IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
New Hampshire => Ice Fishing New Hampshire => Topic started by: dickbaker on Dec 22, 2015, 10:07 AM
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??? ::) Ok! my wife asked about a Christmas present and I gave her a list of gourmet ice rods and high quality spinning reels. She says that nobody spends that much to pull fish thru a hole in the ice?? Years ago she bought me three ugly stick ice rods which seem OK and are unbreakable? What is the general opinion on fishing with multiple $150 jigging gear. Hey! Jiggin is still happy with a wooden stick and I have those left over from decades ago.
Dick
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I use my summer reels; Shimano Statics, but would never buy a $100 jigging rod... $30, $40 dollars rods work great!
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While the TUCR and others are very finely crafted instruments, I find it debatable whether they help you catch anymore fish.... and even if they do, I don't think that it would account for 5x the cost completely setup. Don't get me wrong, there are many areas of my life that I like "nice things" and some day when I have $150 burning a hole in my pocket I will probably buy something high.... As for right now though, I have a 4 and 5 yr old that fish with me. While they are very respectful of equipment, they are also kids. It is a lot less painful when a HT combo gets dropped down the hole, or the tip on a $20 frabril gets broke after a sword fight.... just my 2 cents.
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I use cheap stuff - my favorite is an ultralite spinning rod I busted and jury rigged into a jigging stick.. Reels - geez as long as the line lays on nice and the drag works that's all I ask of that gear. My traps are going on 15 and 20 years of use - they look like junk & I do have to "tune them up" now and then
- anyway - works for me.
But I do realize the effect, the confidence, my better spinning gear gives me so I guess its a personal choice. yolo.
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I have to agree with others.. I'm not spending that kind of money on a rod /reel. IMHO..Really don't see a need unless you are trying to impress someone.. not my thing..
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I spent $50 on a combo set up last season and thought that was to much..
I have seen to much expensive equipment get broken or lost.
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I use in inexspensive rods, usually buy combos and then upgrade the reels. I use pleuger trion spinning reels, there $39 thats about my limit on an ice reel. There drags are smooth and they have 6 BB. Plenty of reel for me. My all time fave rod the frabill enticer, 26 inch light rod, runs 25$ however, its not made anymore, I did fine one on ebay and bought it asap. You can score some very good tackle deals on ebay. I was considering a pleuger presidential but I think for ice fishing its over kill. Iva had great success with the lower priced stuff. I dont want to risk anything lost stolen or broken. My 2 cents.
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??? ??? ::) Keep it up. Ive heard a lot of gear that I like and my wife is watching and looking forward to the most practical rod/reel to get for my Christmas. I was afraid that serious ice fishermen would tell me that the super expensive sets were what I had to have??
Dick
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I have started building my own rods, $20 - $40 for the rod and I usually pair it with a $25-$30 reel (Abu Garcia Cardinal, Mitchell Avocet, Pflueger Trion 20X) about $70 for the combo but still cheaper then custom with $50 reel.
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I use my open water spinning reels, I just swap rods depending on the season. Shimano Sienna's ($30), Sedona's ($50), Sahara's ($80) all work great! Why use a $15 crappy spinning reel when you can just use your open water reels?
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Dick this will work fine for you. I copied your wife with all the information needed. It should arrive before first ice. With the money saved you can take her out to dinner and a movie.
(http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/dennyhersom/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg) (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/dennyhersom/media/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg.html)
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About a 30-40 $ reel is more than enough for jigging I think, I always buy a Shimano reel and they're great. I have a expensive bait caster reel on one rod but it was something I had laying around. Larger heavy action rods for fishing very deep water will be the most money I'll spend. When the black betty reel came out I really wanted one, but not for 100$ I didn't
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I have an ugly stick combo medium that I got at Nutes about 15yrs ago that I paid maybe $30.00 for ...still works as good as the day I bought it.. :tipup:
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I use my summer reels; Shimano Statics, but would never buy a $100 jigging rod... $30, $40 dollars rods work great!
Yup, I've spent some hefty coin on my summer reels so why not use them in winter too. I've got 9-10 Fenwick Elite Tech ice rods in all different lengths and weights that have always served me well at about $30 a pop.
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i do have a tucr lake trout rod and i cannot say i dont like it ;D my summer bass reel pflueger doesnt get much use so that is what goes on it. i bought all my open season rods and reels back 20 to 30 years ago when i was young, single, and stupid, paid way too much, i dont regret it one bit ;D
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Dick this will work fine for you. I copied your wife with all the information needed. It should arrive before first ice. With the money saved you can take her out to dinner and a movie.
(http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/dennyhersom/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg) (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/dennyhersom/media/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg.html)
LMAO !
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I spent I think $70 on a 13 fishing ice combo and I like it a lot. The reel is super smooth 7 ball bearings I love it. Splurge you only live once.
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Your wife is a smart woman. Be proud!! ;)
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I felt the same way as many of you stated above. However, compared to my other jigging rods I used to use, my new St Croix Legends are way more sensitive. Never have to worry about the weight of the lure or the spring sliding to the side. Does the rod catch more fish? - Absolutely not! But I do because my tool is better. For me personally the best move I ever made was to buy a flasher - instantly started catching more fish because I wasn't wasting time. Same goes when I purchased these rods - more fish because I wasn't wasting time. Less wasted time = more time with the jig in the water. With this being said, this is my experience and I do agree that you can catch fish with any rod.
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Why don't you guys just use a stick? It's free. Most expensive rods are fantastic. But I've noticed a lot of people on here bash them based solely on price, with no experience using the rods. I went through several cheap rods and ended up with my Fenwick elite ml. I like it. But it has no backbone. Larger fish took me for runs and I couldn't do anything about it. Soft rods have difficulties with some presentations too. Eyelets freeze easy. Rod isnt centered in the handle. Little things. So I bought a tucr precision for an all-around rod. It's damn near perfect. Light tip. Strong backbone with a great transition from the tip. Light. Sensitive but feels solid. Big open eyelets don't freeze outside the shanty. I have zero complaints. The price doesn't bother me anymore. I spent that much on cheap rods that broke or didn't perform. No buyers remorse. I actually bought a bullwhip too. Which is even more impressive in terms of blank construction. I can't wait to use it on pan fish. It works great on stream brookies! Lolll.
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*Larger fish being 20"+ walleye. Occasional burbot. Big pickerel. This year ill be targeting lakers and pike too so I definitely wanted something stronger.
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Why don't you guys just use a stick? It's free. Most expensive rods are fantastic. But I've noticed a lot of people on here bash them based solely on price, with no experience using the rods. I went through several cheap rods and ended up with my Fenwick elite ml. I like it. But it has no backbone. Larger fish took me for runs and I couldn't do anything about it. Soft rods have difficulties with some presentations too. Eyelets freeze easy. Rod isnt centered in the handle. Little things. So I bought a tucr precision for an all-around rod. It's damn near perfect. Light tip. Strong backbone with a great transition from the tip. Light. Sensitive but feels solid. Big open eyelets don't freeze outside the shanty. I have zero complaints. The price doesn't bother me anymore. I spent that much on cheap rods that broke or didn't perform. No buyers remorse. I actually bought a bullwhip too. Which is even more impressive in terms of blank construction. I can't wait to use it on pan fish. It works great on stream brookies! Lolll.
I agree. I also believe a lot of people bash on rods because of the price. This isn't a fashion by any means, but if I can catch more fish with a better rod, doesn't it only make sense? I wouldn't use a hand auger to cut a hole in 30" of ice - I would use a gas/electric/propane because its faster. Maybe my fishing style is different idk.
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Exactly. I have no problem bashing products, expensive or not, if I've used them and they were no good. But if I don't have experience with it what good is my opinion? Who am I to say it's not worth it
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Dick this will work fine for you. I copied your wife with all the information needed. It should arrive before first ice. With the money saved you can take her out to dinner and a movie.
(http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/dennyhersom/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg) (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/dennyhersom/media/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg.html)
Denny, Nice guy you are....what are you going to do next, rat him out on his donuts!!!
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Ugly sticks! Mine was under $40 bucks.. I've jigged up 5-10 pound lakers and smeller whites all feel good! Wish it was a tad bit thicker for hooksets, but I think it presents better!
No problem spending money, but out of a few rods both more and less money, best one I have used!
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Dick this will work fine for you. I copied your wife with all the information needed. It should arrive before first ice. With the money saved you can take her out to dinner and a movie.
(http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/dennyhersom/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg) (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/dennyhersom/media/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg.html)
Thanks Denny ::) I'll think of you while we are out to dinner.
Dick
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Our society is seperated by those who have and those who don't. I remember getting bashed for paying 6.00 bucks per huge sucker on this site. Comes down to what you want to own and spend on. I don't ask for opinions on my purchases, expensive or not because I can expect to here opinions I don't care for. That said, if you can spend 150 on a jigging combo more power to you. If you can't and get it done with a 10 dollar rod more power to you too! Whatever makes the sport enjoyable.
My complaint these days is everyone feels the need to vocalize their opinions to a fault, mostly because it's the type of interaction socila media hs created...
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Exactly. I have no problem bashing products, expensive or not, if I've used them and they were no good. But if I don't have experience with it what good is my opinion? Who am I to say it's not worth it
No bashing on my end.... I just feel like I do well enough with the equipment that I have and can't justify it..... Yet
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Maybe my fishing style is different idk.
I think this is the crux of the issue. I find that styles are very very different. Some sit out in the open air, some are in tents staring at a flasher, some are in heated rental huts getting half corked etc etc etc.
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Someone else may have said it, it's whatever is in your budget, and probably at the top end of that budget. Myself, I don't like to spend a lot of money on the rods for whatever personal reason, but I have a much easier time justifying bigger money on reels. That said, for laker rod I just switch out one of my smaller open-water trolling reels. Which aren't terribly expensive in the first place, as reels go. It's all relative.i haven't done much lighter jigging with a spinning reel, but I feel like you would want a fairly decent reel with an excellent drag on it. Reels can get to a level where cheap just isn't good. Who wants to fish with a p.o.s.?
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I apologize if I came across a bit sharp earlier. I've come into the "buy once cry once" mentality after spending more money on cheap things a few times. I save money by using my softwater shimanos and just swapping them seasonally. A good reel/drag let's you make up for a weaker rod/line
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So my laker set up - a frabill rod that was under 30.$ , with an Okuma reel that went somewhere a little under 100. I can see where a more expensive rod might make very light hits on deep jigging more perceptible, I could definitely see that, but I don't THINK I'm missing many hits/fish with what I'm using, so who cares.
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since i have been targeting lakers(jigging), i have learned the lessor Chinese made stuff fails when I need it most. I stick with a medium action 36 inch rod. I like the shimano and the okuma reels due to their durability.
Last year, I bought a thorne brothers rod. a bit more coin but i go the extra mile keeping it ready. with lakers and jigging bucktails, the extra beef you get in a better rod will pay off. the medium action gives you the power of a good hook set with the sensitivity needed for feel
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Everyone needs to remember that all the hype about rods, lures ,set-ups etc. - are designed to catch fishermen. THE FISH DON"T KNOW !
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I use a jig stick given to me by an old timer. It's my favorite.
I do have rod and reels but just can't seem to get the feel completely.
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Hey Dick. I think there are 3 very important aspects to jigging, with the 3rd being the most important. A smooth drag is crucial but you don't have to spend $100 on a reel that has a good one. Good flourocarbon is 2nd, and I really don't think an expense jig rod is important as long as it isn't too flimsy. Most importantly is to toss the gloves and keep the line on your exposed index finger so you can feel even the most subtle hits. I scratch my head when I see guys using gloves to jig. It doesn't matter what type rod you use. You'll feel that tap every time if you keep your finger on the line.Worked pretty well in Meredith last March, didn't it? ;)
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Denny, Nice guy you are....what are you going to do next, rat him out on his donuts!!!
No the pizza would get him in a lot more trouble than those high fiber chocolate covered donuts would. :whistle:
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One of the universals in life is you only get to take out what you brought in with you. Buy whatever you want.
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Dick this will work fine for you. I copied your wife with all the information needed. It should arrive before first ice. With the money saved you can take her out to dinner and a movie.
(http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w424/dennyhersom/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg) (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/dennyhersom/media/FP1_zpssdukyzak.jpg.html)
Thanks, for this Denny. :roflmao:
My monitor is very clean now, after I washed all the chew off of it. ;)
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Thanks, for this Denny. :roflmao:
My monitor is very clean now, after I washed all the chew off of it. ;)
I'll PM you the site so you can order one. @)
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I'll PM you the site so you can order one. @)
Thanks Denny, I do need more rods and reels. ::)
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Thanks, for this Denny. :roflmao:
My monitor is very clean now, after I washed all the chew off of it. ;)
Another reason not to chew. :nono:
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I use my open water spinning reels, I just swap rods depending on the season. Shimano Sienna's ($30), Sedona's ($50), Sahara's ($80) all work great! Why use a $15 crappy spinning reel when you can just use your open water reels?
I do the same with my saharas and put them on st croix premier ice rods. Works out to be about an $80 combo but well worth it.
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I have an ugly stick combo medium that I got at Nutes about 15yrs ago that I paid maybe $30.00 for ...still works as good as the day I bought it.. :tipup:
My wife confirms that her purchase of Ugly sticks has been confirmed ::) But she is willing to consider better quality spinning reels even after she got me two in Eagle Claw in line reels. Understand that she doesn't like to eat fish so she does it out of love for an old duffer who doesn't have anything else to do while she skis with her kids?
Dick
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My wife confirms that her purchase of Ugly sticks has been confirmed ::) But she is willing to consider better quality spinning reels even after she got me two in Eagle Claw in line reels. Understand that she doesn't like to eat fish so she does it out of love for an old duffer who doesn't have anything else to do while she skis with her kids?
Dick
She's a keeper :tipup:
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Are you guys jigging with the ugly sticks or bobber fishing?
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Jigging
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You can spend whatever you want on your gear, but please don't complain about the price of bait and tackle if you do spend big $$ on the gear.
Kind of buying a Lexus or BMW and complaining about the price of gas.
I use cheap tackle, and have had no problem with any of the rigs I use.
I have light and heavy action rigs to cover most needs.
The key is that you are happy with whatever you buy!
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Another reason not to chew. :nono:
I know it! I quit every time I eat and sleep, but it's a hard habit to break.
That is one of a few things I learned and retained in school. ;)
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I haven't used an ugly stick ice rod in probably close to 10 years, but remembering back feeling the bite was terrible and seeing it just as bad. If you need a cheap pole the best thing you can buy is an ht ice blue. At least you can see it. By the way, those $10 rods are the back up to my $100 rods
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::) My three ugly stick rods have been in use for more than 10 years and a replacement now cost $19. The three that my wife got me were medium, light and ultra light and work great for any fish I have caught. The light and ultra light show even crappie bites and because they are unbreakable I've even the medium on pike with a little bigger spinning reel.
I ice fish eat fish BUT if I were a competition ice fisher I might even spend $50 for a rod and $40 for a spinning reel?
Dick
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??? ::) OK! This my favorite jigging rod. Created from broken fly rod tip and handle. The in line reel cost $29.
The Vexilar and Nils auger are expensive because I think those are the most important items and much better investment than $150 jigging rod? On the other hand the fly rod was a $300 Sage that my wife bought for me. Maybe that's why she won't buy me any more expensive
ice rods ::)
Dic(http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/b410/dickbaker/EustisampBrownTrout010.jpg) (http://s1040.photobucket.com/user/dickbaker/media/EustisampBrownTrout010.jpg.html)k
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I remember You posting that originally. That was a Beautiful Brown!
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;D Thanks Keith. I would have released it but it wouldn't fit back down the hole!!
Dick
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??? ::) OK! This my favorite jigging rod. Created from broken fly rod tip and handle. The in line reel cost $29.
The Vexilar and Nils auger are expensive because I think those are the most important items and much better investment than $150 jigging rod? On the other hand the fly rod was a $300 Sage that my wife bought for me. Maybe that's why she won't buy me any more expensive
ice rods ::)
Dic(http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/b410/dickbaker/EustisampBrownTrout010.jpg) (http://s1040.photobucket.com/user/dickbaker/media/EustisampBrownTrout010.jpg.html)k
Dick I don't think that it looks too good for fishing there this year. :(
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??? :-\ You may be right Denny. The lakes are still at flood level which means they will be up and down for much of January?
But, if they just keep dropping the level I will be OK by February? The stocked trout ponds will be great this winter.
Dick
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i use a $15 ht polarlite rod with a $20 frabill reel.i use this setup for trout, perch, crappie and just about everything else and it has never let me down.
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i use a $15 ht polarlite rod with a $20 frabill reel.i use this setup for trout, perch, crappie and just about everything else and it has never let me down.
;D :tipup: :tipup: I got two Polarlite rods for xmas and they feel great. I'm going to put my two Frabill reels on them.
Dick
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;D :tipup: :tipup: I got two Polarlite rods for xmas and they feel great. I'm going to put my two Frabill reels on them.
Dick
they take 1/16 oz lures like a charm. i think they might be the best perch rod out there for what you r paying.
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I think the reel is the important part,i use 4lb test alot and don't want to lose the fish of a lifetime because my drag "froze up". Just picked up this sweet little combo,the 28" medium wright&mcgill rods are only 30-40$ and in my opinion is the perfect jaw jacker rod, got a lot of whip to it and a strong backbone.cant wait to rip some lips!
(http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae308/stbuildingremodeling/20151229_182714_zpsplt9k5qs.jpg) (http://s982.photobucket.com/user/stbuildingremodeling/media/20151229_182714_zpsplt9k5qs.jpg.html)