TackleTour

So I have just about all I need for casting gear, including ML all the way to Heavier rods. I have some lighter spinning equipment also, just not low enough to cast 1/16 jigheads with little bobby garland straight/paddle tails (2" minnows) or micro cranks. For now I am considering buying an Abu Vigilante 5'6" Light from Wal-Mart and just using and old Orra S30 w/ 8lb PowerPro. I really like UL/L fishing though and don't want to go the super cheap route. I also think the Orra S30 would work, but be WAY to heavy (over 8oz) and balance poorly. I don't have to go down to UL, but if it would be better I can, my dad has an old Kadian (no info on the brand) 2 piece light rod that works great with a tiny Mitchell reel (with 4 pound Fireline). Only problem with the combo is it is very unrefined and almost junker status. I would like to stay 6' or under, just need a combo for bream and little fish.

I could use my Revo STX20 with super light braid and buy a better reel for my ML, or I can buy an actual 1000 size spinning. I am still kicking myself for not buying a Stradic Ci4+ 1000Micro Line FA when they were on sale for cheap, now I would just need a better rod. Reel I would spend $150-200 max and rod I would prefer around $100 but can go a bit further if necessary.

Are you asking for recommendations? Your post doesn't make it clear what your point is. If you go the used route, I'm thinking you could save a bit of money. I have a setup similar to what you seem to be trying to put together: a Fenwick River Runner (6'9" two piece) and a Stradic Ci4 1000 (1st generation) that are paired together, but I haven't used it in over a year. I thought that I would do a lot more trout fishing than I actually do. And when I do decide to target trout, I grab my ML dropshot rod instead; it's become my go-to rod that I leave in the car for emergency fishing sessions.

You have a wide variety of options given your budget honestly. Fenwick does make a 5'8" two piece River Runner that is under your 6' rod requirement for example. MSRP is $150, but you might be able to find it for cheaper if you look around. As for 1000 size reels, I only have experience with the Stradic Ci4 mentioned above and a Stradic FK that I bought 6 months ago. Both are nice reels but I realize that I shouldn't have bought them because I do way more bass fishing than ultralight fishing and the 2500 size is a much better fit for me. Good luck with your search, it sounds like a fun journey to get your combo pieced together.

Yea I am sorry about that, I get to typing and am bad about run on sentences. But yes I wanted some suggestions, I really would prefer a 1 piece rof new. I really like the TFO rods. They have a 6'9" light for sale at a local store, it had a good progressive action, but I am not sure about the length. I really don't have a problem with the Walmart special Abu, but it will look funny with a nicer reel on it (I'm a reel junky worse than anything else). I could have found the micro line stradic ci4+ for cheap and with a $50 rod stayed under $200. I would love to try the newest Ci4+ FB but hate for it to be my nicest spinning setup... can you use a 20/2500 size confidently on a L/UL rod??? The revo STX20 is only 6.8oz, I actually like it, but it feels hindered by big smallmouth.

I like 2500 size reels on my UL setups. Balances fine and has more optimal line pickup. I have 500 and 1000 reels too, I just prefer 2500.

I am a big fan of the 1000 size of Shimanos. I run a few Ci4 Stradic as well as a couple of JDM models. I have one of the coveted Soare 1000's and a Sahara 500HG. I catch a lot of big bass on these reels....up to 7 or so pounds in my Fl. waters but they handle 3 and 4 lb fish easily. If you are comfortable with a larger spool reel on a lighter rod, remember you don't want to throw the balance of the system off.

I'm thinking of moving my Revo STX20 to a Light powered rod and buying a new Stradic Ci4+ FB 2500 for my dropshot rod. Been checking out the Lew's Crappie series (little cheap for my taste, $40ish) but they list as ML rods with a moderate taper, even though they feel about the same as a 5'6"L fast St. Croix. I wanna take a trip to basspro and see if I can find a St. Croix Premier 5'6" L fast, that would be perfect and I could pawn the Revo to it. Really wish I had a 10/1000 size for the Light rod though, even though I think the 20/2500s will be fine, I just like the look of a tiny spinning reel with a little Light powered setup. Found a new Stradic FB (non Ci4+) for a pretty good deal, but have seen a few posts downing their line roller and discussing issues.

6' St Croix Panfish UL with a Pflueger Supreme is my go to ultra light set up.

To me a 7f light power rod like the loomis rst 862-2 glx or st croix 7 foot light power legend Cyrene balance really well with a 2500 size reel and you can put a shallow spool on it with lighter line and it’s wonderful even put a shorter handle on it like a 45 or 50mm and it works great.

Gloomis34 wrote:To me a 7f light power rod like the loomis rst 862-2 glx or st croix 7 foot light power legend Cyrene balance really well with a 2500 size reel and you can put a shallow spool on it with lighter line and it’s wonderful even put a shorter handle on it like a 45 or 50mm and it works great.

So far I have got the Revo STX20 on a 6'Light TFO Professional 2 rod and its a good combo. Going to get another 6'Light now, have already really enjoyed having this combo and the wife likes panfishing too. I'm looking to make the 2nd combo a St. Croix Premier or Avid 6'Light spinning with a 1000 size Ci4+FB or Tatula LT1000. Does Loomis make some shorter (around 6'-6'6") panfish rods???