Ice fishing Panfish Setup

[Dan Brelje]

I am looking for a new setup to fish panfish (crappie(red),bluegill,perch). I want to know what some of you would suggest. Money is not much of an issue with my decision. Thanks

[Deitz Dittrich]

Dan.. there are 4 rods I would look at before you make your decision... #1 the sweetheart rod by thorne bros!.. just an awesome rod.. #2 Midwest Rod and Reel also makes a ultra light that is awesome... #3 St.Croix Legend UL, this rod has an awesome spring bobber, I got to use one today for the first time and loved it.. I will deffinatly be adding a few of these to my collection!#4 JR's rods makes a more affordable rod that is pretty nice also for the money.

Of the 4 above, you really can't go wrong with any of them! I would say try and find them in the stores and hold them, check the action and make your decision from there!

Deitz

P.S. it was good to see you at the seminar the other night!!!

[brava-pesca]

I would go with the St. Croix legend ice rod. I used the 24 inch light this season for sunfish and just love it. I just picked some up on clearce for $30 (normally $50). The built in spring bobber will make you a better fisherman overnight.

[Guest]

I second DIETZ on the rod selection,have all three and all are very good,cant go wrong with any of the three.

[uffdapete]

brava-pesca - could you email me at: [email protected]

I have a question for you. Thanks.

[Dan Brelje]

Hey Deitz

Thank you for the info.I was kind of leaning towards a St. Croix before i started looking because i used one a week or two ago and it worked great. I will look at the other suggestions as well. Also, I am planning on going out tommorow if there isn't to much snow. If you get this before i leave what should i use on those extremely small jig/lures (waxies, crappie minnow). If i don't hear from you maybe i will see you at open gym.

[brava-pesca]

I'd be happy to answer your question, however, your e-mail address doesn't work.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Dan-this time of the year I have done best with Eurolarve(spikes)... for both crappies and sunfish! See you at open gym! And good luck!

[Dan Brelje]

Done some shopping around and i have a few rods in consideration and many questions. Here are some questions i've got.

1. What are the advantages of fishing a 28", 24"

2. Would the power noodle be the right choice over a sweet thing or sweat heart for panfish (crappies,bluegill,perch)

3. Midwest Rods. Ultralite would be best choice for panies, right? 24" or 28"

Thanks much

[rangr]

Dan, I have a complete set of Midwest Rods from ul to med all in 28in. But for a finesse panfish rod I would get the 24in. Unless you are looking for a crappie rod for URL then I would go with the 28in.

[Captain B.R.K]

Quote:

---

Done some shopping around and i have a few rods in consideration and many questions. Here are some questions i've got.

1. What are the advantages of fishing a 28", 24"

2. Would the power noodle be the right choice over a sweet thing or sweat heart for panfish (crappies,bluegill,perch)

3. Midwest Rods. Ultralite would be best choice for panies, right? 24" or 28"

Thanks much

---

1. A little bit shorter rod will allow you to do a bit more sight fishing if that is what you like to do. Also keep in mind a little longer rod might brush up against a fishhouse when you have it flipped over you.

2. I had the same dilema as you- Power Noodle or Panfish Sweetheart. I went with the Panfishsweet Heart because it had a little bitter back bone than the noodle. Also I purchased a spring bobber from www.thornebros that you can put on& off yourself that is just MINT. You don't sacrifice anything with the SH vs the noodle.

3. Couldn't tell you anything about the Midwest Rods. I do own a number of TB rods and can't say enough about em.

**I personally like to have some play with my rods and the fish I have. I really like the action of the sweetheart panfish rod from TB. Plenty of play for your panfish but serious backbone to hook into a nice bass or small pike!

Good luck.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Dan-my 2 panfish rods that I have right now I bought from Thorne bros and made myself.. I bought the Panfish Sweetheart blanks... and have been very impressed! Love that blank!

The advantages of a 28" over a 24" is leverage. A longer rod will give you more leverage on a fish.. HOWEVER, for fishing in fish houses a 24" is much more manoverable.

as for your third question.. yes the UL would be the way to go.. it your choice on the 24 or the 28.. they use the St.Croix solid glass blank and would have the same blank as the St.Croix legeond rod...

SO, I have built my own pannie rods... I think they are about 26.5"... a 24" rod works quite well, works better in fish houses, and for sight fishing. The 28 is a better rod, but harder to use in houses.. if you fished out side a lot, I would deffinatly give a 28" rod a good look.

[Dan Brelje]

You guys have helped a lot. I think i am sold on the Thorn Bros rods for sure. I think the 24" sweet thing will be the best since i am in a portable and outside about the same amount. Either way i go i will be getting a much better rod than i am using right know. Also, Will the sweet thing have enough back bone to fish UPL every once in a while? Thanks again.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Dan- Yes that rod will handle the Upper Red craps just fine.. enjoy the new rod!!!

[Northlander]

I have had good luck with a few different rods. If your looking for a on the shelf rod I really like my JR's ultralight. Great rod at a nice price. www.jrstackle.com

If your looking custom I really enjoy my Midwest Rods. I have a Ultra light and Med light. The ultra light is great for smaller pannys and the med light I love for Red Lake Crappies. Good pricing as well. The med/light is also a great bober rod fr walleyes.

Give Bill a call he will treat ya right. Quick turnaround as well! www.midwestrodandreel.com

[The_Duckslayer]

I don't know maybe I am just a good ole boy but I seem to have good luck with my ten dollar clearance 24" Ugly Stick. The line goes through the eyes easy enough. It bends when I am reeling in a fish, it has not broke yet, and the reel stays tight on the mount. What is it that makes a rod so much better that folks pay upwards of fifty bucks for it? When the ice buster is down I give it a pull and up comes a fish... N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Northlander]

When watching a bobber any rod will do to a point. The enjoyment of the fight is way different with a quality rod. As far as jigging a good graphite rod will let ya feel a lot more. Both in open and hard waters. Also weight can be a factor and graphite is lighter. My Midwest rods weigh next to nothing. The reel is where most of the weight is at and on a long day of jigging every ounce counts. Also a well balanced rod is a must.

If your happy with your rods thats all that counts. If you ever want to try a high quality rod show up at a Ice Leaders event and ask a Pro Staff if you can try theirs for a while. I think you will be surprised at the difference.

[hanson]

Duckslayer-

I feel the same way Northlander does. It is all about feel for me. I spend a lot more time jigging now than I used to and a high quality rod really helps out. I'll use a different rod depending on the lures I'm fishing. Heavier lures, heavier rod. Lighter lures, lighter rod. I need to have a balance between the lure, line, and the rod for the package to work effectively. The higher dollar rods are just that much better in my opinion. I do feel they help me catch more fish. There are less expensive rods that are pretty good but I still demand the best.

I'm not saying that the high buck rods may be right for you but I sure like them. In the big scheme of things, they are still a bargain compared to what most high end open water rods cost.

[augernaut]

Dietz - I didn't know you could by the TB blanks - can you give me a clue as to how much the blanks go for? I would be looking for the panfish sweetheart blank as well. Thanks!

[Surface Tension]

Duckslayer, I started ice fishing with a broomstick and a few eye screws as guides and something to wrap line around. Caught hundreds of fish with it too. Now any rod you buy over the counter is going to be better then the broomstick. I have a custom made rod from Midwest rods and its better then over the counter rods. What makes a rod better then another. The materials and workmanship do. Its gotta be light weight and sensitive. What you buying is one mans interpretation of what a rod should be. No two rod builders will have the exact same rod. In the end for me its how that rod feels in my hand. Compare it to buying a new shotgun, first it catchs your eye, then you pick it up and it feels good, next you shoulder it, right then you know if its for you or not.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Auger-I bought them from Thorne about 5 or 6 years ago... And for the life of me I cant remember how much the blanks were.. I think I was able to make a sweetheart rod(which is pretty much what I did but a little longer for about $35 bucks back then I think.. rod blank was probably about $20? But those are only guesses.. maybe someone else will know.. otherwise just give thorne bros a call... They will help you out.. great people there!

[augernaut]

Thanks Dietz, will do. I will be visiting my bro in Lino Lakes in a few weeks, just a hop skip jump from TB :-) Might have to stop in....... Might? heck no - HAVE to stop in!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Do it dude... For those that have never been there, you can visit thier web site at http://www.thornebros.com/ they really do make a quality rod and have all the gear for making rods yourself.

However, dont forget to check out the other rods mentioned.. I just picked up a couple of the http://www.midwestrodandreel.com/ .. both of them walleye rods.. but by far the nicest walleye rods I have even held!!!!!

Also, A mentioned earlier.. The JR's Rods are very affordable, and of good quality! well worth a check before you buy as well. We gave a lot of them out at the Iceleaders events.. and all seemed quite pleased who recieved them!

[uffdapete]

Sorry about that brava-pesca - should be: [email protected]