ice rod question

[truckhuntfish]

ok , maybe it's just my "old school" opinion , but , is there really a difference with my gander mtn special ice rods compared to st.croix and other high end rods or am i right thinking that a rod is a rod ?

i have never used any "high end" rods to know the difference but am i missing something ?

[cbtrtbum]

as has been discussed a lot, its all what youre lookin to get outta it. If your Gander Mtn rod is great for you, then great. To me, they vary quite a bit. Whatever makes the angler happy. I really like Thorne Bros custom rods over all of the other rods i have fished. I prefer the fast quick action of their graphite rods, and the quality is top notch. Do you need a custom rod to catch fish? No. You could catch fish with a stick and a line just the same.

[slipperybob]

If you fish only with some basic tackle then a rod is just a rod.

If you want to try to fish with some of the various lures out there, then choose a rod that will help make the presentation more convincing to a fish.  There are so many differences out there, becuase everybody is different with their hand eye coordination.  Then there's the question of which flasher is best...   for what and for whom...

[snowman3406]

There is most deff a difference between them.  The higher end rods have more sensativity to them on a tap of a take.  The trick is finding
what you are willing to spend, and happy to use.  Not everyone demands a high end rod.

[truckhuntfish]

i guess i just refer to st. croix because i am from wisconsin where they are built , but , I use a camera most of the time anyway , my arguement is that i could (PROBABLY) catch just as many by just holding my line. and doubt anybody could "feel" some of the bites.   I don't know ,but seems a little pricey for me either way.

[snowman3406]

I had a buddy who always thought the same thing river fishing for eyes.  I was putting on a clinic while he had only 2 fish caught.  I let him use the rod i had, and needless to say, he was out ordering one the next day.  They really do make a big difference in open water.  The high end graphite rods tend to magnify the strike if you will.

[Fontona19]

I have spent upwards of $250 on a spinning rod for open water fishing. Considering that, jig rods are cheap. Even expensive ones. 

[snowman3406]

I have spent upwards of $250 on a spinning rod for open water fishing. Considering that, jig rods are cheap. Even expensive ones.  Ice Fishing


its a pretty safe bet to say, you won't be picking up an ugly stick anytime soon either!  I know I won't!

[Machine]

I have bought a lot of rods and what I thought I would like in the store did not quite make it when I used them. It seems to me that the old (You get what you pay for) with all fishing equiptment holds true.

[archetype_wyo]

I have bought a lot of rods and what I thought I would like in the store did not quite make it when I used them. It seems to me that the old (You get what you pay for) with all fishing equiptment holds true.

I got an HT Polar Ice Light/Med rod that had an ultra-sensitive tip on it and saw strikes on it that I wouldn't have seen on a spring bobber due to the wind. I could't feel the strikes because of my gloves but saw them and was amazed because they didn't hit too hard at all. Bought the rod just the rod for $10 at Wal-Mart. Kicks butt, I own all HT rods for ice fishing mainly due to that's all I see in the store but have had great success with the rods standing up to abuse. Their reels leave something to be desired but oh well, the rods are just awesome in light and ultralight.