Which combo should I get?

I'm looking to get into ultralight fishing and having a hard time deciding between this 5 foot Amazon.com: Shakespeare Ultra Light Action Agility Spinning s Combo, 5-Feet: Sports & Outdoors and this 6 foot Amazon.com: Q-Micro Xt Series Front Drag Freshwater Spinning Fishing Combo: Sports & Outdoors.

What i'm mostly stuck on is length, what advantages/disadvantages does the 5 foot/6 foot have against each other? I mostly fish small rivers and ponds if that contributes to the advantages/disadvantages. Thanks for the help.

May be just me, but I find it easier to cast real light stuff with a longer rod. My ulralights are 6 and 6 1/2 ft. I do have a 5 ft one I use for shooting under docks.
SeaRay

In that price range, I'd also take a look at some Bass Pro or Cabela's combos.

Well what length would you recommend for casting 1/16th jigheads from shore in smaller ponds, it seems like using a shorter rod would let me cast more accurately, and longer rod will provide longer casting, but when i use my 6'6 med action rod I never really cast that far anyway so would using a shorter rod be better for more accurate placement of the jigs?

If accuracy is more important, I'd go with shorter rod.

If you fish shorelines with a lot of brush and overhanging limbs a shorter rod will tangle in the overhead less both during fishing and while moving from place to place. If it is more open the longer rod will give a little better distance, which may not be necessary on the small waters. I use a 5' for nearly everything, finding that my fish come from closer in than a lot of folks get. With shoreline trees and brush don't overlook dock shooting technique, it can help you get in under some very interesting overhanging structures. The 5' length is just about perfect for that technique.

Yea i think ill go with the 5 foot combo, plan on getting a 5'6 st croix premier when i get the money since it's right in the middle, will still give me accuracy and a little extra casting distance if i need it. Thanks for all the help guys.

I have a hard time controlling surprise fish, like that 3lb bass that hits a rooster tail, with true UL rigs. they're fun, but from the bank I like light action rods with a good tip and a bit of backbone in the middle. Best thing I can tell you is to hold it in your hand before you buy. UL, or any action for that matter, varies greatly from one maker to another. Shorter rods are more accurate, and longer rods give a somewhat longer cast. The happy medium, when you find it, will be so immediately evident that there will be no question that "this is it". I went through several rods and found some, $15 Shakespeare, that I bought one on Saturday. Used Sunday morning and went straight back to get 2 more, and got 1. The other 6 had sold in that short a time, and these do everything for me. They're 5', and no longer made. My other fav is a 6'6" Lightning Rod, 2 piece and has a great tip. Casting 1/32, shooting docks, slip floats, the works. Makes every fish I catch on it a real pleasure. Handle lots til you're sure.

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Originally Posted by Neosinnz

when i use my 6'6 med action rod I never really cast that far anyway so would using a shorter rod be better for more accurate placement of the jigs?

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Not trying to be smart but the best thing for accurate placement of jigs is....practice practice practice...I'm just saying Thumbs Up

Tony,

You hit the nail on the head. None of the outfits are worth a da*n, unless one can use them competently. Especially for short casters, practice and practice and practice until you can put the lure exactly where it needs to be without thinking about it. Close in fish are less likely to chase than more remote ones; so accuracy becomes vital and presentation control needs to become second nature.

Around here the "surprise" fish can be anything from a 3" greenie to a monster carp or a full sized muskie. My defense is a careful setting of the drag on my spinning reel. That and balance between the rod, the reel and the line weight. I would rather have the jig break off at the knot that break a rod. I want protection against the first surge of an overweight fish. Then it is living on the drag and the patience to work the larger hookups. It has been a long time since I broke an ultralight 5' rod on any fish that includes a couple of muskies just under 40" landed without a net and some very large carp landed with a net all on 4# line. I use the best line I can afford which in my mind is GAMMA, but I want to be balanced well enough between it, the rod, and the reel's drag so that the line fails first. I don't fish expensive rods either, but I prefer not to break any of them; so I don't oversize the line. The most commonly overlooked part of that is a reel with a very smooth drag and line that plays on and off the spool smoothly.

Give the Wally Marshell sig. series dock rod a try, I have 3 of them and they are great rods. Got mine at Bass Pro. Shop

Maybe it's me but I've never been a fan of buy fishing rods and combo's online.. This something that requires hands on inspection before laying any money down.. In my experience though, the micro's have been a blast to fish with.. The uglystiks are nice but I don't get the same amount of feel from them as will the micro's...

All the best in your choice !!:fish

One advantage of a longer pole is setting the hook (providing you do not have limbs in your way) I use 5' for tightling and can see how they can be great for shooting docks. Casting is done almost exclusively with a 6'6". I agree that most of the time you have a pretty good idea if it's going to suit you once you hold it in your hand.

Combo's can save you some money but you don't always get qualtiy with it. Junk is junk no matter what it costs and fishing time is too valuable to be wasted with inferior equipment. I say this even though I caught the biggest catfish of my life despite the fact they whole thing probably only cost about $3-$4 brand new back in 70's and the reel wouldn't halfway work. Now that I think about it, it is because the drag didn't work is why I caught the fish.

If you find something you like, pay a little more if you have too, you'll be glad you did.

I have had a lot of UL rod over the years my first being a 6 Fenwick glass with an Orvis 50A that I got in 1967. Still have it by the way. My current favorite is a 7' Loomis. Unless you are fishing an area where the long rod inhibits your cast longerr is always better in y view. Just so much easier to cast a light jig. Plus the extra lenght helps playing larger fish on light line.

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Originally Posted by Tracker12

... with an Orvis 50A that I got in 1967. Still have it by the way.

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I'm impressed. I've heard those were nice reels.

I like using a 5'6" ultra.

if you are fishing mostly open places get a longer rod, it offers more control and with light line and i good reel it can really cast a light lure. and the long rod with a soft action protects light line encase you get a hold of another species you wasn't targeting, like big bass or something.

I agree with practice, practice, practice. I've found a few inexpensive ultralight rods in the 6.6 to 7 ft length that have worked for me. I no1son I've caught large bass, catfish, etc...on them using 4lb mono. You have to practice and learn how to use your drag.

Shakespeare Micro Graphite 7ft rod "MS702L"
Daiwa Spinmatic 7ft ultralight rod "DAISMC702ULF

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Originally Posted by Neosinnz

Yea i think ill go with the 5 foot combo, plan on getting a 5'6 st croix premier when i get the money since it's right in the middle, will still give me accuracy and a little extra casting distance if i need it. Thanks for all the help guys.

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That 5'6" St Croix is my favorite all around rod with 6 lb. Mr. Crappie line.
The drag on your reel is the important issue when going UL in
my opinion. I'd rather wrestle a barndoor crappie for 10 minutes than lose
him in 2 minutes cause my drag was too tight.
Remember how them opinions get formed. Different mixes for different folks.