If you’re looking for a rod made specifically for panfish, but not for lightweights, Joel Nelson knows just what you need.

Anglers have long been selecting their favorite fishing rods for bass, walleyes, muskies and the like. They’ve chosen among a wide variety of materials, from different blends of fiberglass, to the more numerous strains of carbon fiber. Species- and technique-specific rods have long been offered in every length, power and action, even giving certain classes of fishing like “trolling” their own series. But, not for panfish.

Traditionally, a panfish rod has been anything coded UL for “Ultra-Light,” but for all the wrong reasons. No matter the technique, from slip bobbering the shallows for spawn-time ‘gills, to deep-dropping big jigs on cribs for crappies, you got a short buggy whip that bent butt-to-tip with little thought for how it would ever be used.

St. Croix changed that a few years back now with its popular “Panfish Series”—a class of rods designed for a number of scenarios, species and specifics that vex panfish anglers. It included a good number of ultra-light rods, but offered so much more, with models that took into account the many variables panfish anglers face across the country. From long rod dinking and dunking, to small jig pitching and trolling, these lengths, powers and actions simply mimicked an evolution of the many bass and walleye models before them.

Anglers spend hundreds of dollars on rods designed to detect the bite of a bass that nine times in ten crushes a jerkbait, spinnerbait or other aggressive lure. Subtle presentations and finesse applications are supported with the lightest, most sensitive, and well-balanced sticks in the game, yet until the Panfish Series, the same couldn’t be said for any crappie or bluegill rods. Yet, sensitivity for smaller species can be the ultimate equalizer, a true difference-maker that determines success from failure on the toughest of days.

The same anglers that spend up for the finest technique-specific rods in the game, also understand that bite detection is only part of the equation. They know that lightweight rods, balanced perfectly to the presentation at hand, make all the difference in delivery of said presentation. For exacting anglers that demand the best tools for the job, the Legend Elite Panfish Series by St. Croix is yet another cut above. Lighter blanks made from the same materials as their flagship high-end bass and walleye rods, give panfish anglers the upper-hand in delivering tiny jigs in tight places.

Anyone can cast a 1/2-ounce jig into the breeze, but what about sizes down to 1/32-ounce? Bluegill anglers are often looking for a rod that delivers these smallest of sizes as far as possible away from the boat. Casting distance is a huge factor in proper panfish presentations. Any fiberglass rod can fling, but it takes a versatile stick to deliver distance without compromising on the fundamental need to detect light bites.

Power is something forgotten in panfish circles, too, as we’ve so long grown accustomed to the ultra-light sticks, we’ve forgotten that there are times where panfish anglers need more. Namely on the hookset, in tough cover or deep water, light-powered rods with Extra Fast (XF) actions are superior for their direct punch and overall control. Set the hook on a small jig at distance, especially with mono, and you’ll find XF action to be the most worthwhile part of your panfish gear.

There’s also fish at depth or speed to be contended with. In both scenarios, larger weights tax a traditional panfish blank too far beyond its limits, causing a sloppy rod feel and overall lack of control. When jigging deep weed edges for midsummer gills, or deep cribs in southern reservoirs, your average panfish rod is far too wimpy. When I mention speed fishing, I’m talking quite often about trolling for midsummer crappies with jigs or ‘crawler-harness-style spinners. In those situations, heavier weights as sinkers or part of the jig itself are the norm rather than the exception.

Panfish tech, then, is all about having the proper instrument to handle any scenario. Light jigs and long-range delivery, deep water and heavy weights, pencil bobbers and precise pitching; all are just a few instances that directly benefit from exacting combinations of length, power and action. St. Croix’s Panfish Series, and its featherweight Legend Elite Panfish lineup offer anglers the same seriousness in panfish rods that they’ve come to rely on for other species they target. No matter the technique or destination, there’s a rod spec and combination that excels for each time and place.

If you like panfishing, you’ll enjoy the next issue of MidWest Outdoors, available the first full week of each month at the newsstand or by subscribing on our website.