Hello all, new to the forum and hope someone can help. I occasionally fish for smallmouth bass in my local river that weigh up to ~2-4lbs at most however my true passion is creek fishing for trout. Most of the trout that I get are between 10-16" or ~.5-1.5lbs but occasionally i get one that's 18-22" or 2-4lbs like the smallmouth. I only use small spoons and shallow plugs like the original floating Rapala, both in weight of 1/16-1/10oz with either treble hooks or small/light barbless single hooks (#6-8) with very light gauge wire. I currently own and use an Ugly Stik Elite (4'6"UL) and find it to be far too stiff for my taste/applications, however I don't want a noodle like the classic old glass rods either. I am currently strongly considering the G. Loomis IMX Classic Trout & Panfish rod in the 5' model (SR6010 IMX) which they claim is "slightly softer than their other 1-power rods". Is there anyone that has this rod or has access to one that believes it will be a proper fit for my needs? I don't currently have anywhere local that sells it or the St. Croix rod I have on my maybe list. I have looked into the JDM rods however I am currently not interested in going that route. I need a rod that is 5' max, has a good quality blank, and quality Fuji guides preferably Alconite or better. Sorry for the long post, especially for it being my first however I wanted to give all the relevant info I can think of, If more information is required for a informed answer please ask and I will respond promptly. I also use 6lb braid with a 3' 4lb fluoro leader if that information is relevant. 

check out the newer Loomis Trout series rods (TSR) if you love UL fishing.. i have the 791 and it is awesome. its 6'7 though. it balances perfectly with a 1000 size shimano spinning reel. 

 

consider a slightly longer UL rod if you want, the longer rods cast better and they offer more shock absorption when fighting fish. I think there is a short model available in the TSR series, but most of them are longer for the reasons i mentioned, they even make a 7'6 one. 

35 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

check out the newer Loomis Trout series rods (TSR) if you love UL fishing.. i have the 791 and it is awesome. its 6'7 though. it balances perfectly with a 1000 size shimano spinning reel. 

 

consider a slightly longer UL rod if you want, the longer rods cast better and they offer more shock absorption when fighting fish. I think there is a short model available in the TSR series, but most of them are longer for the reasons i mentioned, they even make a 7'6 one. 

I considered a rod from this model line however they are vague with info on the blank material as where I can get an IMX blank in the classic series which is a very popular model. I also hate the look of the composite with the cork on the grip in the trout series. Short rods are a must here as the creeks I fish are very densely overgrown with low tree branches and short accurate casts are far more important to me than long casts. I have tried many rods over the years and anything over 5' is awkward for me here.

I use a 6’ St. Croix Panfish Series UL for trout fishing. It has been a great rod—soft tip with plenty of power. I caught a 3lb. river smallmouth on it too. I haven’t tried the GLoomis. But if it’s anything like the SC, it’ll be a fine rod. 

14 hours ago, Manly Studson said:

I use a 6’ St. Croix Panfish Series UL for trout fishing. It has been a great rod—soft tip with plenty of power. I caught a 3lb. river smallmouth on it too. I haven’t tried the GLoomis. But if it’s anything like the SC, it’ll be a fine rod. 

I hear great things about St. Croix and am considering an Avid by them however I have heard that their rods tend to run a bit stiffer than their rating so that paired with the fact the Avid's are a fast action rod I am concerned that I will just have another UL that's too stiff for my taste. The St. Croix trout or panfish rods are out of the question for me due to the guides. I have been trying to find a local place that sells either the IMX or the Avid with no success, likely going to have to just pick one and order it and if it's it's too extreme at either end of the weight/action spectrum send it back.

Actually you will probably find that the St. Croix UL rods run a little softer than the Loomis ones. The Avid UL's for example, are more 'noodly' than comparable loomis UL, but neither are stiff.

 

the TSR rods are a true fast action UL, with a very light tip, but the classic IMX blanks are great. the TSR rods are composite (blend of different graphites) so you wont find what they are made of like IMX, GL3 etc.

 

just some food for thought. I used to own the IMX SR841-2 which was an amazing UL rod, i sold it because I wanted a one peice UL rod, and replaced it with the TSR rod. 

30 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

Actually you will probably find that the St. Croix UL rods run a little softer than the Loomis ones. The Avid UL's for example, are more 'noodly' than comparable loomis UL, but neither are stiff.

 

the TSR rods are a true fast action UL, with a very light tip, but the classic IMX blanks are great. the TSR rods are composite (blend of different graphites) so you wont find what they are made of like IMX, GL3 etc.

 

just some food for thought. I used to own the IMX SR841-2 which was an amazing UL rod, i sold it because I wanted a one peice UL rod, and replaced it with the TSR rod. 

Thank you for the insight, I had only heard about higher weight models running stiff, it's hard to find info on their ultralight models. May I ask why you chose the TSR over the classic trout & panfish series?

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May I ask why you chose the TSR over the classic trout & panfish series?

mainly because i wanted a longer 1 piece UL rod, most of the classic ones that are longer are 2 piece rods, the one piece rods in that lineup tend to be on the shorter side. 

 

I actually regret not getting the 7'6 one piece TSR rod lol. i may upgrade one day, although i do like the 6'7 TSR rod that i have. 

 

 

9 hours ago, Rusty Shackelford said:

I hear great things about St. Croix and am considering an Avid by them however I have heard that their rods tend to run a bit stiffer than their rating so that paired with the fact the Avid's are a fast action rod I am concerned that I will just have another UL that's too stiff for my taste. The St. Croix trout or panfish rods are out of the question for me due to the guides. I have been trying to find a local place that sells either the IMX or the Avid with no success, likely going to have to just pick one and order it and if it's it's too extreme at either end of the weight/action spectrum send it back.

You could try the SC Legend Elite Panfish Rod. The guides are better than their standard panfish rods, but you will pay a small fortune.

1 hour ago, Manly Studson said:

You could try the SC Legend Elite Panfish Rod. The guides are better than their standard panfish rods, but you will pay a small fortune.

Yea I saw that rod, it's certainly not for me, if I go with any of the St. Croix rods it would be an Avid.