Glass vs. Graphite Blanks

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

What do you guys think of the solid glass blanks that are on some rods now? I just got a lightning rod that is solid glass from cabelas.. do you think it will work out? Thanks for the input i know the majority will go with graphite i just thought i would try one out with a cardinal 100u

Ryan

[Northlander]

It will work fine. May be a bit softer and less sensitive but there are some nice glass blanks out there. I have a glass laker rod I really like.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Generaly fiberglass is less sensitive, softer action, heavier, cheaper, and more durable than graphite rods.

Glass rods are not bad, but for the most part higher end rods are made of graphite except for a few technique specific rods.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

alright thanks for the tips guys i'll try it out this year and see how it goes if i dont like it i will just get rid of it, it only cost me 10 bucks from cabelas...

Ryan

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I use graphite rods for walleyes so that I can feel the bite better.

I prefer to use glass rods for panfish so that I can "SEE" the bite. A wimpy glass rod will let you see the bite long before you would "feel" a bite when using a graphite rod. I find that I do not even need a float or spring bobber with glass rods.

I use the cheap 30" light wt., HT Ice Blue rods. $4 or $5 each!

The glass rod is also much more forgiving if you tend to set the hook to hard on fish like crappies. It will not rip their lips off! I am often guilty of that type of hookset especially after fishing for lake trout or walleyes in deep water for a while.

I have also managed to ice a few pike that hit a crappie jig that went up to 14# on 4# test line with these rods. Really tough rods!

Cliff

[slipperybob]

The E-glass rods can take a lot of abuse. For example Shakespeare Ugly Sticks. Unfortunately they are stiff, bulky, and heavy in comparison to grahpite rods. The other type like the Cajun Ice rods are solid glass. They are flexible, small, and can be as light as a graphite rod blank. Graphite fishing rods can also come in a solid blank, making them smaller and lighter compare to other hollow core graphite blanks. A few rods are made of carbon or carbon/graphite composites. Carbon fibre are stronger than graphite, so less material can be used to be lighter.

If only they make a carbon rod with the strength like those of carbon arrow shafts...

[hanson]

This topic kind of ties into my other lengthy post on ice fishing rods.

Graphite is more sensitive than Glass which is why all the high end open water rods are graphite. If you ask an open water walleye fisherman their opinion on an Ugly Stick (Glass), you will be laughed at.

Same holds true for ice rods. Like I said before, if you are fishing a bobber, I could almost care less what kind of rod you are using- Glass, Graphite, $5, or $50. Detecting the bite is what's critical and the bobber will show you the bite. Now I fish bobbers quite a bit as well and i thoroughly believe a high quality graphite rod will allow you to fight the fish better (more control), and provides a better experience (sensitivity). You can feel whats going on down there which is fun!

With rods used strictly for jigging, they've got to be graphite in my opinion. When fishing channel cats through the ice, detecting the bite is incredibly difficult since it is so light. Sometimes you'll feel a tick, sometimes a dead weight, sometimes the weight disappears, sometimes you feel nothing at all. With a glass rod, you would never feel any of these light bites at all.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

thanks for the insight fellas,

I will probably just use it as my bobber rod then. I do have to get a shorter rod for inside my fish trap scout though. What rod would you recomend? By the way im only 16 some im on a tight budget and donty believe i can afford another Thorne Bros rod even though they are fantastic. Thanks for you help maybe something under 30 bucks would be nice...

Ryan

[Borch]

If you can swing either one of Scotty's or Jason Mitchell's rods they will run about half the price of the Thorne rods. Both make excellent rods and I own rods from both of them. If you check out their web sites in the sponsers forum you'll see something that will meet your needs.

If your looking at something you can pick up in the store the Berkley lightening rods and the Genz rods have good value and run about $10 less than Scotty's and Jason Mitchell's rods. But they are not nearly the same rods in my opinion.

[slipperybob]

Everything to also setting the hook...If I set the hook on a graphite rod like that of a glass noodle rod, I'll likely tear my jig right out of the fish's mouth (pannies & perches). When in tight corners of a portable, a stiffer more sensitive rod with back bone is my preference. Only a twitch of my wrist. Now that depends on line type to and actual depth. With mono, I sort of feel like there's a slight delay, but that's all do to stretch. Fireline Crystal, it's like instantaneous.

[hanson]

I would check out the Genz rods man. I was in Cabelas today and they have them partnered up with a little reel for $29.99, on sale for $25 I believe. All things considered, not a bad little rod for the money.

Its been said many times as well but the Mitchell rods are going to be good sticks for the price as well. I was able to check out the entire line between the Scheel's store in Grand Forks and the Cabelas store in East Grand Forks this morning. Mine still haven't arrived in the mail and I have 6 different ones coming. Its going to be fun comparing rods this winter. Finally handled the "Meat Stick" rod. That boy has deadsticking rod written all over it.

If you are looking for a shorter rod- Mitchell's 26" Perch is pretty nice and then the 24" Panfish is nice as well, although the power is much lighter.

CrappieMan- Here's where your dilemma is going to be. You now have a very, very nice Thorne combo. Every other rod you buy and use this winter, you're going to tell yourself that it isn't as nice as my Thorne rod. I know, I've been there. Buy a couple cheaper combos to add to your arsenal and then add another good Thorne rod next year. You take care of those rods, they'll last you a very long time, I have a couple that are more than 10 years old (thats only $5 a year).

[rockman]

I will add that the Jason Mitchell rods, and the Genz Sticks will give you what you need for a bit less money.If you ever find any of the rods by Bad Dog Lures, with the wooden handles-grab 'em!I don't think they are made anymore, but those graphite sticks I have from Bad Dog are some of the toughest rods I own, with decent actions to boot.I have both graphite and glass rods.Each has a time and place to be used.Graphite would be the way to go if you only have a couple of rods to start, just for the 'feel' when detecting bites that Hanson described in his post/reply.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

well i was just up at gander snooping around and i picked up a st croix rod and a ton of little lures. I think if you name a lure i have it...in two or three colors lol! I spent 60 bucks on lures alone! got a little out of hand! you start walking down those isles and seein all this stuff and saying oo that looks like it would be good and get carried away! I have two of the genz sticks by the way, a perch one and a crappie one they are both last years model though. the gold combo i believe. I also have a cajun ice combo which i very ultalite-ish. thanks for the tips i think i am done with my purchases for this year. I do know my parents are looking at getting me another ice shack though... I am either going with the voyager or the guide.... i realize they are very different in price and features but thats a whole nother topic. Maybe i will post something about it later on..

Good Fishing,

Ryan

[TurnUpTheFishing]

$60?! I thought you were on a budget? haha. Next time in Gander check out the Guide Series rods there are some nice graphite rods less than $20.

I use a 'glass bobber rod and a 42" HT iceblue 'glass rod for late season pannies. There's no need to have a bucket full of expensive graphite rods sometimes fiberglass does the job just fine.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

yea i know i got to the register and had a minor heart attack when i saw a big 60! Oh well i earned a lot of money from mowing lawns over the winter, but gas is also getting expensive now

Later,

Ryan

[blueroof]

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Oh well i earned a lot of money from mowing lawns over the winter,

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Crappieman, I got a good laugh from that. Your quite the salesman. LB

[Matt Johnson]

Glass blanks are heavier than graphite blanks, so you will notice a difference in regards to weight in your hand, and like Steve said, graphite blanks are also more sensitive. However, glass rods are more durable and can withstand more abuse. So it really depends on the situation and what you're using it for...

[looneyducer]

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If you ask an open water walleye fisherman their opinion on an Ugly Stick (Glass), you will be laughed at.

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I think it would be more correct to say you SHOULD be laughed at. Unfortunately, I have been outfished more than once by die-hard open-water walleye-fishin' Ugly Stick users as I felt every nook and cranny of the contoured bottom with my beautifully crafted graphite rod.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Quote:

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Quote:

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If you ask an open water walleye fisherman their opinion on an Ugly Stick (Glass), you will be laughed at.

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I think it would be more correct to say you SHOULD be laughed at. Unfortunately, I have been outfished more than once by die-hard open-water walleye-fishin' Ugly Stick users as I felt every nook and cranny of the contoured bottom with my beautifully crafted graphite rod.

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Been there and had that done to me also!!

There are times that the more forgiving soft tip on glass rods will just plain catch more fish!

Cliff