I want a parabolic (slow action) rod for pan fishing. Recommendations?

 

I want to cast in-line spinner baits and spoons. Very small ones.

Didn't mention casting or spinning, or price range, but any 5' to 5-1/2' UL should work.  

Might check out Graywolf rods 

https://www.graywolfrods.com/ul-rods

The St Croix panfish series are nice rods ranging from ul to ml.

 

Also I don't think you want a parabolic rod or it would look like this (see pic), a parabola is a fixed shape. I don't know how this term worked it's way into the fishing rod lexicon but I wish I could ban it [close rant ]

6 minutes ago, Bass Rutten said:

The St Croix panfish series are nice rods ranging from ul to ml.

 

Also I don't think you want a parabolic rod or it would look like this (see pic), a parabola is a fixed shape. I don't know how this term worked it's way into the fishing rod lexicon but I wish I could ban it [close rant ]

I just mean I don't want fast action. I want it to bend in the middle of the rod.

Just now, CoryRobertLowe said:

I just mean I don't want fast action. I want it to bend in the middle of the rod.

I was just being facetious, I know what you meant by parabolic. The rods I mentioned are definitely moderate in action.

Ugly Stik

Think it's too late to complain to Charles Ritz.

Para taper is how rod designer gets maximum cast distance from the shortest rod, since they're loading more of the total rod length.  

Progressive taper loads in a band moving progressively down the rod as you cast more weight.  

Load curves above are both 2-power casting rods with the same weight ranges. 

26 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

Think it's too late to complain to Charles Ritz.

Para taper is how rod designer gets maximum cast distance from the shortest rod, since they're loading more of the total rod length.  

Progressive taper loads in a band moving progressively down the rod as you cast more weight.  

Load curves above are both 2-power casting rods with the same weight ranges. 

Oh, this is new info for me. Can you send me more info and/or give me some "keywords" that I can search more on, so I can learn more? Super interesting!

 

At some point, I may want to build my own rods.

23 minutes ago, CoryRobertLowe said:

Oh, this is new info for me. Can you send me more info and/or give me some "keywords" that I can search more on, so I can learn more? Super interesting!

 

At some point, I may want to build my own rods.

 

I wouldn't bother with keywords since words are just descriptors and every company uses different ones.  If you get into rod building, then look at the common cents system for rod measurement.  A few blank manufacturers and some lots of rod builders have measured rods and put the data online.

 

When you say you want it to bend to the middle of the rod, do you mean when casting or when fighting a fish?  If when casting, then you're looking for something 7', Lite power, and moderate action. If you mean you want an 8" bluegill to double the rod over, then you want a light or ultralight power regardless of the action.  Look at the Bass pro microlight series.  I have the 7'6" ultralight as my light trout rod and it's fantastic for bending well down into the rod on a 10" trout on 4# line.  Doubles great for bluegills in ponds.  

Unlikely to find a better description than I already provided.  Most 

attempts to define the two rod taper extremes will get you in a fisticuffs w a fly fisherman. Para is characterized by fast tip with more flex moving into mid and butt. Progressive has short soft tip, long fast mid, and powerful butt.  

 

All real world rods are a blend of both,  so it's more accurate to call a rod taper more progressive or more para.

28 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

I wouldn't bother with keywords since words are just descriptors and every company uses different ones.  If you get into rod building, then look at the common cents system for rod measurement.  A few blank manufacturers and some lots of rod builders have measured rods and put the data online.

 

When you say you want it to bend to the middle of the rod, do you mean when casting or when fighting a fish?  If when casting, then you're looking for something 7', Lite power, and moderate action. If you mean you want an 8" bluegill to double the rod over, then you want a light or ultralight power regardless of the action.  Look at the Bass pro microlight series.  I have the 7'6" ultralight as my light trout rod and it's fantastic for bending well down into the rod on a 10" trout on 4# line.  Doubles great for bluegills in ponds.  

I mean when I casting, I want the full rod (more maybe half of it) to "load" and "unload", so I get a longer cast, instead of just the tip "loading" and "unloading" with the weight of the lure. Basically, I am looking for a moderate or slow action. I just used the word parabolic, because I have heard others use that word...because nobody wants to say they want a slow rod. I already own fast and extra fast action ultra light rods, so I wanted to add some moderate/slow action rods, and learn how to use them.

Okuma Celilo UL is a good inexpensive option.

 

https://okumafishingusa.com/collections/rods/products/celilo-specialty-b-rods

11 minutes ago, Crankin4Bass said:

Okuma Celilo UL is a good inexpensive option.

x2 on this - I love my 7'6" Celilo UL. Can cast those ultra-lures a good distance but has enough backbone in case a 3# bass decides that he's hungry enough to eat that.

Panfish and trout rods are so light in power they will bend deep into the blank when fighting a fish.  With a UL or L rod a Mod action isn't going to do much good for casting distance as you have limited back bone or mid-section to drive the tip, it will just be like a limp noodle.  You will get the same effect with a long 7 or 7'6'+ F action UL.  As the blank gets longer so does the tip section, which reduces recovery time with a lower end blank. 

If I were you I would look at a 6'6 or 6' Light Power with a F action.  You don't need a very sensitive rod for inlines and spoons so even an ugly stick would be fine.     

 

6 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

The St Croix panfish series are nice rods ranging from ul to ml.

 

Also I don't think you want a parabolic rod or it would look like this (see pic), a parabola is a fixed shape. I don't know how this term worked it's way into the fishing rod lexicon but I wish I could ban it [close rant ]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Lol

I’m not the grammar police but the misuse of the word parabolic just bugs me. 

Look at it this way. 

A 7'3" progressive baitfinesse rod will fish 1/16 oz at 80 to 90'.  

At the same time, it has the butt power to keep a redfish from going under your kayak. 

A 5-1/2' UL para taper will make the same cast, but flex in the mid and butt gives leverage over to the fish, making panfish shoulders feel like the redfish. 

 

Parabolic  - hey, there are people who think because Charles Ritz put the reel in his pocket,  that's how you're supposed to do it.   

The point isn't what it's called,  but understanding what it means.

Is it a misnomer?  A loaded bow forms a parabola to launch an arrow.  A para rod taper loads the full length of the rod the same way.  

7 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

The St Croix panfish series are nice rods ranging from ul to ml.

 

Also I don't think you want a parabolic rod or it would look like this (see pic), a parabola is a fixed shape. I don't know how this term worked it's way into the fishing rod lexicon but I wish I could ban it [close rant ]

This would be my choice I have the 1 current and 1 previous gen of rhe 6'4" model and love them for crappie, bream, perch fishing.

You didn’t mention a budget but I’m going to throw my recommendations out there also. I have 2 BPS panfish Elite rods that I absolutely love, my ultralight is a 6’-8” model but they have an ultralight available in 6’-0” also. Next is my 6’-0” St. Croix panfish series rod which I bought instead of the aforementioned BPS rod and they also have a 6’-9” ultralight. Last although not an ultralight I have a St Croix Avid panfish series rod which is also available in a 6’-0” ultralight model. The prices vary and again you didnt mention a budget but I feel you can’t go wrong with any of these three or even the rods mentioned before my choices.

Not sure of your budget but check out Tenryu.  I have the Rayz Integral RZI484B-L.  I have caught bass, crappie, trout and bluegill on this rod. Its a blast to fish and a work of art. It is soft and light so you can't pull big fish from cover but for fishing small streams and ponds, its great.

 

Greetings All,

Just $0.02 to toss in for consideration. Yes, I have and use the Okuma Cellio and enjoy that 5.5 foot UL combo with great success with static and dynamic bait presentations. I use it with 4 pound mono and all works rather well. 

 

The Daiwa Legalis LT spinning combo is another well built rig. I have the 5.5 foot version and the casts along with the handling are very nice. Again I'm using it with 4 pound mono. It manages bass, bluegills, shellcrackers, trout, and occasionally a catfish too rather well. It responds nicely to the surges presented by each of those species. I was initially skeptical about the smaller diameter line guides but the line propels well through them. It does handle the different size fish, even those above the typical UL categorization, nicely. 

 

I also use the Shimano Stimula in a 5.5 foot UL which has a nice action too. This and the Okuma Cellio are both in the similar lower cost price range and can be found at the various large retail stores. I generally use this rod a great deal because of the overall handling qualities and comfortable light weight. Being a recreational angler I don't want to work too hard at recreating so the very light weight rod is nice to use. I enjoy the response of this rod too. 

Again, I hope this is helpful. Wishing each of you well, Cheers!

 

@CoryRobertLowe Although I’ve said this before to others who have not responded, I sure hope you keep everyone who has responded updated with your decision and I feel that you were given quite the range of rods with plenty of reasons why some of us would/did choose what we chose or recommended. Not trying to be a jerk but more I’m sincerely curious. 

Bass Pro Shops Crappie Maxx Pro Series Crappie Casting Rod

Good Fishing

11 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

@CoryRobertLowe Although I’ve said this before to others who have not responded, I sure hope you keep everyone who has responded updated with your decision and I feel that you were given quite the range of rods with plenty of reasons why some of us would/did choose what we chose or recommended. Not trying to be a jerk but more I’m sincerely curious. 

Thanks @Eric 26,

 

I ordered a few rods online. I plan to write a detailed response, showing what I learned, so you guys and other (future) readers and benefit from this research. I like the idea of cataloging all these insights.

 

Right now, I purchased the following rods and am waiting for them to arrive:

 - https://jdmtackleheaven.com/collections/daiwa-iprimi-rod

 - https://www.basspro.com/p/bass-pro-shops-micro-lite-glass-spinning-rod

 

I have a few more recommendations I received offline that I plan to post.

 

Today, I used a rod I already have: 

 - https://www.shakespeare-fishing.com/products/micro-series-spinning-rod?variant=48550334005525&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21890644528&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0qTCBhCmARIsAAj8C4YA_k6kpWZlfixYbzrGEURw1awJ-KhTW23jJ6_iFySNDONXKIcX2FoaAtNhEALw_wcB

 

It works pretty good, but I wanted to see if there was one with more bend. Shakespeare is a great manufacture, as I lost part of my rod, and they sent me a free one. If anyone is looking for a cheap, lightweight rod, this is a good beginner one. Although I am looking for better ones. I did notice because of the bend (and/or materials), it wasn't nearly as sensitive. Although I'm not looking for that; I'm looking for a rod with a lot of load/unload.

 

Ultimately, I'm looking to understand the "bend" in a rod, and how to use it, and how to select the right rod. I'm looking to fish lures, that benefit from lots of "bend" right now. I may end up building my own rods at some point, to better understand this.

Greetings, and Happy Friday All,
@CoryRobertLowe I hope you have some great angling experiences with those selections. 

I have the 5.5 foot version of the BP Micro Lite fiberglass rod and have had catching success using it. My preference is for an overall lighter weight rod and reel package which is why I didn't have that rod identified in my previous reponse. It is a bit heavier that what I was seeking. 

Also the rod seat on my particular unit was an area of concern for me. The shallow grooves on the threads do not have much engagement for the locking rings. Not an issue for smaller fish catching where the reel seat tension does not require a high holding force. I only became aware of it when I happened to tie into a few larger fish and things got 'interesting' for me. 
 

The summer time fishing fun is on. We'll all look forward to your fishing reports! Be well, Cheers!

St Croix Panfish rod 6'4" is what I use and like.