I am going to BWCA this June, primarily for fly fishing. But I would like to take one spinning rod for shore fishing or trolling from the back, etc.

I plan to fish for smallies and pike. Don't care much about walleyes. I am trying to decide between a ML and M weight rod like this:

spinning rod

Any advice or alternatives? Thanks.

Medium will give you a better hookset ability for northerns. I fish for pike like it's my job and a gook hook set is imperative. I use medium for the two species you listed. Sometimes I use medium light or light for walleye but the medium is definitely more universal.

quote adventureman: "Medium will give you a better hookset ability for northerns. I fish for pike like it's my job and a gook hook set is imperative. I use medium for the two species you listed. Sometimes I use medium light or light for walleye but the medium is definitely more universal."

Makes good sense. I like to go as light as possible but you are right about the hookset. Also throwing, twitching, trolling larger lures could overwhelm the lighter rod. I think a medium weight rod with 8 lb test line might be the way to go.

I would go with the medium if you are going to troll. I have used a medium light and there is too much flex in the rod when trolling cranks and larger lures.

tony

I have to agree, go with the medium. It will also be a lot better with hooksets if you are fishing from shore with bobber.

I use a medium, and a light medium. I prefer a medium for the same reasons stated above.

I bought an Orvis 3-piece 7-ft medium weight spinning rod with a rod case. I'll put some 8-lb mono on there and search this forum some more for lure ideas.

My first thoughts are to take tube jigs, some soft plastics like jerk minnows, top water Zara Spooks and skitter pops, a few spoons (including weedless) and various Rapala's with some swivel snaps and light wire leaders.

A medium spinning rod is the best overall rod in the boundary waters.

Medium

go with a ugly stick lite, in a medium weight. un breakable and you dont need the sensitivity for pike and smallies. stay away from those pack rods they are just way too easy to use.

Medium - but there is nothing like catching a 3-5 lb smallie on a light setup!

St Croix Avid series Med Light Fast action. In my opinion one of the best all around rods.

quote MooseTrack: "St Croix Avid series Med Light Fast action. In my opinion one of the best all around rods."

Ditto that, MT. I have an Avid series spinning rod and LOVE it. However, it may not be for everyone considering the $150 +/- price tag.

In my opinion, the fishing rod that set the standard is the Shakespeare Ugly Stick. For $30 or so, it's as good as a fishing rod can be.

I had a St. Croix Avid 2-piece 3-wt 9ft fly rod on which I caught a 36 inch muskie with 4lb tippet while bluegill/small bass fishing. Loved that rod. I broke it stupidly on the very next outing after catching the muskie - they don't make them any more so I had to replace it with an 8'6" Legend Ultra which is also nice but I like the 9 footer.

I used to have an Ugly Stick and hated that thing. Felt like a full flex lead pipe with a rod tip like a piece of licorice. I know they are durable, and in fact impossible to kill. Starting with an Ugly Stick is the way to go, because then you will appreciate the feel of finer rods. I think I still have an Ugly Stick in the corner of my garage - it lasted longer than my truck.

You will love that 7' Orvis. I bring two of them, the three piece with case is the way to go. The only draw back is you can't fish your way in. But you make much better time that way. Get the travelin' done and then break out the rods.

jeroldharter,
St Croix makes a very nice 9 ft 4 wt in the avid series. A 36 in fish on a 3 wt must have been exciting. I caught a 44 in pike on my 5 wt which was an exciting experience.

Haven't owned a pack rod, but it makes a lot of sense if you'll only be using it some of the time. Generally, I like 2 piece rods because they travel easier in my car. For BWCA, I do go with ye olde Ugly Stik because I only carry one rod and it's harder to break (and I won't cry if something does happen to it). Oh yeah, the fact that it's my only medium rod may have something to do with it too!

Agreed that there are many rods out there with more backbone and better hooksetting power than the Ugly stik. Getting back to the products you are considering, St. Croix makes great products, and by their standards, that pack rod is fairly inexpensive and probably of fantastic quality. If you feel like splurging, go for it. Otherwise, there are lots of reasonable quality combos where you can get a rod AND reel that would be more than adequate for around or under $90-100, especially if you are not one of those super-sensitive walleye types (no offense intended)!

Also, check out the "need a good rod" thread for other ideas...

I use a ML Cabela's Fish Eagle II, and a Shimano Spirex 2500 reel. I have one spool with8 lb. test and another with 30 lg. test Fireline. When specifically fishing for Pike, I use the fireline and really really sharp hooks and crankbaits. I use really long(7-12in) striper cranks and they cannot get them down their throats, they hit them sideways. Small cranks and spinnerbaits I find they will hit so that they can get them down their throats, making hook removal more difficult. Either way, reaaly sharp hooks will get the job done, I reccommend KatchKey, it is a diamond dust impregnated key/hook sharpener. Works great and is the size and shape of a key. Lot's of opnions here, test on bass before you go.