RE: Ultrlight Rod Question..

Question
The question was, What would be the best reel to purchase?

Answer
Jesse; I assume you mean the 5'6" rod referred to in the other question.  I am afraid you have me stumped here.  First I do not know if you are talking about a casting reel, a spincast reel or an open face spinning reel.
Second there is absolutely no way that I could suggest a reel without feeling it in my hands, but I can tell you how to determine if the reel you are considering is good for you and the rod.  It is the only way to be sure about any reel on any rod.

Take your rod and a hookless lure of the weight you will be using.  Put the reel on the rod with the reel filled to the correct depth with line you will be using.  String up the rod and tie on the lure.  Does it feel good in your hands?  Does it balance as you feel it should?  If so try casting it a bit.  I realize this is a bit difficult in a Wallyworld or place like that but in a small individually owned tackle shop the owner is likely to let you take it outside and try it a bit.  You may pay a little more for the reel there than at Wallyworld or such but if something goes  wrong you can go back and the dealer will more likely be willing to help.  If a store will not let you do this I would politely hand him back the reel I was looking at and find a store that will cooperate with me.  I have taken rods in to KMart and done this but the sales person usually will be of little help because they probably do not fish.  They are just sellers of whatever the store puts them to sell.  They do not have to know much more than the price of the item.

I hope this will help.  That is the only way I will purchase a reel or rod anymore.  I have gotten some badly balanced combos in the past and they were virtually useless.  You can do this with an order from Bass Pro or Cabellas or other catalog or online sellers but it is not easy to return more than one.  At a store you can try several if you wish again much easier at a privately owned tackle store.  Wallyworld and others like that usually have many of their reels packaged in plastic and they are not hot for taking them out to let you try them on your rod.  Keep in mind, however, that you are the customer and remind them that they are there to serve you and see what the response is.



No matter what any rod or reel seller says the most important thing about any combination of rod, reel, line and lure is how it feels to you in your hands.  Remember you are the one who is going to be using it.

Again I hope this helps.

JackfromSeminole