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Spring bobbers are 100% necessary. I can't remember how many times I've out-fished guys how used noodle rods or custom rods while I'm using a cheap rod with a spring bobber. It's not just about detecting the light bites, but it gives the lure a much better presentation in the water.
a true custom noodle rod can have a lighter tip than TUCR offers
And that lighter custom noodle tip won't fish a large tungsten or small spoon.
Is a noodle tip as sensitive as a wire spring bobber? No. Does that make a spring bobber better than a power noodle rod? No. Can you detect an equal amount of bites between the two? Yes, unless it is windy, then the noodle wins every time. Can a spring bobber turn your average pole into something comparable to a power noodle? Yes. Is a spring bobber better than a noodle rod? Personal preference.
I feel bad for OP...not only does he now have to spend 300.00 on custom noodle rods, but also has to spend 300.00 on spring bobbers. Ice fishing is a hobby I guess.
Ya I'd hope someone was going to talk me out of using the foam and spring bobber that I like to use so much but I guess I must have missed it, I fish out of a heated shanty so having them ice up isn't an issue
I ditched foam bobbers years ago,and have mostly ditched spring indicators too.the prices on titanium indicators are pretty high considering I can get a ht ice blue rod for the same price.i now use rods with whip tips but backbone in the rest of the blank.i will use the frabill titanium on specks sometimes if its windy out.yeah I miss a few fish but I did with indicators too.i like the snitch and ice blues.no spring needed,up bites in a shanty are easy to detect look for your line to coil or go slack.or I will sometimes put a small kink in my line and watch that to straighten out if gills are light biting that day.
Exactly... pinch a kink in the line with your fingers, simple and free...
you don't know what your missing if you can't tell your missing them.