Ice Rods

I was wondering if anyone know of a less $$$ ice rods that are comparable to the TUCR Noodle and Bullwhip?

There are some production rods out there that will be close to what you are looking for, but the trade off with going with a TUCR, Thorne, etc. is that each blank is going to be “tuned” so say, to it’s maximum potential. Not to take away from production rods, more trophy fish have been caught with off the shelf equipment, but when buying or building a custom you get exactly what you want.

-Midwest Rodworks

You can look at DH Custom rods, I have a mix of TUCR and DH rods, they are comparable in a lot of aspects of performance while DH may be a little less $.

Example would be the DH AL Dente compared to The TUCR Precision Noodle. There is a noticable difference between to rods but I can cant say one catches more fish than the other nor that one is better than the other

On the flip side, there is the customer service. While I havent dealt with either in a broken or damaged rod situation, TUCR is more involved on the front end when ordering a rod.

I have no complaints with either rod performance and regularly use both as I keep them tied up with different jigs/plastics to make switching easy based on what the fish want

If you fish mainly in a shack, you could get a thorne bros power noodle for about $20-30 cheaper than the TUCR. That cost difference is basically tied to the recoil guides the TUCR has on it(at least the majority of it).

Those guides are great! But if you fish in a heated shack they aren’t strictly necessary.

You could support one of the small rod builders on here like me and get a nice rod $30-$40 less and still get a full custom rod.

http://www.limitcreek.com/IceRods.html

Look into Kichler custom rods he build a quality rod whatever you desire. Facebook him

Mike Klein wrote:

Look into Kichler custom rods he build a quality rod whatever you desire. Facebook him

Will Do

Kurt Turner wrote:

http://www.limitcreek.com/IceRods.html

Love the prices. Do you use those rods?

Kurt Turner wrote:

http://www.limitcreek.com/IceRods.html

Noticed these on their website earlier this summer.
I’ll be hunting them down soon. Thanks for the reminder.
Can’t imagine anything less than their open water offerings which are outstanding.
Great to see they are expanding along with fly rods

Tom Kolinski wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Kurt Turner wrote:</div>
http://www.limitcreek.com/IceRods.html

Love the prices. Do you use those rods?

Weird, posting close to the same time. I think it maybe a new introduction. Been while since I visited the wbsite

Have you considered building your own?

It’s a fun, rewarding, and relatively easy process and if you DIY a few things you would spend roughly the same (if not less) as what you’re looking to spend on a new rod. Then, after the first rod, you can build another “custom” rod for about 25 bucks and that’s using all quality components (minus titanium guides but Pac Bay makes some nice fly guides that work great for ice rods). Then your fishing buddies will want you to build them one You’ll learn an awesome skill and maybe make a few bucks in the process.

If you have a cordless drill you can even wet-sand the blank to whatever action you’re looking for, also an easy process. If you are interested and want some advice on supplies and stuff, message me.

https://ace-custom-rods.myshopify.com/

Ace Custom rods are starting to get a following! Stuart Manning really does a fantastic quality job on each customization and can do just about anything to a rod for you.

Check out JT Customs 30″ Panhandler with built in Nitinol spring bobber. its not a noodle rod, but has the advantages of both a feel bite in the solid carbon fiber blank, and the visual bite with the spring bobber. Probably my favorite panfish rod ive ever used.

Why do rod builders these days not use reel seats?

“Fancy” rod and I need castration bands? Don’t make sense to me.

Rubber bands and tape are for school projects!

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Why do rod builders these days not use reel seats?

“Fancy” rod and I need castration bands? Don’t make sense to me.

Rubber bands and tape are for school projects!

Alot of it has to do with weight reduction and having better feel through the handle.

I thought it had to do with balance also. Some reels are heaver and some lighter. Without having a fixed location for the reel I can slide it back and forth to find the perfect sweet spot.

Check out what TUCR just announced with the inferno line. Might be a little better for your price range.

Just received a limit creek “lil smoothie” walleye rod. It is super light and cant wait to try it out. Heck of a deal on a quality rod.

Mat Peirce wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ryan Wilson wrote:</div>
Have you considered building your own?

It’s a fun, rewarding, and relatively easy process and if you DIY a few things you would spend roughly the same (if not less) as what you’re looking to spend on a new rod. Then, after the first rod, you can build another “custom” rod for about 25 bucks and that’s using all quality components (minus titanium guides but Pac Bay makes some nice fly guides that work great for ice rods). Then your fishing buddies will want you to build them one You’ll learn an awesome skill and maybe make a few bucks in the process.

If you have a cordless drill you can even wet-sand the blank to whatever action you’re looking for, also an easy process. If you are interested and want some advice on supplies and stuff, message me.

I 2nd this – building your own is great!

I started building my own rods last spring. With two young boys, and an affection for quality gear I figured it might not be a bad hobby to get into. I am not mechanically gifted, if you are you can fabricate most of the tools you need to build rods. I am very patient, and through reading and watching videos I picked up on rod building fairly quickly. It’s not all that different from building traditional wood arrows, which I also do. I haven’t tried sanding my own blanks yet, but that is the next project.

I own a TUCR PN and QT. Absolutely love both rods. I will never give them up. But this summer I finished two noodle rods, one 32″ and one 42″ (hole hopper) and I’d say both rods have an action very similar to a TUCR Bullwhip. I have on order, the gear to make a couple carbon rods, one for light duty spoons, and one for heavier work.

Sorry for getting off topic from the original question, but I’m really hooked on rolling my own rods.

***Not to say there isn’t a need for high quality customs. I may order another TUCR myself soon. Something in a heavier action, just in case Erie freezes up this year.***

Matt Brookman wrote:

Ace Custom rods are starting to get a following! Stuart Manning really does a fantastic quality job on each customization and can do just about anything to a rod for you.

Ace makes a good product, I really like mine. BUT. I can no longer support a company that bashes and talks down other rod builders while “moderating” groups with strict “no bashing” rules. Absolutely despicable and a massive abuse of power, in my mind.

DH and Thorne both offer custom blanks with less expensive guides to bring the price down a little bit. I have a couple Thorne rods with standard guides and the price just can’t be beat! JT makes some really good rods, but the price is still most likely out of your range. I hope sometime in the future that TUCR will begin to include standard guides on their setups to bring the price down a hair. Recoil guides are a huge improvement, but not always necessary. You could also get your hands on a TUCR Inferno if they will be stocking them in stores at Cabelas.