Thread: 8 Foot Light Rod Suggestions ?

Casting with the 8' Gander is no problem. I can pitch a 1/16oz jig as far as needed. Feel is as good as any others I have except the Crappiemax with the "touch cutout". My Crappiemax is 12' and use it mainly for single poling and do like the touch cutout. Finger on blank with another touching line to finger, I get a double feel without any cork or anything dulling the bite. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either or the Sam Heaton Super Sensitive. Basically I would compare shipping, cost and replacement. I have as of late tended to buy the Bass Pro rods simply because I live close to a store and returns are painless with the reward card saving purchase history I don't need receipts. But have only had to return 1 rod and that was simply operator error. Even explained that and was still replaced.

Like wicklundrh said I added a Fuji hook holder to all of my bps microlites

Originally Posted by Robert11

Hello,

Thanks, and to everyone, for all the suggestions.
Really appreciate the help.
Sure is hard to know what to get without really trying them all out.

Guess I will just have to divorce the wife, and get one of each.

Would like to ask these followups, please:

a. For the BassPro Crappie Maxx Pro Series Crappie Rod:

Do you "like" that cut-a-way section of cork on the handle ?
Nusince, or really helps ? Does it tend to break-up the cork any due to the, what appear to be, sharp edges ?
Good idea, or... ?

b. For the Gander Mountain 8 foot that you suggested: I guess they term it a "Light" (L) rod.
Is it "easy" to cast a distance ? At my age now, that is really a concern.
My Daiwa UL casts a mile, but the tip is way too soft.

What's the tip like on this Gander Mountain 8 footer ?
Reasonably stiff ?
Easy to cast, though ?

Know it's hard to describe in words, but any thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks again for all the suggestions and help,
Bob

A: YES like the Cutaway the reason why! The salesman at the Bass Pro shop I bought it from is a legend fishermen and a great crappie fishermen.(can afford any rod he chooses) We fish a deep clear lake where we get a lot of light bites. He said (bass Pro sales man) take the rod try it if you do not like it bring it back and will trade for rod of your choice. The cut away gives a better feel for light bites.(the cork dampers the feel of the lite bite)(do not try one you will have to have another) We have Bought 2 more rods and just ordered 4 more different lengths. Cannot beat their customer service.

X2 on the Bass Pro Micro Lites. Best rod for the money IMO. Very similar to the St. Croix Triumph series rods, but half the price. I have a 7', ML fast action and it is perfect for my style of fishing. Dont confuse this with the Micro Lite Float N' Fly, which has less backbone than the regular Micro Lite, but is still fairly stiff, which is probably what you are wanting. My suggestion would be to grab ahold of both and see which one suits you best.

Originally Posted by philmacMS

The B n M roger gant pole was designed for side pulling. Tried one not good for jigging. Great for what it was designed for though. I second the crappie max 8 ft ML good rod. Friend of mine has a 8 ft B n M duck commander and it fishes good. I think both have the cut away notch in the top handle though.

The difference is a good pole for what it was designed for. A soft tip section makes me think it's too soft for your purpose. I had a 9' and returned it 3 days later for just that reason.

I agree that the BassPro Microlites are nice rods for the money. I have a 8 foot float n fly version that is very good for slip bobber fishing, but I feet that it would be much too heavy of rod to use for tossing jigs. The 7 foot L or UL would be a much better choice.

Originally Posted by Robert11

b. Cabelas Cabela's Pro Guide® PTC Spinning Rod (PGPTCS802-2) - Light

These are not a light action, I would say Medium Light for their PTC Ultra Light and the PTC Light a Medium. Much stiffer that the Diawa 8'. I bought the PTC on sale online as I never see them in the store. Another note the 8' have longer handles than the 7'6" the rod sections are the same.

The Diawa 8' is almost too light of a rod for me, I bought the 6'6" first and love it for fishing gills out of my canoe.