genz vs thorn bros rods

[Wanderer]

Consider yourself lucky to have the good old mass produced craftsmanship that WAS available! Good for you!

I don't have any of the rods you speak of but understand what you're describing. To get that kind of quality these days you need to start looking to the pricier customs like T.B.

I once bought a 7' Lightning rod with the yellow wraps a year or so after they quit that design. I loved the old ones and when I saw it, I would have paid too much for it just to have it. Luckily, as an old stock odd ball on the rack, I was actually able to negotiate a great price for it to get it out of the store!

Good luck this weekend Will. It sounds like you already have some good stuff!

[slipperybob]

That's the one thing that I differ is in handle size. I have a preference for the smaller handle diameter. Although I can use the bigger handles they seem take away in the finesse feel for me. I do agree that stainless steel guides are acceptable but I really want better freeze preventions in ceramic guides like Fuji Alconites or SiC's.

For example current St. Croix premiere round tennesee handles...I feel like they're just way too big especially for any med light to ultra light power rods. The Legends have the handle size that I like, but...$50 for that and they don't even have a full 28" rod...and still stainless steel line guides.

I'm currently using two TB rods Pan and Perch sweet heart outside 32" models. Tennesee handles, but now I sort of wish I spent the extra $$$ on the hidden hood handles. Learning the customs...In general I find rods with only three line guides often have to much of a line pressure bend angle on the first line guide.

[rockman]

I have 4 of the first generation Berkley Lightning Genz Ice Rods.I use them mainly for crappie and perch.They are good rods for the money, but are lacking a bit in comparision to my Thorne Bros. rods.The TB rods have much better sensitivity, and measured give in the blank. Berkley did it right, however, on those first Genz rods.

[Matt Johnson]

Bruce,

Those last two Thorne Bros rods do look nice. The guy who made those must have skill Let me know if you need me to build up another one.

Thorne Bros uses the highest grade graphite. You'll notice with other rods that the guides will spin or twist on you. That has nothing to do with the epoxy/flex coat, it has everything to do with the graphite. Cheaper quiality graphite is not spun as tight, so it will spin/unwind. If you try to spin the guides on a Genz or St. Croix ice rod, you'll see that they will get out of line very easy. Try it with a Thorne Bros rods and you're going to pop the guide before anything spins. Quality graphite goes a long way, not only in feel, but in performance and durability. Thorne Bros also takes the time to find the "sweet spot" on the blank. Every blank has a sweet spot and you want the rod to fall into that line when you bend it. Most companies won't do that because it takes extra time to do so. Again, this goes into the performance of the rod.

Basically it comes down to a situation where you pay for what you get. Some people choose to buy higher end cars because they know they are getting a better product. Will the lower end car get the job done? You bet, but don't expect it to perform as well as the higher end model/make.

Thorne Bros does indeed use the highest end graphite, cork, and components. And each rod is built by hand. Not a single step is run through a machine or manufactured. The guides are sighted to ensure straightness. The cork is glued on to ensure top quality. Each rod is taken care of

And every Thorne Bros rod is made in Fridley, MN at the store... a USA product

[polarsusd81]

I think right now, the best thing out there is the Thorne Bros line of rods.

That said, if you were lucky enough to get some of the older Berkley Lighting Rods that were talked about here, you are pretty lucky. I have two of them and really love them and back when I picked em up, the only better option on the market was the Thorne Rods. The only downside to them, like others mentioned were the stainless guides, they freeze up pretty quick.

From this point on, the Thorne Line will be my first choice on ice rods as all the other options aren't even close.

[Steve Foss]

I too have one of the older Berkley Lightning rods, the 36-inch heavier baitcaster, which I've used for lakers for six winters. I love that rod and it has given tremendous service.

However, there ARE a few things that could be improved (not necessarily the blank but in the design), and I'll be happy when I spring the jing to work with a custom rod builder on an addition.

[Will]

i also have one of those. what kinds of improvements are you talking about? just curious.

[Wanderer]

Sounds like the main detractor to those rods is the guides. Cut them off and re-wrap some better ones on.

[rockman]

I couldn't agree with you more,polar. The downside with the Berkley sticks were the limitations on the length and action.They only offered a few options.Thorne Bros. can build a guy whatever size and action of ice rod suits his fancy.It is better to have more options available where a custom rod is concerned.