I do have the St. Croix Panfish series rod in the 7ft 1 pc Light Action. It has impressed me so far with half a season of fish time on it. I did not use it much in the early season (Crappie), waited and rigged it for crickets and Trout Magnets for the gills. For tight lining and floater fishing with crickets, I have been pleased. Most of the Bluegill beds I fish are NOT around hangy structures like bushes or trees, therefore when the gills tear out on their characteristic freight train runs I just let them go and enjoy the ride. When using the 1/64 and 1/32 oz Trout Magnets with the light braided line I get ample casting distance and sensitivity on the strike is good. I would like a little more backbone in a rod for the deep jigging for Crappie I enjoy doing in the hot months of summer. My arsenal in the past was a 8ft Uncle Bucks jig pole, circa early 2000’s I think and a 7ft Microlight BPS in light action. While they have served their purpose and put many fish in the live well, I just did not realize what was actually available out there in the UL world. Being a former green carp fisher I saw the apparent influence of Japanese products infiltrating the fishing scene but never explored the avenues. Seeing and reading the information here has piqued my interest and I appreciate all the videos, pictures, and reports on this line of tackle. The 7.6 Diawa that LedHed describes seems like it would fit the bill for Crappie and Gills and the varied ways I fish here in East Tennessee with the changing seasons. I may be ordering one soon and may seek your advice on the process. Thanks for everyone’s input.
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