I’m going to have a TUCR precision rod as my primary eye rod, but I need a couple more and my budget can’t do all custom…what are your favorite mass produced rod?? So far I’m between st.croix premiere, 13 whiteout, or TFO hardwater rods….I’m leaning towards whiteout, because I love their wicked rods….what are your favorites???
I have mostly custom rods now as well but I had st croix premiers and some cabelas rods that I still carry for friends to use. They worked well when I used them and my friends still catch fish on them too. The main reason I’ve switched to custom rods is for the better guides. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but bring on the ice!
Check out the new abu garcia veritas ice rods, they look pretty slick.
13 Wicked series is sweet….
I bought a fenwick elite tech last year, I like it a lot.
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I bought a fenwick elite tech last year, I like it a lot.
Like these also and if you have a scheels in your neighborhood check out some of their rods. Good rod with a lifetime warranty.
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I have mostly custom rods now as well but I had st croix premiers and some cabelas rods that I still carry for friends to use. They worked well when I used them and my friends still catch fish on them too. The main reason I’ve switched to custom rods is for the better guides. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but bring on the ice!
X2
The Croix Premier is a decent rod for the money which is what I used 100% of the time before going custom.
No contest. Definetely the (Temple Fork Outfitters) TFO hardwater ice rods designed by Gary Loomis. No gimmicks. Great warranty. Cost? $29-$39. Just pick one up and you’ll notice the difference from other factory rods.
Bite the bullet buy two more TUCs get a otter rod case and protect your investment. In a few years you will want more customs and will notice you spent that 30-40 on a lesser quality rod. – QB
Unfortunately I’ve not been able to try any of those rods. I’ve been running Jason Mitchell rods.
For walleyes I’ve had good luck withe perch 26″. Works great in the portable and alright outside. If you prefer a longer length then I recommend elsewhere.
Inititially I chose JM rods over Croix due to production quality. Too many of the Croix ice rods had guides that didn’t line up. After I got my first JM, I got several more and very satisfied. For $30 a decent deal and have been able to find them on sale after the initial frenzy to start the season.
That said last year I broke down and got my first custom. A Thorne Bros perch sweetheart 
That’s a truly nice rod and a bit more versatile than my JM.
FYI – I have four models from Mitchell’s line up. Best one is the meatstick for light biting panfish and deadsticking walleyes. Never pull the walleye off the shelf as it’s a little too stiff but I got it very cheap.
Look into the Mr Walleye series ice rods. I like mine for jig fishing the most. They’re light, sensitive and have a comfortable grip. I also own a couple Jason Mitchell rods, but I tend to use those more for dead sticking or pan fishing. The Mr Walleye rods just have a stiffer tip, which makes it easier for me to get a good hookset.
I was looking at the St. Croix’s at MFF and they came with reels, Are the reels junk or so-so? It would be for panfish. I thought the Fenwicks looked and felt nice.
I forgot to add in my post that I will never buy a St Croix ice rod again. For the price price, the premier doesn’t come with a more sensitive rod, only a different spring bobber. I once broke an Avid rod on the very first time I set the hook with it and they wouldn’t warranty it because they had been discontinued.
Jason Mitchell and 13 Fishing White Out rods would be my first two choices. I was about to pull the trigger and pick up one of the ultra-light and medium light action White Out rods yesterday, but I figured that I better take inventory of what I have at home in my rod cases before I purchase any others. I guess I’ll just have to wait until the Ice Show in St.Paul now to pick them up 
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