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I've been hooked on Cabelas classics Im6 6' UL been through 5 of em in the past 3 years. I love em they cast a mile everything from 1/32 to 1/8, well while working on the boat today one got broke, went to cabelas website and the new models aren't cork handled... Half and half Eva and cork... Needless to say I was disappointed, figure its time for a change... And I'm not going 100 in on a st croix either... Any suggestions
My go to is a shimano sellus with a fish eagle 2000 reel. 6' UL medium fast action. This is a wonderful ultralight and reasonable.
I'm using a (1pc) 6'6" Norsemen Outdoors ESP PowerLite rod for casting jigs. Paired with a Shimano Aero 1000 reel & 6lb test Vicious Panfish hi-vis copoly line.
IF your rod "has to" have cork handles, forget about ESP rods ... their handles are graphite, tipped with cork on the ends. They have Tenn style handles with the "poodle tail" (extended handle) for leverage on hookset/fighting fish. The extended handle is on all rods over 6' in length ... but the 5' & 6' models do not have the "poodle tail" extension. Rods are High Modulus Graphite IM6 and extra fast taper (action).
Grizzly Jigs carries them @ $65 for the one I use, but they do not show them on their website. They're on pg 41 of the 2014 Catalog.
These rods also have micro guides ... so, if you're going to be using the rod to cast a slip float, these rods will not be a good choice. IMHO They're also designed for "rod in hand" use, and not so much for use in a rod holder. They do work in a holder, but are just a little cumbersome to remove ... due to the poodle tail extension.
This image is the handle end of the extended handle rods, to show what I mean by "poodle tail" :
http://esp.norsemenoutdoors.com/shop...823/handle.jpg
Inside the graphite handle ... the rod blank has metallic disks around it, that transmit vibrations from the blank to the graphite handle. What they call VAT (vibration amplification technology).
I field tested for ESP ... their 5'6" UL -- 6'6" PowerLite -- 9' PowerJig rods. My UL ESP rod took the place of my previous dock shooting rod ... the PowerLite rod took the place of my 7' Sam Heaton Signature Series jig casting rod. I don't do a whole lot of "vertical jigging", so the PowerJig rod has seen limited action.
... cp :kewl
I picked up a PFlueger tion combo this spring 6' pfueger pole, paid $49. Which for me is a lot! It is working out great so far. I got the browning last year same price it is toast already reel and rod. I also use the bass pro tiny light or something like that, the pole is 5' and the reel looks cheap but it has held up real well.
I cast jigs with a 6ft esp power lite... It's a really good rod with great feel (I'm a big fan of the tn handle)
I think You would Like the ESP rod PP, I was going to buy one until I saw a Pflueger Purist combo locally. It was 100 bucks but I liked it so much I bought another one just like it. IM8 graphite rod and the reel is perfect for casting and is a lite rig. CP had me convinced on the ESP rods and was going to pull the trigger till I saw the Pflueger outfit that I could put my hands on.CF
I recently purchased a duck commander 6' ultimately pole and matched it with a pfluegar ul reel 4lb hi vis yellow line. Haven't used it on crappies yet but it did well with the smallmouth
you can get a st croix for $100!!?? I paid $190 for mine several yrs ago and its still my favorite castin rod for crappie. the best all around rod I've found is the 6ft UL Shimano Clarus, an its less than $100! Its got the backbone to shoot docks very well and still has a limber enuff tip to protect my 4 lb line.
Something I tried recently and really like.....Dicks sporting goods sells the field and stream rods. For years I never even looked at them....and for bass fishing still don't. BUT they have a red "Inferno" ultralight, in 5'6" light or 6' medium light, that works great casting for crappie. I've been using it for about a month now, and really like it. It's limber enough to fling a 1/16 oz jig, but not a noodle. And for 29.99, it's a steal. Gonna get a couple more in the next few months.