northernpike56 Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 (edited) Thinking about getting a 5'9 or 6'0 light spinning rod mainly for smaller fish such as resident browns and specs, stocked pond rainbows, panfish, small bass, etc. (any fish from 1/2 to 3 pounds). I will be throwing mostly #1 and #2 spinners (mepps, panther martin, blue fox, etc.) with it as well as small spoons, small plugs, and live bait. I would be fishing small-medium sized creeks and ponds mainly with it. I tend to be VERY hard on my equipment although I'm working on being more gentle after I broke 2 abu garcia rods and a reel this year I am wondering if a 5'9 light rod would be the best for this application, or should I be going with the 6'0? Distance and precision casting are important to me as well as being able to "feel" the lures action while im reeling it in. I also would love to hear some experiences you've had with any similar rods as well as any suggustions on what brands to buy. I hear st. croix sells a 5'9 triumph, anyone firmiliar with that? Thanks in advance, your help is greatly appreciated - Matt Edited October 11, 2011 by northernpike56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernpike56 Posted October 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 oh yeah I would be looking for something anywhere from $50-$100 range if that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 well I am hard on my equipment hard on...sorry had to laugh ok back to business I break, bend and abuse equipment I bought a cheap UL ugly stick so when the good ones break I have a back up well I really like the cheap uglystick and I have bent it and stepped on it and had to straiten out the eyes that I bent but it takes a lick'n and keeps on tick'n Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 People love those beautiful ugly sticks. I've only heard good "all" around rod reports. Everything only takes so much abuse:Gonefishing: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolson Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 If you're looking for a cheaper rod that has a lifetime warranty and is supposed to be durable, then the Ugly Stik is for you. If you want all of that but also want to feel your lure's action, I'd suggest a Voltaeus. I have not really much experience outside of these two rods, but I can feel so much more after ditching the Stik. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ra95 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 GLoomis Trout 6UL is very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWhite Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 (edited) Ill second that ugly stick comment I have 1 that's light medium that I've had for 20odd years and still using it. Lots and lots of feel and hasn't broken yet. However I do treat everything I own with care and respect so.... Lol Edited October 12, 2011 by SirWhite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singingdog Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 There isn't going to be much difference - in either accuracy or distance - between a 5' 9" rod and a 6' rod. Distance is more a function of matching the rods action to the lures you are throwing with it than length: IMHO. I would look at the new Shimano rods. They are putting an IM8 blank on a $75 rod now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernpike56 Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 is this "bass pro shops tourney special IM7 graphite spinning rod" any good? they are only $49.99 and they have a 5'6 and 6'0 light available! Thinking about that or the ugly stik which is also available in the 5'6 and 6'0 light as well for $29.99! Maybe I'll get both and just keep the ugly stick as a backup like some of you suggusted because its only 30 bucks! Has anyone had experience ordering rods online from BPS and having them shipped to you? Any delays, broken rods, etc? I'd love to hear some of your experiences with this type of shopping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muskieman Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Berkley Lightnin' Rod Shock.......Friggin' Eh!....... I've busted 2 of the originals in the past 25 years ..Still have 2 good ones ... and the newer Shock around about 60$ and IMO well worth every penny......... Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 when stalking creeks i always liked a 5'6. it made a 10 inch rainbow feel like a brute and the decreased length was good to keep your tackle out of the alders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernpike56 Posted October 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 when stalking creeks i always liked a 5'6. it made a 10 inch rainbow feel like a brute and the decreased length was good to keep your tackle out of the alders. Yes I do a lot of small creek fishing for the 8-14" rainbows and browns as well as panfish and bass. Do you think the 5'6 is reasonably good at throwing lighter tackle too? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbay Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Another vote for Lightning Rods. A pal has one with a Pflueger Arbor on it. Nice light, fun combo that doesn't break the bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernpike56 Posted October 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 (edited) Berkley Lightnin' Rod Shock.......Friggin' Eh!....... I've busted 2 of the originals in the past 25 years ..Still have 2 good ones ... and the newer Shock around about 60$ and IMO well worth every penny......... Randy Thanks Edited October 17, 2012 by northernpike56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBW Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 (edited) I have had the ugly stik and the berkley and the Shimano rod's and I say go with the Shimano Voltaeus! I landed a 45" musky on a Med 7' rod the other day (not targeted) and the grip is a cork wrap. I hate the foam garbage they throw on rod's now... PS, the berkley is my back-up back-up rod... Edited October 13, 2011 by GBW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolson Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I have had the ugly stik and the berkley and the Shimano rod's and I say go with the Shimano Voltaeus! I landed a 45" musky on a Med 7' rod the other day (not targeted) and the grip is a cork wrap. I hate the foam garbage they throw on rod's now... PS, the berkley is my back-up back-up rod... I heard you can land sharks with a Voltaeus! (I love mine) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbieTheM Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I heard you can land sharks with a Voltaeus! (I love mine) The Voltaeus is a great rod. Much better feel than an Ugly Stick IMO. They run about the same price too with the lifetime warranty. Haven't seen many around in the lighter models but being Shimano I am sure you can find them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyb Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I will say that the Lightning Rod has been great bang for the buck for me...but I've only used their baitcasting models. The new shock as well as the older grey ones...very impressed. Also just picked up a Rapala TS2....I'm amazed at how nice it is for a $50 rod. I myself got the 5'10" vertical jigging model....possibly a bit too much backbone for what you want....but it's REALLY light in the hand, and has great sensitivity...worth a look. To your original question, the BPS line is not bad at all either! Berkely, BPS and Rapala rods I *think* are all in the same aisle at BPS...try'em out. I vote to forget the Ugly Stik, but that's just personal bias cuz I don't DO ugly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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