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Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Jigging => Topic started by: Dave R on Jan 09, 2017, 06:29 PM

Title: Sportsmen's Direct Ice Hopper II Flat Tip 24"
Post by: Dave R on Jan 09, 2017, 06:29 PM
I would be interested in hearing from those of you that have this rod. I am thinking of getting one as my first noodle rod for Bluegill and Crappie.
Title: Re: Sportsmen's Direct Ice Hopper II Flat Tip 24"
Post by: Lazy K on Jan 10, 2017, 08:58 AM
First I want to say I really like Sportsmens Direct.  Great people to deal with.  But I just sent a Flat Line II back.  I ordered the 32".  I have two of the original Flat Lines in 32" and even though I really like them, there was room for improvement.  I was excited to see an upgrade.  The one improvement is that the action is definitely more spaced throughout the rod.  Lighter.  But the new rod is not as tip sensitive and guides are way smaller.  Two important things I like better about the original.  I was also hoping for a 36" or longer hole hopping version.  Kinda bummed. 
Title: Re: Sportsmen's Direct Ice Hopper II Flat Tip 24"
Post by: Dave R on Jan 10, 2017, 09:30 AM
Thanks Lazy K. I appreciate your reply to my question. I really don't like buying a rod without looking at it first.
Title: Re: Sportsmen's Direct Ice Hopper II Flat Tip 24"
Post by: bb400guy on Jan 21, 2017, 09:49 PM
I just used my Flatline II 32" today - gotta say I love it for a dead stick rod for walleye/pike.  It's way better than my two 13 Fishing Tickle Sticks (now those have small guides) and a stronger tip (already broke both my TS tips). JMHO, but I feel this is a very nice rod with good build quality, you really can't beat these rods for the money. I bought all 4 of their new rods this year (2 Glass Extreme Taper, 1 Carbon Extreme Taper, and the Glass Flatline II) - these are my first glass rods, I've always used carbon rods, and I must point out the feeling of glass especially when you set the hook takes some getting used to.  I missed a few fish so far this year because it's almost like I'm not setting the hook hard enough due to their very soft tips/action.  With the Carbon Extreme, no issue it's just a quick snap of the wrist and you get a good hook set.  This is by no way a fault of the rod, rather it's just me getting used to an extremely sensitive new kind of rod. 

After a few uses this year I would buy all 4 rods again. 
Title: Re: Sportsmen's Direct Ice Hopper II Flat Tip 24"
Post by: midwest_rodworks on Jan 23, 2017, 04:18 AM
Lazy K, you could get a custom built to 36". It would just have,to be "sleeved" into another piece of rod. 
Title: Re: Sportsmen's Direct Ice Hopper II Flat Tip 24"
Post by: Johnny5dime on Mar 13, 2018, 10:35 AM
These are now on sale.

I bought 2 UL 24" and 2 L 34". Not exactly sure what Ill use the 34" for but for 10 bucks each I couldn't resist.
Title: Re: Sportsmen's Direct Ice Hopper II Flat Tip 24"
Post by: rdhammah on Aug 07, 2018, 06:08 PM
I got 2 of the original Flat Line rods in the UL 24". all of the action was in the tip. the rest of the rod was stiff and had no bend. I had to strip the guides  and then sand the solid blank 1/2 way through to loosen it up just so I could tell that I had a fish on.