Which combo should I get?

[Neosinnz]

I'm looking to get into ultralight fishing and having a hard time deciding between this 5 foot Amazon.com: Shakespeare Ultra Light Action Agility Spinning s Combo, 5-Feet: Sports & Outdoors and this 6 foot Amazon.com: Q-Micro Xt Series Front Drag Freshwater Spinning Fishing Combo: Sports & Outdoors.

What i'm mostly stuck on is length, what advantages/disadvantages does the 5 foot/6 foot have against each other? I mostly fish small rivers and ponds if that contributes to the advantages/disadvantages. Thanks for the help.

[SeaRay]

May be just me, but I find it easier to cast real light stuff with a longer rod. My ulralights are 6 and 6 1/2 ft. I do have a 5 ft one I use for shooting under docks.
SeaRay

[deathb4disco]

In that price range, I'd also take a look at some Bass Pro or Cabela's combos.

[Neosinnz]

Well what length would you recommend for casting 1/16th jigheads from shore in smaller ponds, it seems like using a shorter rod would let me cast more accurately, and longer rod will provide longer casting, but when i use my 6'6 med action rod I never really cast that far anyway so would using a shorter rod be better for more accurate placement of the jigs?

[deathb4disco]

If accuracy is more important, I'd go with shorter rod.

[no1son]

If you fish shorelines with a lot of brush and overhanging limbs a shorter rod will tangle in the overhead less both during fishing and while moving from place to place. If it is more open the longer rod will give a little better distance, which may not be necessary on the small waters. I use a 5' for nearly everything, finding that my fish come from closer in than a lot of folks get. With shoreline trees and brush don't overlook dock shooting technique, it can help you get in under some very interesting overhanging structures. The 5' length is just about perfect for that technique.

[Neosinnz]

Yea i think ill go with the 5 foot combo, plan on getting a 5'6 st croix premier when i get the money since it's right in the middle, will still give me accuracy and a little extra casting distance if i need it. Thanks for all the help guys.

[skeetbum]

I have a hard time controlling surprise fish, like that 3lb bass that hits a rooster tail, with true UL rigs. they're fun, but from the bank I like light action rods with a good tip and a bit of backbone in the middle. Best thing I can tell you is to hold it in your hand before you buy. UL, or any action for that matter, varies greatly from one maker to another. Shorter rods are more accurate, and longer rods give a somewhat longer cast. The happy medium, when you find it, will be so immediately evident that there will be no question that "this is it". I went through several rods and found some, $15 Shakespeare, that I bought one on Saturday. Used Sunday morning and went straight back to get 2 more, and got 1. The other 6 had sold in that short a time, and these do everything for me. They're 5', and no longer made. My other fav is a 6'6" Lightning Rod, 2 piece and has a great tip. Casting 1/32, shooting docks, slip floats, the works. Makes every fish I catch on it a real pleasure. Handle lots til you're sure.

[Tony302]

when i use my 6'6 med action rod I never really cast that far anyway so would using a shorter rod be better for more accurate placement of the jigs?

Not trying to be smart but the best thing for accurate placement of jigs is....practice practice practice...I'm just saying Thumbs Up

[no1son]

Tony,

You hit the nail on the head. None of the outfits are worth a da*n, unless one can use them competently. Especially for short casters, practice and practice and practice until you can put the lure exactly where it needs to be without thinking about it. Close in fish are less likely to chase than more remote ones; so accuracy becomes vital and presentation control needs to become second nature.