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X2 for the st croix rods and their spring bobbers. No one has mentioned crappie and spring bobbers. This is where they are 100% crucial for that upwards bite. No rod will show you that with a 1/64th tungsten jig in real time.
A high quality noodle rod will.
I know my TUCR Precision Noodle most certainly will.I love what spring bobbers do but I hate having them attached to any rod. Can’t stand it. I cut my teeth on schooley setups so when I advocate for a spring bobber, I suggest the type that are on those (just a cheap HT spring bobber). I ditched spring bobbers about 5 years ago, went to custom tapered rods, and never looked back. There isn’t any bite that even the best spring bobbers show that a well built noodle rod won’t show. Plus, it’s one less thing to get in the way.
They're actually not too tough to make yourself at home . I used to knock out three or four every Fall getting ready for the season. Go to any hardware store or one of the big box stores and in the section where they have the oddball metal shapes, bars, slotted angle etc. you'll find some tubes that have various diameters of spring wire, typically in 30" pieces. Pick one up, pinch it about 4" from the end to test the springiness and go through the sizes until you find the one you like. Get two or three sticks because you're going to screw up at first. In your shop, you'll need some wire cutters, two pair of needle nose pliers and a propane torch. For the little bright indicator I've used faceted brightly colored glass beads and even cannibalized some little orange styrofoam teardrops from some old salmon lures. Anything light and bright. Cut off about an 8" section of wire. It will bend readily when heated with the torch into loops, angles etc.. returns to springiness upon cooling. Fold the dead end back on itself and either wrap it or hot glue it to the rod. Takes a little practice. I realize on reading this that most guys are not going to go to all that trouble when you can just buy them pretty cheap. Personally, I like making stuff.
If there’s a music instrument repair shop nearby, especially if they repair/replace guitar strings you can usually find all you can us for cheap. If not, even new metal “strings” can be found at a nominal cost. I’ve made a few for using the strings and a glass bead. Experiment until you find the right ltngth and sensitivity.
use a lighter rod or rip the spring out of a bic lighter ya see laying on the ground