Thorne Dead Stick Rods?

[Captain Happy]

Are these rods used mostly for walleyes and bigger fish, or are they used also for panfish, perch, crappie ect. They come in 3 differant lengths, is this just for personal preferances? Just love this site! Thanks

[Corey Bechtold]

Personal preference is right. There are over 20 different rod setups they offer. Graphite or Fiberglass. Reel seat or no. Outside guides"NEW". If you feel the need to have something special, you could always have them custom make one for you. Either way it's a "win win" situation.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[Matt Johnson]

If you add the Power Noodle to the line of Dead Stick Rods by Thorne Bros, then you have something for just about every species. The Power Noodle is essentially a dead stick rod for pannies, although you can also use it for jigging. I use the Power Noodle as a dead stick rod for crappies and bluegills very often.

The rods that are actually labeled as Dead Stick Rods are intended for slightly larger gamefish like walleye, pike, bass, catfish, etc. They are built with a stronger and longer backbone for landing larger fish, yet the tip is still as fast as ever.

The variation in lengths is there for a few reasons...

1) Personal preference like you mentioned. Some people like a longer rod, while others prefer a shorter one.

2) Inside or outside rod. Shorter rods tend to be better inside a portable, and if you spend a lot of time inside a portable fish house then the 28 or 32-inch might be the bests choice for you. However, if you usually hole hop outside of a portable than I would go with the 32 or 36-inch. But again, it's personal preference.

3) Action and feel. Some people like a longer rod because they feel it has more control over a fish in deep water. It can also play a role in letting the rod fight the fish instead of the drag and back-reel. A longer rod will allow the angler to use the rod as more a of a compression tool when a fish runs or when setting the hook. I personally prefer a longer rod if I can get away with it. The 32 or 36-inch versions are my favorites, but I also spend a lot of time outside of a portable fish house.

But no matter how you look at it, it all comes back to number 1, which is personal preference. All will work just fine as a dead stick rod, and all perform a similar function. You can't go wrong with any of them...

[iffwalleyes]

They are very handy rods to have in your selection. I have both the 28" and 32". You wouldn't think looking at them at first glance that you could really fight a fish but they are VERY capable of landing large fish. I have found them to be very affective when using a rod holder like today’s tackle "Rod Rocker" or a similar type product. They are several available. I always have one of these rods in use. In ND where I can fish 4 lines in the winter I use 3 of them in my house. Best part is that you don't have to worry about bobbers freezing on the line anymore plus they are super sensitive in the tip to the point where you can see the tip moving from just the minnow.

[CrappieJohn]

Cap't Happy....

Welcome to FishingMinnesota.com and we certainly hope you are enjoying what you see here.

Thorne Bros provide some very nice rods and what you have read is solid advice. From my standpoint the deadstick is a rod that can be way more dependant on a fine-balanced rod holder for floatless hit detection (or the float if you choose)and doesn't have to be an expensive rod. I actually do quite well using a spring bobber rod as a dead stick in a fixed holder.

For deadsticking, I'd pay more attention to the reel's drag-hooksets on a moving bait will need to have the drag operate very smoooooth. The rod can be of secondary concern in this application. But yes, the Thorne rods are the Cadillacs of non-commercial rods.

Again, welcome to FishingMinnesota.com!