Thorne Bros vs. Generic ice rods

[Captain B.R.K]

I had always been a firm believe of the Berkley Genz ice rods that came out a few years ago. I had an UL and ML action rod that I could not part with. At the time, they were $29.99 and for the money- the graphite was great and the guides were quality.

I've been ice fishing for years now and have gotten myself into Thorne Bros. rods the past few years and can't say enough about em'!

I recently bought the 24" Panfish sweetheart rod and they are just dynamite for subtle bites. I was impressed with the action and how well the rod flexed with 6-7" bluegills at the end of the line. Like I said those subtle hits are easy to detect or match the rod with a Spring Bobber and you'll get those fincky fish as well.

For the quality and great customer service that you get with them- they are hard to pass up!

I had always believed in the Genz rods- but after this last rod I bought, you'll have to pry that rod out of my hand

For those that have not had a chance to see these in action, definately get out and purchase your new thorne bros. rods. You'll definately know what I'm talking about with the quality part!!!

FOR those that have won a rod at the recent Ice Leaders events, throw a little wood onto the fire.........because these babies are hot!

[huckleberry]

I bought their perch rod last winter just before my trip up to leech in April. The perch were a bit finicky that trip but with that thorne bros rod, I easily outfished my buddies 5 to one! I was a bit skeptical about dumping that much money into an ice rod, but I soon became a firm beleiver. I think they are still offering their 10% off deal through the internet. No hesitations in recommending their rods! Good stuff!

[LABS4ME]

I became a believer(convert) this year also! I've over the last couple years converted my open water arsenal to higher end, more sensitive rods and noticed the improvement in the amount of bites detected/caught... so I got to thinking, why wouldn't that relate to ice fishing also? I usually bought fairly decent ice fishing gear... but... after buying my 3 Thorne Bros. rods, nothing even came remotely close! I bought a Walleye sweetheart, a panfish sweetheart, and a perch rod.... Put the Tica Cetus spinning reels on 2 of them and I'm really set-up... I've really been able to fine tune my presentation and detect VERY LIGHT bites... the crappie bite on Red has been very subtle this year, and I swear I can feel them breathing on the bait! If you don't own one, or haven't used one you really owe it to yourself to get one... you won't be disappointed!

Good Luck!

Ken

[Matt Johnson]

Good post Brandon!

Thorne Bros rods are outstanding in my opinion. Not a day goes by on the ice where I don't have a Thorne rod in my hand. I'm a big panfisherman and it's tough to beat a Sweetheart Plus, Sweet Thing Plus, Finesse Plus, Sweet Pea, or a Power Noodle when targeting crappies and gills.

The Sweet Heart Plus comes in a 28-inch version and is an incredible all-purpose panfish rod. I use it for both crappies and gills.

The Sweet Thing Plus is a 24-inch rod and is similar to the Sweet Heart Plus but minus 4 inches. I like to tip the Sweet Thing Plus with one or Thorne Bros Spring Bobbers. Another excellent choice for an all-purpose panfish rod.

The Finesse Plus rod is a 19-inch rod designed for just that...finesse fishing. Great for sight fishing and with the use of a spring bobber.

The Sweet Pea is a 16-inch rod that is the cats meow when sight fishing for bull gills and slab crappies. This rod allows you to get right up and over the hole and you don't lose hook setting power and feel. An outstanding rod for finesse situations.

The Power Noodle is a 24-inch rod with a very sensitive tip. Great for deadsticking as well and jigging. A fast tip with a solid backbone.

The panfish line of Thorne Bros rods are phenonemal in my opinion. When I hit the ice I take with a Sweet Thing Plus with a spring bobber, a Power Noodle and a Sweet Heart Plus. This allows me to effectively cover all spectrums of what I need to do in a day on the ice in search of pannies. The Finesse Plus is another option that can take the place of the Sweet Thing, but I mostly fish outside of a portable and I like the longer rod. But, both will get the job done.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[hanson]

I made the mistake of buying a Thorne rod about 7 years ago. I was living in Fargo at the time and it was the most expensive rod Scheels had on the floor but it was a night & day difference in feel from anything else they had. I decided that the extra dough was worth it at the time.

Ever since that day, I've never been able to bring myself to buy a different rod. Cash was low a year or so later and I picked up a Genz rod when I needed an extra rod. I wasn't happy with that purchase and have never purchased anything but a Thorne rod since then.

I've got a couple different lenght Perch sweethearts which are my all around rods. They can handle most any fish and most tackle. The ultra light stuff and the heavier spoons and swimbaits are problematic with that rod.

I've also added a 32" deadstick which is amazing and just recently picked up a 30" MH walleye sweetheart for my heavier jigs (walleye/laker rod).

I can tell you next year I'm adding a Professional Plus for laker fishing next winter. The rod is longer, the handle is longer, and most importantly- the line guides are bigger to prevent freeze up.

After MJs seminar last night, my panfish arsenal is also going to be modified for next winter.

Customer for life is all I can say.

[protrapper]

I have used there rods for a number of years. Best rods period. If your using anything less your missing fish. No better rods made as far as warranty and quaility. Douge Stange stood over Pat Smith for two hours and watched him make the the first walleye deadstick rod, till it was perfect.

[CRAPPIEBAIT]

I have to agree with everyone.There is no other rod that even comes close.Pat Smith turned me onto these rods about 5-6 years ago one day when we where out fishing.The next day I went to Thornes. and picked up my first "sweet heart".

I now average about 2-3 new rods each year (2 so far this year).The best part is for my wife,she never has to wonder what I want/need for Christmas.She simply walks in and asks Pat what I need.Man I love my sweet heart I mean my wife.

[Northlander]

I agree TB rods are great rods but another great option is another FM sponsor. Midwestrodand reel makes some sweat rods as well. I love all 4 of mine. www.midwestrodandreel.com

Taking my Laker rods down to Bayfield tomorrow to try my luck. Hopefully I can get a 10 plus pounder to give them a real test!

[iffwalleyes]

Yep those Thornes are awesome. I bought one last winter a week after getting my first I got 2 more. Then this year I have add 4 more they are sooooo nice. I love their Deadsticks and Sweetheart walleye rods. I also have a sweetheart perch that is very nice and handles walleyes with easy. I got a sweetheart panfish rod but have used that this year yet. I think I will have to add some of those midwest rods to my line up next year. I saw some of Northlanders at Burnside and they look very nice.

[Captain B.R.K]

One other thing I would like to ad that I had preluded to on my first post- Thorne Bros. makes a unique spring bobber.

I had never been a big fan of spring bobbers, actually laughed at those guys that had them. When I saw them at GM or where ever else, it seem like to much work to put on. SOME OF THEM EVEN HAD YOU CINCH DOWN THE RUBBER PIECE WITH HEAT to attach to the rod

Thorne Bros. concept is unique in that it fits perfectly in some of their rods- in the top eye-let! Buy a threader seperately and get that line through the thing.

It is truely a cheap investment for those finicky- lite bites on those cold days on the ice.

I bought one just recently and it has made me a believe in spring bobbers!

[PERCHJR]

Sorry guys, but I have to help out Berkley here. I have 4 Genz rods and they work very well for the fishing I do here in SD, they are the ML and UL, 28" and 24". I think it all depends on your fishing habits and species, but the Berkley rods have never let me down, catching Jumbo Perch and Eye's in NE South Dakota!!! Just my .02!!!

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISHING!!!

[hanson]

PERCHJR-

You are right, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Berkley rods. They are in fact a great rod and will catch a lot of fish.

The problem is the Thorne rods are the best of the best. I'd compare them to a Loomis or St. Croix for open water. So if you are willing to spend the extra money, you are rewarded with an extremely sensitive and smooth rod.

It might be one of those things where you have to personally try one out and you'll then realize what the difference is.

But you are right, the Genz rods are good. I recently picked up some St. Croix combos for my dad and I think those rods are great too. But you put one in my hand and they just feel so different from a Thorne rod.

[iffwalleyes]

Hanson is right on the money here. There is nothing wrong at all with Genz. I currently have 3. How ever after buying my first Thorne Bros last year I very rarely use them any more. Now when I grab one of my Genz rods it feels like I am using a broom stick compared to my thorne bros. Plus the customer service at Thorne Bros is great. I broke a deadstick this winter I sent it in to see if they could just fix it. It was over a year old so warrenty wouldn't apply but to my suprise they sent me a brand new rod a no cost to me.