Thread: Ultralight Spinning Rods

I have a 5' and a 6' Avid in UL . They are great rods . I've mainly fished them with 4# .
Since lately , I've been throwing 1/64 Trout Magnets almost exclusively on 2#, for distance , I'll have to give the Avids a try with 2# and the TM's .
I've found a fast action rod casts farther than a moderate. Although the Avids are labeled as fast , they seem more of a moderate fast after using some of the Daiwa UL rods lately .
The Panfish and Trout series seem more a true fast action also .
Would definitely recommend the six footer also . Gillchaser

Thanks for a detailed report on the rods... that's the kind of info we need to know when fishing with these light lures.

Thanks

One more thing, casting distance is great but what about sensitivity? I want to experiment with a couple of rods mentioned here.

The Avids are sensitive rods, as are Loomis. Alphahawk raves about the sensitivity of the JDM rods, though.

I haven't made the plunge into JDM yet, but I'm about to.

I don't try to push JDM rods on anyone. They are expensive. I don't talk about them that much except to tell what rod I was using in a fishing report....or if someone asks me about them. There is a great article over at Finesse Fishing about JDM gear...and why it is not sold in the USA. As someone said "You can't explain JDM gear until someone fishes with it". I...or no one else will poo poo someones 30 dollar rod...but on many forums you talk about spending 150-400 dollars on an UL rod and it invokes all kinds of negative response. I have fished nearly all the rods that have been mentioned here.....maybe some of them were older versions.....but I have fished a ton of UL rods since 2001. I have only been fishing JDM rods for about 3 years. From 2001-2012 I was on the water 5 days a week 365 a year. Then knee replacement...getting older and not liking the cold...so I have slowed a little. The best US market rods I have purchased were a Phenix Elixir and Loomis trout rods. They were fine rods...no doubt. But for around 165 dollars you can get an UL rod out of Japan that will blow the doors off of many Loomis trout rods....I have not fished the 450 dollar Loomis trout rods......those in the 200-250 range I have. Just ordered some new gear last night. I am not made of money....fishing is a passion....a religion to me.....so that is what I choose to spend my money on. I cast for fish 99 percent of the time. I have made sure I will not run out of JDM rods....I have a shotgun case full of them. Plus it is kind of a hobby to watch the exchange rate of the dollar to yen...trying to figure when is best time to buy with the exchange rate and watching for sales. When the Japanese have a sale you better get on it...they have real sales and once it is over it is over...subject to never be back again. Over Christmas I purchased two new Major Craft rods that were 20 percent off and the exchange rate was very good...saved a lot of money over normal price. Two years ago I had my eye on a rod that was normally 500 bucks...it was on sale at Christmas for 250 dollars.....I waited and waited....my wife told me I should buy. Well when made up my mind it was back up to 500 bucks...still is to this very day....I was...and still am sick over that one. If you are wanting what are probably the best UL rods on the planet Japan is the place to get them. Plus you will be dealing with actions on UL rods not seen here in the USA.


Regards

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I am not made of money....fishing is a passion....a religion to me.....so that is what I choose to spend my money on.

My feelings exactly. I'm not interested in the latest TV or computer or stereo system -- but I don't mind spending money on fishing stuff.

I don't know about ya'll ... but, if any of these rods are lighter in weight than my Mitchell Zero Gravity rods, then I'd be scared to fish with them ... because I'd probably forget I had it in my hand and into the drink it would go

Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

I don't know about ya'll ... but, if any of these rods are lighter in weight than my Mitchell Zero Gravity rods, then I'd be scared to fish with them ... because I'd probably forget I had it in my hand and into the drink it would go

The lightest one I own is a 6' 5" that is exactly 2 ounces. I have my eye on an 6' 8" model that is 1.9 ounces. Most JDM UL rods are very light....many of my rod tips are only 7/10 mm in diameter. What does the Zero Gravity weigh Pappy?

Regards


Regards

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

The lightest one I own is a 6' 5" that is exactly 2 ounces. I have my eye on an 6' 8" model that is 1.9 ounces. Most JDM UL rods are very light....many of my rod tips are only 7/10 mm in diameter. What does the Zero Gravity weigh Pappy?

Regards


Regards

Buddy, I have no idea how much my ZG 6'6" rod weighs.

All I can tell you is it's labeled as Lite action, 1/64 - 1/8oz lure wt - 2-6# test line ... and the blank is High Molecular Density Carbon. Handle is Tenn Style - cork capped on both ends with hard rubber (?) & 2 light metal reel holder rings. Guides are one foot metal insert style. Tip end of blank looks to be around 1mm ... and the blank coming out of the handle is around 1/2" wide.

I've lost contact with Steve Vogts, inventor/designer of the Mitchell Zero Gravity rods, or I'd ask him. He used to be a member (Warmouth) and his last post related that he was nearing retirement from Frabill, and that was in 2007.

I probably would pay a good price for a nice rod, but I'd have to try one out first.