Panfish rod/reel combo?

[deputy865]

What is the best panfish rod and reel combo? Looking to get a new one.

Shane

[kbkrause]

Price range would be helpful. :)

[deputy865]

Oops. $20-$40

Shane

[Bassman Dan]

You could get one of the Wally Marshal Mr. Crappie combos at BPS. The pro spin rod and reel combo is 39.99. It has great reviews. Theres some for less also.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_58570_100003002_100000000_100003000_100-3-2

[Flash]

Good question. I also am wondering. I currently have an 4'8" Ugly Stik UL with a Shimano IX2000 spinning reel with 6# mono. And a 5'6" Ugly Stik Lite with a Shimano IX4000 with 8# mono. Very curious on whether either of these would be useful for early spring panfish.:confused:

If so, would one just direct tie worm hooks or use some other artificial bait - like small marabou jigs or spinner jigs with plastics? I have 4# Stren if that would be better?

[kumma]

Your best bet is a combo package. A friend bought an inexpensive ultralite Pfluger combo at gander, he seems happy with it. Maybe buy a good rod now and use an older reel, save up and buy a decent reel later.

I spool up with 10# powerpro because I fish some slop and bass are prevelent. Nothing like a 22" largmouth on a 5" ultralite rod. :yikes:

[deputy865]

You could get one of the Wally Marshal Mr. Crappie combos at BPS. The pro spin rod and reel combo is 39.99. It has great reviews. Theres some for less also.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_58570_100003002_100000000_100003000_100-3-2

Thats a really good deal! The gear ratios on the reel are nice and the rod is a IM7! I'll probably be on the look out for somthin' like that.

Flash,

Throwin' a worm on there would work and so would some small crappie or panfish jigs. As for your set ups, i use basically the same thing and it works fine.

Shane

[Flash]

Flash,

Throwin' a worm on there would work and so would some small crappie or panfish jigs. As for your set ups, i use basically the same thing and it works fine.

Shane

much appreciate it. thanks.

[richie722]

I love my $20 berkley cherrywood rods and Shimano 2000 spinning reels ($10). You can find them at walmart or meijer.

[walleyechaser]

I wouldn't use 10# line as someone suggested because you'll get very few fish as compared to using 2 or 4# line.
For rods, go with a 10 foot noodle rod or a 10 foot crappie rod from Cabelas and use an existing reel you have with 2 or 4 pound mono. This combo with 4# line will handle any bass you run into providing your reel has a smooth drag.
The long rod will allow you to use any light bait or jig with ease and the long rods are a blast with big panfish.

Try it and you'll never go back to short UL rods.

[deputy865]

For rods, go with a 10 foot noodle rod or a 10 foot crappie rod from Cabelas and use an existing reel you have with 2 or 4 pound mono. This combo with 4# line will handle any bass you run into providing your reel has a smooth drag.
The long rod will allow you to use any light bait or jig with ease and the long rods are a blast with big panfish.

Try it and you'll never go back to short UL rods.

I think thats what i might do. Been looking at a few and notied there are telescopic ones, should i stay away from them and just get a 2 peicer or does it not matter?

Shane

[franky]

I bought myself a guide series rod from gander it was a 9 foot light action and I use it for steelhead, river walleye, bluegil, and river smallies too. Its quite the fun to catch fish on. I'd go with that.

[Little Roober]

I like my shorter rods. They may not cast as far, but im very accurate with em. I've landed 17-20 inch bass on it with 4lb before and that wasnt bad. Just gotta be patient.

[walleyechaser]

I'd stay away from telescopic rods as their action is often less than desirable.
Get a two piece rod instead.

[aslongasitpullsback]

What is the best panfish rod and reel combo? Looking to get a new one.

Shane

For the past 10 yrs. now I have been useing under spins. I found that the Diawa is far the best for the price 12.99 @ cabela's. Right now they have a pinnical ultra lite rod on sale for $9.99.... I feel that the reels make the combo... the ultra lite wumpin stick or the ugly stick are good with the under spin reels also....
The reason I like the undr spin is that the line twist is at a minimum.... with the open spinning reels and the lite line,[ line twist is a bear....]
good luck picking out a new rod&reel out fit....

[Little Roober]

Another reason that I like the shorter rods is because they are alot easier to drag through the brush....Only really matters if you are adventurous, like me.

[Bagman]

It's not close to you, but if you happen to head up M-13 Northwoods store in Pinconning has some pretty good deals. I picked up an Okuma Metaloid 15 there this week for $30 paired it with an Okuma Celilo 5'6" ul that was $18. They had a ton of the reels but not sure about the rods. Though the reel was the deal. Reg. price $70 checked this price on the web.

[Jacob Huffman]

Get a nice in-expensive Quantum 6'6'' light action rod and reel combo.Cheap and decient quality.Spool it with 4-6 lb. test and your good to go.

[deputy865]

Took all of this info and some of my own into Gander Mtn. on Sunday and here is what i came out with...

Rod: Creekside Fishings Micro Series 8', 2 peice, Ultra Light, IM7, Fast action rod. Found it at a very nice price of $20! Its very sensitive and its a IM7 so i can go wrong there!

Reel: A Guide Series Ultimate 05, 5.1:1, Infanate Anti-Reverse, 10 ball bearings Ultra Light spinning reel. Costed $30. There was another there kinda like this one, same company but was a 5:1 ratio and only had 5 bearings, so i just went for the better one. Its a really nice smooth reel with an easy drag.

Line: Stren HI-VIS Gold in 4lb test! What else?

Over all the whole set-up coster me about $57. Not to bad and i'm really happy with it. Spending only $20 on the rod was nice, cuse that gave me more room for the rest of the combo. Plus with all the specs on the rod, i couldnt go wrong there. Plus it was the only crappie pole there besides the $100+ St.Croix's:SHOCKED: . So i got a really nice deal. The whole combo is very light to wich is nice. The reel is really nice looking and the specs on that are perfect and it came with an extra spool. Cant wait to handle some monster gills on this and maybe some bass for a real challenge. I'l get a picture of it later since i could find the rod or reel online.

Shane

[walleyechaser]

That set up should work quite well for you and the longer rod will certainly add casting distance for you.
Not sure about the hi vis line though as I do a lot of ice out gill/crappie fishing and the fish can be especially line shy which is why I'm frequently throwing 2# line with a tiny ice fishing bobber.
As for the shorty UL rods, they have their place in confined, tight situations but overall, the long rods will out perform them in open water fishing conditions so in my opinion you made a very good compromise choice.
I'm sure you'll enjoy your set up.

[Swamp Monster]

That set up should work just fine. I like to use BPS MicroLite rods...have 3 a 6.5', a 7.5', and a 8.5'. Use for Crappie and gills with small quantums and 4# P-line Flouroclear. I use that line in different poundages for everything...stuff is invisible and works great. I really like the Micro Lite rods as well....$39.99 but usually in the spring they are on sale for $29.99....a great buy. I prefer longer rods for just about everything and skip the short ones. I can cast to fish a long distance away without spooking them by geting close, seem to be more accurate etc, etc. I know some use the short rods for fishing docks but personaly feel thats a disadvantage but to each his own.