I don’t own one but like the idea of a custom built ice rod built for the way I fish. I’ve been reading the post on how every one likes them. I’ve decided I need Two. I can’t find anything on the website showing options but have seen posts talking about upgrades on guides and other stuff. TO have a custom rod built do I call or email them. Would love to stop in and talk with them but it’s 200 miles away.
I would call either Matt Johnson there or ask for Pat. Both Guys are very knowledg 
able and will be able to help you.
Quote:
I don’t own one but like the idea of a custom built ice rod built for the way I fish. I’ve been reading the post on how every one likes them. I’ve decided I need Two. I can’t find anything on the website showing options but have seen posts talking about upgrades on guides and other stuff. TO have a custom rod built do I call or email them. Would love to stop in and talk with them but it’s 200 miles away.
Calling them will work. The big thing is telling them how you fish and the purpose of the rod you’re interested in and the guys at TB will lay out your options and help you put together the perfect rod for the way you fish.
Type in Thornebros.com. On the left of the page you’ll see a box labeled rod building.
Its to bad you are not closer. Last night during Matts seminar on fishing local lakes he passed around some of the different combos he uses. This was some nice stuff. A huge difference from the cheap off the shelf stuff I have been using and a big eye opener to what is available now a days.
As with any custom made fishing pole talking with the rod builder a head of time is the way to go. Its just part of having a rod made.
I have worked with pat before on custom rods and the guy is a champion!!! Very very knowledgable and a super professional guy. You cant go wrong.
Ace
Quote:
I don’t own one but like the idea of a custom built ice rod built for the way I fish. I’ve been reading the post on how every one likes them. I’ve decided I need Two. I can’t find anything on the website showing options but have seen posts talking about upgrades on guides and other stuff. TO have a custom rod built do I call or email them. Would love to stop in and talk with them but it’s 200 miles away.
Mike:
Glad to hear you’re going this route, as it’ll no doubt improve your fishing, and the fun you have doing it.
All great things already mentioned, and I’d like to add a bit about reel-selection. Whatever you do, make sure you choose a very lightweight reel for these rods, that compliment your fishing style and species. The last thing you want to do is purchase the very best ice rod that money can buy, light as a feather and ultra-sensitive, only to slap on your avg UL reel with half a roll of duct tape!
When mounting your reel, be cognizant not only of balance/leverage points, but more importantly for me anyway, the way you grip the ice-rod in your hand. I personally put an index finger out in front, touching the rod-blank while I jig. For this reason, my reel seat is mounted a bit forward compared to most.
You’ll never be happier with an ice-rod!
Joel
Quote:
I’ve decided I need Two.
Mike- I also recommend calling them to talk with them, I have only ever dealt with Matt, and he has always put a smile on my face- The “stock” power noodle comes in 24″ length, I had them make mine at 29″ and upgraded the guides to REC RECOIL® guides, and Fuji titanium SIC tip top. On this rod, I put a new 500 series shimano symetre on it. On the other hand, I bought the bone stock quiverstick and left it as is…I just had them custom color it…and I put a fly reel on it, per Matt’s recommendations.
Oh yeah, and about the two part, its fine if you tell yourself that, but just don’t tell your wife, that way after you fish them, and you decide you need “two” more, you won’t have to explain to her why your newest two aren’t enough…been there done that!
I have most of mine custom built now cause I like the new syncork handles. I just tried my new quiverstick with it today and its nice. Its so light that you can feel any kind of weight or movement on the line. Like Luke said you need to match a lightweight high quality reel or else you delete the purpose of a sensitive rod.
Luke,
What is the orange line you are using on the Symetre?
Thanks,
FDR
Mike- I also recommend calling them to talk with them, I have only ever dealt with Matt, and he has always put a smile on my face- The “stock” power noodle comes in 24″ length, I had them make mine at 29″ and upgraded the guides to REC RECOIL® guides, and Fuji titanium SIC tip top. On this rod, I put a new 500 series shimano symetre on it. On the other hand, I bought the bone stock quiverstick and left it as is…I just had them custom color it…and I put a fly reel on it, per Matt’s recommendations.
Oh yeah, and about the two part, its fine if you tell yourself that, but just don’t tell your wife, that way after you fish them, and you decide you need “two” more, you won’t have to explain to her why your newest two aren’t enough…been there done that!
Luke,
I see in your pictures that you have a fly reel on that rod. I have seen and read other people doing that and I was wondering if there is an advantage with a fly reel compaired to a spinning reel? I looked at prices on fly reels and they get spendy really fast!
The quiverstick rod is simply amazing.. 
Even with mono line you can feel even the slightest movement of your jig. I would imagine fishing with a braid it would be even more sensitive. The fly reel is designed for 2 things. 1 is so that it fits into the palm of your hand better and to set the hook its just a quick turn of the wrist instead of a full arm motion to set the hook. Reason 2 is so that when you peel the line off the fly reel it will have zero twist in the line compared to a standard spinning reel. It is definatley a user preference to this type of reel on the quiverstick. If you can get to the store to put your hands on it you will know right away if its for you….I personally didn’t like how the fly reel felt so I went with the standard spinning reel… 
Hey Luke,
Interesting idea to use a fly reel on an ice fishing rod. What kind of reel is that, and what size? I can see the advantage of a large arbour fly reel over an ultralight spinning reel….the spool diameter is much bigger which will reduce line “curlies”. On the other hand, all of my fly reels balance an 8 or 9 foot long fly rod, not a jiggle stick. Does it feel heavy to you? Also, are you using the drag with the fly reel or just using to hold line? Cool idea!
Rootski
Luke,
How do you like your fly reel? I never thought about this concept until this year, and I’m starting to think it may be getting a shot in my arsenal. not to mention I would imagine I would be able to easily fit that into my rod case.
Are these reels taped on? or is that stuff shrink tubing? I use both but the color of yours is pretty cool…recently I’ve used some hockey stick tape in camo color that looks pretty kewl too.
Quote:
Its a secret, its is in developmental stage, the line actually smells like baitfish…
Only kidding..
I believe it is suffix 2lb ice line, I tried some new panfish lines this year, because every where was sold out of pline. I really do like the suffix!
I like your answer Luke! Thanks
FDR
LundgEYE
3M makes several different colors. I use grey cuz I got a special deal on a bunch of it.
I assume you could pick some up from a electrical shop.
I totally love the fly reel…it is a cortland 4-5 weight….it balances the rod perfectly. The zero line twist is an amazing advantage. I use the drag…as well as my hand..and the fact that I landed a 22″ walleye on a gill pill with 2 lb test speaks for the functionality of this setup…it is becoming my favorite thorne.
Yep..just plain old electrical tape from lowes. I like the blue and yellow colors…of course that doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that those are the cjs colors!!
The only thing I don’t like about my rod is the electrical tape-doesn’t feel right on the handle.
Joel,
What reel do you like in this situation?
Quote:
The only thing I don’t like about my rod is the electrical tape-doesn’t feel right on the handle.
Maybe try hockey stick tape. It stretches a little for a very tight hold. It is not slick like other tape either. Its more like a cloth.
Feel free to give any of us a call whenever you feel. Lonnie is the head rod builder and he is at the store Mon-Thurs, otherwise either Pat or myself are darn near there the rest of the days in someway. But like mentioned, everyone on our staff is knowledgeable when it comes to the ice rods and you’ll always find someone on the other end of the phone that can help steer you in the right direction.
With that being said, I’m also willing to answer any specific questions any of you have in here as well. I might not be in these forums everyday, but I’ll get to them eventually 
And if I’m not here, Luke Haugland owns just about every Thorne Bros ice rod known to man so he can give you personal experience as well 
Quote:
And if I’m not here, Luke Haugland owns just about every Thorne Bros ice rod known to man so he can give you personal experience as well
Sure hope the wife doesn’t see this thread!
How does that one go? My worst fear is that when I die, my wife will sell all my fishing gear for what I told her I paid for it…
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
