which ice rod combo????

[BartmanMN]

Actual Combos that I do like are the Cabela's XML Gold series, which have a nice rod and come with a cabela's branded Pflueger reel. During their first sales of the year I have gotten the combo for 25 and 29.99 back to back years, which I feel is a good deal since you can buy the reel by itself for 29.99. I look at it as a free rod with a nice reel.

Regular price is 49.99, which is a bit steep and opens the door to many other options at that price range.

[headcheese]

the frabill bro combos have worked well for me.

maybe i shouldnt say anything cause i have never used one but... i dont understand everyone saying omg get a custom ice fishing rod!! im sure they are nice, but personally i dont think its necessary.

my gear gets the [PoorWordUsage] beat out of it anyway. when your dead sticking, watching your bobber go down, or jigging watching your flasher. you pretty much know when your getting bit! just dont think the extra sensitive rod is necessary.

alot different than open water fishing where you are bouncing a jig down a drop off in current.

i will stick with cheaper rods.

[slipperybob]

My JM meatstick tip broke the first year they came out. It was in the rod bag along with the St.Croix Premiere UL rods. So it's just bad luck for me.

[Coon]

I don't want to buy a new rod every year, so I'm thinking about getting a TB rod. I know I won't be dissappointed with it.

like the old saying goes...when you buy quality, you only cry once

[Werewolf]

I think this is how the saying goes, The bitter taste of a good price for poor quality lingers much longer than paying a fair price for good equipment...

and besides guys, I poor guy needs to buy the best equipment he can for it will last longer and go up in value in the end, just look at what your old model 70s Winchester rifle is worth today since you purchased it before 1964, on average $1500.00 , cost in 64 was under $200.00.. need I say more...

[robert aldrich]

northland tackle has combos that are awsome i have the pro one in light and medium.

[klee]

Finally had a chance to try out my JM rod today and it sure was a disappointment after being on the lake for only 15 mins and caugth four little sunnies. The tip broke in the middle. I was not even being harsh on it except setting the hook when I felt the nibble. I'm thinking about bring it back to the store I bought it from and see if I can get a exchange or something from it. I'm sure not buying those again. Now off to buy a new rod. Are the TB rods with the sensitive tips going to be the same as these JM rods? Or am I better of buying a stiff rod and putting a spring bobber on the tip?

[mww24]

Klee, Are you referring to the power noodle by thorne brothers? If so. They are unbelievable. worth the money in my opinion. They are out of stock right now though. You may be waiting a bit so I would call or e-mail to see when you could get one. I think there panfish sweetheart takes a spring bobber but I have not fished one before. if you were to buy a TB rod I would put money that you wouldn't regret it. I broke my Power noddle tip about four days after purchasing because my kid jumped on it. I brought it in with no receipt and they cleaned the tip and put a new tip guide on it for free. There customer service is great as well. Thats my experience and there will be more along to share theres as well. Good luck.

[klee]

Yes thats the one. I was just at the store tonight for something else and they are all out of rods. I'm in no hurry. I know of the recent delay. Maybe next yr I'll buy one or when they get more in at the end of the season. They do have great service. I'm always impress everytime I go there with a problem. Anyone used the st.croix legend?

[mww24]

I also have the st croix legend klee. I actually have two of those. They work great with the spring. I think st. croix's spring is better than jason mitchells spring set up. The st croix is great for watching the spring as the rod is very stiff. if you want a spring rod the st croix is one of the best in my opinion. if you want to watch the tip the TB noodle is awesome. The jason mitchell spring rod isnt bad either but i like the st croix spring better. I've been eyeing that DH customs thread and those have my attention. Maybe a new years present for myself .

[harvey lee]

I've also heard a lot about JM MS's breaking a lot. I'm going after a Frabill "Bro" Deadstick this year because of that.

I have never seen or have I had a meatstick tip break on a fish like Muc33 stated. Jammimg them into a rod bag in a hurry and yes, they will break.

if you had one break on a fish, I would contact Jason as my bet is, it would be replaced.

In regards to the meatstick, I have caught perch,gills, crappie and eyes on this one rod due to the tip which is so sensitive. To have a tip that sensitive, like the Thorne deadstick, they can break going in and out of a rod bag.

I broke my Thorne deadstick and I honestly do not remember how but they all break with that thin of a tip. The price one pays for a rod with a tip that can show a minnow wiggle or swim on the tip.

[harvey lee]

Finally had a chance to try out my JM rod today and it sure was a disappointment after being on the lake for only 15 mins and caugth four little sunnies. The tip broke in the middle. I was not even being harsh on it except setting the hook when I felt the nibble. I'm thinking about bring it back to the store I bought it from and see if I can get a exchange or something from it. I'm sure not buying those again. Now off to buy a new rod. Are the TB rods with the sensitive tips going to be the same as these JM rods? Or am I better of buying a stiff rod and putting a spring bobber on the tip?

I had the same thing happen to a Thorne deadstick.

I still use my meatstick and I also use Thorne rods. Sometimes, things happen.

[Get'n Jiggy]

I liked the Jason Mitchels myself, but i've had 2 spring bobber rods and 2 meatsticks and they all have broken tips. Nothing but Thorn Brothers since...and with no problems. Pricey though.

Plus one,,, fool me once

[harvey lee]

I must have gotten a solid steel Mitchell meatstick as mine do not seem to brealk and they have caught many fish.

Maybe call Jason as they can replace them if it was a rod blank issue.

They can tell by the break if it was a fish or defect so they will warranty them.

Noone here can replace them for you.

[klee]

I like how the JM rod was good for jigging those small panfish jigs. After my tip broke and i went back to using my other rod for jigging, it was different. The jig was too light for my other rod. So what is a good setup for panfish and perch? Should I get a stiff rod with spring bobbers? I don't think I'll be buying another one of those sensitive tip rods.

[dfeste]

The Thorne Bros. Power Noodle is the clear answer here. I love that rod. I'm currently playing around with a Quiverstick for jigging and using my noodle for a slip bobber/deadstick rod. It's doing great for that as well. Another great option may be the new DHcustom El Dente. Don't have mine yet so I can't say for sure but I'm very optimistic about what I've been reading. As a bonus they are only $50.

[harvey lee]

I like how the JM rod was good for jigging those small panfish jigs. After my tip broke and i went back to using my other rod for jigging, it was different. The jig was too light for my other rod. So what is a good setup for panfish and perch? Should I get a stiff rod with spring bobbers? I don't think I'll be buying another one of those sensitive tip rods.

If the tip broke off while cathing a fish, call Jason or Clam corp and see about getting it warrantied. Yes, the tips are very thin and one does have to be very careful with them but they will warranty them if it was a defect in the rod blank. I do not know the timer frame on the warranty though.

If the tip broke right by the tip top, you can heat up the tip top lightly with a cig lighter or whatever and pull it off. Then use a bit of hot glue and reglue it back on the end of the rod. Should work very well unless you broke off say 6-8 inches of the end. If that happened, then put a new tip top on and use it as a bobber rod with a venow or Ice buster bobber. That way you do not waste the rod.

[IcerRon2010]

When you break a Thorne Bros. rod you will wish you had a cheaper one that was in its place. I have 4 Thorne bros, and love them all.

The Dave Genz true blue series are really close. Oversized arbor 1.375 to be exact, for decreases line twist. The action and hidden hood will make you wish you bought a couple of more.

HT ice blue rods are not to be overlooked either. I bought a 18in with a schooley reel, and some stren ice line. One setup will run you 13 dollars and you ketch allot of pannies and have a ton of fun doing it.

Lots of options, I love high end stuff from TB but its nice to have some cheaper options also.

[hokiepokie]

I bought the JM bobber tip Meat Stick and the tip broke after the first use. After arguing with Clam on the warranty they finally exchanged it for a new one. It broke too. I've gone to St. Croix and have been impressed. I also have several JM reels because I like the oversized bail, but one of the new ones just kicked it too. You get what you pay for in a mass produced product.

[live4chrome]

I like the xml rods, the reels are just ok. I was/am a fan of the mitchels. My xml was a great dead stick rod rigged with one of the new saharas until a flippin pike pulled it into the lake.

[klee]

I took the jm rod into the store i bought it from. Since i threw my receipt away (trusting that it wouldn't break) the guy was going to write it up and send it to the manufacturer. While he finish spinning lines for another customer, i thought about taking the broken tip off and putting a new tip on it instead of waiting for another one. Which i knew would end up to be the same. I took it out fishing after and it works good. I also bought a st.croix elite but i didnt try it out yet.