BEST ultralight spinning rod / reel.

[Kevin Burton]

I've had this combo for a year and wanted to find out if anyone had anything lighter.

65g – St Croix PS56ULF2 Premier Spinning
143g – Bass Pro Shops® Micro Lite™ Elite Spinning Reel

Here's my review of the rod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2EbCi2zlYw

The reel is decent but it takes a bit of force to engage.

I did a bunch of research here and as far as I know this is the BEST ultralight rig without making any major compromises.

[Jay Wilkerson]

Just under 8oz total. Restoration Hardware for the rod and Cabelas for the reel. Many trout caught with this set up.

[Ben H.]

it looks like you have Jay beat at 7.3 ounces.

Nice setup, but the rod seems a bit pricey for a spinning set-up. The rule of thumb I have heard on fishing equipment is spend your money on the reel for a spinning set-up and spend your money on the rod for a fly set-up. I wonder how that rod would match up against this diawa for $40-50 less: http://www.basspro.com/Daiwa-SpinmaticC-Ultralight-Travel-Pack-Rods/product/12082905322469/

I like the reel you chose. Seems like a nice comprise of quality, price, and size. Not sure what my stuff ways to compare, sorry :(

[Peter Nash]

I have the Daiwa Spinmatic that Ben's link shows. It's the 5 1/2' model, weighs 2.88oz. I've used it or an equivalent 4 piece rod for years. I like it. And I agree with Kevin's video comments about the benefits of a 4 piece rod over a 2 piece one when backpacking. A fishing rod that sticks out above your pack is asking to be broken.

My reel is a Lexus Silstar 20 that I picked up online some years ago. It weighs 4.54 oz. with line. I keep checking to see if I can get a lighter reel, but I haven't found one yet.

[Justin Baker]

I find that the cheapest and flimsiest set ups out there are often the lightest.

[Mike M]

my Quantum 4 piece pack rod w/ a Quantum xtralight reel weighs in at 8.6 oz total (loaded w/ 2# test), the best part was it cost $30 :)

the rod is graphite and the reel is a 3 ball bearing, so pretty decent quality- enough so I landed this 5# cutbow w/ it

[Marko Botsaris]

Though I usually avoid comparing the size of my junk with people, this….

This one is a bit of a cliche on BPL, being a favorite of a bunch of people. It is functional, but only 3 feet long. I'm cheating here, if you include the cap the total weight (no line, lures, etc.) Is actually 6.9 oz, but the cap is not functional. I have a bit of distain for the tiny fish in most mountain streams and lakes, having grown up fishing for large game fish in Florida since I was about 8 – so this one seems sufficient for most purposes. Its not as elegant as a fly rod, but cost less than $30.

Edit: this is the compromise-full rather than compromise-free choice. LOL On the other hand when I was a kid we used to TRY to hook a 60-80 lb Jack or Tarpon off the pier where I fished, and then see if we could land it on 8 lb test or less, and a crappy (but voluminous) reel. When successful it took about 1 1/2 – 2 hours, but was great fun. You could view the "toy" ultralights in this light and think of it as sporting rather than a compromise.

[Jani Kikuts]

I use the first combo found at the link below, nice higher quality 5`11" long 10 ounce rod and reel setup.There is also a nice review on YouTube for this combo kit.
http://www.psfishing.com/combo.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOdlUxpZ5y0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Alex Wallace]

Nothing to really add here except I'm pretty sure Mike M could give Chuck Norris a run for his money.

[Jim H]

After soliciting advice from forum members and reading all the old threads, here's what I've come up with:

Components described here. It seems like I could take less tackle to drop the weight a bit. I've currently got 4 spinning lures and about 4-6 flies, and the kastmaster lures weigh the most.

[Yoyo]

Kevin,

Did you ever find anything lighter than what you currently have? Sent you a PM.

[Dharma Dog]

St. Croix Premier 6 ft – 4 piece travel spinning rod 2.8 oz
Yes..190.00 is spendy for a backpacking rod but you get what you pay for and even though this is a sectional rod it performs better than many of my one piece rods.
When I'm fishing on the trail rod sensitivity is important. If I don't catch fish I don't eat.
Currently I'm using a Pflueger Supreme XT reel, not to be confused with the Supreme MG, and my XT weighs in at 6.4 oz.
The Pflueger is smooth as silk and casts a country mile. I couldn't be happier with this setup and can't imagine anything better.

[Piney]

Thanks for mentioning the Supreme XT, it's the first lightweight reel I could see swapping my President XT for.

Have you compared your Premium travel to the Triumph travel? I'm curious how much better the sensitivity and feel are.

[Dharma Dog]

No..never had the chance to compare the Triumph vs the Premier. I wanted to but couldn't find a store within 5 hours of where I live that even stocked the St. Croix travel rods.
I was so tired of the performance and durability issues with the cheap so called "travel/camping" rods and reels that I didn't want to take any more chances so I spent the extra 90.00 for the Premier rod. If you're interested in a Supreme XT now is the time to pick one up on sale for 120.00 instead of the usual 160.00

[Donald Browning]

Which size Supreme XT? Oh, I see, the smallest, thanks

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Now I'm REALLY interested in the telescoping rods I've seen here. My Cabela's telescoping CF rod keeps breaking just behind the tip guide. (AArrrrggghhh!)

I have a very light Penn spinning reel so an ounce or two here is no biggie for me. It's teh damn ROD I need to be durable.

[Jake D]

what's the name of the one Mark has pictured?

[Justin Baker]

That's the pen rod from gofastandlight. I broke the damn thing trying to get unsnagged from some tulies.

[Marko Botsaris]

Yeah, the pen rod is pretty crappy. No action to speak off. Since it was so cheap I decided to check out this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KWIC52/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and was pleasantly surprised. It is only about 3 oz, but longer and with some nice action. They also have a longer one at 6 1/2 ft. This one is also delicate, but pretty damn cheap. You could get 12 of them for $190. Guess if it snaps in the back country that will be slim comfort. Still this cheapo is way nicer than the pen rod.

[James Marco]

I have a "pen" rod that also broke at the tip. I repaired it with the tip piece off an old fiberglass (broken) noodle rod. Works better than it ever did new.

Note that it is possible to get a 6' fly rod. Here is one supplier: http://www.rdpflyrods.com/blanks.html
(I don't really care for shorter spinning rods, as was mentioned, no action.)

A 6', 4 piece can be had in a 2wt fly line. With carefull attachment of the seat, it is also possible to use a spinning reel on this rod. So, for about a 12oz weight you can carry both reels, rod, and flies/lures. This is rather complete. Just use a larger stripping guide when building it. You don't really need the grip. This will also give it a bit more action down into the body.

[peter vacco]

after years of packing the them around, i decided that by it's very shape, a spinning reel is a pita.
to that end, i now pack a baitcasting reel : sure, it makes me look like was born in a tailer park, but heck, lots of your better men in the rack were. (that's probably bad grammar, eh ? i have no idea.)

a baitcasting rig packs better and for my needs, hauls in bigger fish than a similarly hefted spin thing.

just my op.

v.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Peter, your bait casting reel for backpacking may be revolutionary – or retro. But the sheer individuality of that choice makes you a "reel man". (Sorry, couldn't resist the double entendre.)

[Michele Dauber]

Hi! I tried to find the Pfluger reel you mentioned but the one I think you cited seems to weigh 7.1 ounces. https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/pflueger-supreme-xt-spinning-reel-1408220742116-1 Could you clarify the model?

[Link .]

you realize this thread is over 7 years old

[DAN-Y]

Get this one, great reviews:

https://www.pfluegerfishing.com/pflueger-reels-spincast-reels/president-spincast-reel/1447418.html

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