Long ice rods

Got on ice this weekend for the first time up near Alexandria on Osakis Lake for some good panfish action. They have a solid 5-6″ on the north arm of the lake with a sloppy slush mix on top. Best part was I got a chance to try out the new gear, specifically my new St. Croix 36″ L action rod. I can honestly say I will never buy a short rod again! Handling and fighting fish was much more enjoyable than on any other ice rod I’ve fished. I know there are better (and more expensive)long rods than my new St. Croix and I hope to get one sometime… maybe Santa will read this post. Anyone else have the same reaction to their first long rod? What brands/models do you have, like, or heard good things about? Strictly so I can tell Santa what to get me

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I can honestly say I will never buy a short rod again!

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I’m with you… lovin’ the longer rods!

I’m thinking about trying a longer rod this season for crappie. Not sure how I will like it, I seem to prefer shorter rods… but have never used one over 26″. This is all assuming we will get some ice this year.

I noticed in the last video that the IDO crew were using some pretty long rods for walleye, looked like fun.

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I noticed in the last video that the IDO crew were using some pretty long rods for walleye, looked like fun.

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Those were 36″ TUC Precisions. And fun they are!

I like the long rods also. I feel I get a better hook set with them. Like any rod they have a place for them. I’ll use the long rod in the shelter set up as a dead stick to the farthest whole, makes it easy to reach, while I jig in the whole right in front of me.

I think those St.Croix rods are really nice rod especially for the money. I believe they are premier model and if I remember right they were something like $25 or $29. Certainly don’t brake the bank. I have 32 inch that I like to use. As for being a premier I really can not tell the difference between my 24 inch premier or the 24 inch legend that cost twice as much.

Im also a fan of long rods but feel they have their time and place of use. Their good for hole hopping when the conditions arent horrible outside.

Fighting freezing cold temps and winds while hole hopping outside this weekend on Upper Red I find it more difficult to manage the long rods. Maybe its was just me? With the line, guides, & reel constantly freezing or icing up it made it harder to use a long rod then a 24″-28″ rod. Plus having a digital sonar like the LX6 & 7 makes it difficult to see the screen too from further distance unless you got great vision.

I am going with some longer rods this year myself. It will be nice for venturning hole to hole and being able to stand up out side even in the wind. I’ll still use my short rods inside my shelter.

My favorite rods are typically 36 to 42″. The longer rods can be more challenging in an enclosed portable at times. But for out in the open, I have a hard time with even thinking about short rods. I’m getting old and the body has taken a beating over the years. Hunched over a hole to keep the tip in a reasonable distance from the ice is not my idea of comfort. after 10 hours on the ice, I don’t want to suffer the fatigue from being in an uncomfortable position all day.
The longer rods also are more versatile in actions and uses. Having more physical length in the rod allows for blank manufactures to change up tapers for faster or slower tips, same for the mid section, and still have a good back bone. I fish a lot of spoons, raps, plastics, and blades. I have never been able to find a satisfactory rod/action under 36″ for my uses.

Does anyone find it challenging reading a flasher at times with the long rod?

I currently use 42 inch customs i hand made for almost all of my jigging but i do have a couple 28 to 32 inchers for inside the portable.

Ajs

i started building my own ice rods 10 years ago because the longest ice rods you could find were 24 inches. that reminds me, i should make a trip to the supplier and pick up a few blanks, these are st.croix solid graphite 36″ blanks. flyrod tip blanks also make good ice rods.

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Does anyone find it challenging reading a flasher at times with the long rod?

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Nothing here.

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Does anyone find it challenging reading a flasher at times with the long rod?

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I never had a problem looking at the locator back sometimes it’s easier to see it

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I noticed in the last video that the IDO crew were using some pretty long rods for walleye, looked like fun.

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Those were 36″ TUC Precisions. And fun they are!

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I hadn’t even realized how much I liked fishing with the longer 36″ rod until I grabbed one of my 28″ rods last weekend since it was already tied up with a different spoon I wanted to get down the hole quickly… Long story short (pun intended) I’m going to be heading over to TUC very soon to pick up another 36″ rod.

set the flasher up on a 5gal bucket. you won’t have a sore neck at the end of the day either

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Does anyone find it challenging reading a flasher at times with the long rod?

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No problems here either.

Haven’t tried anything over a 28″ yet. I just ordered a 32″ perch sweetheart from Thorne Bros for in my Otter house, and a 36″ for hole hopping outside. From what I’ve heard, I won’t be disappointed! Can’t wait to get the call to go pick them up!

I use 42″ – 46″ for Lakers and my only complaint is the longer rod makes it more difficult to get the transducer out of the hole while keeping tension on the fish. Other than that I love it, anything under 36″ feels like a handicap.

Long rods are second to none in fighting a fish through the hole. But they, like shorter rods, have their time & place. For example, I’ve found that using my 42″ rods in adverse conditions hole hopping I loose a given degree of controlability of the profile. Wind grabs the lins and tip of the pole throwing the presentation in an unnatural direction. If the fish are all but jumping out of the hole this given loss of control may not be as critical. But if it’s a negative window or lite bite this may make all the difference in putting a few finned criters on the ice. In such conditions, I grab my 28 incher and position my body between the hole and direction of the wind. The shorter rod allows me to snuggle right up to the hole. My back takes the primary wind beating ~ not the tip of the pole and line.

Long rods are the way to go for hole hopping and boy is it fun to watch a long rod work as you pull up a big fish, nothing better IMO. I stick to strictly 36 inches and up but then again I never fish inside. Randy what is that rod you have pictured? It looks pretty sweet, I’m always looking for new rods to try out.

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Randy what is that rod you have pictured? It looks pretty sweet, I’m always looking for new rods to try out.

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Tip section of an old Loomis 4wt flyrod. I build all my own and come up with a variety of different blanks to use. I also find rods that are horrible in their original factory build, strip them down and build them right for the ice.

Randy, try a rebuilt Ice Blue some time. Slice that dumb foam handle off, sleeve on a section of other rod blank, then build the handle with cork rings, great noodle rods from 16″ to 48″.

Duke

I’ve been using mostly long rods. I generally fish in the open in all but the coldest weather. If it’s -15 or warmer, I’m fishing in the open.

I do have a couple 28″ rods for inside a shelter. Outside, I’ve got 32″ to 42″ rods. The longer rods seem to offer a better match to specific presentations. I’m still looking for a long rod to match up better with big targets.

The Scheels 42″ rod works well with the small targets, clak raps and Jit-r-jigs.

Electronics – I don’t notice any problem with having the flasher set back. I do spend a bit more time to make sure it’s pointed where I can look directly at it. Otherwise, there’s no issue with seeing it. My eyes are not as young as most.

Biggest challenge with the long rods, it takes different methods to see down the hole when you’re fighting a fish to see them get turned into the hole. If you want to see the fish and finese them to get started up the hole, you need to hold the rod to the side and back, not in front of yourself. I lost a few pigs on Lake Winnipeg until I developed new ways to hold the rod, and see down the hole.

I don’t have any issues fishing with the length in the wind. Contrary, I think it’s easier. I like to stay on my feet, or sit on the quad. A longer rod allows me to hold the tip closer to the ice surface without needing to get on my knees. Additionally, I’ve got a rod holder on the quad for a second rod. A 32″-42″ tends to have enough length to be positioned straight over the hole, a shorter rod would require drilling into the ice real close to the tires/tracks.

The length helps keep the right pressure on big fish. There’s more forgivness in the rod, and less effort to pull up or let-down fighting the fish.

There might not be as much reason for long rods with smaller fish. Lot’s of benefits if you’re fighthing bigger fish, and presenting your lure aggressive.

It’s less of a transition to go to the 32″ rods, more significant change fishing with a 42″ rod. 36″ and 42″ are my standard length ice rods.

I too must join the longer crowd as well. It has really paid off on back management and believe it has helped with some large fish landings as well.

I guess i just don’t understand why everyone loves long rods….it would seem to me that a longer rod would give you more leverage. making it easier to reel in the fish. i Like to fight my fish not just reel them up. maybe im missing the point but where is the sport if you can find them on your marcum and haul em in with the biggest and baddest rod available. i use both long and short rods depending on presentation but when it comes down to sport ive never had more fun than with my 24″ ultralight. yes my long rods catch fish but nothings better than landing a nice 10# pike on 4# mono on a 24″ bluegill rod. Gives a guy a sense of accomplishment. I like my 32″ medium action fenwicks but they are just a little to big for sport they reel em in with the best of them but my wife can do it. it takes no skill. hopefully she doesn’t read this……. just saying guys don’t hate on the shortys i enjoy and nice 34 or 35 myself but like many guys have said they all have their time and place

I guess i just don’t understand why everyone loves long rods….it would seem to me that a longer rod would give you more leverage.

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned yet is the advantage that long rods give you when fighting fish. With the long for you’ve got more rod to take the shock from big head shakes compared to a short stiff rod. Guys that don’t “get” long rods haven’t used one yet! Try it you’ll lose less fish and thank us for it

I can also snooze with a long rod while I’m lounge out on the lounge chair. Can’t do that with a short rod.