IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Jigging => Topic started by: srobocop on Oct 31, 2020, 04:03 PM
-
I know there is Tuned Up Custom Rods, Thorne Bros, MAGS, and JT's.
I used to use Thorne Bros, but just switched over to MAGS after I got to use two of them last year.
Which company do you prefer?
-
No high end rods for me. Mine are around $30 or so and work just fine. My favorites are the Genz Panfish Poppers. Strike indicators on the other hand...I go the extra mile.
-
No high end rods for me. Mine are around $30 or so and work just fine. My favorites are the Genz Panfish Poppers. Strike indicators on the other hand...I go the extra mile.
Oh, I try avoiding strike indicators where possible. I feel that I get better jig/lure control if I pick a rod that suits the style of jigging I am utilizing.
-
Oh, I try avoiding strike indicators where possible. I feel that I get better jig/lure control if I pick a rod that suits the style of jigging I am utilizing.
Same for me...on the SI's. But hey, whatever works, right? ;)
-
DH rods for me, started getting them 4-5 years ago
-
A pair of St. Croix Legends are my high-end rods.
-
St. Croix
-
I still like my older TB Perch Sweetheart Added a TUCR Fusion last year...that split grip thing is growing on me.
-
St Croix Custom Ice Trophy Taker is the most sensitive ice rod I've used for deep water jigs fishing whitefish.
It's too stiff for drop shot rigs and lighter tubes but for the heavier jigs bottom fishing for whitey's in the 30-75' range it treats me well. I'll probably pick up a 2nd one.
I can't compare it to any actual custom rods because I was always hesitant to drop good coin on a rod that I can't put in my hands first.
-
I prefer TUCR. I own 4. 3 Precision Noodle’s and a Bullwhip. I’m about to own a Deadstick. Excellent rods. Having said that, They are the only high-end brand I’ve tried. I’m capable of building myself exact copies so even “high-end” off-shelf rods don’t cut it for me and for what it’s worth, no ice rod is worth more than $50. Including the $450 worth of TUCR’s I own. There’s only so much a fiberglass/carbon rod can do before you’re either paying for brand recognition/warranty or aesthetics. In today’s day and age though, it’s hard to go wrong with 95% of the available rods. :tipup:
-
Im a fan of TUCR (Precision Noodle, Bullwhip, Fusion & Commander). Also like DH Customs (Al Dente & Perch Pounder). The only JT I have is the Panfish Snare, works great for crappies
-
If I didn't make my own I'd be buying from these 3 guys
https://www.stantonrods.com/
https://www.vlinecustomrods.com/
https://www.facebook.com/906CustomRods
Off the shelf I'd rock St. Croix and Fenwick followed by Beaverdam
-
I'd add in Elliot ice rods to the list. Owners are Greg and Paul Thorne, the two brothers that orginally started Thorne Brothers Custom rods that we all know.
-
TUCR for everything but Lakers, a TB laker rod is awesome for deep jigging. Bullwhip is my all around favorite.
-
HT blue ice for me. its not a custom rod but somebody had to make it.
-
HT blue ice for me. its not a custom rod but somebody had to make it.
Nothing wrong with those or the Shakespeare ice noodle.. They can fit a specific need. There is a reason why some of the top ice anglers in a MN ice fishing circuit and the NAIFC run them with a few modifications.
-
My custom made by Matzilla has opened my eyes to the benefit of a true custom rod, I wanted something I could feel.the bite on for my heavier walleye applications, I was amazed by the amount of perch and crappie that would bite and I'd actually feel it rather than just see the rod move. It was spendy but sometimes you have to treat yourself!
-
Bricker custom Rods.
No custom rod even comes close to a Bricker rod.
-
Bricker custom Rods.
No custom rod even comes close to a Bricker rod.
Until someone else comes in and says no other rod comes close to the one they have. 😉
-
" _____ makes the best custom rod there is" -Every fisherman with a custom rod.
I see a lot of people liking TUCR, and a lot of people bashing over-priced on the shelf rods....what's the difference? TUCR are sold at Scheels and you're paying for the name brand. For the price you pay for a TUCR I can buy two truly customized ice rods, probably even made with the same blanks. If you don't choose the coloring, the length, the number of guides, the type of guides, the handle style, handle material, how is it customized? Half the fun of buying a custom rod for me is throwing around ideas with the rod builder based on my style of fishing and lure preference.
Don't get me wrong, I have a TUCR PN that I bought when I was in a pinch and it's a super nice rod. But I don't even take it with me most days anymore as it's probably the 4th "best" rod I own now.
Just food for thought, TUCR opened up peoples eyes to 'custom rods' but are no longer custom or even top end IMO.
-
What Agronomist said.....
-
What blanks are people building these customs on?
-
What blanks are people building these customs on?
what are you targeting, I can toss out a few suggestions
-
HT blue ice for me. its not a custom rod but somebody had to make it.
Lol....It’s about has “custom” a rod has any of these rods.
The word “custom” gets thrown around way to much. “Custom” rods IMO are when you talk to the rod builder and have a rod built the way you want it.....nothing else like it.
Way to many companies make mass produced rods and market them as custom rods....when they aren’t. I mean it’s off the shelf and three others are sitting next to it....how is it custom?
-
My custom made by Matzilla has opened my eyes to the benefit of a true custom rod, I wanted something I could feel.the bite on for my heavier walleye applications, I was amazed by the amount of perch and crappie that would bite and I'd actually feel it rather than just see the rod move. It was spendy but sometimes you have to treat yourself!
check your PM's on here buddy!
-
I mean it’s off the shelf and three others are sitting next to it....how is it custom?
My favorite part about this is when it has the custom built price tag still applied to it......
-
It's all about marketing in most...not all...cases... Custom, Deluxe, Limited Edition, XL, etc. It's whatever they can do to catch your eye. And most of us are guilty of it at some point. It's the "Look at what I got" syndrome. And I was one. Now? My best equipment is far from custom. Off the rack is more like it. But I'm successful and don't mind saying it.
-
I've been rolling my own for almost 10 years now, decided to take the next step this year. Got a business partner and started a company.
https://www.fish365rods.com/
-
Thorne Bros was my first high end production rod and I started with the $40 one. Cheaper in cost than either the Dave Genz Gold at $100 plus and cheaper than what 13 fishing ice rod at that time at $100 plus as well. The Thorne Bros was a no frill rod, just plain performance.
I went back and got a few custom made ones from Thorne Bros. and at the time no one else would do baitcasting rods and everyone only used it for heavy stuff. So I prototype my first finesse rod that was a spinning rod conversion. Ice fishing felt like, I was cheating with this finesse bait casting set up. That maybe ten percent of fish that I lost on my spinning rod set up got reduce to less than 1 percent on the finesse baitcasting rod set up. It's easy to lose smelt while jigging for them little snackers. That's all I will say.
-
Until someone else comes in and says no other rod comes close to the one they have. 😉
Not really. A Bricker rod is actually a true custom rod. He takes orders, and builds it to your specs. It’s not walk in and buy one from scheels for $200. There is not any builder to my knowledge that builds like Bricker does
-
Not really. A Bricker rod is actually a true custom rod. He takes orders, and builds it to your specs. It’s not walk in and buy one from scheels for $200. There is not any builder to my knowledge that builds like Bricker does
Plenty of fish catching art in a bricker rod ::) there's dozens of builder that will build to specs. There's even a few that build rods almost as artistic as bricker. Bricker builds beautiful functional art but the artistic side of custom rods does not contribute to performance
-
Not really. A Bricker rod is actually a true custom rod. He takes orders, and builds it to your specs. It’s not walk in and buy one from scheels for $200. There is not any builder to my knowledge that builds like Bricker does
There are numerous builders at or above that level cranking out rods built to customers' specs
-
There are numerous builders at or above that level cranking out rods built to customers' spec
This
-
There are numerous builders at or above that level cranking out rods built to customers' specs
x2
-
There are numerous builders at or above that level cranking out rods built to customers' specs
Not they way he makes rods.
-
Not they way he makes rods.
I have tried every custom rod from every custom rod maker in the entire world and his rods come in at a hard 5th...but he's getting there. ;)
-
I have tried every custom rod from every custom rod maker in the entire world and his rods come in at a hard 5th...but he's getting there. ;)
lol
Argonomist - I'm familiar with Adam's work, he's not doing anything different than any other top tier builder. To say otherwise is a lie or ignorance. I'd put Chris Stanton up there at the top.
-
lol
Argonomist - I'm familiar with Adam's work, he's not doing anything different than any other top tier builder. To say otherwise is a lie or ignorance. I'd put Chris Stanton up there at the top.
Don’t know Chris Stanton. All I can say is from what I have seen Bricker is in a world of his own. I’m sure there are some other decent ones out there. I’ve never seen anyone come close to his micro liner rods/handles. I mean the split grip but that has the rear come off to be a hook remover was the nuts.
I just laugh at the Thorne brothers rods my biggest regret on rod puchases was when I purchased my perch sweetheart from Thorne brothers....I dropped $75 on it years ago and it was no better then a $25 cabelas ice rod.
-
Out of curiosity, what is bricker charging for his rods?
-
Out of curiosity, what is bricker charging for his rods?
You’d have to call him. He’s been booked out/sold out last few years. Not sure what he charges now
-
I had a high end "custom" rod, and sold it. My full set of original Fenwick Elite Tech Ice rods will be with me till my dying day though. Love every single one of them, and have never found anything that suits my style better than them.
To me, it isn't a custom rod unless you have the taper designed to your exact specs, for your exact application. Otherwise, it just has your choice of components on the same blank that a million other people have. But there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that. To each their own!!! I don't spend big money on ice rods, but don't ask me about the cost of my falconry equipment!! As long as you enjoy it, and it brings you happiness, GET IT!!! For some, that means rods with platinum reel seats, titanium handles on the reel, actual diamonds on the end of a jig head, or maybe even a rod dipped in real gold. Whatever it is for you, enjoy it! Life is to short not too!!
-
Alright guys, pull em out and let's measure them. That's the only way this is getting solved ;)
-
I had a high end "custom" rod, and sold it. My full set of original Fenwick Elite Tech Ice rods will be with me till my dying day though. Love every single one of them, and have never found anything that suits my style better than them.
To me, it isn't a custom rod unless you have the taper designed to your exact specs, for your exact application. Otherwise, it just has your choice of components on the same blank that a million other people have. But there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that. To each their own!!! I don't spend big money on ice rods, but don't ask me about the cost of my falconry equipment!! As long as you enjoy it, and it brings you happiness, GET IT!!! For some, that means rods with platinum reel seats, titanium handles on the reel, actual diamonds on the end of a jig head, or maybe even a rod dipped in real gold. Whatever it is for you, enjoy it! Life is to short not too!!
That's why I've swtiched to Mags. He has his blanks manufactured for him specifically. So they're designed for very specific techniques in mind, depending on the blank. It really does offer a great deal of lure control which I haven't found in other rod manufacturers.
-
I'll add this, there are so many blanks available to builders now that you rarely have to customize the taper unless you're getting ultra specific. It is nearing the point of openwater blank selection options
-
Couple noodle rods by DJ Customs, Striket Custom Rods. Still love my 25 yr. old TB Perch Sweetheart.
-
I just caught wind of some boompole rods or boom something or other. I have a buddy up here who said he has seven of them and won’t ever buy another brand of rod. I’ve never even heard of them. Said he got them from a guy who makes them in his house and they outperform anything he’s ever used. Supposed to be expanding before too long, but right now they’re kinda hard to get.
He won’t even share the info with me which is jacked up because we fish together!! If anyone knows this company/brand, please let me know!!!
-
I just caught wind of some boompole rods or boom something or other. I have a buddy up here who said he has seven of them and won’t ever buy another brand of rod. I’ve never even heard of them. Said he got them from a guy who makes them in his house and they outperform anything he’s ever used. Supposed to be expanding before too long, but right now they’re kinda hard to get.
He won’t even share the info with me which is jacked up because we fish together!! If anyone knows this company/brand, please let me know!!!
Why would someone be secret about their rod brand, especially a friend? Strange...
Seems like everyone is trying to make their own rods and sell them these days.
Only "boom" rod I've heard of is the northland tackle boom stick lol.
-
Why would someone be secret about their rod brand, especially a friend? Strange...
Seems like everyone is trying to make their own rods and sell them these days.
Only "boom" rod I've heard of is the northland tackle boom stick lol.
He’s always like that. I wouldn’t put it past him to be pulling my leg, too.
-
Got two Ct.Croix rods. Just got this Green Hornet Noodle rod, cant wait to try it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cg2m4xRZ/a80b12-5e2e83356e944db0b7e7ab6e5fd9028c-mv2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
-
Got two Ct.Croix rods. Just got this Green Hornet Noodle rod, cant wait to try it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cg2m4xRZ/a80b12-5e2e83356e944db0b7e7ab6e5fd9028c-mv2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Looks cool
-
Some other great choices
Syde Sticks
Kichler
THC Rods
Sake Fishing
Gaffight Customs
Custom rods do seem to trigger folks... I like to support small biz too.
BTW, who would produce a handmade item taking several hours for less than $100?
-
Don’t know Chris Stanton...
I just laugh at the Thorne brothers rods my biggest regret on rod puchases was when I purchased my perch sweetheart from Thorne brothers....I dropped $75 on it years ago and it was no better then a $25 cabelas ice rod.
"Better" is obviously subjective; sounds like some are fixated more on aesthetics than action.
It should be noted that the Thorne was made in MN by a fellow ice angler, possibly even by Chris Stanton when he just got started making rods. That $25 cabelas unit sounds like a dreamy rod though.. ;)2
-
I've been rolling my own for almost 10 years now, decided to take the next step this year. Got a business partner and started a company.
https://www.fish365rods.com/
You have some nice looking rods! Hope you do well with your new venture.
-
I've been rolling my own for almost 10 years now, decided to take the next step this year. Got a business partner and started a company.
https://www.fish365rods.com/
You have some nice looking rods! Hope you do well with your new venture.
-
" _____ makes the best custom rod there is" -Every fisherman with a custom rod.
I see a lot of people liking TUCR, and a lot of people bashing over-priced on the shelf rods....what's the difference? TUCR are sold at Scheels and you're paying for the name brand. For the price you pay for a TUCR I can buy two truly customized ice rods, probably even made with the same blanks. If you don't choose the coloring, the length, the number of guides, the type of guides, the handle style, handle material, how is it customized? Half the fun of buying a custom rod for me is throwing around ideas with the rod builder based on my style of fishing and lure preference.
Don't get me wrong, I have a TUCR PN that I bought when I was in a pinch and it's a super nice rod. But I don't even take it with me most days anymore as it's probably the 4th "best" rod I own now.
Just food for thought, TUCR opened up peoples eyes to 'custom rods' but are no longer custom or even top end IMO.
For the price you pay for two truly custom rods, I can build 4. Where does it end? :tipup:
-
"Better" is obviously subjective; sounds like some are fixated more on aesthetics than action.
It should be noted that the Thorne was made in MN by a fellow ice angler, possibly even by Chris Stanton when he just got started making rods. That $25 cabelas unit sounds like a dreamy rod though.. ;)2
Not really.
The Thorne brothers perch sweet heart was just no better then what a $25 mass produced cabelas ice Rod was. I had them side buy side. They were almost Identical except for a little bit of silver in the threads on one and the cabelas had more flair due to a labeled logo ring on the Tennesse handle.
-
BTW, who would produce a handmade item taking several hours for less than $100?
Ain't that the truth! Where does a hundred dollars get you nowadays, not far!? Bricker lives down the road but I don't own any of his artwork yet. Was gifted a Gaffight recently, long stand up noodle that I haven't had a chance to use but looks and feels great. My 2 favorite sticks are stamped HT and most likely were only made for a year or 2 and cost around $10 retail. After a few decades and hundreds of fish I think I'm about to get my last dollars worth, good thing cuz there hanging on by just a little thread and adhesive!
-
I don't think anyone would be doing any high end ice rods if Thorne Bros didn't pioneer the wonderful rod blanks that a lot of everyone else copied today. Simple concepts like the Deadstick and Power Noodle rod. Still remember all the special technique specific rods that Dave Genz put out. Oh and them Dave Genz Gold rods, one baitcasting and one spinning version I think.
Anything else was all custom made to specs.
-
Not really.
The Thorne brothers perch sweet heart was just no better then what a $25 mass produced cabelas ice Rod was. I had them side buy side. They were almost Identical except for a little bit of silver in the threads on one and the cabelas had more flair due to a labeled logo ring on the Tennesse handle.
Bit of silver, and flair due to logo (both aesthetics related btw) otherwise no better.
Got it, I'll assume the dreamy Cabelas rod was compeltely identical in action. Same guides spacing too. ??? And, made in MN?
-
Own a few tucr rod that I really like, PN, bullwhip and QT. Very nice rods.
-
Bit of silver, and flair due to logo (both aesthetics related btw) otherwise no better.
Got it, I'll assume the dreamy Cabelas rod was compeltely identical in action. Same guides spacing too. ??? And, made in MN?
Yes, Yes, and No. Anymore I'd rather spend money anywhere else then MN.
-
I have a JT Gold Digger and love it for 5mm tungsten up to size 3 jigging raps (5 in a pinch), and UL ripping raps. Sweet rod for perch and walleye, but looking for something for 5-7 jigging raps now.
-
Tiny Rodworks
They are the best rods I have ever used and I have used/own a lot of the big name custom rod builder rods. They are custom made to the exact spec and action you want. Disclaimer: I am the rod builder behind Tiny Rodworks and that may make me a little bias. ;D
-
2- 13 Fishing Archangels, 1-Gloomis Ice, 6-Haat Rods plus various others St Croix Mojo Ice.... Haven't really invested in a "Custom" built rod yet.
-
2- 13 Fishing Archangels, 1-Gloomis Ice, 6-Haat Rods plus various others St Croix Mojo Ice.... Haven't really invested in a "Custom" built rod yet.
Aren't those gloomis rods like $200?
-
I just looked into the 2 B rods. They look like some decent rods for the price. I think have a sale now.
I personally use Fish 13 widowmakers.
-
I just picked up an Elliott Rippineyes to use when working larger raps and spoons. I can’t compare it to anything other than my 13 wicked and widow maker rods but it seems like a great rod. I really like my widow makers as well.
-
Aren't those gloomis rods like $200?
YES.
-
HT blue ice for me. its not a custom rod but somebody had to make it.
So is an HT blue ice rod that has been stripped and re-tuned a custom rod?I modified a pair for a guy I fish with,and he just loves them.Other than a little labor,the total cost for each rod was about 20.00.
-
So is an HT blue ice rod that has been stripped and re-tuned a custom rod?I modified a pair for a guy I fish with,and he just loves them.Other than a little labor,the total cost for each rod was about 20.00.
I would say so. It is more of a custom rod then the multiple mass produced rods being sold as custom.....when there is not one single "custom" item to the mass produced rod.
-
Custom rods, wow where to start? Its some ones time and effort put into a blank. Blanks vary and so do prices for them . Carbon or fiberglass general composites for certain applications.
I have built many flyrods and ice rods, I keep them simple and look to build them for specific applications I have a need for. With that being said many rods will perform in a similar fashion, its all the trimming certain markers put on them, do they have specific handles, # of guides, fancy colors/appearance ect.. I have seen many great looking rods on rod-building sites. I will say this, step up to the ledge take a jump and build your own, you will love the end product for one application or another. If not build another.
I have seen some excellent rods shown here and many other sites. I give those makers huge credit, but ultimately a rod has one job and its to fish. A secondary for a maker is how well it appeals to buyers, so unless you know how it fishes your buying an assumption based on looks.
I worked for A major snowboard brand for 3 years and was stunned to find out there were 4 board presses in the whole world and manufactures built them to a companies specs and graphics, but specs did not vary that much. The difference could be 2-3 hundred dollars or more based on cosmetics.
Support rod builders 1000%, but please don't take the bait hook, line and sinker on you need a $100 ice rod or 2 grand fly rod.
My 2 cents 100% build your own- cost is priceless.
-
I also dont own a single high end ice rod.i only pull panfish thru the ice so i dont need one.i do have many high end rods for steelhead fishing.
-
I had a st croix open water rod for years and it was awesome.... For ice..... My highest end rod isnt really that at all.... Its a low to medium end rod.... But it feels very nice innthe hand.... The abu garcia veritas.... Not a fan of the all white aeeing as it will blend in to the snow but i think ill be ok.... Oh and i have a fenwick i picked up on sale at northwoods for like 40$.... Its also a nice fishin stick
-
Custom rods, wow where to start? Its some ones time and effort put into a blank. Blanks vary and so do prices for them . Carbon or fiberglass general composites for certain applications.
I have built many flyrods and ice rods, I keep them simple and look to build them for specific applications I have a need for. With that being said many rods will perform in a similar fashion, its all the trimming certain markers put on them, do they have specific handles, # of guides, fancy colors/appearance ect.. I have seen many great looking rods on rod-building sites. I will say this, step up to the ledge take a jump and build your own, you will love the end product for one application or another. If not build another.
I have seen some excellent rods shown here and many other sites. I give those makers huge credit, but ultimately a rod has one job and its to fish. A secondary for a maker is how well it appeals to buyers, so unless you know how it fishes your buying an assumption based on looks.
I worked for A major snowboard brand for 3 years and was stunned to find out there were 4 board presses in the whole world and manufactures built them to a companies specs and graphics, but specs did not vary that much. The difference could be 2-3 hundred dollars or more based on cosmetics.
Support rod builders 1000%, but please don't take the bait hook, line and sinker on you need a $100 ice rod or 2 grand fly rod.
My 2 cents 100% build your own- cost is priceless.
I built a few so far, but still like my jt gold digger better so far. I am certainly not rich but I enjoy fishing and make gear a priority. This way when mrs right comes along I have everything I need and don’t need to justify purchases. Hopefully she will love to fish and then I have gear for her too! ;) Cheap gear works fine too. To each their own.
-
Bricker custom Rods.
No custom rod even comes close to a Bricker rod.
Well people do make their own rods too including myself…. sooo I think their are some other custom that will compete, lol. Many other custom rod makers out their just not as advertised as bricker. ;)
-
I would like a custom open water rod.... But for ice i can more money on trips if i buy cheaper combos