Thoughts on Sunfish Rods

[aaron otto]

Could use some suggestions for sun fish rods. My son and I fish together a lot, but at the end of last season he stepped on both rods we used specifically for sunfish. So there are two more in St. Croix rod-heaven now.

One thing I would like to move away from is spring-bobbers. They're tough for the little man to manage. Both of us find the line getting tangled in the spring. The negative bite... can it be beat without the use of the spring?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions, input, and feedback.

Sincerely,

AO

[Cyberfish]

I like the HT ice blues, they are cheap, and can be stepped on without breaking. with a plastic schooley reel they can even be dropped in the lake and will float. There are lots of strike indicators out there that are not springs. I usually just watch my line down the hole for bite indication, but have found that is harder to teach kids how to do.

[Fred_Bear]

The best and also most expensive options would be Thorne Bros Power Noodle or DH Customs Al Dente

[MikeRaetz]

Im with MT on this one. I love those Ice blues and they are a heck of a fun rod to catch fish with. they also wont break the bank. Just look for a rod with a sensitive tip and a strong back bone so its not sloppy and gives you more control over you lure and you will have a nice panfish set up!!

[aaron otto]

Thanks guys - so ice cubes for my little monkey and a trip to T- Brothers for a couple power noodles is what it sounds like. They sold me an expedition case this weekend at the show along with a couple sweethearts.. need to take the case back there anyways it is ridiculously heavy.

Any thoughts on a lightweight, yet tough, case?

Thanks for your advice guys on the rods etc.

ao

[MNCrappieFlop]

Try the Beam Outdoors Ice rods as well. Their "Fire on Ice" no twist rod combo would be hard to beat, also the spring bobber won't let the line get tangled up and is adjustable.

If you step on a rod blank again you can just order a new blank, not the whole rod. I've been using one and I won't go back.

I think they are available over in my neck of the woods at Wayzata Bait and Tackle, and probably a few other places around here. The company is out of South Dakota, so pretty local.

[Cyberfish]

I saw the beam rods, they have a built in light if you like night fishing...

[icefisker]

Just an FYI you can send your rods back to St. Croix with a check for $10 and they will send you new ones.

I have broken plenty over the last few years and wait till the end of the season and send them back.

[Tony Mariotti]

Tough to beat the Jason Mitchell Meat Sticks for panfish! They are my go to for crappies and gills but have the backbone to deal with anhy incidental pike or walleyes that show up.

[Borch]

A few of my favorites are the Jason Mitchell meat stick, Thorne Bros Tripwire and the St Croix spring boober in light or ultra light.

[Kevan Paul]

Meat Stick is the Best bang for the buck. They are killer Perch rods also..

[aaron otto]

Thanks all for the responses. You have giving me lots to think about.

[Borch]

Meat Stick is the Best bang for the buck. They are killer Perch rods also..

Can't argue with that.

[Scott Seibert]

Check out the Clam rod case and the Genz line of rods are great rods also.

[aaron otto]

Thanks Scott. Will take a look this morning at the Clam Case.

[aaron otto]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Ended up with a Powernoodle being made, and a couple trip-wires for me. My little people are getting some Mitchelle's - and my baby-girls is getting a pink rod we saw at Fleetfarm. Went to Thorn B with my new friend Dan.

Dan has a wealth of knowledge, and is a really great guy for those of you who haven't had the pleasure. Looking forward to going to the School with him. Hoping I can soak up as much as possible. Really want to become a better hard-water-angler.

ao

[drcarplove]

I am getting old and prefer not to use springbobbers because clearing tangles is hard with old eyes. The big difference in rods is in action vs bite detection. A stiffer rod allows for more responsive and vigorous jig action, softer rods allow for less action and vibration but better bite detection. Length of rod changes with fishing styles shorter for sight fishing and inside shelters, longer allows hole hopping while standing up making for less noise in shallow water, no bumping buckets or shelters around. Longer rods also will allow for more bend and therefore give in fighting large fish although good drag, proper drag setting or backreeling all make landing quite large fish possible on even the short rods. There are tricks to aid non spring bobber bite detection even on stiffer rods perhaps start another topic for that.

Frank

[silverbulletguy]

I got a Fenwick for Christmas last year and it is a pretty nice rod for sunnies and perch. I think it sells for around $20.

[Chad Peterson]

The meat stick is a good all around rod. Has a nice soft tip for those light bites.