Ultra Light around $200

[Ade]

Hi guys, I'm after a backup rod. Any suggestions/recommendations would be appreciated. Specs I'm after: Ultra light, no longer than 6'6", prefer 2pc, around the $200 mark. Matching it with a 2000 TD SOL. Thanks for your time.

[lukereneeseth]

Pflueger Trion V2 - 6'4 & 6'6. 2-4kg = $140

[rabbitoh]

I agree with the pflueger trion but I would look at the 1-3 kg in 7ft or shorter if you like, I use the 1-3kg with a new 1000 stradic hk and 2kg braid for flathead here around Brisbane, took a 55cm GT 2 weeks ago and the rod performs great, a real top performing rod for under 150$..

[Bassifier]

Are you dead set on no longer than 6'6?
Because i have a great Majorcraft Volkey
VKS-722UL 3-7lb for sale that is new and surplus to my requirements. (I already have 2 of the same model!)
It is however 7ft 2 2 piece.
Its a glorious HB rod for reaction bites.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Bassifier

It is however 7ft 2 2 piece.
Its a glorious HB rod for reaction bites.

Do you need a specialised rod for reaction bites? Just curious.

To the OP, sorry about the post hijack.

The only one that comes to my mind would be a second hand Samurai 201 2-6lb. However, they are 7ft. I have a 1-piece paired with SOL 2000-great combo, especially for HBs.
Cheers

[Ade]

Thanks for the responses guys. I've done some research and I've narrowed my search down to 3, all of which are Daiwa Gen. Black rods. The Itchy Twitchy II, Two Drunk Monkies or the Black Pinster II. 6'10" in length is maximum as I primarily fish from a yak. Those with first hand knowledge of any of these particular three rods, I would greatly appreciate some feedback. My other outfit is a black label V2 642 paired with a 13 2004 Certate so I want something to compliment this.

[mazman]

I have an itchy twitchy and while it is a great rod it is far from ultra light, as a side note you can do a lot better than the gen blacks in that price range if you are prepared to import rods.

[Bassifier]

Out of curiousity why short rods in the yak?
Is it simply a storage question?
I fish some 7'6 spin rods and a 9ft fly rod out my yak. There seems to be a perception that small boat = small rods.

Weird in my opinion but horsse for courses i guess.
Some of the daiwa rods you are looking at are nice.
Good luck.

[Ade]

Hey Bassifier, I always prefer smaller rods in the yak for practicality for the style of fishing I do. Trolling up close to mangrove lined banks and just getting into the tight water. A lot of the time portage and just simply casting with a smaller stick just makes life a lot easier.
Mazman, feel free to pm me with suggestions. I'm not familiar at all with fishing rods across the world hence wouldn't take the risk just from looking at specs. Would appreciate any advice. 6'4"-6'10" 2pc ultra light are my preferred specs. The fish I target are Bream, Flathead, EP's, Trevally and of course Bass.

[lukereneeseth]

How long would it take for you to save an extra $50?

I've never heard or been able to find anyone who has had a negative thing to say about the Nordic Stage rods.

Nordic Stage Areal Gunslinger - 6ft, 1-3kg, Fuji Sic Titanium guides, rod weight - 82g, lure weight - 2.5g - 8g. $250 posted.

Nordic Stage Dynamic F1 602L - 10lb, 3-12g, Kigan Ti/stainless guides, rod weight - 91g, proper 2 piece. $239 posted.

The F1 is rated to 10lb but fishes like a 3-6lb. Great butt configuration for putting in rod holders without touching the blank, but still being a split butt.

Almost guarantee if you buy one you will end up with a few more.

[sirwaxxalot]

Hey mate i have a gen black drunknmonkey 1 piece and its a fantastic rod for the price. Used to use it alot more than my loomis glx820 which was almost triple the price...that was until i snapped the 5 inches off it. When I replace that ultra light SP rod, its gonna be another drunknmonkey!

[Ade]

Thanks for the advice. I went for an NS One's Micro 642, wasn't a hard decision after picking it up. Really impressed with it's balance and strength in the guts. Looks like a great casting rod. Got it for a good price.