Ultralight Spinning Rods For Trout Fishing

[T Hood]

I'm looking into buying an ultralight rod for trout fishing (I'd use it for other species as well). What is your preference? A long rod with a very sensitive tip, or a short (between 4'6" and 5'6") rod?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

[FishinCricket]

I use the shortest uglystick they make... It's not exactly a soft ultralight, so it works great for other species as well.. Uglysticks are the best (inexpensive) option, IMO... Very sturdy, very sensitive, quite comfortable and extremely affordable..

[ollie]

Put a Falcon in my hands!

[gotmuddy]

I prefer a 6.5' ultralite for jig fishing.

[jjtroutbum]

There has got to be an advantage in casting and line controll using a longer rod if one ever uses flies under a weight bobber.

[RSBreth]

There has got to be an advantage in casting and line controll using a longer rod if one ever uses flies under a weight bobber.

I was going to say that, too. I like a longer rod for that type of setup, in essence kind of like a fly rod - something in the 8 or 9-foot range. But even for wading and casting spinners, spoons or smaller jerkbaits I like a longer rod. Longer rods are kind of pain in a boat though, both because of storage problems (even if it's a two-piece rod) and because you already have an advantage being above the water, so a longer 9-footer or so feels a little unwieldy to most people - especially when landing fish at boatside.

You might also be talking about rods lighter than I am - I use light action rods, but rarely "Ultralight", at least as far as the actions are stated by the rod companies.

I've been very happy with the inexpensive "Micro-Lite" float and fly rods from Bass Pro, enough so that I have all three models the 8', the 8'6", and the 9'6".

You could go the custom route, too, and spend way too much money to build a really super-sensitive light action spinning rod from a 7'6" 3-weight fly rod blank like I did. I figured out what it cost, total, and realized I could have bought something similar for the money by Loomis or St. Croix. Of course it wouldn't be exactly the same, which of course was the point.

[Dutch]

The last time I was at Tim's Fly shop he had some really nice Fenwick HMG ultralights.

[Ham]

I'm uncomfortable with anything under 6'. I'd rather have something from 6 1/2 to 7 foot.

I mostly have light action rather than true UL stuff.

[Gavin]

Depends on how you want to fish..My old park rod is a Falcon 5'6" UL. It works great for spinners, jigs, and stuff under a float, works for park fishing and for rainbow trout sized lures.

Most of the time I go with a medium light or medium rod, both 6' fast action, with 2000 series reels for tossing 1/8oz &1/4oz jigs & 3-5.5" jerkbaits. 8lb test leader on hi vis braid usually, mono if its below freezing. Probably not the best lures to use for rainbows but the brown trout sure like em. Cheers.

[stlfisher]

shorter rods for accuracy in tight conditions and longer rods for distance. I like the longer rod for extra leverage if need be.