Originally Posted by
skeetbum
There’s a rod that has been on my favorite list for a long time. St Croix premier 66lf 1 piece. The reel would be a phleuger president 6925. The rod has enough backbone for a surprise fish without dominating the action of the rod. The tip is soft enough to do a fine job with a 1/32 and not be out of place with an eighth. The reel is a bit bigger than most dedicated UL size for a reason, memory. 4 and 6 pound line will have a larger loop of memory and I find that it will cast better with the larger spool. The larger drag is also very smooth and if loosened when not in use will perform as desired for many years.
My favorite rod is a 6’6” lightning rod in 2 piece that was a gift. Sadly, this rod has been out of production for about ten years. The newer ones have too much beef in the tip to do what this one does. The reel is a diawa capricorn that is as smooth as I could find at the time for under $100. The sizes and action of this rig is very close to the above described rig and has been spooled with 4lb mono for every day of its life. The faint sensation of a crappie hitting a small jig in windy conditions can be felt. Best of all is the balance. While it has a little weight to it the balance is at the index finger of the casting hand and doesn’t tire the forearm.
Go to a BPS or similar store and explain to the clerk that you want to put this combo together and feel it for yourself, I believe that you will carry it home. Good luck in your search, there is a lot to choose from. If you listen to nothing else I’ve said, please listen to this; don’t spend a nickel if you can’t hold it in your hand and see and feel what you’re buying. I have bought several rods that were nothing like they were described.
Is the Pflueger President, or President XL a better reel for this application