I’m looking into buying a new ice fishing rod (if winter ever comes) and wanted some input. I would love to buy a TUC rod, but have other options I’m looking at. One is a Frabil QT rod and the other is a meatstick rod. I’d be fishing strictly panfish/crappie. Also what lengths work best for you guys. Iv’e always been a fan of shorter ice fishing rods. Praying for a cold front. Hope anyone fortunate enough to be on ice luck!
Just picked up a precision noodle at the ice show looks like it will be a good one I suggest anything with a soft tip more a visual bite for panfish I think. I had a meat stick thing was garbage broke the first time out. Get a hard case and protect your investments.
Just picked up a precision noodle at the ice show looks like it will be a good one I suggest anything with a soft tip more a visual bite for panfish I think. I had a meat stick thing was garbage broke the first time out. Get a hard case and protect your investments.
At Scheels we have a sale on some really nice hard cases and I was gonna pick one up then I realized that the case is way too nice for my rods, then I’d have to get nicer rods
Fishing in a shack, or flip over, I’d stick to under 28″.
If you’re hole hopping, I like 32″ or better.
Frabil QT is a good place to start, quality rod for the price. I much prefer the tip on the QT over the lighter tips like the meat stick, snitch, etc.
Frabil QT in 28-30″ is what I have and like.
Take a look at the new ice rods from Limit Creek. If the quality is anything like their open water rods, these will be great as well. Competitive prices and free shipping offer going on right now. http://www.limitcreek.com/index.html
These are nice rods. A great value when compared to similar rods offered.
I’m a consistent poster that the meatstick is awesome. I have the 28″ and my wife has the 24″. Get the 28″ as it’s slightly more versatile and still works well in the shack. I get some time with it as a deadstick for walleye too. Allows me to carry fewer rods.
Frabil QT is a good place to start, quality rod for the price. I much prefer the tip on the QT over the lighter tips like the meat stick, snitch, etc.
I’ve seen days the fish prefer one rod tip type over the other too(fast action carbon vs glass noodle type). They put a different action on the lure. I carry both when out panfishing and see how the day goes.
I have a 28″ Jason Mitchell Meatstick that I feel is a fantastic rod. However, if you fish outside the guides near the tip freeze shut because they are so small. Once they freeze shut the rod tips get broken easily because the line gets caught in the iced up tip when reeled in if not careful. So…. I ended up stripping the guides off the rod and replaced them with larger recoil guides. Yeah, I know, I spent more money on the guides than what I paid for the rod. However, it’s still about $40-$50 less than a custom noodle/quick tip rod and I can’t believe what a difference it made in the action. If you can find a used Meatstick or one on the cheap, I would not be afraid to “upgrade” the rod like I did. I often prefer using the JM rod more than any of my light customs.
Finally got a chance to use the new version of the Tickle Stick and Widow Maker’s from 13 Fishing the past 2 weekends. The new Tickle Stick is a great improvement in the guides – won’t freeze up nearly as much anymore. The fact that they took a guide out also seems to have really helped spread the action out, I’ve been really impressed fishing spoons for perch with a L action.
The Widow Maker’s have blown me away though. I thought they’d be good, but I’ve been on a VERY light bluegill bite both times out and the ability to not only feel but see the super light bites with the flat tip has been critical. I ended up giving my fishing partner my other one because he wasn’t getting bites and he was amazed. If you can get to one of the shows that are left this weekend, you may be able to get a good deal on either model.
As far as actions / lengths I only panfish so I have almost all 27″ UL or L rods. UL’s for jigs, L’s for spoons. Good luck in your search, and yes, lets get a cold front soon!!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
