Just need some help

[Crappie_ Kid]

I just started ice fishing two tears ago and this year im looking to uprade my ice poles and reels and was wondering what you guys would recommend.I also woulg like to know what your favorite lure for crappies. Keep it on a budget im only 14 THANX -Crappie Kid-

[Roughfisher]

Crappie kid I wouldn't upgrade your poles if you are on a budget. I use a jig stick with fluoro-ice for crappies and it's the best rod there is, better than any hundred-dollar spinning combo. Drops down quicker than a spinning reel and no problem with icing up. Stick with what you got and save your money for a flasher or some other stuff. Ice rods are overrated and unnecessary for ice fishing. Buy a good lake map of your favorite lake instead.

[gonefishin11]

Crappie Kid,

Don't worry about the poles. I don't spend more than $15 for poles and they work just fine for crappies, walleyes or whatever type of fishing I want to try. I would save up for a nice portable house, an auger or a vexilar or marcum.

My favorite jig for crappies is just a plain red glow jig, size 6. I jig with a buckshot rattle spoon which will attract the fish but alot of the time they actually go and bite the red jig which I have on a deadstick.

Everyone has their favorite jigs, just experiment and see what works best for you.

[Northlander]

Sorry but I disagree. A quality ice rod is just like a quality open water rod. Good rods detect the bite way better. You dont need a $60 rod but they sure make fishing easier and more fun. The absence of weight on your line is hard to detect with a cheap rod.

These days there are lots of good over the counter rods. St.Croix, Berkley, Frabil, Gander and Nature Vision all have some good ones. Usually a $20 bill will get ya a decent rod.

If your looking for a nice custom rod check out Thorne Brothers, Midwest Rods and Rods by Engel. I have some of all of them and they are SWEET!

Good luck in your rod search. Let us know what ya wind up with.

[CrappieJohn]

CKid...

If you are fishing crappies and panfish, don't get snookered into thinking that you HAVE to have a rod specifically designed for them. The simple addition of a spring bobber can turn just about any rod into one sensitive enough to be a very effective tool. For about three bucks you can do two rods.

Go back a few pages and find the thread titled "spring bobbers" and take a look. Ihave a post there that will show what I use, and this set-up is every bit as effective as any rod that costs 20 clams.

[Crappie_ Kid]

I decided to ask for a St croix Legend ultra light Pole for christmas i was wonderind what is the best reel i can get to match it i here good things from tica Thanx agian

-Crappie Kid-

[Bob Horn]

Ticas are awesome!! I use the Cetus. I have 5 of them. I also use the Legend ice rods. Can`t miss a bite with them.

[j]

I just picked up a Gander 7 ballbearing ice reel. The first fish I hooked on it was a 25 inch walleye at Mille Lacs. The drag system worked excellent and there is no space between forward reel and stopping. It cost me $17 and I feel it was well worth it!

j

[Bobb-o]

The rapala ice rods are every bit as nice as the St. Croix's and the rods are only $12 a piece or you can g et a combo with a pretty decent reel for $30. Also Gander just had some Rods for $4.99 that are pretty nice. Most of the time i just use my summer crappie/bluegill reels for ice fishing!

[marine_man]

I'd also reccomend a Tica.. I've only got one right now... but as I slowly replace my old reels Tica's are all I'll be putting on my rods...

marine_man