it. I was out a week later throwing grubs with the loomis and got into a nice trout bite. I got hung up on the bottom and popped off. Instead of re-rigging I grabbed an uglystick that was ready and started casting. First off - I couldn’t reach as far as I could with the loomis. Second, after tossing the Loomis I felt like I was casting wi
What Hoppy said.
Stonoman
Thanks to everyone for sure. I will report back when I purchase the new rod. Tight lines out there. Enjoy the weekend, it looks beautiful.
Just got my Tatula spinning rod today the last one at field in stream because I couldn’t find it anywhere cheaper online 130 with tax. I wanted a ultra light with some length it is rated for 1/64 to 1/4 and is 6 11 which is supposed to be optimum length for casting according to most of the new rods I have been looking at. I plan to use it for small artificial baits and light live baits like grass shrimp, and small minnows. I like to fish small live baits as close to naturally as possible, a small owner hook and let the bait drift with the current. Now I have to wait for the bite to pick up, and remember no high sticking.