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Topic: .  (Read 1731 times)

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dtizz

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  • Date Registered: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 1388
« Last Edit: February 19, 2020, 08:25:49 PM by dtizz »


bmb

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there are just so many choices I wouldn't even hazard to pick just one.  Most of my trout stuff is under $100 combo and works just fine.

I would look for 7', L, Fast action.  Clarus is fine, I also played with a bunch of different rods in FW the other night and liked the Okuma SSTs as well as the phenix rods, but the phenix was just too much $$$ for stupid trout.  Something like a shimano sedona 1000 reel would work if you're being specific to trout, as most of the time i'm not harsh enough on my spinning reels to need anything better.

I usually just use my ML and M rods for trout while trolling.  I don't specialize too much, I like my rods more general in nature.  I probably should have more dedicated trout stuff when you consider I spend most of my time fishing for them.


Clayman

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Like Ben said, there are tons of options out there.  I have several trout rods with each one geared towards a specific application.  For the app you described, I'd use my Fenwick HMG at 6.5 feet, moderate fast, light action.  Runs for about $100.  The upper section is limber enough for flipping small lures, yet the rod has just enough backbone for solid hooksets on large trout.  Unless you're confident that a 20+ inch trout will never grab your lure, avoid the ultralight stuff and go for light.  It burns pretty bad when you lose a big trout because you couldn't do anything to turn it on UL gear.

For reels, I also like the Shimano Sedona series.  I prefer the 2000 and 2500 size spinning reels, but if you're looking at 4 pound as a main line, the 1000 series is probably preferable (I spool my light rods with 6 pound).  You don't need an uber-fancy reel for trout fishing, but you at least want one with a smooth drag.  I know some guys dig the Pflueger President series of reels, but to be honest I'm not impressed with them.  I have one, and the drag blew out on me after only moderate use.  Meanwhile, the Sedonas have never let me down.
aMayesing Bros.


P-Sherman

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  • I'm a p-sherman. Born to pish, porced to work.
  • Location: Morgan Hill, CA
  • Date Registered: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 1211
I've been using the Okuma SST Kokanee rods, SST-C-702L for trout and kokanee trolling. Reasonably priced and good back bone, great for trolling, not too great for jigging.
It's one I caught my 14lb Lassen trout last year.

I've got an Okuma Magda 20 on it.

Whole setup costs under $100.
John da P-Sherman
2015 Hobie Revolution 13 - Blue
Hurricane Skimmer 140 - Red




fishi

  • Sand Dab
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  • Location: Auburn
  • Date Registered: Apr 2015
  • Posts: 62
Yea, same, wanted to gear up, all I have is bass gear.  I headed to BassProShops on Sunday after reading BPS reviews.  I decide on smaller Shimano Sedona FE Series Spinn reel ($69), paired to a 7' Ultra Light Ugly Stick Elite ($49), 4lbs CX Premium CFC line ($8).  The reel is so smooth and worth the extra $10 over BPS brand reel I had intended to buy- one nice reason to visit their display.

I fished yesterday in the Sierras, Freely Lake shoreline, and Lindsay Lake by kayak (will get a report up tonight).  Overall I was impressed.  I was throwing nothing larger than 1/4oz spinners and spoons and the lure would fly incredible distance.  I never had the precise control I am used to with stiffer rods.  Bailer engages with no effort.  Several cast the rod tip would sometimes flop around almost noodle like, my cast not all that imperfect, but not on target either.  I have never fished a 'light' rod of any kind, so I remain uncertain if it was me, the rod, or combo.  But I loved effortless tossing these little lure all over the lake.

Would I buy again?  Reel and line, no question.  But I would shorten the rod.  My kayak is 10' sit inside, and when my lure got tangled/twisted around my rod tip (seemed to happen easily with 4lb line) I had a rough time extended my rod base to the front of the kayak, trying to keep it out of the water, so I could untangle the lure from the casting floppy/flimsey rod tip.  Some times it was just easier to cut the line, forget about trying to unwrap the lure 'x' number of times.  6' rod length would make this easier on me.
Chariot:  Perception Pescador Pilot 12 Pedal
Backup:  Ascend FS10 SitIn


bmb

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Yea, same, wanted to gear up, all I have is bass gear.  I headed to BassProShops on Sunday after reading BPS reviews.  I decide on smaller Shimano Sedona FE Series Spinn reel ($69), paired to a 7' Ultra Light Ugly Stick Elite ($49), 4lbs CX Premium CFC line ($8).  The reel is so smooth and worth the extra $10 over BPS brand reel I had intended to buy- one nice reason to visit their display.

I fished yesterday in the Sierras, Freely Lake shoreline, and Lindsay Lake by kayak (will get a report up tonight).  Overall I was impressed.  I was throwing nothing larger than 1/4oz spinners and spoons and the lure would fly incredible distance.  I never had the precise control I am used to with stiffer rods.  Bailer engages with no effort.  Several cast the rod tip would sometimes flop around almost noodle like, my cast not all that imperfect, but not on target either.  I have never fished a 'light' rod of any kind, so I remain uncertain if it was me, the rod, or combo.  But I loved effortless tossing these little lure all over the lake.

Would I buy again?  Reel and line, no question.  But I would shorten the rod.  My kayak is 10' sit inside, and when my lure got tangled/twisted around my rod tip (seemed to happen easily with 4lb line) I had a rough time extended my rod base to the front of the kayak, trying to keep it out of the water, so I could untangle the lure from the casting floppy/flimsey rod tip.  Some times it was just easier to cut the line, forget about trying to unwrap the lure 'x' number of times.  6' rod length would make this easier on me.
I think the "floppyness" was most likely due to the action of the rod.  Ugly sticks are generally some sort of glass/graphite composite.  This will result in a rod with a little slower action.  I think those rods work actually better with heavier lures for casting distance, as you can allow the lure to "load" up the rod on the backcast, and thereby use more of a rocket launcher style casting technique going forward.  I like slightly stiffer rods (MF and Fast) action because I think they give better hooksets, and absolute cast distance isn't as important in the sierra lakes since they drop off so deep so fast and the fish are cruising the dropoffs a lot. In trolling, casting distance has little to no importance so you can play with whatever rod you want, noodle, broomstick, etc.  I just like the sensitivity of faster action more to figure out if I snag up weeds or foul the lure somehow.  I think 6' would work fine for you with your specific kayak or even something like a 5'6 UL.  It really depends on your style of fishing.


Dannarchy

  • Salmon
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  • Location: Minnesota
  • Date Registered: Aug 2016
  • Posts: 362
Yea, same, wanted to gear up, all I have is bass gear.  I headed to BassProShops on Sunday after reading BPS reviews.  I decide on smaller Shimano Sedona FE Series Spinn reel ($69), paired to a 7' Ultra Light Ugly Stick Elite ($49), 4lbs CX Premium CFC line ($8).  The reel is so smooth and worth the extra $10 over BPS brand reel I had intended to buy- one nice reason to visit their display.

I fished yesterday in the Sierras, Freely Lake shoreline, and Lindsay Lake by kayak (will get a report up tonight).  Overall I was impressed.  I was throwing nothing larger than 1/4oz spinners and spoons and the lure would fly incredible distance.  I never had the precise control I am used to with stiffer rods.  Bailer engages with no effort.  Several cast the rod tip would sometimes flop around almost noodle like, my cast not all that imperfect, but not on target either.  I have never fished a 'light' rod of any kind, so I remain uncertain if it was me, the rod, or combo.  But I loved effortless tossing these little lure all over the lake.

Would I buy again?  Reel and line, no question.  But I would shorten the rod.  My kayak is 10' sit inside, and when my lure got tangled/twisted around my rod tip (seemed to happen easily with 4lb line) I had a rough time extended my rod base to the front of the kayak, trying to keep it out of the water, so I could untangle the lure from the casting floppy/flimsey rod tip.  Some times it was just easier to cut the line, forget about trying to unwrap the lure 'x' number of times.  6' rod length would make this easier on me.
I think the "floppyness" was most likely due to the action of the rod.  Ugly sticks are generally some sort of glass/graphite composite.  This will result in a rod with a little slower action.  I think those rods work actually better with heavier lures for casting distance, as you can allow the lure to "load" up the rod on the backcast, and thereby use more of a rocket launcher style casting technique going forward.  I like slightly stiffer rods (MF and Fast) action because I think they give better hooksets, and absolute cast distance isn't as important in the sierra lakes since they drop off so deep so fast and the fish are cruising the dropoffs a lot. In trolling, casting distance has little to no importance so you can play with whatever rod you want, noodle, broomstick, etc.  I just like the sensitivity of faster action more to figure out if I snag up weeds or foul the lure somehow.  I think 6' would work fine for you with your specific kayak or even something like a 5'6 UL.  It really depends on your style of fishing.

For trout I use a Ugly Stik Ultra light 5'6" with a Shimano micro reel (came as a combo) and light clear mono. The lighter Ugly Stiks are notorious for line tangle at the tips because of the flexibility. Any type of weight at all causes the "spring action" that bounces the lure around. When ever I real mine in I hook the lure to an eye and put slight tension on it before setting it down. This counters the lne tangles from lure bounce.


Clayman

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I haven't tried the 4# version, but when I'm looking for 6# I really like Sufix Siege.  High abrasion resistance, but also very low memory and casts like a rocket.  I imagine the 4# would be similar.  Only drawback is even the clear version is fairly visible in the water, so I still add a fluorocarbon leader when using Sufix.

Another version of Sufix, called Elite, is supposed to be their thinner/lower memory option, probably similar to Trilene XL.  I've never tried it myself since I always rate abrasion resistance as a high priority with my lines, but it could be worth a look.
aMayesing Bros.


bmb

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Never had a problem with P Line CXX.