Rods..

[Jordyn Kaufer]

Which rods are good ones but aren't big $$$$$?

I will proally need a road/reel combo and lookin maybe about buying them in bulk.

I heard something about buying the Genz rods like 7 for $70 or something.

Anyone have any suggestions besides power noodles?(i will proally get a power noodle in the summer for my B-Day)

[rodmaker]

Look under the sponsor show case. There is a post out there that can help

[dan z]

store branded stuff should be going on sale pretty soon. I was at gander yesterday and they had some on sale. If you can waite a little longer I would buy some JM's you can usually buy them for like 18 bucks on sale. best rod for my money ne, I have not tried TB's yet and I think I wont be either I love my JM's

[rodmaker]

I was referring to the other ones they sell. Not the custom ones. They s/b going on sale also. Joes' would be another place to check.

[Jordyn Kaufer]

I would like to buy rod/reel combos for now.

I am going to get a TB rod for my b-day with a rod case so I want nicer cheap rods

[deadstick]

I've got a blue "Rapala" rod that I got pretty cheap - great sensitivity and backbone. I prefer it to a number of my more spendy rods - probably bought it a few years ago though.

[Jordyn Kaufer]

Thank you!

I currently have $-120 because I owe my dad some $$$$.

I will hopefuly paythat off soon so I can buy some so I am doing research right now haha

[fishwater]

IMO the best deal around for a M action jigging rod is the Rapala series ice rod. I've seen them for $8 and they have really fast action. For a jigging rod, I like the fastest action possible. As far as cheaper lighter rods, as suggested, I'd look at store branded rods. Make sure to check them out good, they are going to be way cheap in a couple more weeks, but heavily picked through.

Anyone have any suggestions besides power noodles?(i will proally get a power noodle in the summer for my B-Day)

Power noodles are sweet, but they aren't an all purpose jigging rod. If you want something similar, check out the HT blue noodle rods. They are cheap and durable.

[deadstick]

A popular auction site has some right now for under $15, but when I searched the Internet for "Rapala Ice Fishing Rod" I found some for $10 or $11 (without a reel). I also found out they are no longer made so not many stores would have them.

[Cold_blood]

if you can still find them i personally like the bro series quick tip combo it's sweet and only $40 for the whole set up but if you've gotta go cheaper than that well i'd just save my money till i could afford the bro rod lol

[Ed Carlson]

The Jason Mitchell Combo's are great rigs.

Bro's Combo's are solid choices too.

There are some great deals on Gander Professional Series Rod/Reel combo's right now. Very nice reels, lots of rod options.

Surprisingly the Ugly Stick Combo's are not too shabby either, very durable...reels could be better.

[CALVINIST]

Jordyn,

I would suggest spending between 60-70$ on a decent combo. I know that sounds like alot, but well worth it (I spend more). You will have the confidence that your combo will perform. Nothing worse than having junk. I suggest a JM spring bobber rod, 30$, matched with a good quality reel around 30$. Cabalas has the Fish Eagle, Gander has their Guide series, both solid reels for the money. Those combos you see in the store that are already set up, I avoid like the plague . There might be some good combos out there, but I just don't trust them.

[CSP88]

Give a serious look into the Jason Mitchell line. You can get a JM rod paired with an Abu Garcia Cardinal 100U or 300U for around $50-$60. Solid combo!!

Chad

[Northlander]

Stay away from Combos. You either get a good rod and bad reel or vise versa. The rapala rods are very nice at that price range thats for sure. Gander will have some nice Gander rods on sale. If they have what ya like left. Then get a decent reel for yourself. Many reels to choose from. You should be able to get into a nice rod/reel for about $50. If your not real into ice fishing than check out some of the combos Ed mentioned.

Jason Mitchel has some nice combos out and I have seen some nice Northland combos too.

[deadstick]

I ditto what Northlander says about combos.

Out of all my rods (20+) I like my Rapala 2nd best. You really gotta match the action to your lure, and if you're fishing a big buckshot, jigging rap, or chubby darter - you really need a fairly stiff rod to properly jig it and maintain sensitivity. Pretty much every ice angler uses buckshots (or Rattl'rs or some rattling type spoon that's relatively heavy) nowadays.

FIY, my favorite rod was bought at a bait shop somewhere and I can't find them anymore - goes to show that Cabela's and Gander don't carry "everything". You can often find good reels in the bargain cave at Cabela's (people get the small reels for gifts and return them to get bigger ones).

I also really like some of my Scheels rods (not sure who makes them for Scheels), but they were quite a bit more than $10, and I really like a rod called a Grizzly (but that's a light action, used for perch), that I've only seen for sale at a bait shop on Devils Lake, don't remember the cost.

I stand pat with my answer - best cheap walleye rod is the Rapala (for the right type of lure, of course - I wouldn't jig a genz bug with it).

[Craigums]

I agree the Jason Mitchell rods are awesome. But do what I did, Wait a couple weeks until they go on sale at the big box stores. I got my Perch rod for 60% off, I threw a spring bobber on for panfish and take it off for walleye best all around rod I own. I will buy more when the sales start

[ducker]

Tough to beat the HT Ice Blues in the 24" light for a portable for panfish. Works well for other species also. My .02

[Northlander]

If you can find some YAD rods try them out. I have had very good luck with them and you can get them for $5 to $15 if you can find them.

[JavaJohn]

Rod/Reel combo's are suspect. I was at Cab's this past Sunday. They had some 25% sales going on with the rods. Picked up 5 different Bro series and had 2 with reel malfunctions. A few extra dollars spent now will make the fishing much more enjoyable and for much longer.

[zamboni]

Either I am not too fussy or I don't know what, but all the combos I have bought with the exception of one, a Berkeley I bought at their outlet, have all had decent reels. I have a St Croix, Jig A Whopper, Gander Mntn Guide Series, Shakespeare Ugly Stick all have bee decent. The Jig A Whopper and St Croix my favorite 2 so far.

[mr_jman]

I learned the tough way about the pre-built combos. I first bought a few cheaper ones and quickly learned that a cheap price often means a cheap reel. I bought a St. Croix rod/reel combo and the rod is really really nice, but the reel stiffens up way to quickly when it gets cold. I have decided to buy the rods and reels seperately. I find spending more money on the reel is worth every penny. I bought a $30 reel and it runs so smooth and the line feeds off of it really nice. I bought the last $10 Scheels 18" ultra light spring bobber rod and LOVE IT with my $30 reel! Wait for the sales but spend a little money on a nice reel because its such an important piece of equipment that you don't want to have fail when it matters!

[blackdog1101]

I've been very pleased with the combo I bought at GM last season. It's a Frabill rod and a Pflueger reel, both with the GM name on them. Paid $29.99.

[kwohl]

Like others have said, the reels with the combos are usually pretty poor quality. If you can get a $20 rod and a $20 reel, you're much better off than the $35 combo with a bad reel.

Though, I think it helped when I took the combo reels apart and cleaned that thick grease out of it. They still get a little sticky in the cold but they seem much more workable.

I really like my JM meatstick and just picked up a perch rod today (should have waited). I saw a combo there as well, but I wasn't too impressed by the reel.

[Jordyn Kaufer]

Ok thanks guys

[Fred_Bear]

Gander mountain usually has all ice rods 40% off towards the end of the season. You should be able to pick of a JM, bro, or st crioux there if you aren't too late. I recommend the St Crioux premiere, I really like those rods.