Appropriate laker ice rod blanks

[Steve Foss]

Hey all:

Looking for some very specific info here.

I've got a guy who makes rods for a hobby but hasn't built any long laker ice rods who will build two for me, and he/I need to know which blanks to get.

The rods. Think in terms of the Jason Mitchell Mackinaw. Same butt/seat, spiral wrap, but longer in the rod, and one step heavier, for a total length of 45 inches in a MH. Line weights will be 12-15 lb, lure weights 1 oz max. I'm looking at graphite for these because of lightness and responsive tip for jigging, but could be convinced to go glass if someone has strong reasons for that. I'm not looking for any kind of broom handle here. With a rod that long, MH should be plenty, as I gauge things by my 42-inch ice laker spinning rods.

Can you folks help me out? Thanks in advance!

[Bobb-o]

steve, you definitely want glass, it has a slower action and will never break on a hard hookset. that being said did you find a different rod builder? that makes me sad!

[Steve Foss]

steve, you definitely want glass, it has a slower action and will never break on a hard hookset.

I know glass is more durable than hollow graphite. But I have three solid graphite laker sticks that seem indestructible. I've had one for over 10 years and it's been subjected to hellish treatment. All three are going strong with great action through the whole blank. These are the 36-inch Berkley Genz baitcaster yellow wrap rods, and are still my go-to rods in smaller shelters.

Hollow graphite isn't as durable. I've snapped two hollow graphite rods in the last couple of years.

I do have one recently acquired glass laker ice rod, and it sure feels light and well balanced. Can't wait to get it on the ice next winter.

So is glass more durable than solid graphite?

[Bobb-o]

are you sure your rods are solid graphite or are they solid carbon? Most rods that claim they are solid graphite are actually solid carbon. graphite actually becomes brittle at higher temps than glass does, meaning if you are fishing for lakers when it is -20 (which i know you do) the graphite is a lot more likely to snap under stress than the glass rod will, also the graphite or carbon rod is a lot more likely to break in your house when transporting between locations unless you have a quality rod case like the one Otter makes. here is a little more info aboot the differences:

"All three materials consist of a matrix of fibers rolled into a tube; yet each material offers very different properties. Fiberglass is flexible and strong making it good for trolling rods or fighting heavy fish. Graphite is sensitive but brittle; a good choice for targeting light biters or deep-water bottom-dwellers. Carbon fiber offers better sensitivity and performance than graphite while being tougher and heavier. Carbon fiber and graphite also have a faster response time than fiberglass making them good choices for long casts."

[Steve Foss]

Hey, thanks for the info man!

It says right on the Genz rods "solid graphite construction." I had no idea that rod manufacturers would call it graphite when it's carbon. Considering how much I like the feel and action of the glass rod I just got, I may just go that way with the next two and forget about graphite/carbon.

When I'm running from spot to spot with the shack (increasingly rare that I even use the shelter anymore for lakers), the short rods go back in the Croxton Pond bag and are lashed on top of the travel cover so they don't get banged around in the tub.

[Bobb-o]

if you are gonna get some custom rods spend the extra coin and get a good rod case like the otter case. think aboot it this way, would you transport your camera gear without a pelican case?

[Steve Foss]

I protect my current custom ice rods in a hard-sided 48-inch flyrod case when on the move on the sled, and will definitely pick up another case or two as needed. It's the shorter mass produced rods that get somewhat more casual treatment and are protected during transport in the soft-sided case.

[uffdapete]

Sent you a pm

[Steve Foss]

Thanks for the blank recommendation, Pete!

Anyone want to comment here on the relative value of hollow vs solid glass? Solid's gotta be more durable, one would figure, and heavier. I didn't even know they still made solid glass blanks until Pete mentioned it.

[upnorth]

I have seen a few places advertise solid glass. I am graphite guy myself. I would go glass on something like rod only used for pulling plugs other than that, probably graphite and it is mostly a sensitivity/action thing. They are going to take a bit more care tho.

[FishinFreaks]

When I build laker ice rods, I buy a full length, solid fiberglass trolling blank. I find the spot in the blank that power and action I want, and I cut it down to the length I want the rod to be. That being said, it's not an exact science, but to date, I'm very pleased with the rods I've built for lakers. Also, I'm fishing for a 10 lb. average. Someone fishing for a smaller average size might want a lighter rod than the ones I've built. That's easy. I can change where I make the cut on the tip of the full length blank.

If you want a graphite rod, TB in Blaine is the only place I know of to get them. I have looked all over, asked on rod building forums, and I've come up empty other than being pointed to TB. They are solid graphite. They are nice and crisp. But holy smokes are they spendy. I can buy 4 or 5 fiberglass blanks for the price of one graphite from TB.