New ice rod, what’s your opinion

  • Fishy McGanzer
    Posts: 21
    #1980276

    I’m looking for a new walleye rod, I fish inside/outside and for big walleyes on a big river system with lots of current. Usually dropping no less then 3/8 or 1/2oz spoons/hardbaits. Seems like a TUCR Commander 32” would be ideal, now is there any rods you guys recommend that would directly compete with the commander? A 32” rod with a fast tip and good backbone for bigger baits and big walleyes. I’ve been running St Croix premiers, and 13 fishing rods and they are just okay.

    Also, how does the taper and tip action of the cheaper Inferno 32” medium compare to the commander? Or the Precision Power?

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    hoytpower
    buffalo county, wi
    Posts: 67
    #1980292

    If your on Facebook check out the custom ice rod builders page. Tons of guys making a quality product on there. Bought a couple of walleye blanks from jsoutfitters and have been really happy with the action and feel. Haven’t put a fish on one yet though. https://jsoutfitter.com/

    3rdtryguy
    Central Mn
    Posts: 1521
    #1980296

    Unless you’re into labels and hype there’s a lot of them on store shelves or $30-$40.

    Fishy McGanzer
    Posts: 21
    #1980299

    Unless you’re into labels and hype there’s a lot of them on store shelves or $30-$40.

    I have a closet full of 30-40 dollar rods. I don’t know if I’ve held one yet with anything more then a slow or moderate tip. I’m not into labels or hype, but if your insinuating that “all rods are created equal” and the price is just labels and hype, I strongly disagree.

    3rdtryguy
    Central Mn
    Posts: 1521
    #1980304

    Buy what you like, I said it was just an opinion. But it was from a person that used to spend a ton on the best of everything.

    PmB
    Posts: 531
    #1980307

    Jt black reign is worth looking at

    Eric Hammerud
    Posts: 45
    #1980335

    thorn brothers custom rods is the teats….In fact I think tuc rods use thorn blanks on some models. Either the perch sweetheart or the walleye sweetheart. I have both…great rods..

    mxskeeter
    SW Wisconsin
    Posts: 3928
    #1980348

    Personal message Cameron White for his opinion. He fishes Lake Winnipeg for big walleyes through the ice. Just an idea for you.

    Cameron white
    Posts: 516
    #1980353

    Personal message Cameron White for his opinion. He fishes Lake Winnipeg for big <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleyes through the ice. Just an idea for you.

    I’m here! Lol. The black reign I really like for greenbacks. Commander is great too.

    Cameron white
    Posts: 516
    #1980354

    I have to ask… why so short? We run 40-44” rods up here. Still can be used in a shack, much better on big fish.

    Bearcat89
    North branch, mn
    Posts: 20758
    #1980363

    Thorne bros walleye sweetheart 32 , 34, or 36

    Dan Baker
    Posts: 937
    #1980369

    I’m looking for a new walleye rod, I fish inside/outside and for big walleyes on a big river system with lots of current. Usually dropping no less then 3/8 or 1/2oz spoons/hardbaits. Seems like a TUCR Commander 32” would be ideal, now is there any rods you guys recommend that would directly compete with the commander? A 32” rod with a fast tip and good backbone for bigger baits and big walleyes. I’ve been running St Croix premiers, and 13 fishing rods and they are just okay.

    Also, how does the taper and tip action of the cheaper Inferno 32” medium compare to the commander? Or the Precision Power?

    The Commander would be ideal for sure. Compared to the Commander, the Inferno is not as fast, and doesn’t have as much backbone. It is a great rod in the 50-60 range, but not on the same level as the Commander. I personally much prefer the Commander to the Power Precision. The PP has a slightly stiffer tip and less backbone. Another rod to possible consider is the new TUCR Vulcan. It is a similar action to the Commander, but it is fiber glass so it has more forgiveness. It is designed for very large walleye up to lake trout.
    Dan

    Fishy McGanzer
    Posts: 21
    #1980390

    I have to ask… why so short? We run 40-44” rods up here. Still can be used in a shack, much better on big fish.

    I never really considered one that long I guess. Mostly I don’t want to have to get a new rod case haha. What do you use in the 40” range?

    Fishy McGanzer
    Posts: 21
    #1980392

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Fishy McGanzer wrote:</div>
    I’m looking for a new walleye rod, I fish inside/outside and for big walleyes on a big river system with lots of current. Usually dropping no less then 3/8 or 1/2oz spoons/hardbaits. Seems like a TUCR Commander 32” would be ideal, now is there any rods you guys recommend that would directly compete with the commander? A 32” rod with a fast tip and good backbone for bigger baits and big walleyes. I’ve been running St Croix premiers, and 13 fishing rods and they are just okay.

    Also, how does the taper and tip action of the cheaper Inferno 32” medium compare to the commander? Or the Precision Power?

    The Commander would be ideal for sure. Compared to the Commander, the Inferno is not as fast, and doesn’t have as much backbone. It is a great rod in the 50-60 range, but not on the same level as the Commander. I personally much prefer the Commander to the Power Precision. The PP has a slightly stiffer tip and less backbone. Another rod to possible consider is the new TUCR Vulcan. It is a similar action to the Commander, but it is fiber glass so it has more forgiveness. It is designed for very large walleye up to lake trout.
    Dan

    Thanks, lots of good insight.

    Cameron white
    Posts: 516
    #1980408

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Cameron white wrote:</div>
    I have to ask… why so short? We run 40-44” rods up here. Still can be used in a shack, much better on big fish.

    I never really considered one that long I guess. Mostly I don’t want to have to get a new rod case haha. What do you use in the 40” range?

    The difference is amazing. No need to choke up on the rod, much easier to fight the fish. The black reign and commander both come in 38-40”. The Elliot rods greenback looks good, haven’t gotten hands on one yet.

    buckybadger
    Upper Midwest
    Posts: 8365
    #1980412

    If your on Facebook check out the custom ice rod builders page. Tons of guys making a quality product on there. Bought a couple of <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleye blanks from jsoutfitters and have been really happy with the action and feel. Haven’t put a fish on one yet though. https://jsoutfitter.com/

    I’ve got one on order here currently. The ones I’ve had in my hands from JS seemed like solid custom rods with good action for the price.

    tucrs
    NW Metro
    Posts: 999
    #1980661

    The commander is built on a saltwater fiberglass blank. That is why it seems to be a moderate action. If you want a faster action you will need to go with a carbon rod it will also be much lighter. There are several builder who build this type of rod including me. BassKahng has a power noodle blank and a trout blank that would meet your needs.

    <div class=”ido-oembed-wrap”>Lake Trout Carbon Blank</div>
    <div class=”ido-oembed-wrap”>36″ Solid Carbon Power Walleye Ice rod Blank</div>
    https://www.vlinecustomrods.com/product-page/42-king-carbon

    Commander is a solid carbon blank not a fiberglass blank.

    Longer rod just gives you a little more leverage and I feel overall control when fighting a fish.

    John

    onepine
    Elk River
    Posts: 136
    #1980666

    I stand corrected, Thank you John.

    PmB
    Posts: 531
    #1980671

    I’d say the commander is an x fast action. Definitely not moderate

    Rodwork
    Farmington, MN
    Posts: 3979
    #1980743

    If you want a faster action you will need to go with a carbon rod it will also be much lighter. There are several builder who build this type of rod including me. BassKahng has a power noodle blank and a trout blank that would meet your needs.

    No offence onepine but I would disagree. A carbon blank would be lighter in weight than glass but in both blanks you can achieve a fast action. The BassKang power noodle blank would be much too light for 3/8 to ½ oz spoons. The BK Lake Trout Carbon Blank would work with some sanding and reshaping of the blank. There are a bunch of other blanks that could also work.

    Fishy McGanzer, go thru the store and start playing with some of the rods. See if you can find one that would work for you and if you can’t reach out to a custom builder to make it. Thorne Brothers, Elliot, JT, and TUCR all make some nice rods. To fit in your rod case and fit what you are looking for I would go with a fast to x-fast, medium to slighter heaver medium rod in 39.5”. Depending on how you fish inside (your shack size) you might want something shorter. I like the longer rods for control while fighting the fish and getting your rod tip closer to the ice when fishing outside. You don’t want to be hitting your shack walls or ceiling on your hook set. All of my inside rods are 31”. Anything longer and I am hitting stuff.

    BackwaterICE
    Posts: 104
    #1980807

    Quality per $ https://sportsmensdirect.com/shop/ice-rods-combos/ice-hopper-extreme-taper-rod/ 32″ walleye special is pretty tough to beat

    The 32″ Walleye Special (M/MH) is a solid carbon, beefed up version of the 32″ described above. It has the same super sensitive tip but 30% more power (4-10# line) through the midsection of the rod which it allows it to handle larger spoons and jigging style baits for larger quarry, very little added weight.

    If you want a custom – hit up Eric at Vline and get a king carbon, the blank was designed to do everything you’re asking for and his build quality is top notch. You could also select from a ton of different builders actively posting in Custom Ice Rod Builders group on facebook

    Greenhorn
    Bismarck, ND
    Posts: 606
    #1980834

    Commander is exactly what you are looking for!

    Matt Waste
    Posts: 67
    #1982112

    YES YES YES! Thorne bros. Ill never buy anything else again. Worth every penny

    Bearcat89
    North branch, mn
    Posts: 20758
    #1982125

    YES YES YES! Thorne bros. Ill never buy anything else again. Worth every penny

    I have always loved every thorne bros rod I have touched. Never been disappointed. Awesome customer service. I went to the other guys that most people like here and recieved poor customer service and the guy was rude so my business stays with thorne or a few custom builders from this site.

    michael keehr
    Posts: 355
    #1997567

    I have an elliot greenback and really like it.

    iceager01
    Redwood County/Scott County
    Posts: 233
    #1997611

    Thorne Bros been buying from them since the eighties..
    Top notch… BTW, Elliot is the original TB’s…

    PmB
    Posts: 531
    #1997614

    I wish elliot would make more full grip models. Not a fan of split grip for eyes

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