Custom Ice Rods

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Just wondering if anyone has used or found anything they feel is better than or at least equal to Thorne Bros. rods for the ice. I have a T.B. Sweetheart and love it as well as some St.Croix's and a Cabela's XLM but I'm always interested in experimenting with different stuff. After using the T.B. it's just hard to compare anything else to it. Opinions???

[Corey Bechtold]

I really like the old Berkley Lightning rods but they don't make them anymore. I tried some St.Croix rods and they are ok. I have tried several others as well but I couldn't find the perfect rod for me.

Now there are Thorne Bros rods. They are in a class all there own. I used to be skeptical because they were a little pricey for me. Now I have "Seen the Light". They are the best rods I have used, hands down!!! You have so many options and if there's something specific you want they can do it. There rods are light, sensitive and have great hook setting power.

There are a lot of options out there so choose wisely.

Good fishing,

Corey Bechtold

[walterking]

scottys custom rods and midwest rods are nice but not equal to a sweetheart.

[Deitz Dittrich]

As posted... I have a Scotties Custom Rods a sponsor of iceleaders and FM... Its a very nice rod... For the price very hard to beat. I have had the chance to hold a Jason Mitchel rod and it too seems like a pretty darn good rod for the money...

That said, I do feel at this point, that the Thornes are the best on the market!

[CSP88]

For a mid-priced rod you need to try the Jason Mithell Elite series rods. In the $25-$35 range these are some of the best rods on the market. Like Corey, I still have and use a couple of the original Berkley Genz series Lightning rods.

Chad

[fiskyknut]

Reckon you could get a custom shop to build you one just to your liking.

So many different rod styles produced by Thorne to match up to the variety of ice angling techniques, and if they don't have just what you want they will make one for you.

Tough to beat those Thorne rods though in my book, they are the gold standard by which all others are judged with good reason. Kinda like that guidewear NAMA, The best stuff out there!

fiskyknut

[hanson]

I've really stopped looking for an ice rod better than a Thorne rod, they aren't out there.

What I have been on the lookout for is a mid-price rod that has Thorne rod qualities. The Jason Mitchell rods are getting there and can't wait to give them a spin this winter.

Like a few others have mentioned, sure wish I could find some old Berkley Genz Lightning rods. Not a bad rod for the price at all.

I have also never seen an ice rod that breaks for no apparent reason more than a St Croix. If you want to break a rod, buy a Croix. I bought my dad 2 for Christmas presents a couple years ago and they both have broken tips now. My Legend spring bobber rod just broke a tip as well.

[harvey lee]

I would agree with everything that Chris posted. I would also check out Scotty's Custom rods as I have one and it has performed well.

[Borch]

For bang for your buck you won't be disappointerd with Scotty's rods. In fact there are some rods he makes with the Thorne blanks. The mitchel rods I handled felt very nice and sensitive. They should perform well this winter as well. But like many have said the Thornes rods are hard to measure up to. I love my Perch sweetheart rods.

[Mr.Seaguar]

O'Shucks Bait in Milford IA has several Berkley Genz series rods. I bougt one last year when I broke my Sweet Pea and needed something right now. Pretty nice rod! Shucks has great guys and if you call them and tell them you want some they will help you out. Great baitshop.

My Sweet Pea was too stiff so I ordered a glass model and it was too stiff. I emailed them and asked for somthing different and they said you bet. Thats what like about Thorne Bros.

Cabelas used to have great rods but they switched guides and went to the gigantic guides.

[DinkADunk]

It's all about the rod blank and Thorne Brothers has very nice blanks made for them. I've been disapointed with the ice rod blanks I've purchased from other sources.

[HeIsLegend]

What length and action do you icers use for each species of fish on your rods?

[Deitz Dittrich]

boy it really depends on what mood the fish are in... I like to use the longest rod I can get away with...My sight fishing rods are of coarse shorter.

[hanson]

Quote:

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What length and action do you icers use for each species of fish on your rods?

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Uff Da!

I'm with Deitz, I use the longest I can get away with. Which means different rods for fishing outside and different rods for fishing inside a shack. Thorne has "outside" rods with bigger guides to help with ice buildup. I'm looking at 32" with the bigger guides for fishing outside. Inside my shacks, 28" is really about as long as I want to go. A Thorne Perch Sweetheart rod in either the 28" length or 32" will cover a heck of a lot of ice fishing situations.

I kind of approach my panfishing (bluegill) rods a little different as I'm typically using super small lures and spring bobbers.

There are so many topics within that topic, I really wouldn't know where to start without giving it some serious thought.

And even then, it still comes down to personal preference. So what I think is perfect, Deitz may laugh at, and Matt Johnson might think something else.

[Corey Bechtold]

28" Panfish Sweetheart is a good all around choice but I like longer rods for run and gunning. I have a 32" Panfish Sweetheart Outside that I absolutely love. They are also going to offer some longer rods this year.

One great thing about Thorne Rods is you can get exactly what you want depending on how you like to fish.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[Matt Johnson]

Quote:

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What length and action do you icers use for each species of fish on your rods?

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Length and action all depends on the presentation and slightly the situation. For panfish, I'll use anything from a 16-inch sight-fishing rod all the way to a 36-inch Perch Sweetheart. I don't generally look at the line of Thorne Bros rods as specie specific, I look at them in regards to which presentation I'm using. So, if I'm going to use an 1/8oz spoon (regardless of the specie I'm targeting) then I'll typically use a Perch Sweetheart of somesort, because that rod is better designed to handle an 1/8oz spoon. It performs better. Larger spoons might see me using the Walleye Sweetheart. Weight of the spoon is key. I'll use my Perch Sweethearts for the majority of my walleye fishing, because I generally target a lot of walleye with 1/16 and 1/8oz spoons. Any rod can land big fish, you just have to have a reel with a good drag system and put faith in the rod. Let the rod and reel do the work.

Now, as far as length goes, I prefer to get away with the longest rod possible. I use a lot of 32-inch rods, and this year I plan on using a lot of 36-inch rods (for panfish, walleye, catfish, etc..). Longer rods give you a better hookset in deeper water, as well as cushion to help with any error that might occur. Shorter rods will give you more control when trying to finesse fish, but when running and gunning I prefer a longer rod. However, if you spend a lot of time inside a portable fish house, then a shorter rod is a better choice. 24-28 inch rods will work nicely for this. The Sweet Thing or the Sweetheart are both excellent panfish options, and the 26 or 28-inch Walleye Sweetheart will work well for larger fish. The 28-inch Perch Sweetheart is probably the most well-rounded rod Thorne Bros makes, definitely the most versatile...

A lot of choices out there for rods, and if you're looking for a custom rod then its tough to beat Thorne Bros in my opinion. Been using them for about 7 years now and the count is up to 29 And like mentioned, if you want something specific, then give Thorne Bros a call and we'll build one up for you... 763-572-3782

Ice fishing is right around the corner!

[HeIsLegend]

Boy oh boy, these Perchsweetheart sticks are critically acclaimed. How much does a 28" run for?

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

I just got the 32" sweetheart at the ice frenzy show. seems like a very nice rod well built and super light. Might forget its in my hand at times

Ryan

[Matt Johnson]

The 28" Perch Sweetheart runs about $52 retail. Stop in at the store and work out a deal with you Or else give us a ring... 763-572-3782

[rockman]

Even though your reply was awhile back, I gotta agree with you on the Lightning rods. I still have 4 of the 2-4 lb.rods in my collection that I use as perch sticks.Thorne Bros rods have nicer blanks,and are the first choice in ice rods for me.

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Jason Mithell Elite series rods

[Northlander]

I have TB rods, Scottie rods, Midwest Rods and a few other custom rods and all of them are very nice rods.

I will tell you that no matter where you get a custom rod of any type done no exactly what you want. Handle type, (tennessee or holder, cork or wood or foam) blank material, guides type, length of blank and if its going to be a inside /outside or both rod.

It really helps to be able to talk to the exact guy who will build it and if possible play with some of his/her past works.

I have yet to buy a "Bad" custom rod but I did my homework.