Favorite panfish rod??

[BLACKJACK]

Whats your favorite panfish rod?? Why? What kind of reel do you put on it? I've decided to upgrade my rods beyond the $20 Fleet farm special and could use some advice - thanks!!!

[OnAFly]

Thorne Bros Powernoodle. I use it for 95% of my panfishing. Every once in a while I'll use a spring bobber rod, but if I had to choose one rod to use it would be the TB PN.

[slurpie]

St croix in light with a spring bobber on it. All others try to be this rod.

[bbfenatic]

Loving the 13Fishing "Wicked" 24 inch UL...no need for a spring bobber and plenty of Backbone.

[harvey lee]

I use my Mitchell Meatstick for alot of my panfish. If they are really biting very lightly, then I go with my Thorne Bros Sweatheart rod with thier spring bobber.

I added a spring bobber to my Meatstick and now that is a very good rod for the light biters.

I also use a Thorne bros Sweatheart rod with thier spring bobber.

If I am outside in the cold fishing panfish, I then will use my Meatstick as that tip will not freeze up like the Thorne spring bobber.

Both great rods for panfish and light biters. The Meatstick does come at much less of a price.

These 2 rods have Shimano Stradic 1000 series reels on them. I typically do not spend this much for reels but I got a very good deal on them. They do have an awesome drag on them and are a very fine reel but do not come cheap. Many of my ice fishing reels are the Abu's and they also work good for far less in the cash dept. Have a few Tica Cetus's also, been happy with them also.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

Are you looking at a new rod for open water or ice fishing?

[amateurfishing]

for the ice i have dumped all spring bobber setups. i like to fish outside primarily and have too many ice build up and line wrap around issues. just got my 2nd TB power noodle, both have large recoil guides for ice build up prevention and tip is senstive enuff that no spring bobber is needed. matched with okuma slv in line reels. smooth as silk.

[MN BassFisher]

I would recommend the St. Croix Legend ice rods, in Light. They are actually clearanced out and can be had for $22 on their site. They are great ice rods and you can adjust the spring bobber for tension. I also like the St. Croix Premier rods, if you're specifically targeting panfish I would recommend the 24" or 28" Ultralight. It has large guides so it works pretty well outside too!

As for reels, I'm a sucker for the Shimano Sienna 500's. I have a few Sahara's as well, but I think the Sienna's are a great reel for $30. I also just recently put a Pflueger Trion GX7 on my St. Croix Legend and I'm a fan of that little reel too, and I like that it comes with an extra spool for $30.

[Jim Uran]

13 fishings, white noise 24" UL is the best 20 bucks I have ever spent lol

[harvey lee]

Who makes these 13fishing rods, never heard of them.

I had no idea one could purchase a quality graphite ice rod for $20.

[harvey lee]

I would recommend the St. Croix Legend ice rods, in Light. They are actually clearanced out and can be had for $22 on their site. They are great ice rods and you can adjust the spring bobber for tension. I also like the St. Croix Premier rods, if you're specifically targeting panfish I would recommend the 24" or 28" Ultralight. It has large guides so it works pretty well outside too!

As for reels, I'm a sucker for the Shimano Sienna 500's. I have a few Sahara's as well, but I think the Sienna's are a great reel for $30. I also just recently put a Pflueger Trion GX7 on my St. Croix Legend and I'm a fan of that little reel too, and I like that it comes with an extra spool for $30.

Thats a darn good ice rod for $22 on clearance.

[Jim Uran]

13 Fishing, makes them Tom! Great rods for the money!

[dan z]

I really like Meatsticks I have one with a ice spooler 100 and another with a pflueger president. Yes I muss some fish but I catch more than I miss.

[deets22]

Tuned Up Custom Rods 26" noodle. No need for a spring bobber the rod is just sensitive. My first time out with it the crappies were slammin my minnows there was no doubt on a bite. Since then been having to finesse them and can feel eveything on this rod. Can't go wrong with any shimano reel on your rod.

[BLACKJACK]

Are you looking at a new rod for open water or ice fishing?

Ice fishing.

Lots of options here guys!!! Love the internet, can copy a rod name into the seach box, and walla, up comes a site where you can look at them!

Interesting that some guys like the spring bobbers and some hate them. I can see where the icing up can be a problem but just relying on 'feeling' the bite is tough.

Thanks guys!!

[BLACKJACK]

I would recommend the St. Croix Legend ice rods, in Light. They are actually clearanced out and can be had for $22 on their site. They are great ice rods and you can adjust the spring bobber for tension. I also like the St. Croix Premier rods, if you're specifically targeting panfish I would recommend the 24" or 28" Ultralight. It has large guides so it works pretty well outside too!

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Dumb question, was looking at their site, do the springs come with the rods or do you have to order them seperately??

[monstermoose78]

they come with springs.

[MN BassFisher]

One spring comes with the rod (not a stupid question ). I believe the L, M, H that you see is referring to the spring bobber tension. You can also order extra springs bobbers in different tensions from their site or from other retailers. Once you get the rod, you can adjust each spring as well (pull it out further or push it in further for different jig weights).

[Wes Ellis]

I got a 13 fishing Wicked rod and reel combo. In ML Wow!! Smooth reel. Nice!!

[BLACKJACK]

Ended up ordering a couple of the St. Croix rods and a Meatstick rod, we'll see how I like them. Lusted after the Thorne brothers rod but hate to pop $90 for a rod and then break the tip off!!!

Thanks guys!!

[MN BassFisher]

Very nice! I think you'll enjoy them!

[harvey lee]

I am sure you will be happy with your choices.

Be a bit careful with the Meatstick as you could break part of the tip off if you get to rough with it. It's light , but sensitive. Yes, they are warrantied.

[eyeguy 54]

little late but i love my gander mountain 24 inch UL with same brand reel and 3 pound micro ice with a fabril spring bobber. I stretch the spring out about one inch further than in the package. Makes it more sensitive'

[BLACKJACK]

Be a bit careful with the Meatstick as you could break part of the tip off if you get to rough with it. It's light , but sensitive. Yes, they are warrantied.

Breaking the tip off is a concern!! I have a rod bag but sometimes the bag gets thrown around... Or you set a rod down and then it gets stepped on.

Good to hear that they have a warranty.

[BLACKJACK]

little late but i love my gander mountain 24 inch UL with same brand reel and 3 pound micro ice with a fabril spring bobber. I stretch the spring out about one inch further than in the package. Makes it more sensitive'

Good tip on stretching the spring out. Was going thru some of my gear last night and was setting up a couple of rods with spring bobbers, going to try them this weekend, thought that a few were very stiff, unless you had a heavy jig on, it didn't flex much - will try that stretching out.