Palm rods

[gillyman]

Used palm rods for the first time today.  Excellent.  Picky perch in 17 fow.  Diamond jigs with 1 lb test line.
Outfished my normal selections 3:1.  My technique is not very polished.   Hook set was a little slow. I was amazed at how far up they would come when seeing this little jig coming down.  Would not do it for a larger jig.
rough ice made my line management a little tough.  I think I am going to get a small waste basket to place between my knees.  I can then drop the rod right in the container and pile the line in on it as I hand over hand the fish in.  Wind late the day made things worse.  But it was great fun.
the rods I used were cheaper kind...saving my allowance for a hight quality rod.

[Jim_MI]

After studying palm rods online for awhile, I finally broke down and got a Marmish rod.  It took some getting used to, but is MUCH more sensitive for the light bite than any of my conventional rods with spring bobbers.  Not sure if it is a good thing or not, but I was able to feel and set the hook on tiny stuff ( 2-1/2" perch) that would have just cleaned me before, leaving me to unknowingly fish with a bare jig.  My friend and I were fishing 6 ft apart, and I was getting hits 10x more than he was feeling, using the same terminal tackle and bait.  It convinced him - he just bought a Marmish rod. 
Anybody have a US source for the Marmish jigs?  I want to try some, but not at the shipping rates required for buying direct from mfg.

[gillyman]

I hear ya.  I went with some cheaper types to get started but can see the benefit of the Marmish features. 
Although I have caught some perch that were pretty small, I think I have caught more big ones as well, especially when the times are tough.   
I am trying a couple middle-priced ones as well.  I probably could have paid for the marmish by now!

[Skipper]

What I have found with palm rods is that they make an excellent tool to fish with surgical precision. When the bite is real tough for panfish, you can execute a super minimal bump, shake, lift-fall, or a slow up-down. It is so much easier to see what you are doing and keep the movement small when the rod is only 6'' long.

Marmish is my number one (with a bullet) bluegill rod right now. I catch bigger fish because I can dial in my presentation better too.

[gillyman]

I know my concentration is more intense when fishing a palm rod. 
Skipper, what is the bullet of which you speak?
I have been using J&S gill pills and especially diamond jigs for perches.  Maggots or plastic for the tip.
I fished for gills yesterday, but couldn't get on them, so no joy on the finest game fish that swims.
I just "up-graded to a Salmo Sport rod. Better built than the Balalajka rods.  It is heavier in weight. Not sure it floats and don't want to test it out.  I also got some of the lavsan(plastic) strike indicators.  I think I like them better, but again not fish caught yesterday.

[silvercreeker]

If you can't find Palms, I have been using 18" HT Ice blue rods with Schooley reels.  Same concept, and same holding method.  And, no line problems inside the tubes.  just a option.

[gillyman]

I have a  couple blue rods-garage sale snags.  But they seem too limber to me.   I have used them without strike indicators and seem to have trouble setting the hook quickly enough.  But....I have a couple fly rod tips that I may shorten down a bit, then try the schooley reels.  Thanks for the idea.

[nurmimn]

What are some pros and cons of them? Never used them. Is there a better brand compared to one to another?
I know someone who takes the 24 inch HT ice blue rods with scooley reels and cuts off the noodle part of the rod and watches the line while fishing.

[silvercreeker]

The ICE MEN show talked about the HT Ice Blue rods.  Mike Boedecker uses the cut down rods and watches the line.  Thatis true tight lining.  It can be done with any rod.  The Blues have a great soft action.  I run 4 18" and 2 24" with Schooleys.  Longer rods have spinning reels on them.  I like them better than my St, Crouix or  Thorne Bros.   Just like the whippy rods...like a mini fly rod

[DaveSS1]

For years, I was a big fan of the HT blues, but finally broke down and got a marmish this year.  Def. worth having in your aresnal.  Takes a little getting used to, but I find if you take the time to clear the ice/slush around the hole you will be fine.  On real windy days, I would position my jet sled down wind and put the slake line in the sled.  Fished as deep at 25' with no problems and outfished most around me.