Rod Selection Narrowed Down. Which ?

[Robert11]

Hello,

Not an expert with all of this, so, as always, really appreciate all the
help I've received in the past. Great Forum, and nice of you guys to
take the time to answer my questions.
Am pushing 80 now, and a lot of the nuances in rod selection escape me.
So, thanks for suggestions.

As I've writeen, I am trying to decide on a new 8 foot rod for myself.

Hard without actually trying them all, but fun and interesting.

Want something "a bit" stiffer in the tip area, and with more backbone than the
Daiwa Spinmatic-C UL 8 footer I now have.


Worried that I might pick something "too heavy" or too stiff for how I fish.
The Daiwa is a fine rod, except for the ver spongy tip section.


Would like something very, very similar, but just a stiffer tip length.

Fish mainly very small lures; 1/16 oz or so. Small Mepps, small plastic worms, etc.
Nothing larger than about 2 pounds where I fish. Crappie and Largemouth, mainly.

Have (I think) narrowed it down to one of the following three.

a. Cabela Crappie Rod by BnM: Was reading thru the new Cabela catalog and saw this rod. 8 foot length.


Surprisingly, BnM does not seem to offer this "exact" rod in their catalog.
Probably made (only) for Cabela.

This Cabela rod is listed as "Medium Light".

Think it would be too heavy for the small stuff I typically throw ?
Or, should I try to find something labeled as just "Light", rather than this "Medium-Light" ?


The terminology they use such as Light, Fast, etc. does not seem to be consistent from mfg. to mfg. No real definition standards apparently.
Still, it is only fishing, and not rocket-science. Some rods are pricey, but without actually playing with them, it's

hard to decide. Would hate to (try to) return it if a bad choice.

This Cabela rod has only 6 Guides.
Seems perhaps sparse for an 8 footer ?. Thoughts ?
And on the rod itself (for my type of fishing) ? Again, they call it a "Medium-Light".


b. Gander Mountain: Guide Series Classic Crappie Rod, 8', Light
Have a smaller length Gander Mountain rod now. Excellent rod for the $. Really nice.

But I do want an 8'.

c. Pro Angler: Specs are: 8 Foot Rod

9 stainless steel eyelets

17 inch handle

Two piece rod

Hybrid Rod use Baitcast or Spinning Reel


Weighs only 4.2 ounces


4X Backbone

Medium action custom blank

First few inches of tip is Fast Action for quick hooksets

Light in weight (not ultralights)"


Know nothing about Pro Angler, frankly.

Quality, etc. ?
*Light enough for casting 1/16 oz lures (says "Medium Action" ?) ?


And,
Bass Pro: Micro Lites are not offered in an 8' length.

Their Micro Lite Graphite Float 'n' Fly Spinning Rod in 8' was mentioned as probably "being too heavy for the fishing I do" by BugTussle.

Any thoughts as to (a), (b), or (c) for me ?

As always, much appreciative.

Regards,

Bob

[RiverSlabber]

I picked up an 8ft BnM Bucks Graphite Jig Pole last summer, really nice rod but maybe a little softer than what you were looking for? Not sure if its the same as the one they make for Cabelas (just rebranded maybe). Its a very light rod, i like it.

while I was shopping for that one I also had the same Gander Mountain rod you mentioned in my hands. that one also felt really nice, just a tad heavier weight wise than the BnM but not enough to make a difference to me. i think it was a little stiffer than the BnM as well.

The BnM will easily cast a 1/16 oz jig, and does pretty good withn1/32 oz as well. If I remember the Gander Guide Series rod correctly it was good for 1/16os jigs too.

I would have been happy with either I think, the only reason I went with the BnM was price (it was on sale for $15 less than the Gander rod.

I dont think youd go wrong with the Gander Guide Series

[Locator79]

Have you considered the B n M ultimate?

[jeff1979]

I might be wrong buy I think u can get a BPS micro light in 7'6" I have 2 micro lights and love em.

[Cmj]

I might be wrong buy I think u can get a BPS micro light in 7'6" I have 2 micro lights and love em.

X2. They also make an 8 footer. If by "too heavy," Bug Tussle meant that the Float N Fly is too stiff for your application, I would have to disagree. I was seriously considering that rod when I bought my Micro Lite 7'6", but it was just a little too limber for my liking. The Micro Lites are just a tad "heavier."

[Sandwich Maker]

Bob, get 10 crappie fishermen together and you'll probably get close to 10 different opinions. I want a jigging rod that's light but pretty stiff. Hard combination to come by. By far the best I've found is the Wally Marshall Signature Series. (Not the Signature Light). It's not cheap (around $50), but worth every penny. The 8' model comes with 11 eyes plus the tip. And it's hard to beat Wally's customer service. If there's a problem....call him. He'll make it right. He posts his personal phone number on his site and he will either answer your call or return it. Heck of a rod. Good luck on whichever rod you pick!