Snare rod anyone?

Anyone using a snare rod set up regularly? Just curious if it’s worth the investment and what makes it any better than using a 32 or 36″ rod and a Ifish Pro or bait feeder setup? The snare rods are priced right there with most custom rods and the the rod holder system is another $30. Think I’d get excited watching that rod tip load up and probably set the hook too soon but it looks fun.

I’m not big on chasing tip ups personally I’m usually in a wheel house or flip up so for me the investment probably isn’t worth it. First impression it’s just more equipment to purchase that does pretty much what the stuff you already have will do.
but I’d like to hear from folks who regularly are using the set up and how they like it. I can always be convinced that I need more fishing stuff!!

I have the Panfish Snare from JT Customs and have been very happy with it for crappie fishing. I usually just have a 5mm tungston jig on it and soak a crappie minnow while I jig with a different rod a few feet away. I would be nervous about being to far away from it in case something big came by and bit though

With that price point you can buy a really nice deadstick rod like the

Dead Meat Rod
https://shop.clamoutdoors.com/jason-mitchell-dead-meat-rod.html#182=

and save yourself $80, any ice rod at the same cost as the snare rod’s should catch fish for you.

The Dead Meat Rod comes in the lengths you desire too.

The JT snare is a fantastic rod. If I didn’t make my own rods I would be picking one up. As far as a dead stick rod I think they are the best one on the open market. If you have held one in person you would know it is worth every penny. Even if you are not a tip up guy you can always set one up in the house with you.

They work great in a wheelhouse, it is really fun to watch the rod keep loading up. As far as catching more fish, that is really dependent on multiple factors, if I fish them side by side of standard dead stick setup, 60 percent of the time they will out produce the standard setup, if the snare rod is not setup, would those fish still be caught, probably, but they are fun catch fish on and to watch them load up as the fish is taking it. In today’s fishing world, I am a firm believer that it is always the small details that make a good bite turn to a great bite. This is one of the techniques that will help you put more fish topside. Is it the only option no, but it definitely helps to have it in your arsenal.

I don’t have access to the website at work, but I know Scheels website currently has the Dead Meat Rod on sale. Might be a good time to pick one up.

I have the walleye snare and really like it. It is pricey, but like others said, well built and fun to use. Definitely have it nearby, as I almost lost it down the hole last year when a big bass grabbed it and ran.

I bought a different rod holder for it, as I couldn’t justify spending $25 on JT’s.

I have the walleye snare rod. I like it for the way I fish as I use it like a deadstick next to my main hole. I didn’t buy the JT holder either. I usually put it up in the roof bar of my flipover, or in a holder clipped on a bucket. I like the soft tip as it really lets a live minnow move when a walleye comes in. Sometimes I forget to jig because I get distracted by the tip moving a lot. It’s fun watching the tip bounce and then dip down when the walleye bites and moves off.

Luke James Wilson wrote:

With that price point you can buy a really nice deadstick rod like the

Dead Meat Rod
https://shop.clamoutdoors.com/jason-mitchell-dead-meat-rod.html#182=

and save yourself $80, any ice rod at the same cost as the snare rod’s should catch fish for you.

The Dead Meat Rod comes in the lengths you desire too.

Another vote for the Dead Meat. I have a 28″, and am adding a 32″ for this year. Having that rod with an ABF in the wheelhouse was awesome last year. You could be across the house and see if there was a fish sucking on it, even if it wasn’t tolling out line.

waldo9190 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Luke James Wilson wrote:</div>
With that price point you can buy a really nice deadstick rod like the

Dead Meat Rod
https://shop.clamoutdoors.com/jason-mitchell-dead-meat-rod.html#182=

and save yourself $80, any ice rod at the same cost as the snare rod’s should catch fish for you.

The Dead Meat Rod comes in the lengths you desire too.

Another vote for the Dead Meat. I have a 28″, and am adding a 32″ for this year. Having that rod with an ABF in the wheelhouse was awesome last year. You could be across the house and see if there was a fish sucking on it, even if it wasn’t tolling out line.

Just picked a Dead Meat 32″M and a Ceymar 500 bf for my wife for Christmas.

She’s going to love that combo, a lot more user-friendly than constantly glancing down the hole at a float

Marine General has the Dead Meats for $29.99 and Ceymars BF for $48 right now

I have been looking at the panfish snare and almost bought a used one but after thinking it over and fishing with the beaver dam glass noodle ($13) and pairing it with a bait feeder reel I just cant see paying that kind of money for a high end rod. Don’t get me wrong I am sure that the panfish snare is good, if not great, but just can’t justify that kind of money. I have a couple of the TUCR and like them a lot but hard to pull the trigger on these custom rods anymore.

lrott2003 wrote:

I have been looking at the <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>panfish snare and almost bought a used one but after thinking it over and fishing with the beaver dam glass noodle ($13) and pairing it with a bait feeder reel I just cant see paying that kind of money for a high end rod. Don’t get me wrong I am sure that the <em class=”ido-tag-em”>panfish snare is good, if not great, but just can’t justify that kind of money. I have a couple of the TUCR and like them a lot but hard to pull the trigger on these custom rods anymore.

I have one of those Beaver Dams too. Amazing rod that is practically free

Non-custom “Custom” rods are nice, but WAAYYYYY over-rated and over-priced.

I have the pan fish series. It’s fun but I wouldn’t say it catches more fish. I’ve also noticed fish drop the bait more sometimes than a buddy just fishing with a bobber. It is nice to be able to hole hop and watch it from a distance. I’d like to try the walleye series.

The guys with the dead meats, do they load up similar to the snare?

A tip down style holder helps if you want to snare fish instead of setting into them yourself. Works with about any rod that can be properly balanced on them. I prefer using a tip down holder like the rod rockers vs. a one-trick pony rod.

If you’re gonna go with a baitfeeder, I personally feel a more rigid rod that tips towards the hole while remaining linear induces less opposition on the fish’s end while the baitfeeder is letting out line.

beardly wrote:

I have the pan fish series. It’s fun but I wouldn’t say it catches more fish. I’ve also noticed fish drop the bait more sometimes than a buddy just fishing with a bobber. It is nice to be able to hole hop and watch it from a distance. I’d like to try the walleye series.

The guys with the dead meats, do they load up similar to the snare?

I’ve found this to be true at times too on a finicky walleye bite.

Now, my go-to on almost all occasions is a venom bobber. Some advantages are that they are adjustable without cutting (I get them to nearly perfect neutral buoyancy so the fish feels minimal resistance, and can swap out presentation/bait size without a new bobber) and you don’t need a bait feeder/expensive rod combo. You can leave an open bail and let fish run with it as long as you need (you’d be surprised at how many fish people lose by setting a hook too soon). You’re never worrying about stepping out to take a leak and your rod being missing upon return.

They make just about any size float for any situation. I haven’t found any advantage to dead-stick/snare type set-up over a bobber with prefectly neutral buoyancy. At 3-4 bucks a pop, depending where you’re shopping, it sure beats the pants off of sinking $200+ into a combo that does the same thing, but gives the fish a much shorter leash before you have to set the hook.

The one small down-side, maybe for some, is it doesn’t “set” and hooks for you. I prefer that way because I use different types of runs/hook sets for various occasions. Just in terms of fun, it doesn’t get much better than watching a bonnet slowly sink, clear the bottom of the ice, and feel the weight of a big walleye on the other end.

The rods are fun, don’t get me wrong. It’s just my personal experience. Many who fish bobbers and have issues are working with too much buoyancy and/or not rigging them properly and/or not paying close enough attention. They get a bad rap.

In a portable, the bobber vs. baitfeeder/snare setup for a dead line is a little more even, but in a wheelhouse the rod setup is superior IMO, as you don’t have to be near your hole to keep an eye on the float.

waldo9190 wrote:

In a portable, the bobber vs. baitfeeder/snare setup for a dead line is a little more even, but in a wheelhouse the rod setup is superior IMO, as you don’t have to be near your hole to keep an eye on the float.

This ^^^

A bait feeder and noodle on the wall is a lot easier on your neck and posture since you don’t have to stare down a hole. Plus it’s just plain fun to use

If I am using a bobber in a wheelhouse (I like Venoms too by the way), I run TWO bobber stops.

One is obviously set at the bobber, the second is set at the rod tip.

It’s a great visual of your line and what it’s doing without having to actually look down the hole at the bobber itself. Especially nice if your occupied with something else like cooking, cleaning, TV, etc. You can see at a glance if your line has moved.

It’s not as accurate since you might have a little memory in the line between the stops, but it definitely works.

Leave the tag ends a little longer so it’s easier to see from a distance. And obviously have your bail open so the fish can take line.