New ice fishing crappie and bluegill rod

[FisH_SLaYer24]

i am looking to buy both a new crappie rod and a new bluegill rod for the upcomming ice fishing. does anyone have any preference or ideas about good rods at a good cost? any help/tips are greatly appreciated.

thanks,

chris

[muc33]

What kind of fishing are you going to be focusing on here? Bobber, sight, jigging, all those things really make a differance. I generally use the same rod for gills and crappie, but have different ones for jigging, springs, and sight fishing. So I could either, make you say (%$^&%(%*, or make it simple and ask you what kind of fishing you are really going to do before I start to open your checkbook! HA!

[bassmann77]

Check out the species specific Genz rods. They usually go on sale and are carried by most big box sports stores. They are of good quality and serves the checkbook and needs well.

[maros91]

Go to Thorne Bros.

[hanson]

IMO (well... no, this is not just my opinion), you can't look at "a rod" being "species specific"

A rod is designed to deliver a specific presentation regardless of species. Lure, line, action of the rod, and angler all work together to impart a specific action upon the lure to entice a fish into biting

A #10,12,14 or smaller jig & plastic cannot be presented effectively on the same rod you'd use for an 1/8oz jigging spoon, although I use both these lures & techniques to target crappies.

[aquafang]

Let me tell ya. I've tried the high dollar rods and I still go back to the $8.00 ice blues noodle rods for jigging small jigs with a waxie or maggots. All I fish for are crappie, perch , and gills. I've tried the spring bobbers, etc. The cheap noodle rods rock. At least give it a try. then you're only out under ten bucks. don't get caught up in the hype of a $50 rod.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Let me tell ya. I've tried the high dollar rods and I still go back to the $8.00 ice blues noodle rods for jigging small jigs with a waxie or maggots. All I fish for are crappie, perch , and gills. I've tried the spring bobbers, etc. The cheap noodle rods rock. At least give it a try. then you're only out under ten bucks. don't get caught up in the hype of a $50 rod.

Is't that the Blue and white rod with the end of the rod being orange, and the tip is so flexible you can almost tie it in a knot. If so, I second your statement. Friend had one awsome rod for the pannies. Want one myself.

[erickol]

Last season I bought and fished my first Thorne Bros rods. To be honest It's gonna be hard to buy other brands, but I think I'll be buying more blanks than finished rods from now on.

The hard water series is another good option for a TB rod, and a bit easier on the pocket.

[aquafang]

Originally Posted By: aquafang

Let me tell ya. I've tried the high dollar rods and I still go back to the $8.00 ice blues noodle rods for jigging small jigs with a waxie or maggots. All I fish for are crappie, perch , and gills. I've tried the spring bobbers, etc. The cheap noodle rods rock. At least give it a try. then you're only out under ten bucks. don't get caught up in the hype of a $50 rod.

Is't that the Blue and white rod with the end of the rod being orange, and the tip is so flexible you can almost tie it in a knot. If so, I second your statement. Friend had one awsome rod for the pannies. Want one myself.

That's th one.

[joneshat11]

Do yourself a favor and buy a Thorne Bros Sweet Thing Plus rod. It will do well for both Crappie and Sunny's!! Don't waste your money on the Genz and others!! You won't regret it.

[bigred1974]

i think Ill be picking up a Thorne Bros 24 inch power noodle and Tica reel before the water freezes

[Chode2235]

I love my power noodle with the titanium guides. Such a great set up. I picked up a Daiwa Laguna for it. I have a tica on my sweatheard, but wanted something a bit lighter and compact for my noodle.

[Dan Brelje]

Have to say I am a huge fan of my sweat thing plus w/ spring bobber from thorne bros!

[riverrat56]

Jason Mitchell Spring Bobber rod is great for light jigs for panfish. If you want a bit more versital rod look at the Meat Stick, its got a real sensitive tip and a nice back bone. Both are great rods and are a good value at around $30.

[brainard6]

Has anyone seen the easy bite bobbers. I have a couple of them. I really like them.

[harvey lee]

I totally agree with Riverrat56. The Jason Mitchell line of rods are very good. The Meatstick is a favorite for many.

Yes, I also own many Thorne rods but for the money, the Mitchell rods are a tough one to beat and they won't break your pocket book. Really, you can purchase 2 Mitchell rods for the price of one Thorne. From what I have expierenced, the Mitchel rod also has a better warranty as he really stands behind his products.

I persoanlly have fished with both the Mitchell and the Thorne rods and if I closed my eyes while fishing, I could not tell the diffence between the two.

There are many differnet lines of rods but watch what you purchase as some companies charge more money than others and you may not recieve much more.

Do yourself a favor and check out Jason's line of rods.

http://www.jasonmitchellrods.com/

[Drewski]

Nothing will compare to Thorne Bros. They power noodle is one of the most sensitive rods on the market. After I got a power noodle, there was no need for a spring bobber anymore.

I also love the Thorne Bros quiverstick. It is made of graphite instead of fiberglass like the power noodle and is super sensitive. Both rods have their time and place, and both are a must have IMO if you are an avid panfisherman.

You won't go wrong with Thorne!

[harvey lee]

I'm glad you like your TB rod but there are rods that do compare.

The Mitchell Meatstick will serve one just as well as a Thorne for the action and sentivity for a considerable less amount of money.

[Chode2235]

I'm glad you like your TB rod but there are rods that do compare.

The Mitchell Meatstick will serve one just as well as a Thorne for the action and sentivity for a considerable less amount of money.

I disagree, and have fished both. The JM rods are good, but they are not a Thorne Bros. custom rod. You're right though, the price is steep for an ice rod; but theyre totally a different class of rod.

I would even venture that the Thorne Bros hardwater series are a better rod and value than the JM rods.

[joneshat11]

Sorry, Harvey I think your losing the battle. I also, own JM, Genz Stix, St. Croix, Berkley and won't buy again after using TB rods. There is no comparison to TB rods.

I would have to say though I don't like rods that are like the TB power noodle and other spring bobber type rods as they are beginner rods. You miss alot of bites if you wait for a rod tip to bounce or move.

[harvey lee]

I would say just a difference of opinion in regards to the type of rods a person likes.

[CSP88]

does anyone have any preference or ideas about good rods at a good cost?

thanks,

chris

What do YOU consider a good cost? I have a couple Thorne Bros. rods, along with several other brands, including the original Berkley Genz sticks and the Jason Mitchell rods. All are very nice rods, and will do what you expect them to do. It comes down to what each person feels comfortable with spending on a ice rod. To purchase a Thorne Bros. rod it will cost you roughly $100 or more for a rod/reel combo, compare that to the Jason Mitchell rods, you could have two JM combos set up for the price of one TB. You really can't go wrong with either the Jason Mitchell rods or the Thorne Bros. rods as both will catch fish.

[harvey lee]

Well said CSP88.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

I have the Thorne 24" power noodle and the Thorne perch sweetheart. i am looking for a jigging rod for bluegills and also a sight fishing rod as well. any preferences?

[Maverick3]

Hey guys newbie here, so don't bite me to hard...lol

I am a fan of the St.Croix Legend LIR24UL Ice Rods for panfishing. I really like the way I can change the spring system on the end of the rod in a matter of seconds allowing me to have a proper spring bobber for the weight of the jig or spoon I am fishing.

The rod can be purchased for around 50 bucks.