Looking for a New Panfish Rig (or Two)

[Vitreus]

Any suggestions? I'll probably throw a mid range shimano spinning reel on it, but I know relatively little about panfish rods. I've read some articles about guys dipping their bait in between stumps with 10'+ rods. What are some good models? Also, what kind of line do you guys use for panfish? Is superline out of the question? I really dislike uncoiling a slinky of monofilament every time I go out..

[Jim Uran]

superline isn't out of the question. My buddy was a big fan of 4lb fireline, super thin, can cast a mile and it's super sensitive.

As far as the long rods for dipping, I have no history with those, but a good spinning rod that has a fast action or extra fast action and UL to L power is perfect. I'm beginning to steer away from the ultra noodle/no backbone rods and find myself like a little bit stiffer rod, it offers more sensitivity to those light biters and they handle the fish very well.

[Vitreus]

I picked up a sienna 500, an 8' whip'r stick (any good?). It has a fast tip and a pretty stiff backbone. Spooled it with 3lb green nanofil - this stuff is ridiculously thin. A little tougher to tie. I also picked up one of those size 3 floating raps... Wonder how they'll work for crappies.

[RawHog]

Spooled it with 3lb green nanofil - this stuff is ridiculously thin. A little tougher to tie.

Unlike other superlines, Nanofil has a breaking strength right at, or just barely above what its rated. So in your case, 3 pounds.... Just thought I'd give you and others a heads-up.. I learned that straight from the Pure-fishing rep. So after even a good knot, your looking at 70-80% of the lines original strength, and like you mentioned the Nanofil is hard to tie, so the average fisherman (I know, we all think were great) is more likely retaining 50-70% of original breaking strength.

So again, just a heads up... you might be working with 1.5-2.5 lb legitimate breaking strength after tying a knot. So don't SLAM 'em on the hookset, and utilize your drag.

[mainbutter]

You'll like those tiny rapalas! They look a little gimmicky being so small, but they are consistent producers for me as long as there are crappies, bluegills, or largemouth bass around. If only they weren't such a pain to cast, I'd love them even more.

I really like the countdown size 1, smaller than the floating rap size 3, but denser because it sinks. It's a favorite of mine when I take out the ultralight rod, but those lures have taken a back seat to the simplicity of fly fishing when I'm fishing small stuff these days.

[Jim Uran]

You have to be careful with your line choice when it comes to the type of rod you have. When using no stretch line, you want a rod with a little more bend to it, something that can absorb the shock and no stretch aspect of superlines. The stiffer rods work well with light mono's.

[Fred_Bear]

You have to be careful with your line choice when it comes to the type of rod you have. When using no stretch line, you want a rod with a little more bend to it, something that can absorb the shock and no stretch aspect of superlines. The stiffer rods work well with light mono's.

Jim is right on with type of line matched with certain rods. Something needs to absorb the energy or you will be missing a lot of bites and ripping hooks out of thin crappie mouths.

My favorite panfish rod is a St. Croix Avid 6'9" ML X-Fast. With this I use 4 lb mono so it streches, using braid results in loosing a lot more fish.

A cheaper comparable rod is the St. Croix Eyecon 6'3" ML X-Fast and that is about $110. For me this kind of rod (6'-7' ML X-Fast) with 4 lb mono and a 1000 size shimano or 25 size pflueger are the perfect panfish rod. I like St. Criox because they have some very fast blanks and that equates to more sensitivity. I was playing with a 13 Fishing Omen 6'10" ML X-Fast in Gander Mt. and that is the only rod I've found with a comparable action and it was $100, never used it though.

Another option is a lighter, slower rod like a 6'-7' L Fast and then you can use braid because the rod will absorb the energy.

[harvey lee]

I love the St Croix SV5 blank in a 7ft model LXF. Awesome rod with tons of sensitivity but they do run a bit more.

Many of the rods I build I use the SCV blanks.