ice fishing rods

[old_school]

is there a 24" graphite medium action rod? i haven't been able to find one anywhere.

[deepportage01]

I'm sure the guys at Thorne brothers could help you out,

If they dont have one on the shelf they can make you one in no time,

[harvey lee]

I would ask how much you want to spend and then the quality you are looking for.

Berkley makes some less expensive ice rods that are pretty decent.

St Croix also makes some 24" ice rods but I believe only in UL and Light.

Then you have probably the class of the field with Thorne Bros.They can custom make about anything you are looking for.I personally have rods from 4 different companies and the Thorne Bros rods are probably hands down the class of the field.I have bought 4 different ones for different species and applications and have been more than happy with each one.Thier sensitivity is very good and the quality is excellent.I already plan on buying one or two more for this winter.

Then if you are looking for a very good reel,they also sell the line of Tica reels.That is all I own anymore for reels.

[iffwalleyes]

Lots of rods out there will fit that bill. Pretty common size. If Thorne doesn't have it they can make it as mentioned. More on the high end but well worth it. Might I ask why you want a 24" medium? I assume it is to have a short rod in a house? I used 28" rod pretty much all the time in a house and they work prefect. A 30" does seem to be too long but a 28 seem just right for me.

[so haaad]

Old School,

I've been looking for a 24" medium for the last year and haven't found one. Most of the medium ice rods are 28" or larger. The Thorne rods are 28", as are the St. Croix rods. I was actually at Thorne Bros last night talking to Mike about building a 24" medium. They do not have a 24" blank. It's possible to cut down from their 28" rods, but Mike said you really need to be careful if you go this route since it will dramatically change the feel of the rod. I think I am going to build a 28" Thorne this fall.

FYI- My favorite "medium" rod is 24", although it was actually a 28" medium-light that got too close to the stove. I accidentally burned off the top four inches, and the rod now fishes better than any of my other rods. Maybe I'm onto something!

[harvey lee]

Check out The St.Croix Legend rod.They make it in Med,Med lt and MH.Thats what thier web page says anyways.

[DEADhead]

yeah, the HSOforum says the legends are 24"

[Tod Todd]

All the Legend ice rods are 24'' and the new models have built in reel seats. You can get med on up to heavy.

[swags_7]

I'm glad I have the Legend Ice rods without reel seats. I can't stand those things(reel seats).

[hanson]

Quote:

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I can't stand those things(reel seats).

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No doubt! Why do rod companies, especially a "high end" rod company like St. Croix think these are going to make their rods better. I guess their was probably enough angler demand for something like that but it was a mistake IMO.

A couple wraps with electrical tape and you have the best reel attachment system on the market. The reel is tight to the rod handle, is not bulky, and comfortable on the hands.

Poor move on their part.

[harvey lee]

I agree 100% with the elec. tape.Its never a problem and not bulky.

[efgh]

I like to wrap 2 or 3 rounds of rubber electrical tape, the strechie kind, then 2 or 3 rounds of plastic electrical tape. seems like the reel stays tighter to the rod.

[DEADhead]

even if they just made half of their rods with and half without the reel seats...

Who are these people that demand these reel seats? And where do I send them a roll of electrical tape?

[Captain B.R.K]

Reel seats on a ice-fishing rod IMO aren't needed. I'm trying to remember the last time I compared the two rods and I'm thinking the RS rod was a tad bulker and heavier. I grew up with just applying electrical tape to the handle. That's me and I don't like that extra bulky feeling in my hand. If that's what you are looking for....great.

One tip I learned a few years ago: Before you put your wraps of electrical tape on the cork, put a wrap of masking tape on. Then go ahead and put the electrical tape on.

This will save on your cork!

[iffwalleyes]

Ice rods are just to short to have a reel seat on them. It makes them too sift and you loose alot of the sensitivity that is transfered through the cork itself. I got one Thorne Laker Rod with a reel seat and I sent it back and got a new handle put on it. And that was on a 36" rod.

[Tod Todd]

I wouldn't knock it to you see it or better yet try it.

I got to see one today and it feels and looks good in hand.

As far as losing fish because of feel that's not the case with St Croix, fishing with the Legend is visual you watch the spring not feel the bite and your eye's are closer to your brain then the your hand is.

This is not my findings this comes from the man that made the rod. I met with him today and he explained the above statement to me and showed us the new model.

[iffwalleyes]

Quote:

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I wouldn't knock it to you see it or better yet try it.

I got to see one today and it feels and looks good in hand.

As far as losing fish because of feel that's not the case with St Croix, fishing with the Legend is visual you watch the spring not feel the bite and your eye's are closer to your brain then the your hand is.

This is not my findings this comes from the man that made the rod. I met with him today and he explained the above statement to me and showed us the new model.

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To each his own. But I have had many ice rods in many different styles with reel seats without seats. Fiber, Graphite, the list could go on and yes it is personal choice but my choice is no reel seats and that will never change for me. I have about 20 rods in my selection for ice fishing and I think I only have 2 left with reel seats. Give me a roll of electric tape and I good to roll.

[hanson]

I guess this is going to be my post where I don't make any friends.

Here's the deal, I'm a very, very picky angler when it comes to the gear I use. I get myself as informed as possible and purchase the best gear available for the money I have. I've very particular and discriminate when it comes to everything about icefishing- from my lure selection, line, reels, augers, heaters, houses, and yes, even my rods.

About 10 years ago when I was living in Fargo, ND, I found a rod that was absolutely sweet at the Scheels store. It happened to be a perch sweetheart model by Thorne Bros. I had no clue who Thorne Bros. was at the time but realized I found one heck of an icefishing rod. Having just spent $50 on an icefishing rod when every other rod Scheel's carried was under $15 was kind of scary, but I am still using that rod today. I put a Shimano Spirex 500 on that rod and brought the "combo" total to over $100. Spending $100 on an ice fishing combo 10 years ago was unheard of.

So over the years, I've picked up another 5 Thorne Bros rods along with a St.Croix Legend Spring Bobber rod. I love all those rods. The St. Croix spring is amazing and is a tool every angler should have. All of these rods have reels that are "taped" on and I consider all of these combos high end and the best of the best when it comes to ice fishing gear.

I do feel this though, ice fishing rod companies are designing and marketing the majority of their rods these days to weekend anglers and beginning anglers. I really think the market is shifting that way since their is more money to be made in that area- ice fishing products for beginning & budget minded ice anglers. Its a growing sport, and its growing with new anglers.

One complaint you do hear alot is about how the reels are attached to the rods. I hear it in the forums here, and it is dead obvious in the stores as well. How many rod combos in a store have the reels zip tied to the rod and sold as a combo? How many rods have those stupid rubber type wraps on the handles that connect the reel to the rod. I can tell you this, a beginning ice angler who is going to purchase a rod & reel will probably not accept a reel that is "taped" onto the rod handle. I guess I probably wouldn't either if I didn't know better but that is a method that is worked flawlessly and very effectively for me for 10 years.

While I don't think adding a reel seat to a rod is going to make the rod any better in my hands, it is going to help St. Croix sell more rods (and I'm guessing combos) on the store floor because it is a clean way of attaching a reel to a rod, and something alot of open water anglers are used to as well.

Is a reel seat really something that is going to help me catch more fish? I'm guessing not. But its a way to market rods and "catch" more anglers.

[Matt Johnson]

I'm not a big fan of reel seats either, although I do have a fw ice rods that have them, and I do use those rods on a regular basis.

I guess it all comes down to the reel seat. I don't like a lot of plastic and such, so if the reel seat is composed (or surrounded by) mostly cork, then I'll consider using it.

Thorne Bros has a Hidden Hood Handle version that is nice. Look at the top right corner of the following page on their website to get a better idea... Hidden Hood Handle

For pannies I won't use reel seats, everything is taped on. For larger fish like walleye, cats, bass, pike, and lakers, I might consider the reel seat option. Although several of my larger gamefish rods don't have reel seats either.

In the end it all comes down to personal preference. If you're more comfortable with a reel seat, then by all means, go ahead and use one. I know several outstanding ice anglers who use a lot of rods with reel seats. Find something that suits your needs, the rest will fall into place

[Tod Todd]

You may not like reel seats but the small Fuji handle is smaller than the current cork handle that is on it. This is a full handle not just two cheap plastic rings on a rod.

[Tony Boshold]

I have a ton of respect for the fishers here and would never dis their opinions. We can still be friends Chris, I know you love your St.Croix Legend ice rod with spring bobber and value it as the great tool it is. And I have to tell you all I too was the first to "not like the idea of getting rid of the tenessee handle." Especially the incredibly sensitive handle they have been putting on that rod. In fact just about everyone that uses the Legend rod loves that handle.

I prefer the Tenessee handle for a reason most important to me and yet to be mentioned, you can balance any reel with proper placement to balance your combo with the components you prefer. Taping it where it makes it feel right just for you is great. That said, pick up any leftovers from last year cause they won't be produced with out the new Fuji grips. This is a premium Graphite reel seat and feels great and balances well with the reels I prefer.

As for the St.Croix Avids with the same tennesse handles we all love, the rod will no longer be available from what I'm told and again if you like those, pickup what you can if you find any. The Premier rods will still be available unchanged with or without a reel.

I don't believe there is any intention to sell the Legend as a combo.

The preferred reel is a Daiwa Spinmatic the gold one or silver perform and balance excellent. At only 5.1 oz it is the lightest reel with an excellent drag. When I prefish a tourney and hold a rod for 8+ hours for 3-5 days straight I want it as light as possible. For those that must have a "anti reverse" the Silstars weigh in at 5.3 OZ are the next best thing. They have a dependable drag and smooth operation that has not let down. Not to mention the Silstar reels are a bit more affordable.

One thing that can't be argued the Legend is not some gimmick to catch fisherman. The Legend is the finest spring bobber rod on the market. If the new reel seat introduces ice fishing to a wider group that just makes the Pie bigger and everyones piece gets bigger too. The demand for a screw down reel seat has been great and this change will be well accepted I'm confident. I meant to take a photo at the fundraiser last weekend, you'll have to wait untill they hit the stores or HSOforum.

Like tod mentioned the use of a Legend spring bobber rod is a visual bite detection and not about feeling for bites. It just makes sense when you hear it that way. The spring acts as a cushion and not only makes you less detectable to the fish, it provides a smooth presentation that is very natural. This leads to more bites combined with seeing more bites means connecting with more fish. Not everyone is a pro that knows how to fish without a system for detecting bites other than feel. With the Legend you'll never miss another bite, well you may not catch them all but you won't miss the fact you had a bite. The Legend rods have helped make great fishers better. Not only are you getting a fabulous bite detection system you get a quality rod made right here in the USA that feels awesome fighting and handling fish of all sizes.

To get back to the topic...

The Legends are available in 24" only (for now) and they have 5 actions available, Ultra light, light, medium light, medium and medium heavy. They come with four spring strengths to accomodate just about every lure in your box because they are adjustible as well. Each rod is capable of accepting at least 2 different spring strengths. This makes it the most versatile and finest value for the money and each one is like getting two rods in one when you change the spring strength and even the line using the spare spool many reels come with.

If I can help with questions regarding the right choice Legend to match what you like to fish for and how you fish them fire away.

Hope this clears up some of the confusion.

[iffwalleyes]

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I prefer the Tenessee handle for a reason most important to me and yet to be mentioned, you can balance any reel with proper placement to balance your combo with the components you prefer. Taping it where it makes it feel right just for you is great. That said, pick up any leftovers from last year cause they won't be produced with out the new Fuji grips. This is a premium Graphite reel seat

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Another good point here. I do this without ever really thinking about it now.

[jackmn]

Tony Boshold I am going to take you up on your offer to recommend a st croix rod legand.I am thinking of getting a couple of rods,I fish bluegills and crappies and also perch and walleyes I was thinking of two rods with a couple extra springs

Thanks

[Tyler Holm]

jackmn,

I also fish gills and crappies often and picked up 2 legends last year. 1 UL and 1 Light action rod. I also picked up 1 of each of the 3 spring bobbers. I find myself mostly using the lighter 2 of the 3 available spring bobbers while fishing for panfish. I think they are the orange and pink (light and medium). When you purchase a rod it comes with a light (orange) spring bobber I believe.

You'll likely want the medium/heavy spring (yellow I think) when using your larger/heavier lures for eyes.

I am 100% satisfied with my 2 legends and they have increased my catch rate more than I could have imagined.

Ok, back to the subject at hand. I was hesitant at first to buy rods that didn’t have a reel seat because I was not going to pay more money for a rod that I had to apply electrical tape too just to attach the reel. Boy has my perspective changed and many of the reasons for this change have already been stated above. I’ll touch on just one more.

I’m to the point in my ice fishing that I get super finicky on each and every detail when it comes to rods. I own over 15 ice rods and if I’m going to buy another, it’s going to be the best. My last 4-5 rods have not had reel seats on them. Rods without reel seats are lighter and that is important when you sit and hold that rod all day. I feel a lighter rod gives me more feel and quicker hook sets as well. Its also easier on the wrist after hours of jigging.

One thing I wish St. Croix or any company would do is to put some sort of indication on the handle as to where the reel could be placed so it would be centered with the eyelets. A simple line or marking of some sort that would indicate the exact center / straightline with the backbone of the rod and the eyelets.

As it is now, we all have to “eyeball” what’s straight. Sometimes I purposely attach my reels offset a bit because I don’t hold my rod exactly straight in terms of the eyelets and the backbone, but I still would appreciate some sort of indication as to a centerpoint for reel placement.

[so haaad]

For those of you who considered getting the ice rod blanks from St. Croix, here's their response when asked about availability:

We don't have the Legend Ice rod blanks available. We are actually

discontinuing having the ice rod blanks. What we have left in stock

are the SCB24UL, SCB28UL and the SCB28M, which are used on the Premier Ice

rods. They retail for $12.00 a piece.

Sincerely,

Dan L

St. Croix Rods