Rod tips.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Is it just me....or do other people hate when a company doesn't put a tip top at the tip of the Rod and just uses a guide.....

I've got a St croix ice Rod & am thinking about redoing the tip top on it because of this.

[meandcuznalfy]

I'd redo it.

[HWeber]

Nope actually the opposite, so use to seeing guides that tiptops look wrong

[RyanW]

Nope actually the opposite, so use to seeing guides that tiptops look wrong

I agree. Tip-tops on ice rods are too bulky for me. Not only aesthetically but physically. Having said that, I’d take an aligned top over a crooked one of either style. It’s like most rod companies believe that ice rods aren’t serious tools. It’s just a line holder. Which is ever evident by the sea of poorly constructed ice rods on the market. I own 3 TUCR’s and have made several rods (all noodles) and a tip-top would just impede rod action, for me (I’m very particular when it comes to gear). No need for that much material on the end of a noodle rod. Again, having said that, I suppose it would depend on the type of ice rod. Anything strong like pike, trout, sturgeon, heavy catfish, I would use a tip-top because the rod itself is of a more stout construction. Power is the name of the game there. Stronger fish = stronger rod = Stronger guides, including the top. In this case it would be a tip-top and not just a wrapped guide.

Does it really matter though, nah......

[rdhammah]

when building a rod, though, trying to wrap a guide at the end of a rod tip that is 2/64 or 3/64 is a real pain in the arse. I go with a glued top.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

when building a rod, though, trying to wrap a guide at the end of a rod tip that is 2/64 or 3/64 is a real pain in the arse. I go with a glued top.

Exactly.......after building a lot of rods.....it just looks wrong to me if a guide is used. Plus I feel you get a better view of the tip with a tip top.

[HWeber]

It's unnecessary weight at the worst spot to have it.

[slipperybob]

Since I prefer a baitcasting set up...it's got to have a rod tip that will work that way.

[matzilla]

the only tip top i use are fly style and then it is only while using a sight bead


Otherwise it is double wrapped standard wire fly guides




I would never put a standard open water style tip top on an ice rod...even laker, pike, sturgeon rods I would use a size 8 Minima F with 2x locking wraps

[OldSailor]

Lookin' good!! 

[chilly-willy]

Gets some American fishing wire single strand wire and make your own tip top ...   been there done it several times threw out the years.. you can get lighter wire then the guide they used in first place so the tips more sensitive then make the rest of the snake guides for the rod out of the wire you can lighten up the rod doing so..

If it was me I would redo it!

[Light liner]

when building a rod, though, trying to wrap a guide at the end of a rod tip that is 2/64 or 3/64 is a real pain in the arse. I go with a glued top.

Same here I build rods  fly rod top epoxied on is much nicer looking.
Also for and oitdoor rod its works well for ice build up.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Same here I build rods  fly rod top epoxied on is much nicer looking.
Also for and oitdoor rod its works well for ice build up.

Yep. Fly rod tops/tips are what I do. I don't see them being any more or less in weight then a guide with thread and thread epoxie

[OldSailor]

These work just fine!!     https://www.jannsnetcraft.com/fly-rod-tip-tops/  Check out the larger tips!!

[maddogg]

I use these XFTXL Ice Rod Tops, 2.5/64" Tube from Mudhole Free shipping til Dec 1st.