Best Ice Fishing Rod and Reel Combo?

[musky999]

I'm looking at getting two new combos this year. What do you think is the best combos for around $30 dollars a piece.

Thanks

[Hotspotter]

Musky:

For ice rigs, I'll rarely buy combos as usually the reels I want will not be paired with the rods I want. Also, the reels on many combos are of varying poor quality.

That said, do you want two different combos for different types of fishing, or would one quality rod/reel combo suffice for multiple, yet similar situations?

If you're anything like me, you have several others that will do for "just having an extra rod."

If there's one type of ice-fishing you do more than another (targeting specific species in a certain way), I'd look into a custom rod like a Thorne Bros, and pairing it with a lightweight quality reel.

If you're spending $60 anyway, my choice would be to have one rod/reel that I loved and always went to, rather than two that I'm lukewarm towards. Feel free to post the types of fishing you do, and maybe I can help select a few with you.

Good luck, and let us know how the search goes!

Joel

[BIG DS]

Rapala makes a good graphite rod that has incredible sensitivity for under $15. Pick your favorite reel and you will have yourself a killer combo. Rapala also has some combos, and like most factory combos, the reel leaves a little to be desired. I have tried the spendy rods from Frabill, St. Croix, and Croxton Pond and they just do not seem to have the sensetivity that the Rapala rods have. Rapala offers their rods in tubular or solid, from ultra light to medium. They may have a heavy rod but I have never found a need for one so I have never looked. My medium works good for 'eyes and northers. I use Tica Cetus reels. They put the combo a bit over your limit, but they are worth it.

[smg04]

check out the gander mountain guide series combos, built really well and at $30 there worth it, also i have been looking at the genz stix, never used them but the look good and was thinking about picking up a couple, there also $30 at most places

[iland99]

Another plus is the warranty with the Guide Series stuff. I have 3 or 4 Guide Series combos. I accidentally ran over one of the rods with my truck, brought the pieces in to Gander, and since they were sold out of the rod that was included in the combo, they let me pick out the next higher series rod for free!

I have one Genz rod and really like it; however, this fall I pulled the Genz rod out of the protected storage tube that I had it in all summer, and the rod had a permanent bend in it. When I tried to straighten it out, it snapped off in my hand. I emailed the company, and they're sending me a brand new rod for free. Not bad!

The same thing happened with a St. Croix rod that I had, and they refused to repair or replace it. Funny how the most expensive rod had the worst warranty - by far!

[Tyler Holm]

For a $30 price cap, the Berkley Lightning Ice Rods are decent (around $25). I actually really like the rods 26-30" in the UL or L action (The Genz series are really nice). The reels on those Lightning combos are decent and come with a decent grade of line already spooled (sometimes). They are a good starter rod in my opinion. The reels get a bit stiff in the super cold, but never to the point where they won't reel up a fish.

[markkstanley]

I use my open water ultra light spinning reels for ice fishing as well. Let's you put all the money into the rod. I like the St Croix Legend for finesse fishing - that spring bobber is excellant for light biting fish. Have some Avids for jigging.

[Deitz Dittrich]

In my opinion, the Genz Sticks are pretty well priced for their quality. I have a few of them and have been quite pleased. They come in a "gold" series and a "silver" to match what you want to spend.

If your looking for "the best" its hard to beat a Thorne Brothers rod.. yet they may be slightly out of your price range.

Another idea you may want to try?.. Try making your own rods. It can be fun and helps defray the costs!

[Crappie_ Kid]

I have two rod/reel combos that i really like. One of them is the new 06 version of the legend ice rod,paired with a shimano sedona reel, this is the rod to use when in the ice house but when your outside the spring moves from the wind relly easy. The other combo i have is a gold

series genz stix with a tica SS500 this is actually the best rod ive ever owned for runnin and gunnin with the vexilar outside of the house.

I would really like to try the perch sweet heart from thorne bros. does any one know if thats a really stiff rod for say...crappie jigging

[Dan Brelje]

what are the combos w/ the abu cardinal 100's on them. That seems like it'd be a decent reel for the hard water. I also saw st.croix had some premier combos with st.croix reels on them.

[musky999]

I mostly fish walleyes and crappies. I guess walleyes a little more than crappies. Right now I have a St. Croix avid medium light, and I really like that for both species. The reel is a shimano but I can't remember the model. The combo has worked great for two years now. I have two other ones but I just use them as backups or bobber rods. I went down into Brainerd the other day and nobody had the genz stix combos, Fleet didn't even have half of their ice fishing stuff out yet. I guess my main point is right now the selection in the stores right now sucks (up here). Reeds, Gander, and Fleet didn't have any Titca reels, I have never seen them, I don't know if they get them in either. It sounds like the place to go or order something from is Thorne Bros. Would the Perch Sweethearts work well for Walleye and Crappie? Is the Walleye Sweetheart to heavy for Crappie? I'll see if I can find their HSOforum and look around. Thanks for all of the suggestions I'll start digging in a little more.

Thanks,

Musky999

[fiskyknut]

I think both you guys would really like the Perch Sweetheart for Crappie fishing. I don't do alot of Crappie fishing outside of on the URL but the rod works Crappie sized stuff well. I use that rod on the LOTW often, and it'll tackle good sized Walleye, as well as our wee ones. That Walleye Sweetheart in darn fine too and would'nt be overkill on the URL Crappies anyhow. It'll work 1/8 oz offerings quite well.

Regards.....fiskyknut

[Philo]

I like the St. Croix model rods premiere, I think, (regular price 20 bucks) in combination with a gander mountain reel.

28 inch medium light rod with 6 lb vanish makes an excellent walleye rig for around 30 bucks. (on sale) Very sensitive and strong. Mine have survived several battles with eelpout and have never been better. Broke one, but that was my fault since I stepped on it!!!

I also like the 28-30 inch medium/light Lightning Rod for jigging, but I don't think they make that model anymore. Was this replaced by the genz line??

[Hotspotter]

Musky:

The Perch Sweetheart will work very well for Crappies/Walleyes both, pending the types and sizes of lures you want to work with it. For larger/heavier bait selections, especially in deeper water, you're going to want to step up to the Walleye sweetheart, but the perch will work 1/8-3/16 offerings well. Vibrating blade baits or others that pull "hard" through the water might be more along the lines of 1/8 or less.

The real benefit to the Thorne Rod is you can get it customized to fit your needs. I own a Perch Sweetheart that I use to hole hop for Crappies and Bass in a small pond I fish. I had them put on the "outside" guides, with a slightly larger tip-guide to help avoid freeze-up. The action is quite fast, allowing me to precision jig and feel subtle bites, but I'm impressed with the backbone on the thing for fighting larger bass.

I also ordered it a bit longer for outside fishing. Just gives me better control when fighting a bigger fish. You might want to do this for the walleye. If fishing with this in the house, I'd keep it at its current length

Most importantly, it's lighter than anything I've owned, and when paired with a good lightweight reel, it simply fishes more sensitive. Don't overlook the reel. The last thing you'd want to do is to put an overly heavy reel on such a great rod.

Back to the combos, I'll also vouch for the Cabelas ice XML's. They're good for the price, and I own a few, but not quite as light or sensitive.

Good luck!

Joel

[DEADhead]

Quote:

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Reeds, Gander, and Fleet didn't have any Titca reels,

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Reeds should have Ticas. I bought a Tica cetus reel the other week in Walker. If they don't have them in Baxter yet, tell them to ship one down from the Walker store.

I'll echo what most others have mentioned already, spend the $60 on one setup. Thorne Bros rods will never let you down.

[Paul Waldowski]

Ditto on the Thorne Bros rods...They Rock

[Jim Hudson]

Like Deadhead mentioned. The Baxter Reed's does have Tica reels in stock. I was over there last Thursday and they had a display full of em next to the fishing counter.

For combos, all have given great advice on what to look for. For a straight store bought combo, my picks would be the St. Croix Premier line or the Genz Stix Gold. Always be sure to check the smoothness and working abilities on all these combo reels though. That goes for all combos.

[gvg_uwec]

Got a quick ? for you guys, I'm planning on getting one rod that i would use for walleyes and maybe a few perch and I am thinking about going with either a genz gold or a guide series type rod, (cant afford a custom till after graduation) to me the biggest selling point on a combo is the reel and i want to have one with instant anti reverse with a good drag. Does anyone know if either of these combos have a reel like this?

[caseymcq]

If you can still find the old Genz Lightning Rods made by Berkley those are great rods. They are just about $30 for just the rod unless you can find them on sale.

I have been able to get Pinacle Reels at Gander Mtn. when they are having a sale for right around $15 and a similar price on their Guide Series Rods. That would make a good combo for right around $30. The reels have infinite/instant anti-reverse which is really nice for setting the hook.

[Smokey]

I will cast another vote for the Rapala combos. I know that they are not top of the line, but for the price I think they are hard to beat. Especially if you buy in January or February when Mills Fleet drops the price another $10 or so.

[smg04]

the rochester gander mt hat the tica cetus reels back in the fishing dept, not up by the ice combos, they had two different models but i 4get the numbers, i bought a rapala combo last year at f.farm really cheep and its worked great

[tbeste]

If you want a 28" M/L I'd swing on over to Mills F&F and pick up one of the Abu Garcia Cardinal C100U with the Berkley Lightning rod for $20. Even it you want to upgrade the rod immediately to something nicer it is still $10 cheaper than just the reel!!!

I ended up picking up 3 of them last night and there was still quite a few left at the Lakeville Mills. Gander is selling the same combo for $30... Sure wish they still had double the difference back!!!

Travis

[BIG DS]

Quote:

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Reeds, Gander, and Fleet didn't have any Titca reels

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If you are in the Madison Lake area, one of our sponsors, Reel Fising and Tackle, has the complete line of Tica. Check them out or give 'em a call. They will ship anywhere and are competatively priced.

[PierBridge]

Dats easy.....I strickly use the Popeil's Pocket Fisherman 1 and Popeil's Pocket Fisherman 2. ...depends on the targeted specie and body of water I'm on whether I use 1 or 2.......

[The Crumpler]

Quote:

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Quote:

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Reeds, Gander, and Fleet didn't have any Titca reels,

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Reeds should have Ticas. I bought a Tica cetus reel the other week in Walker. If they don't have them in Baxter yet, tell them to ship one down from the Walker store.

I'll echo what most others have mentioned already, spend the $60 on one setup. Thorne Bros rods will never let you down.

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Reeds in Baxter had Tica's last week, and yesterday. They are in the rack next to the "Boathouse".