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I am looking into getting some new ice rods but can't afford $100 rods. I am looking at the Northland Tackle Cherry Picker and Haymaker. I have a couple Scheels rods and they are ok. I am just looking for thoughts and opinions on affordable rods that I may not know that are out there. I will be mainly fishing for bluegill and crappie with the occasional trip for perch and walleye up north. To go along with this do you guys buy combos or do you stick to certain reels and just add them to the rod? Thanks!
Fenwick Elite Tech rods are a pretty good budget friendly rod for perch/walleye, IMHO. Don't be ashamed to add a quality spring bobber to a rod - they do help. I buy rods/reels separate.
Which spring bobbers do you recommend? What reels do you go with?
The quality of ice rods today is amazing. Even that cheap Shakespeare Wild series ice rods is an awesome value retailing in at $15 or less. I started with Ugly Sticks and St Croix Premiere ice rods. Back then I got these rods for just a little more than $10 each and they most certainly got the job done and still do.The new Northland rods, Cherry Picker and Haymaker are a premium rod retailing at $60. I haven't personally seen them. There's lots of good rods in around at that price.This year I unnecessarily added a Fenwick Techna ice rod 28" ML retails about $50.A few years ago I picked up Clam Ice Team Carbon ice rods retailing at about $35. This year they only come in combo'sSt. Croix Mojo ice rods retailing about $50.13 Fishing Wicked ice rods retail about $30 and Whiteout at about $40. Also available as combo's but the reels are on the junk side.As for rods, I say pick a rod based on the lure or lure weights that you will be using - not just for the fish. Everyone fishes a little differently and everyone will have a preference. And when a person gets down to it, they will finally make a choice with which rod or reel that suits their preference.
Your last paragraph of your reply says exactly where I am at. I just need to test a handful of rods and see which one fits me. Looks like i just need to get a few and test em out! Thanks!
Gotta throw in a plug for the Tickle Stick rods. They are great in my opinion. Only $50 and eliminate the need for a spring bobber. Personally, I like the descent/free fall style reels, but that's a touchy subject around here. Haha.
St. Croix Mojo ice rods retailing about $50.