UL fishing rod

[Michelle B]

I am section hiking the CDT with my dog. He appreciates an hour nap mid day. I have been thinking about using that hour fishing. I’m really a novice and don’t want to fly fish. All of the spin rods that I have found labeled UL are actually quite heavy. Any advice?

[Brian Barnes]

Check out Tenkara

[Michelle B]

Thanks!

[Tim Skidmore]

I just carry hook, line and sinkers, then cut an alder for a pole. I’ve always caught as much trout as I could eat. But that’s in the brooks and rivers of Nova Scotia (in the ocean we just hand lined), I know nothing about fishing anywhere else.

[Jack]

If you are just starting with fishing, I would suggest Tim’s method as a first step. Depending on where you are and what you are fishing for, a lot of backcountry water is full of fish that will eat just about anything. You can then take the next step when you have a better sense of how to read the water, where the fish are, and how to catch them.

Tenkara might be a nice next step after you get your feet wet. It is a much, much longer rod and you would be casting the line (like in fly fishing). This introduces having to deal with trees and overhanging brush.

[Kevin Burton]

[DAN-Y]

get a 3 pc fiberglass cane pole at kmart. Use only the top 2 sections. Use it dual purpose, hiking staff and fishing pole.

Get an ice fishing pole/reel combo ;)

[Ken Thompson]

If you are a novice, what is the issue with learning Tenkara or fly fish? A Tenkara set up is super light and requires little gear.

[DAN-Y]

Tenkara is fly fishing and more expensive than titanium :-)

A Zebco Micro Cast reel would work well on an ice fishing rod.

[Michelle B]

Thanks for the great advice. There are a lot of options that I never would have thought of. I’m not interested in fly fishing at this time because I tried it before. I am a danger to my self and others. LOL I am leaving in eight days so I really don’t have time to practice much.

[Ben C]

Tenkara set up on Massdrop for $129.  I picked up Tenkara pretty easily.

[todd]

I can’t believe nobody has recommended the gofastandlight spinning setup.  $20!

Not a gimmick, it really works – just don’t abuse it.  While very light, its low BULK is what I like.

[Michelle B]

That’s exactly what I was looking for!  I really want to give it a try but I’m already loaded about as heavy as I want to be.

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice.

[David T]

Probably too heavy for you, but I went with a ultralight telescoping rod from P&S Fishing, and combined it with a little 4# test Pflueger Presidential reel. I like having more of a proper rod/reel for hiking, bikepacking, kayaking, etc.

Any thoughts on permits for multi-state fishing? I’m thinking about the Great Divide bike route next summer, and wondered about how to stay legal while fishing and moving fairly quickly through Canada and numerous U.S. states.

[Matt Swider]

todd harper, thanks for the recommendation.  Looks just like what I have been looking for to lighten up my spin tackle.

[James Marco]

I usually use this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/161665726713?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

However there are some mods needed.

1. Change the top piece out to a carbon tip. Change the line guide out on the tip with a ceramic one. The tips are very weak and fragile.
2. Remove the lower line guide and smooth it over. It can tangle easily. It also restricts the line from casting too well. This is important in a short rod. Only use the upper two guides.
3. Use light line. #2 is preferred. I have caught and landed 22″ (5 pounds plus) Brook Trout and 20″ bass on this rig. #4 if you must, but this is really too heavy for the rod. The rod can break and the casting is not good…moderate to poor with #4.
4. Use only smaller hooks: #10 and above. Even size 10 requires a squashed down barb so penetration is easier.
5. Use the very smallest and lightest reel with an excellent light drag. Otherwise you will have problems.

The whole setup weighs under a half pound and packs very small. Works well out to about 35-40′. Catches nice fish.

 

[Sean B]

Has anyone used this rod and reel combo? What are your thoughts for using this in the Wind River Range? Also, what types of lures would you suggest? I was thinking a few spinners would do the trick but I could be way off. I appreciate any feedback you can offer.

[Jay Wilkerson]

Go Fast and Light.com…. With a Pen Fishing Rod  and  Reel at 8.2 oz.

Jay Wilkerson

 

 

 

[Sean B]

Thanks Jay. This is what I am looking at getting for a week in the WRR. Any idea is small spinners will be my best bet for trout in that area?

[Leap Frog]

I’m also interested in hearing any thoughts regarding Sean B’s question. I just got the Go Fast and Light setup in the mail a few days ago and am planning on using it in the Winds this September. I was planning on using a standard rooster tail, but would appreciate any advice from the group.

[Sean B]

Leap Frog- Check out this combo you can get on their site: Big 3

I have a bass pro gift card so I am gonna grab these 3, put them in a medicine bottle, buy some light line, and call it a day. Hopefully i’ll at least catch a few fish.

[Todd Forbes]

I use the St. Croix travel rod shown above paired with a Shimano 500 size reel, very nice & light setup that packs well.  St. Croix makes high quality rods but they are not cheap, Shimano spinning reels start at $30.  I have had a few very inexpensive telescopic spinning rods I found over the years but none lasted very long. I also use a Tenkara fly rod, which is a very light telescopic carbon Japanese style fly rod that’s easy to learn because they don’t have a reel and your not casting at a long distance.  They are very long and you cannot cast the traditional way way in brush so you have to wade if possible or try flipping it.  Using a traditional fly rod does require skill & practice, and I found out the hard way there are certain cast you do not want to try as a complete novice.  I sunk a fly deep into my check deep in the Wind River Range years ago doing a roll-cast and had to perform a little backcountry surgery on myself.  I was glad my friend had his  big leatherman multi-tool with him, used the mirror on my compass to guide pushing the hook back through my cheek and snapping the hook behind the barb so it could be removed.  The thought of spending 3 more nights in a down mummy bag with the hood cinched down tight was a lot more painful then getting the fly out.

[Colin M]

I read through this thread a couple weeks ago and went out and bought a Tenkara rod from Tenkararodco.com I’m not an experienced fly-fisher though I’ve tried a few times. The simplicity, size, weight and ease of deployment/packing really appealed to me. Catching dozens of fish in the few days I’ve used it and having my 11 year old catch dozens more really says a lot! I set up a compact spinning rod with nearly the same setup though had to use a bobber to get the line out in the same water and didn’t catch a single fish while he was pulling them in every couple casts!

There’s a bunch of reason why I think the Tenkara works for me, mainly it makes me not worry about all the technicalities of fly fishing but also because the line is so light and easy to cast that I’m not flopping my fly line in the water and scarring away the fish. Highly recommended.

[Steve SNS]

My son and I caught smallmouth and walleye in the Boundary Waters using our Tenkara rods last week…love them.

Cheers

[Jason B]

I just picked up an Emmrod Battle Rod for a trip next week.  Interesting design, looking forward to trying it out.

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