Legend Ice Rod...UL or Light action?

[Rip_Some_Lip]

I am looking at buying a couple of panfish rods and a jigging rod for eyes. I am going to get legend ice rods and I was wondering what would better for crappies and gills, ultra light or light action? I am leaning toward the light action because I think that may handle big crappies a little better. One of these rods will be for my 5 yr old. I was thinking of getting a medium action for eye fishing. If anyone has any experience with these rods and have an opinion, please chime in on what you like for action. Thanks

[Tyler Holm]

RSL,

I’ve got a buddy from BE. Been there several times.

I have both the UL and L action rods and the bite detection spring bobber system on these rods is the best I’ve found. As for the backbone of the rod, there honestly isn’t a whole lot of different between the UL & L as they are both sensitive and don’t have much backbone. Either rod could handle a slab crappie or bull gill. In my eyes, I think the UL rod is a better rod for the crappies and gills, but I like the thrill of the fight. With that UL rod, the fish basically takes you where it wants. I would say the UL rod provides very little control over a moderate/large sized panfish, but that’s my style. I set the drag loose and fight the fish. I landed a 29” (7+ lb) channel cat on the UL rod with 2# test. It all depends on your style of fishing. Some people like to wrench fish up the hole as fast as they can and that’s fine too.

Yes, the Light action rod would handle larger crappies better, no doubt about that (especially Upper Red Lake crappies). I would say the medium or medium light would be perfect for eyes.

[MASON38]

I have both the UL and Light action rods as well, and if I was paying for them I would go with the most versatile model where I can get the most bang for the buck. I would choose the Light action for the applying to all the panfish species, and would throw perch in that category. Its the same action spring bobber no matter which one you choose to go with. For your light weight jigs, push the bobber forward to get the correct bend in the spring, bout 30'. For your heavier jigs or small spoons, simply push the spring back through the grommet, never pull.

For walleye, I would choose the Med Hvy model for the same basic reason, more versatility. You will be very happy, regardless of your choices in the actions, simply because its a good rod for the applications that you can come up with while fishing the different species.

[Bob Horn]

Go with the light action. I bought 3 ul last year and wish I bought 3 lights. UL is fun but on the bigger panfish you have to really play them out.

[CNY Tim]

If I could only afford one, the St. Croix Legend Light action gets my vote too. Discussed this with Tony Boshold before I made my purchase. Deep water perch, crappies and bluegills even nailed a few 3-4 pd. smallmouth with it. If your new to the legend do yourself a favor and order an extra spring bobber or two until you get the hang of adjusting it. Another tip is to add a little chap stick on the spring to help you slide it back and forth because they are very tight. Transporting remember to push the spring out as far as you can before tightening. BUT THE BIGGEST THING TO REMEMBER IS NEVER PULL THIS SPRING BOBBER FOR ADJUSTMENT ALWAYS PUSH IT.

[nitroant]

For those of you looking to buy the Legend ice rods, check out the sale area at the bottom of the forum topics. I bought 2 UL and 1 ML. I like to play the fish out and the more flexibility in the rod the better, but that is just me.

[Rip_Some_Lip]

Thanks for the replies guys. I ended up ordering 2 light and 1 med action. I will probably order a few extra spring bobbers, but didn't see them on Reeds HSOforum. I will have to check St. Croix's HSOforum to order them.

[Tyler Holm]

Yep, All rods will come with a Spring Bobber, but I recommend getting all the springs (there are 3 of them at $5.00 each). I think my Light action rod came with the orange spring bobber which is the lightest action... (I think).