Laker Rod Opinions

[chunkytrout]

For years I've been fishing with my HT Ice Blues for Lakers. As I have grown into Laker fishing a little more hardcore, I've decided to upgrade. My C3s are more than sufficient but wondering what you guys are using for rods. Name brands, lengths and so on.

chunky

[benelli_dude2002]

As far as laker rods go I use 28 ( or is it 30 ) inch medium action Berkley Lightning rod. I got the older one and it has smaller guides but I see that the new ones have bigger guides which I prefer. I find that this rod has a good back bone which is key to a good hookset. This is a spinning outfit with 10 lbs test line and I do have my drag set just right so if they want to take a run for it they can. Hope this helps! My dad likes to use lighter line like around 6 or 8 lb test. Just gotta know how to fight them and you'll have them flopping on the ice. good luck! Brian

[chunkytrout]

Given your handle, i take it you cycle. I used to build for cannondale years ago.

[Xplorer]

Chunky,
What do you need a new troutrod for, the one you got now seemed to work just fine
Actually, I use a couple of rods that are alot more fun than the 34" "broomstick" ice blue I used to use. Both are medium/heavy 30", one is an HT and one is a Lightening rod. I like them both, and agree, bigger guides are better! Actually at the get-together I was jigging one line with a 28" medium HT arctic air just to see how something that light might handle a laker. All I caught on it was my slush dipper tho
I can tell you that it would have been interesting if I would have hooked that 10# you got on it. I might still be up there fighting it! I had it spooled up with 20/6 powerpro.
I would pick up a end of season 30" med/heavy rod and give it a try. They have the backbone to get a good hookset and they sure make the 2-5# fish alot more fun to catch, just lighten your drag a bit.
Good luck to you and chewytrout the rest of the season, looks like you will be getting a "Catfish" in town. Your better half's will never get you two off the lake now
Xplorer/Chris

PS: Also, if your gonna be in your permanent heated shack maybe give a superbraid a try (powerpro/fireline) the no stretch helps on the hookset but the line can freeze outside.

[This message has been edited by Xplorer (edited 02-19-2003).]

[chunkytrout]

Thanks Chris! Miss ya already and that caribou too. When ya coming back?

[knoppers]

I used to fish the med/heavy rods, but have opted for the medium rods by berkely and frabil. I seem to get better feel of my jig with the lighter rod. many times a laker will just tap your jig, and hit it later, these rods give you the oportunity to feel if something wasn't normal. fighting a larger laker is interesting, thats were the heavy rod would do better, but all around, I love the medium actions.

[Guest]

I will have a line of custom ice rods starting this summer. They will be on a solid carbon blank with a lifetime warranty. Still trying to work out the specifics, but I can tell you they will be awesome.

------------------
Jim Reed
www.countrykatfishing.com