Favorite Sunfish/bluegill rod (2021 version)

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10-31-2021, 05:39 PM
gillchaser999

Favorite Sunfish/bluegill rod (2021 version)

What’s your favorite sunfish/bluegill rod ? For casting jigs ?
I thought I had one . It's a St Croix 5’6” 4 piece travel rod , until lately , now my one and two piece ultralight rods are lighter and fish lighter and are filling me with doubt .
I’ve caught enough fish with the old SC travel rod to fill my boat .
It still rides in my truck , ready at all times .
Now , I’m leaning toward a two piece 5’6” ULF either my Panfish series or my 5’6” SC Premier .

{ I found a similar old thread from fourteen years ago , but equipment has changed }
11-01-2021, 02:56 PM
ArthurLK11

What size jigs are you throwing? I have several St. Croix rods in UL (Legend Elite Panfish Series, Panfish Series, and Triumph Travel). They're all different and I fish them differently. Also, St. Croix is releasing the updated version of the Panfish Series rod literally any day now. Might want to wait and take a look at that. Or get the old series on clearance if you prefer that one.
11-01-2021, 03:38 PM
BobC

I’m all in with my TM TSS (TCB) and Tenryu Lukania. Both great pan/crappie rods. Handle a smallie as well.
Bob
11-01-2021, 04:33 PM
deathb4disco

My Ice Cube Rockin’ Finesse is a pretty sweet bluegill rod.
11-01-2021, 05:46 PM
skeetbum

I have no high end rods but like what I have. The TSS and Airstream are very nice but 6’6” and probably too long for some folks. An older lightning rod and a newer Fenwick, both in 5’6” get a lot of play, and both have 2lb line. I’ll try a st croix one day. I really like their 66lf in one piece with a 1000 reel. Feels like it was built for 1/16 when you hold it, wry nice.
11-01-2021, 06:26 PM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeetbum

I have no high end rods but like what I have. The TSS and Airstream are very nice but 6’6” and probably too long for some folks. An older lightning rod and a newer Fenwick, both in 5’6” get a lot of play, and both have 2lb line. I’ll try a st croix one day. I really like their 66lf in one piece with a 1000 reel. Feels like it was built for 1/16 when you hold it, wry nice.

I like the 6’6” St Croix light action . I have a Premier and a Triumph .
I like the longer rod for casting microjigs with a weighted float .
11-01-2021, 07:57 PM
VaCrappieMan

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

My Ice Cube Rockin’ Finesse is a pretty sweet bluegill rod.

I have quite a few JDM rods and still pick up the Rockin’ Finesse for gills. I actually prefer it over the Abu Garcia Eradicator STS. Tict makes some great rods IMO.
11-01-2021, 08:45 PM
ArthurLK11

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

I like the 6’6” St Croix light action . I have a Premier and a Triumph .
I like the longer rod for casting microjigs with a weighted float .

I believe they're making a 6'4" LF in the new Panfish Series getting released this month. Maybe that one will do. I think that's the one I'm going to pick up.
11-01-2021, 09:06 PM
Alphahawk

Hard for me to say what is my favorite bluegill rod. I do have a favorite rod…the Eradicator Slow Taper Special……and even though I use it a lot for bluegill it is not necessarily my favorite bluegill rod. I am fortunate to have a large arsenal of rods for bluegill…..depending on the size fish I may encounter…..what type lure I might be using, I will pick a different rod. The Iprimi XXUL is not worth a darn for fishing soft plastics but sure shines casting spoons in the .5 gram to 1.2 gram range for bluegill in the spring when they are up shallow. The Banshhe SUL and XUL shine using a Trout Magnet. I could go on and on but really there is no clear cut winner for bluegill.

Regards

Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
11-01-2021, 10:22 PM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Hard for me to say what is my favorite bluegill rod. I do have a favorite rod…the Eradicator Slow Taper Special……and even though I use it a lot for bluegill it is not necessarily my favorite bluegill rod. I am fortunate to have a large arsenal of rods for bluegill…..depending on the size fish I may encounter…..what type lure I might be using, I will pick a different rod. The Iprimi XXUL is not worth a darn for fishing soft plastics but sure shines casting spoons in the .5 gram to 1.2 gram range for bluegill in the spring when they are up shallow. The Banshhe SUL and XUL shine using a Trout Magnet. I could go on and on but really there is no clear cut winner for bluegill.

Regards

Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I guess I’m about the same , I don’t really have a favorite one rod and would hate to have to choose just one .
I’ve searched and bought numerous ultralight spinning rods over the years . From 4’6” to 8’ . UL Fast , UL Xtra-fast , UL moderate fast , UL moderate . Even a couple of fiberglass rods that would qualify as slow .
The bluegill , or actually all panfish , are my favorite quarry and I love to catch them using different methods of artificial lures .
You’re right , one rod will not do everything.
I have trouble picking out which rods to take , and which method to use , every time I go chasing the gills .
11-02-2021, 03:25 PM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArthurLK11

What size jigs are you throwing? I have several St. Croix rods in UL (Legend Elite Panfish Series, Panfish Series, and Triumph Travel). They're all different and I fish them differently. Also, St. Croix is releasing the updated version of the Panfish Series rod literally any day now. Might want to wait and take a look at that. Or get the old series on clearance if you prefer that one.

I usually throw 1/32 jigs with plastics. But have discovered some 1.5g heads that fall in between a 1/32 and a 1/16 .
I checked St Croix today looking for information on the new Panfish rods and it looks like they are available. I ordered a PNS60ULF , but in the description it says it’s a 5’6” . If it’s a one piece , I’ll take either one .
I’ll post when it gets here .
11-02-2021, 03:30 PM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobC

I’m all in with my TM TSS (TCB) and Tenryu Lukania. Both great pan/crappie rods. Handle a smallie as well.
Bob

I liked the TCB rod , so much I bought another for a backup . The backup sat for over six months , before I got to try it . On the very first cast throwing a 1/64 TM jig the rod snapped in half , just above where the two pieces go together.
I emailed TM about a month ago , they asked for pictures , which I sent , but still haven’t heard what they are going to do about it .
11-02-2021, 08:40 PM
catchNgrease

I would like to recommend the Cashion CRT as an UL BG rod. I have a Leland TCB somewhere around here minus a few inches.

Sent from my E6910 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
11-02-2021, 09:32 PM
ArthurLK11

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

I usually throw 1/32 jigs with plastics. But have discovered some 1.5g heads that fall in between a 1/32 and a 1/16 .
I checked St Croix today looking for information on the new Panfish rods and it looks like they are available. I ordered a PNS60ULF , but in the description it says it’s a 5’6” . If it’s a one piece , I’ll take either one .
I’ll post when it gets here .

Nice. I just ordered the 6'4" LF. I've got plenty of UL rods, but I don't have any L. Figured I'd try one out and see how it goes. I'm also curious how this revamp compares to the old series.
11-02-2021, 10:47 PM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArthurLK11

Nice. I just ordered the 6'4" LF. I've got plenty of UL rods, but I don't have any L. Figured I'd try one out and see how it goes. I'm also curious how this revamp compares to the old series.

I have a SC Panfish 7’ULXF2 , it’s a nice rod .
11-03-2021, 06:35 AM
Ketchn

the 6 ft .one pc. colt series panfish special Dobyns makes is sweet , with 4 lb test it really hurts small fish in numbers .
cleanest arch on hook sets i seen in a good while , pretty sweet for 80 greenbacks
11-03-2021, 10:43 AM
RLS40

For years I have used a Bass Pro Micro Lite 6 foot rod for Panfish.
11-04-2021, 09:07 AM
chaunc

I enjoy my new TCB rod combo I got a couple weeks ago.
11-05-2021, 12:20 PM
gillchaser999

I didn’t realize St. Croix changed their Trout series too .
Looking over the selections, a 5’10” light fast one piece caught my eye . Sounds like a great rod to throw beetlespins, Roostertails , and an occasional 4” wacky worm .
Ordered :biggrin
11-06-2021, 08:02 AM
Greenlawnracing

Anyone wanna hit me with a link? Most of my fishing is a Panfish series TM at the neighborhood hood pond hitting small BG with a $60 Pflueger combo. I would love an upgrad in the $100 dollar range

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
11-06-2021, 11:28 AM
gillchaser999

I bought mine directly from St Croix . I think they are the only ones that have them right now .
Just Google St. Croix 2022 Panfish series .
The Panfish and Trout rods are $125 and up .
I recently bought a 5’6” Fenwick Eagle 2 from Dicks Sporting Goods , that fished pretty good the other day . Nice rod for $60 .
11-06-2021, 03:12 PM
RVG Fishing

FISHUSA has some in stock so they are starting to ship out.
11-06-2021, 08:34 PM
ArthurLK11

Ordered mine from Omnia so I can get 10% off. It was delivered today.
11-06-2021, 08:41 PM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArthurLK11

Ordered mine from Omnia so I can get 10% off. It was delivered today.

Which one did you get ? Did you get the 6’4” light ?
I got my Panfish today also . A 6’ UL .
I’m not sure I like the handle/grip yet . I’ll have to fish it to evaluate.
11-07-2021, 07:40 PM
gunwhatgun

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArthurLK11

Ordered mine from Omnia so I can get 10% off. It was delivered today.

This is the first I have heard of Omina. I like that site!!.
11-10-2021, 10:20 PM
ArthurLK11

I did get the 6'4" LF. Fished it once. Very nice rod. The handle is very comfortable though I'm not sure how it would feel when wet. Might be slippery. The rod itself is nice and sensitive. Even felt when my jighead would hit grasses. It's rated for 1/16-1/4oz and I fished some 1/32 and 1/8oz lures. It casted and worked the 1/32oz jigs perfectly. Also fished the 1/8oz jerkbait really well. Don't think I'd feel comfortable jigging a 1/8 or 1/4oz on it though. I think that would put too much pressure on the tip.
11-11-2021, 06:23 AM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArthurLK11

I did get the 6'4" LF. Fished it once. Very nice rod. The handle is very comfortable though I'm not sure how it would feel when wet. Might be slippery. The rod itself is nice and sensitive. Even felt when my jighead would hit grasses. It's rated for 1/16-1/4oz and I fished some 1/32 and 1/8oz lures. It casted and worked the 1/32oz jigs perfectly. Also fished the 1/8oz jerkbait really well. Don't think I'd feel comfortable jigging a 1/8 or 1/4oz on it though. I think that would put too much pressure on the tip.

My 5’10” light action should be here tomorrow.
I plan on using it for beetlespins, Roostertails, and some weightless plastic baits .
I got to fish the 6’ UL a couple days ago and the handle fishes ok . Feels small in my hand . I prefer the older model handle or the regular Fuji handle . Maybe it’s just different and I need to get use to it .
The grip is ok
11-11-2021, 06:33 PM
skeetbum

I just sold a vigilante 5’6” light action that I think was a fast taper also. Great rod for tight quarters and handled any fish I ever caught on it nicely. Maybe Slabprowler will chime in and tell of it if he’s had a chance to use it. Weighed very little.