Glass vs. Graphite

[Captain B.R.K]

Questions for you fellas. Am looking at getting a new rod through Thorne Bros. as was wondering what the dif. was between glass and graphite blank on a rod.

Looking at fishing lakers in January and so what would be better to go with.
What are the specs. between the two?

[Guest]

Glass rods are less sensitive but stronger. Graphite is much more sensitive but can be weaker. Most guys i know use a longer 35+ inch graphite for Lakers when jiggin in deep water. Thorne makes some great rods.

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[Captain B.R.K]

D-Man

What size would you recommend, the 36" or 42". Sounds like Graphite would be the way to go then?

[Surface Tension]

I build all my rods. For an ice rod I use glass for the strenght. We winter camp on our laker trips and my ice rods dont get babied. They take abuse. When its -30 out with 30 mph winds and your cold, hungry and tired your rod may end up in the bottom of your tub with the auger sittin on top of it.
Suddenly that pretty little rod that you admired while sittin in your living room at home isnt all that important. Ya I know theres rod cases and bags to put them in but they dont always get used.
Rod lenght: It depends on the blank. Also I dont know of many portables your going to get a 42 in rod into. Mine are 32" for what it matters. You need backbone and a fast action to set hooks in deep water and you dont want a rod thats bent over on a med sized fish. With ice rods improper rod handeling is magnifided by the rods shortness and angel of the line to the rod. Since your fishing vertical you decrease this angle by dropping the tip and raise the reel butt. Doing this you take fiction off the tip-top and guides.
Use you wrist and arm as an extension of your rod to take head pounding shock and power runs. I guess what im saying is its not all in the rod, its how you use it.
Theres plenty of time before laker season starts, try makin your own rod.

[Northlander]

Im with S.T. If you are in a ice house then go with grafite but if your going to be out in the cold go glass. Not so brittle on the below 0 weather.I have a 34" Med weight Polar Light rod by H.T. and use it for big northern. If you can find one try it, they are cheap and almost unbreakable. Beats spending $50-$90 on a Thorn Bros.