Help with new spinning rod - need suggestions

[Fenix_84]

Hi all,

Haven't bought a spinning rod in years and really have no idea about them.

Looking for something to fish chironomids to perch, small trout, whitefish and whatever else that eats them.

Will be fishing from a boat so don't need to cast far or at all (jigging) and would like something very sensitive to detect nibbles.

Would prefer to keep the rod short at 5'6" so UL or Light rods, something under $200 would be ideal (rod only, i own a reel already).

Thanks, looking forward to suggestions or any input you might have.

[TROLLER]

I just picked one up last week at Bass.Calgary

It is a Bass Pro rod 2 piece 5.6ft. Ultra lite. Bought for a spare and I paired it with a Pysfun 1000 Very light and should be fine for your needs. BTW $80

[Fenix_84]

Originally Posted by TROLLER

I just picked one up last week at Bass.Calgary

It is a Bass Pro rod 2 piece 5.6ft. Ultra lite. Bought for a spare and I paired it with a Pysfun 1000 Very light and should be fine for your needs. BTW $80

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out.

[spiderweb]

Sounds like a fly rod is the right tool.

[Walleyedude]

Ultra light rods like that are actually surprisingly hard to find.

Take a look at the Shimano Clarus, it's available in a 5'6" UL, in either a 1pc or 2pc. Price is about $135.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/14408...s-spinning-rod

[dshot]

The last 4 rods I have bought have been Fenwick HMG or HMX.

They do have a pretty broad range of actions and lengths. I think you can get one of them in either 5'6'' or 6' UL actions. My go to rod everything rod is an HMX 6'6'' medium light, I was actually using it this weekend fishing for whitefish, and I was using it in BC for slip bobbing chironomids a few weekends back.

[EZM]

I am partial to St.Croix rods for their sensitivity and that price point specifically. For that size it's worth getting a 1pc as it's still easy to store and the sensitivity of a one piece is superior to a 2 pc. rod.

I use a UL and L power (Xfast action) for smaller trout, perch and sometimes walleye.

Lots of other good options mentioned above for a little less money too ....

[dustinjoels]

For what it’s worth I love St. Croix and hate fenwick lol.

[AK47]

Originally Posted by dustinjoels

For what it’s worth I love St. Croix and hate fenwick lol.

May I ask why? I love my fenwick, best rod I ever had.

[dustinjoels]

Originally Posted by AK47

May I ask why? I love my fenwick, best rod I ever had.

I’ve had such major product quality issues with any of the fenwicks I’ve bought for my family the last few years. Multiple issues with the cork. In terms of performance and feel they are decent, but I just won’t buy again because I’ve had several pretty much fall apart.

[EZM]

Originally Posted by AK47

May I ask why? I love my fenwick, best rod I ever had.

I'm with Dustin on this one ......... the rod blanks seem to be pretty darn good for sensitivity - but it seems there is ALWAYS something with every single one I've owned. (and trust me I want to like these rods !!!)

One had the reel seat misaligned (I did not notice and ended up taking it back and exchanging it). One had the tip break off snapping like a twig. It just wrapped the line over the top and next hard pull and it snapped. One had the cork coming apart and the end cap coming unglued.

Just all around ....... disappointed. Could be bad luck. I dunno. But three for three for me and I'm done with them.

[SamSteele]

Originally Posted by Fenix_84

Hi all,

Haven't bought a spinning rod in years and really have no idea about them.

Looking for something to fish chironomids to perch, small trout, whitefish and whatever else that eats them.

Will be fishing from a boat so don't need to cast far or at all (jigging) and would like something very sensitive to detect nibbles.

Would prefer to keep the rod short at 5'6" so UL or Light rods, something under $200 would be ideal (rod only, i own a reel already).

Thanks, looking forward to suggestions or any input you might have.

Lots of good options out there. I’d look at Shimano, G Loomis, or St Croix. The Fenwick and 13 Fishing rods are decent budget friendly options too.

SS