Ice rods

[harvey lee]

Looking to add to ones ice fishing rod arsenal? Here are two of the finer rod builders on Fishing MInnesota. Check them out. From baitcasters to the spinning line up and from ultra lites to the heavy rods for the monster lakers, these two can build what you will need.

http://www.thornebros.com/winter/rods/rods.html

http://www.jasonmitchellrods.com/ice.html

[wanger29]

Picked up a new Jason Mitchell ice rod last year. Made a couple of accidental modifications and is now my number 1 go-to rod. Very happy with it!

[NCLaker]

Cabella's XML series rod and combo's are also excellent quality and performance in my opinion. Combo's come with a reel that I think is actually made by Pflueger. Only wish they had some longer version for outdoor use.

Saw the on their bargain cave at a great price.

Never tried a JM, but it is tought to find a better dead stick rod than TBs. Spendy but worth it.

[Northlander]

The JM meatstick is now my go to rod for crappies and gills. No need for a spring bobber with these babies. A blast to use.

I also had good luck with the Mackinaw for those guys who are laker takers out there.

[MuleShack]

I got a powernoodle late last season and it totally takes away the need for a spring bobber. I love it.

[fishinJohn]

I bought two JM rods a few weeks ago and I am very happy with the quality. I am looking forward to giving them a try.

[Scott K]

I got a couple JM rods this season and cant wait to try them out.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have a couple Jason Mitchel rods.. for the money, a very quality rod... I have a few thorne brothers rods as well, their quality is UNMATCHED!!!!

[dan z]

love them JM's have a couple of them, the elite series of st.croix rods also work really well, but foe some reason a JM is my first ice rod that gets wet line.

[JohnMickish]

Last year I added a JM Meatstick to my Thorne Bros collection and for the money it was a quality rod. I say was because somehow it broke inside my hard case. I'll probably replace it this winter but what I don't understand is to have it replaced under warrenty (half the new price + $20) it would cost me more than if I just go out and get another one?? I paid $28 for it at Cabelas and it would be $34 thru JM to get it repaired/replaced. Go figure.

[dkf]

I wish there was a 24" JM Meatstick version. 28" rods are a little too long in my portable.

[harvey lee]

One needs to be very, very careful with the meatsick as the tip is very thin and fragile.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I have quite a few JM ice rods. I just picked up a couple new perch rods and a couple spring bobber rods. Can't wait to try em out.

The cool thing about the JM rods is that a guy can get into a very high quality rod, at a price a working class slob like myself can afford.

[slipperybob]

I've got a 25" meatstik. Tip broke and I've only used it once. It worked well for playing fish, but the old cheapo glass rod still works better for deadsticking.

[evinrude19]

has anyone tried a genz stik? i am thinking about trying one out i like the cork handles on them but have no exprience with them.

thanks

zach

[polarsusd81]

The Genz sticks do feel nice in your hand. They are built pretty well too. For the dough, they are probably one of the better choices out there. The ones I looked at didn't have quite the right action for me though.

[dan z]

i do have a couple genz stix but thier not my go to rods the handles are light and little a real big plus when strokin pannies the reels are not that great on the combos so i would buy a replacement when ya buy the combo

[evinrude19]

ok i think i am just gonna buy the silver one and give that one a try

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Recently picked up a coulpe Genz rods cheap on hsolist and they seem pretty nice to me. The ones I got were medium lights so we'll see how they work. Bought them to use as backups to the Thorn Bros. and St.Croix's I already have. One question, does anyone have any of Scotty's Custom rods and what are your impressions??

[Deitz Dittrich]

Hey all, just wanted to let people know... If going to buy genz rods this year they will be different. Nature Vision, the company that makes the Aqua-Vu used to make the rods for Mr.Genz.. this is not longer the case for 08'. Mr.Genz will be making his own rods this year. Nature Vision will release their own rods this year as well, that will be of very good quality for the price. They will be called Rip City rods...

I just didnt want anyone to go buy the Genz rods and have them be as described above. The old genz rods were nice for the money, and I expect Mr Genz to make a very good rod for himself, I am interested to see how they are. I also expect the Rip City rods to be quite good as well.

not a commercial post, just keep the information as an FYI.

[Northlander]

I have several of the older Genz Rods from when they 1st came out with the bigger eyes. Those were a better rod than the previous small eyed ones in my opinion. The last Genz rods didnt thrill me. Im anxious to see what the rips cities look like.

If you can find some older Yad rods those were awesome rods for the money. Very very simular to the Genz rods I liked. Maybe even the same blank etc.

[Dan Brelje]

Have a couple Thorne Bros and hope to add more to the bag. Picked up a JR Tackle rod last year too, very nice for the $$

[mozy]

I've never had any quality combos because I have never taken icefishing too seriously, but I hope to this year. I've been looking at getting a few Jason Mitchells this year and will probably be putting on Tica Cetus reels. Haven't figured out which models on anything yet because I want to get my hands on them before I put money down for 'em.

[harvey lee]

I have all the different models of Tica reels and they all have performed well for me. I now purchase the less spendy ones as they work just fine.

[polarsusd81]

I agree with Harvey, even the bottom of the barrel Cetus reel is better than any other I have used for ice fishing. Very very smooth reel.