Ultralite reel for an ultralite rod

[Woodland Artisan]

Just recently picked up an ultra lite rod, the TFO finesse 1/2 wt Trout, and am looking for a reel to match.  Any experience with some really small, light reels from anybody?  None of the reels I have come close to being light enough to put on this rod.

I've always wanted to get a small fly rod (sub 4wt) to complement the bigger ones because I've always been attracted to the small creeks and heavy cover only accessible by some serious wading so when this became available, I snatched it up.

[fishinwrench]

How much weight does it take to balance the rod out?    

Thread some worm weights on a piece of mono to figure that out.  

This little Piscifun Sword 3/4 weighs in at 3.7oz with line and backing (according to my wife's food scale). 

 

Check out the Redington Zero if you need a super lightweight reel. 

Or Redington Rise 

[Devan S.]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

How much weight does it take to balance the rod out?    

Thread some worm weights on a piece of mono to figure that out.  

This little Piscifun Sword 3/4 weighs in at 3.7oz with line and backing (according to my wife's food scale). 

 

Check out the Redington Zero if you need a super lightweight reel. 

Or Redington Rise 

How do you like the piscifun stuff? Price is killer. I've been using a cheap 5/6 weight from wally world for white and been thinking of upgrading to piscifun stuff. 

[Woodland Artisan]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

How much weight does it take to balance the rod out?    

 

.5 oz    

 

How do you like that redington zero?  Does it have a good, fine drag?  The weight of it seems to be right in line with most of the ultralight reels out there.

[fishinwrench]

45 minutes ago, Devan S. said:

How do you like the piscifun stuff? Price is killer. I've been using a cheap 5/6 weight from wally world for white and been thinking of upgrading to piscifun stuff. 

I have no complaints at all, and I've been using high dollar equipment for many years.   So far the only product of theirs that I can't tolerate is their flyline (it casts fine but is stretchy and doesn't float very high).  

There are a few things that need attention on Piscifun fly gear.....The rod ferrules need to be scuffed up with 600grit sandpaper (no big deal).  And the reel drag wheel needs a little O-ring put under it so that it doesn't back off too easily (again, no big deal).  

But for the price you can't beat their stuff.   Quality of cork on the rods is better than most high-end rods.   I've even punished them a bit to see if they were going to break, and they passed my tests just fine.  

[fishinwrench]

Just now, Woodland Artisan said:

.5 oz    

 

How do you like that redington zero?  Does it have a good, fine drag?  The weight of it seems to be right in line with most of the ultralight reels out there.

I don't own one.   I had a Rise on a little 6'6" 3wt. but I'm not a fan of flyrods under 4wt. So I sold it.  

Ultra-light reels are inherently flimsy and delicate, regardless.

[tjm]

1/2oz? or 5 oz?

[Woodland Artisan]

2 minutes ago, tjm said:

1/2oz? or 5 oz?

The first one.  1/2oz.  Dropped a 3x line down from the middle of where the reel should seat and held my finger at the end of the cork.

[fishinwrench]

9 minutes ago, Woodland Artisan said:

The first one.  1/2oz.  Dropped a 3x line down from the middle of where the reel should seat and held my finger at the end of the cork.

Noooo, it's going to be tip heavy if balanced there.

Grab the rod like you are fishing/casting it.

A flyline and backing alone is going to weigh 1/4-5/16oz.

[Woodland Artisan]

I moved my finger forward 3/4" (just past the end of the cork) like I'd cast with and the balance is now at .40-.42oz     The balance point of the rod (no weight) is 2" past the end of the cork.