Best Ultra Light Spinning Rod for Trout and Panfish: Maker-Rated UL Picks

Our verdict

Top Picks for Ultra Light Spinning Rods

Every rod here is maker-rated ultra light (UL) power, linked at the exact length and pieces. Light-power rods are a different class (what a light spinning rod is).

Related guide: Best Light Action Spinning Rod: Light-Power Rods for Trout, Panfish and Small Bass

Pair one with an ultra light spinning reel; more in our fishing section.

Price tiers: $ = entry level, $$ = mid-range, $$$ = premium, relative to the products in this guide.

Compare the picks

Compare the 8 Ultra Light Spinning Rods

Makers’ line rating: 2-6 lb, all eight.

How We Narrowed the Ultra Light Field

What every rod had to meet

• UL power on the maker’s table for the linked model.
• New and in stock on Amazon when we checked, from Amazon.com, the maker or a verified seller.
• Evidence: one Outdoor Life series test, three Reddit owner reports, four maker-only.

Detailed Reviews: 8 Ultra Light Spinning Rods

Shimano Sensilite A, Entry-Level UL Rod

Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. Outdoor Life: 6′ light Sensilite A.

Outdoor Life tested the 6′ light. Its pros include “Incredibly sensitive” and “Versatile”; its con, “Too soft for a light-action rod”.

Specs: 6’6″ UL 1-piece (SENS66ULA)

• Rating: 2-6 lb mono, 1/32-3/16 oz (Shimano)
• Price tier: $

13 Fishing Defy Silver, Two-Piece Panfish UL

Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Fishing_Gear: variant not stated.

An r/Fishing_Gear poster calls it and two rivals “probably the best value UL rods”. Against the Sensilite: two pieces, but a 3/32 oz ceiling.

Specs: 6’6″ UL 2-piece (DEFSS66UL-2)

• Rating: 2-6 lb, 1/32-3/32 oz (13 Fishing)
• Price tier: $$

Ugly Stik Elite, Glass-Graphite UL

Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/FishingForBeginners: 7′ ultralight Elite.

On r/FishingForBeginners, a 7-foot owner writes, “I have a 7ft Ugly Stik Elite ultralight rod, it is quite noodly and not that sensitive.” Another calls Ugly Stiks “tanks for durability”. Amazon’s title says “7-Piece”; its bullets list seven guides and the variant is two-piece. Against the Defy Silver: a 1/8 oz ceiling and a fiberglass blend. Our spinning rods under $100 also pick it.

Specs: 6’6″ UL 2-piece (USELSP662UL)

• Rating: 2-6 lb, 1/32-1/8 oz (Ugly Stik)
• Price tier: $$

Shimano Clarus F, Carbon Two-Piece UL

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Shimano.

Shimano designed the Clarus F “to offer the multi-species angler maximum versatility”. Against the St. Croix: cork grips, but rated from 1/16 oz, not 1/32 oz.

Specs: 5’6″ UL 2-piece (CSS56UL2F)

• Rating: 2-6 lb mono, 1/16-3/16 oz (Shimano)
• Price tier: $$$

St. Croix Trout Series, Small-Stream Carbon UL

Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Fishing_Gear: 5’6″ ultra light, pieces not stated.

On r/Fishing_Gear, an owner writes, “I have a 5’6″ St Croix Trout UL I bought a few years ago and it does feel cheap, like an Eagle Claw rod from the 80’s.” Our trout spinning rods also pick it.

Specs: 5’6″ UL 2-piece (TFS56ULF2)

• Rating: 2-6 lb, 1/32-3/16 oz (St. Croix)
• Price tier: $$$

Lew’s Lite, Jig and Dock UL

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Lew’s.

Lew’s says its 5’4″ and 6′ UL rods excel at “precision skipping, pitching and dock shooting the tiniest baits”, and gives the series “a one-year warranty”. Its fast action is from the Amazon listing; we could not read it from Lew’s table. Against the Sensilite: shorter, premium.

Specs: 6′ UL 1-piece (LL60ULS)

• Rating: 2-6 lb, 1/32-3/16 oz (Lew’s)
• Price tier: $$$

Pflueger President, Short Creek UL

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Pflueger.

Amazon says 4-6 lb line; we use Pflueger’s 2-6 lb. Against the Berkley: shorter, with a published lure rating.

Specs: 4’8″ UL 2-piece (PFLPRES48UL-MFS2)

• Rating: 2-6 lb, 1/32-3/16 oz (Pflueger)
• Price tier: $

Berkley Lightning Rod, Budget Two-Piece UL

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Berkley.

Berkley publishes no lure rating; 1/32-1/4 oz is the Amazon listing’s. That listing’s title, a bullet and its pieces field say one piece, and its details say light power; its selected variant and model BSLR502UL match Berkley’s only 5′ UL, a two-piece. Check the model number on the page before buying. Our freshwater guide picks a 6′ medium-light Lightning.

Specs: 5′ UL 2-piece (BSLR502UL)

• Rating: 2-6 lb (Berkley)
• Price tier: $

Frequently Asked Questions About Ultra Light Spinning Rods

Makers here list UL rods from 4’8″ (Pflueger) to 7′ (Shimano Clarus, Ugly Stik, 13 Fishing); 6’6″ sits near the long end. For Ned rigs, see our Ned rig rods.

No maker here publishes a strength test; posters call Ugly Stik’s build durable.

Yes, from Shimano (Clarus CSS70ULF), Ugly Stik (USELSP702UL) and 13 Fishing (DEFSS7UL-2); none was confirmed in stock, so none is linked.

Fenwick makes the Eagle Trout & Panfish in UL. On In-Depth Outdoors, a poster praises a different Fenwick series: “The Fenwick HMG UL is the perfect UltraLight rod.” Its checked listing was above Fenwick’s list price.

The bottom line

Final Verdict

Ponds: Shimano Sensilite A (check price) or 13 Fishing Defy Silver (check price). Rough use: Ugly Stik Elite (check price). Short carbon: Shimano Clarus F (check price) or St. Croix Trout Series (check price). Dock jigs: Lew’s Lite (check price). Budget creeks: Pflueger President (check price) or Berkley Lightning Rod (check price).

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.