Once in a while I like to mess around with an ulta light outfit.  Looking for a better quality set up.  What do you recommend?

 

Saint Croix Avid AVS70ULF, $180.

Shimano Symetre 1000, $100.

 

The Avids come in several lengths, 4'6" to 7'.

I recommend the Avid AVS60ULF, about the same price, and the Stradic 1000.  The Stradic can be found for a good price used to help you stay under the $300 mark.

Thanks, I'll pursue those options and check them out!

 

A Stradic would be a great reel.  In fact, I was going to recommend a Stradic CI4 Micro, but it would bust your budget.

I went with the 7'2" Light/Fast Fenwick Riverrunner for my panfish rod.  4-8 and 1/32-5/16.  I'm using white 832 10/4.  Figured PP 10/2 would be a bit too thin for these old eyes.

 

Reviews of a couple models in this post.

 

http://forums.tackletour.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=30358

 

EDIT:  Meant to mention my reel is one of Daiwa's older top-of-the-line models.  Pretty sure rod was $109 shipped from a place in Oregon.  Can't recall price of the reel, but for sure total for combo was less than $250, but think it was right around the $200 mark.