Phenix-Kencor-loomis rods

[steve33fish]

All right guys, Which one of these rods are the best for Trout fishing? Name the model and type of rod.

[DementedFish]

I dont really no much about those rods, but I have heard great things about each of them. Personally, I would think a Loomis is the best.

[Local Rookie]

I own a Kencor SP4HV (4' 2-6lb test) and had a lot of success bait fishing with it. it is my favorite rods to use at little lakes and ponds.

I sold my Phenix SR80TUL (8' 2-6lb 1/64-3/8Oz) and used it for jigging and trout worm fishing. It was actually my first rod and had a lot of success with but decided to sell it becuase it was a little too flemsy and decided to do more float tubing than shore fishing. I actually miss the rod!

I sold my Phenix 60 SRTUL (6' 2-6lb 1/64-3/8Oz) and used it for lure fishing and bait fishing. For the trout fishing I do, I didn't use it much. I thought it was a little too small for casting out lure and a little too long for bait fishing.

Anyway, I switched over to St. Croix rods and I know it is not one of the options but I think they make the best rods in the US. I use an St. Croix Avid AS70ULM2 (7'0" 2-6lb 1/32-3/16Oz) which I use for casting out mini jigs and trout worms - this rod is lighter than the G Loomis SR841-2 and the Rogue SP 702S.

I also use St. Croix Legend Elite ES66LF (6'6" 4-8lb 1/16-5/16Oz) which I use it for everything! This is the probably the best rod I have ever used hands down. Extremely sensitive, accurate casting, light, and nice too look at with the Moss Green finish. I know it says 4-8lb and 1/16 but I use 2lb line and 1/32 jigs and I can cast practically anywhere with great distance and pin-point accuracy no joke! Extremely sensitive-you know the difference between gravel, dirt, weeds & fish on. Put one on your hands and you will be sold!

[h00ked247]

I've owned a couple of ultralight Kencors in the past, I don't recall the model numbers but it was a 6 foot and a 7 foot. I Personally didn't like them very much, the tip is too flimsy for me.

I do own a factory wrapped Loomis SR720-2 rated for 1-4 # test. This is by far the best trout rod I own. I also own a custom wrapped SR782-2 GL3 but due to the guide spacing, it softened the rod tip a little too much for me so I use it for bait. I can honestly say that after fishing with a G Loomis, it's very hard to fish with anything else. The one drawback is the Loomis price. These little trout rods costs just as much if not more than my saltwater rods which makes it really hard to justify in my book.

Local Rookie: I've been looking for a 7ft mini jig/worm/spinning rod. How would you say the St Croix Avid AS70ULM2 would compare to the Loomis SR841-2? I've bent the St Croix Premier PS70ULF2 but the tip was too loose for my taste.

My idea of the perfect trout rod is light, sensitive, and when your flick your wrist to cast, the rod tip dips once, then stops.

[Local Rookie]

Originally Posted by h00ked247

Local Rookie: I've been looking for a 7ft mini jig/worm/spinning rod. How would you say the St Croix Avid AS70ULM2 would compare to the Loomis SR841-2? I've bent the St Croix Premier PS70ULF2 but the tip was too loose for my taste.

Premier series are lower end St. Croix rods probably a Gl2 Loomis Rod. The Avid AS70ULM2 is a moderate action rod which I prefer for jigging than a fast action rod. It is more forgiving.

But if you want a head's up compare the SR841-2 then I would highly suggest AS70ULF which is a 1 piece fast action rod.

Pros:
The AS70ULF is lighter than the SR841-2.
The AS70ULF is $130.00 less than the SR841-2.
The AS70ULF is more durable.

Cons:
The AS70ULF is a one piece rod SR841-"2" is a two piece.

Median:
Both backed by lifetime warrantee.
Both very sensitive.

Originally Posted by h00ked247

My idea of the perfect trout rod is light, sensitive, and when your flick your wrist to cast, the rod tip dips once, then stops.

You just described my St. Croix Legend Elite ES66LF.

[WreckinBall]

It seems that only one of these rods are on your list, BUT......

Originally Posted by h00ked247

My idea of the perfect trout rod is light, sensitive, and when your flick your wrist to cast, the rod tip dips once, then stops.

That sounds like a description of the Rogue SP 601S. If I had to fish for trout with only one rod, it would be this one. It is extremely light, and it has more spine and a faster action than any other ultra light I've found. At 6 feet, it's shorter than some of the rods you'll read about in this thread, but it's a fish killer. For throwing spinners/spoons, it has no equal. It throws bait well, too.

Recently, I've begun a deep appreciation for my Lamiglas GS 702 UL. It has a buttery action which tosses minijigs well, and I think is ideal for drop-shotting worms, even though it doesn't throw baits very well. The last time I took it out, I was fishing next to a fellow who was drop-shotting power worms (the same as I), and I was air-mailing him by at least 10 yards. I was using the 702UL with a Quantum Catalyst and Cuda 4#, while he was using a 7'6" GLX 4-weight (custom wrapped as a spinning rod), with a Stella wound with 2# flourocarbon. Lamiglas makes a quality product, and the 702 UL (if you can find one) is a good rod for jigs and a great rod for drop-shotting trout worms.

I just recently purchased it, and due to our weather, haven't fished it yet. BUT......
the Phenix 80 SRTUL-2 seems to have a similar action to the Lamiglas 702 UL, and at 8 ft., it should increase my range for tossing mini/micro jigs.

[h00ked247]

Local Rookie, WreckinBall: Thanks for the replies though I'd prefer a 2 piece rod because it's easier to transport. I believe Rogue, and the higher end St Croix are one piece only. I haven't bent the Lamiglas GS 702UL so I'll keep a lookout for them at the tackle stores.