I’m looking for a dedicated light bite rod, and I’m trying to decide between a softer noodle (TUCR), or a hybrid like the Pannie Drop’r. I’m pretty much sold on the Precision noodle, if I go that route (everyone claims that it is the softest of the noodle rods). But, I have not read many reviews on the Pannie Drop’r, or hybrids in general.
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
I think that all the custom rod makers make a solid product and it all comes down to your personal preferences. The PN, Pannie Drop’r, JT Panhandler, etc. will all give you great light bite dectection.
The Precision Noodle is incredibly soft in the tip. If you are planning on using tiny ice fly’s and lead jigs, it would be great. I almost always use tungsten jigs and the PN is softer than I need for that. With tungsten or larger lead jigs, the Bullwhip is perfect.
Pannie Drop’r is a nice overall rod, I really enjoy the one I have. I happen to like the Al Dente Noodle the best of any panfish rod I own. Incredibly light tip, very stout backbone and surprisingly good feeling for a glass rod. Dan is right, if you use lots of Tungsten jigs, you’ll want something a little heavier than the precision noodle.
Mark I think this is a loaded question to be asked on this forum. You will be extemenly happy with the Pannie drop’r. I do wrap rods for Dustin and for my own customers and any of the models that have a wire tip section has been an easy sale for me and Dustin. In fact, if I have any rod with a wire tip section those are the first ones to go. I also do not see how anyone can conspire a fiberglass tip section to a wire tip section. You will need more weight to load up a fiberglass tip section over a wire. There are also many different types of wire being used for spring bobbers. DH used a form of nitinol that is a bit different than what anyone else is use. Also, in my opionion, pricing on any DH rod is extremely reasonable compared to everyone else. I think price and warranty alone is a good reason to buy DH. Hope this helps.
Thanks! I’m familiar with noodle rods, but I have never used a spring bobber. Looking for something to use with tiny ice flies, and I was trying to determine which offered the best possible visual bite detection….it sounds like nitinol beats glass in this particular attribute.
If you’re not in a hurry, you can wait until the St Paul Ice Show the first weekend in December. You’ll be able to compare both rods in your hands. TUCR will have many rods on hand and I believe DH will as well. I haven’t fished with a spring bobber on a noodle rod, but I am guessing the two rods will have very different actions and feels.
Don’t count out a Thorne Bros Power Noodle either, I reach for my power noodle just as often as my TUCR!
I’m not sure if TUCR offers it, but I actually prefer having dark colored guides at the end of the rod(in conjunction with a bright rod blank). That contrast between the two makes it really easy to pick up small bites(for me).
A silver guide with a back drop of snow sometimes is tougher to pick up visually.
I’m not saying I lose fish as a result of that, but just personal preference stuff.
Don’t count out a Thorne Bros Power Noodle either, I reach for my power noodle just as often as my TUCR!
I’m not sure if TUCR offers it, but I actually prefer having dark colored guides at the end of the rod(in conjunction with a bright rod blank). That contrast between the two makes it really easy to pick up small bites(for me).
A silver guide with a back drop of snow sometimes is tougher to pick up visually.
I’m not saying I lose fish as a result of that, but just personal preference stuff.
That’s a good point. We do offer black recoil guides as well.
Don’t count out a Thorne Bros Power Noodle either, I reach for my power noodle just as often as my TUCR!
When I set up to go out I set up my Power Noodle with what I plan to use first than my TUCR. Both are great rods.
I have a TB power noodle, and I’m looking to add a rod with an even lighter tip. From what I have read the TUCR noodle has the lightest tip of all the noodles. Just not sure if I want to stick with another noodle, or try the hybrid. I’m not hung-up on any one rod builder…I have DH, TB, and TUCR….love them all!
Than I would have to suggest going to the Ice Show and bring your favorite light jig tied to your favorite line. Thread the line through the guides of the different rods and hang onto the line by the rod handle. Play around and see what you think.
I have a TB power noodle, and I’m looking to add a rod with an even lighter tip. From what I have read the TUCR noodle has the lightest tip of all the noodles. Just not sure if I want to stick with another noodle, or try the hybrid. I’m not hung-up on any one rod builder…I have DH, TB, and TUCR….love them all!
That could very well be true, I don’t know if I can reliably say one way or another. My thorne bros rod is 24″ and my TUCR is 28″, they have different guides, etc. I”m sure that all plays into the actual ‘lightness’ and perceived lightness :).
Any custom rod builder that sands the blanks can make you a noodle rod with a lighter tip than the TUCR. If you want an off the shelf custom go for it, if you want exactly what you’re looking for in a rod blank then hit up someone who makes custom blanks. There are lots of us out there
That is a bit misleading. The TUCR blanks are sanded and tested by John. Once they match the design intended, the are reproduced to the same specifications. The blanks we use are proprietary to TUCR and can’t be “bought” elsewhere.
I really appreciate all the detailed, knowledgeable, discussion this forum offers. I am surprised that no one from TUCR responded to this thread as they usually do when involving their product.
I have three of the TUCR all different. I can’t believe how different the rods are and how true to the description they perform each has their place.
I was a golf pro in AZ for ten years and got to be around equipment I think the high end rods are similar in that its what works for you and what you like. In this instance I don’t have a well rounded view since I have never handled another custom rod besides TUCR and even within that line up I am not sure what all the modifications are that you can get but I am sure that it is endless.
All in all I guess what I am saying is that you can not go wrong, from what I have heard, with any of the custom rods that are discussed within these forums my suggestion would be to try to find a way to try them all. I am surprised that with the popularity in TUCR they don’t offer a demo day on the ice during the season but maybe they do and I am not aware. I live in WI I have not heard something like that around me.
Good luck Mark any choice you make will be right…. For you.
This was about a different rod I did not notice that there was questions directed towards us.
I agree with Tuma – come down to the St Paul show check out everyone’s rods. They are all good in certain aspects many companies have different build ideas and some are performance driven and some are looks driven.
We have thought about doing a demo day, we have done them in the past on local lakes around the shop. It is not an easy thing and the amount of staff needed is overwhelming. Also weather and ice conditions are a huge factor.
It is hard to plan a day 2-3 months in advance that will comfortable for a lot of people.
Our blanks are designed by a team. I have been building ice rods for a lot longer than I like to admit. We do a lot more custom things than we advertise.
John
I really appreciate all the detailed, knowledgeable, discussion this forum offers. I am surprised that no one from TUCR responded to this thread as they usually do when involving their product.
I have three of the TUCR all different. I can’t believe how different the rods are and how true to the description they perform each has their place.
I was a golf pro in AZ for ten years and got to be around equipment I think the high end rods are similar in that its what works for you and what you like. In this instance I don’t have a well rounded view since I have never handled another custom rod besides TUCR and even within that line up I am not sure what all the modifications are that you can get but I am sure that it is endless.
All in all I guess what I am saying is that you can not go wrong, from what I have heard, with any of the custom rods that are discussed within these forums my suggestion would be to try to find a way to try them all. I am surprised that with the popularity in TUCR they don’t offer a demo day on the ice during the season but maybe they do and I am not aware. I live in WI I have not heard something like that around me.
Good luck Mark any choice you make will be right…. For you.
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