Author Topic: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?  (Read 4038 times)

Offline SHaRPS

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Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone here has any positive or negative feedback on this combo. Also, what line are you using, do you like it, and what species are you targeting?

My plan is to get the UL model in 27" and spool it with a flouro line in 3-4lb test. Target species is panfish. Blue gills, yellow perch, crappie, and white perch. I do get into jumbo whites and crappie up to 17" so I want to make sure the tip is sensitive enough and that the backbone is strong enough. I also want to make sure that it can handle a 6lb bass as well as an occasional large pickerel or even lake trout.

Any and all feedback would be great before I decide to buy this!

Thank you!
Just add water.

Offline manning1987

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #1 on: Jan 13, 2020, 12:26 PM »
SHaRPS,

I recently purchased the 27" L black out Scheels version. I was going to do the UL too but the specialists recommended going the L route. Just to be more universal. It still has the soft tip but just a bit more strength for the big crappie and occasional bass, pike and laker.

Just my 2 cents.

Offline 3300

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #2 on: Jan 13, 2020, 01:58 PM »
we have no ice to test gear so far here. so i can only observe products. not liking the idea i have to hold onto the rod differently with the trigger in the way to have two fingers up front of the reel like i'm used to.

i bought that combo (ghost free fall and tickle stick) for 60$ at a gander store closing sale on the split handle 2018 version. wish i hadn't spent the 60$. they now have the reel seat version single handle rod which is way better and the 2019 reel has the "window" added on the top to keep line from falling off. the reel i bought had a really bad wobble  in the spool like my clam plate and i asked if they could send a replacement spool. 13 fish said nope, it has to be sent to them. i had them pay for shipping both ways since i never got to use it brand new. they sent it back and was much better. the drop speed knob uses a pin with a rubber tip that rubs on the inside of the spool, so any wobble at all makes it worthless.

after buying it and then seeing the newer designs, i bought their 2019 trick shop limited copper edition ghost free fall reel (140$ retail) at a show and bought their 2019 tickle sticks with the reel seat and single handle (50$ retail) at gander while they had 30% off entire store recently.
their aluminum version the ghost free fall (100$ retail) has the same drop speed magnets used to control the speed.

take the spool off what ever you want to buy and check it out so you can see the differences. i was told the clutch is also well improved version on the trick shop limited edition version.
they all seem to use the same single spool bearing.

i can post pics if you want to see them and their differences.


Offline sra61

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #3 on: Jan 13, 2020, 05:01 PM »
I have the 27" in L, and really like it. I fish crappie mostly with it, but caught a 4 lb. pike last week that was a wild fight on it. I think it has the perfect combination of flex in the tip and backbone. I may buy another!

Offline slamber

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #4 on: Jan 13, 2020, 05:18 PM »
For what you want to do with it I wouldn't recommend the UL. I have the 27" in Light and spooled with 4# fireline. I love it for panfish, bass and trout; great tip and plenty of backbone for fish up to a couple #s. I got it at the beginning of this season and have caught perch up to 13", trout and bass up to 4#s and the combo did well.

Offline Peccavi18

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #5 on: Jan 13, 2020, 05:27 PM »
I have that exact same one in UL and love it for panfish. Biggest fish I have brought in on it was a bass probably around 4lbs. The tip is super soft but it had enough backbone to work it in. I would step up to the light if pike bass and even Lakers are more common where your fishing but if your in a mostly panfish area the UL is a great rod.

Offline iceman10

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #6 on: Jan 13, 2020, 07:38 PM »
SHaRPS,

I recently purchased the 27" L black out Scheels version. I was going to do the UL too but the specialists recommended going the L route. Just to be more universal. It still has the soft tip but just a bit more strength for the big crappie and occasional bass, pike and laker.

Just my 2 cents.

I bought exactly the same blackout version, as I hate Green ! Just patiently waiting to use it

Offline slipperybob

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #7 on: Jan 13, 2020, 10:12 PM »
If I laugh at that ugly green thing.  Don't take it personally.  :P
For more information read my MN nice journal

Offline manning1987

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #8 on: Jan 14, 2020, 07:44 AM »
I bought exactly the same blackout version, as I hate Green ! Just patiently waiting to use it

Same here!

Offline SHaRPS

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #9 on: Jan 14, 2020, 10:52 AM »
Thank you for the reply's all! If I can get it for %20 off, green is fine for me.

So it sounds like the UL is the way to go if targeting panfish. Although, where I fish I do tend to catch a bunch of bass up to 4lbs frequently. I use a UL rod now (st croix gold) and have no issue getting them in, its just the rod specifically that I am wondering about. Running tiny tungstens and small spoons, I want to make sure the tip is as sensitive as a spring indicator, which is why I want this rod to begin with.
Just add water.

Offline 3300

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #10 on: Jan 14, 2020, 11:08 AM »
i also target pans. forgot to mention.

i have caught cats on noodle rods and ul rods, never worried about the rod, just the line and figuring out how much tension you can have on the drag with 2 pound line or less. always fun landing the bigger fish on such light equipment.

trying this rod just to try some thing new and see if i can get away from strike indicators and line watching. the back bone will handle plenty of weight. the tip just moves the easiest so maybe hook sets could be challenging, but doubt that because all i ever use in ul. i did buy two super ultra light tickle sticks also. just always try to keep the rod parallel to the ground setting the hook and not try to point it upwards is key. keeping two hands on the hook sets helps with this.

i like green too, it's what we work for.

Offline BlueSail

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #11 on: Jan 14, 2020, 11:38 AM »
I love my UL a lot...3 or 4# test and use it to target perch, many +14 inchers. So, when perch fishing I catch pickerel, and if the toothy ***** doesn't cut my line, it's a blast to fight them on this UL.  The tip is sensitive.
Complaints 1) the small guides on the pole for the line, they freeze up quickly when it's real cold, I an a outside on a bucket guy... 
2) if it is real cold, mittens can be tough to manipulate the trigger, I end up using both hands...not too big of a problem, the trigger is nice.

Offline SHaRPS

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #12 on: Jan 15, 2020, 02:58 PM »
I am going to pull the trigger in a few minutes on one of these so I appreciate everyone's input!

The common thing I am hearing is go with the L model if bigger fish swim where I fish. They do, bass, pickerel, lakers.

So my final question - Is the tip on the L just as sensitive as the tip on the UL? Basically, can I still detect a small blue gill on a 3mm tungsten on the L rod as I can on my st croix with a spring? I do not want to sacrifice backbone for sensitivity and miss fish because I do not see them strike. My go to targets are crappie, yellow perch and white perch so seeing an up-bite is key as well.
Just add water.

Offline 3300

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #13 on: Jan 15, 2020, 05:06 PM »
i went with two of the SUL. that is heavier than UL , but lighter than L actions. so you have that option also.

Offline SHaRPS

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #14 on: Jan 20, 2020, 08:45 AM »
So I received the L model and the tip is stiffer than I expected. I think it will be great for small spoons and heavier jigs but it may be a bit too stiff for smaller tungstens. Also, i spooled it up with 3lb flouro, put a small tungsten on and the free fall action is very slow even when I turned the small dial to its lightest setting. Not sure if the small jig is just too small but that is my thought. I am pretty sure that I have the line rigged up correctly, through the little window.

Looking forward to using it!
Just add water.

Offline 3300

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #15 on: Jan 20, 2020, 09:23 AM »
maybe after it gets wet from reeling up the jig it will help line pass thru thee guides, unless it's too cold.

Offline ICEHOLE

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #16 on: Jan 20, 2020, 09:32 AM »
So I received the L model and the tip is stiffer than I expected. I think it will be great for small spoons and heavier jigs but it may be a bit too stiff for smaller tungstens. Also, i spooled it up with 3lb flouro, put a small tungsten on and the free fall action is very slow even when I turned the small dial to its lightest setting. Not sure if the small jig is just too small but that is my thought. I am pretty sure that I have the line rigged up correctly, through the little window.

Looking forward to using it!
We seem to live in a world of "good enough" nearly every piece of equipment one can buy needs some sort of, modification, or adjustment to work as it "should"
My favorite set ups to use are with bait casting reels on them, my abu garcia silvermax will free spool anything i attach to it, also like how they lay on the bucket when dead sticking bait
good luck with your pickle

Offline defish

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #17 on: Jan 20, 2020, 11:51 AM »
So I received the L model and the tip is stiffer than I expected. I think it will be great for small spoons and heavier jigs but it may be a bit too stiff for smaller tungstens. Also, i spooled it up with 3lb flouro, put a small tungsten on and the free fall action is very slow even when I turned the small dial to its lightest setting. Not sure if the small jig is just too small but that is my thought. I am pretty sure that I have the line rigged up correctly, through the little window.

Looking forward to using it!

Sharp looking combo!  I have a number of in-line reels, but not the 13 trigger model - the line should go directly to the first rod guide without rubbing on the reel opening. If you're not sure about the line going "through the little window" maybe try re-routing it through the larger opening.  Taking off the spool and putting a drop of light reel oil on the spool bearings should also help with the free fall. 

Offline iceman10

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Re: 13 fishing Radioactive Pickle Combo - Reviews/feedback?
« Reply #18 on: Jan 20, 2020, 06:09 PM »
i also target pans. forgot to mention.

i have caught cats on noodle rods and ul rods, never worried about the rod, just the line and figuring out how much tension you can have on the drag with 2 pound line or less. always fun landing the bigger fish on such light equipment.

trying this rod just to try some thing new and see if i can get away from strike indicators and line watching. the back bone will handle plenty of weight. the tip just moves the easiest so maybe hook sets could be challenging, but doubt that because all i ever use in ul. i did buy two super ultra light tickle sticks also. just always try to keep the rod parallel to the ground setting the hook and not try to point it upwards is key. keeping two hands on the hook sets helps with this.

i like green too, it's what we work for.


I feel for ya on the working part! I work at putting fish on the table !! Lol

 



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