Author Topic: Panfish Rods-Favorite (Read 4533 times)

Hunter MN · « **on:** Feb 20, 2015, 04:34 PM »

Hi, i'm new to the forum, and new to trying to target panfish ice fishing. However, I've ice fished my entire life. I was just wondering what everyone's favorite Rod to use is. Do you have any specific reels you like to use with these rods? How about specific length?

I really like some of the Thorne Bro's and TUCR that are geared towards panfish, but I am looking for something that won't break the bank to start off with since i'm just starting to target panfish. However, I know that you get what you pay for and am not afraid to pay for quality.

I've looked at the Jason Mitchell spring bobber ice rods or even the meat sticks. Thanks in advance for your help!

sgtski · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 20, 2015, 06:19 PM »

I use a 12" ice rod homemade by a buddy
.....frabil 261 inline , 2# test micro ice.....small russian or 3mm tungsten ice jigs....spikes or waxies dependin on da bite......drill lots of holes.....find em.....have a blast!

desmobob · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 20, 2015, 07:03 PM »

I haven't found a good reason to spend big dollars on a panfishing rod for ice fishing. (I'd hate to know what I have tied up in high-end bass casting, spinning, and fly rods though!)

I have a pair of 13 Fishing's "White Noise" rods that are about twenty bucks, and I like them. I also have a couple of inexpensive HT "Ice Blue" rods that I think get the job done just fine. I find that length is dependent on how you fish... I can't comfortably fish a rod much longer than 18" when I'm in my little one-man flip-over shelter, but prefer rods 2'-3' when sitting in the open. I've landed some decent lake trout (accidental bi-catch) on these UL ice rods with no problems.

As for reels, it's hard to go wrong with a good quality small spinning reel that will also serve you in the warm weather seasons on a conventional spinning rod. I've tried a mid-priced in-line reel (No.8 CGI) and I like it, but the drag leaves something to be desired. I have a couple of HT's 6-bearing ice fishing spinning reels and am happy with them. They have a slightly longer stem than a normal spinning reel, and are angled up a bit more to get the spool aimed at the first guide of a short ice fishing rod. On a short rod, a normal spinning reel will have the line coming off at an angle to get up into that first guide.

Tight lines,
Bob

Swift · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 20, 2015, 07:05 PM »

Ice Blues are all you'll ever need for Pannies, length depends on intended use

waltman · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 20, 2015, 07:16 PM »

ST CROIX ICE RODS

Flint · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 20, 2015, 07:19 PM »

I like my 30" TB Power Noodle. I also have the Quiver Stick but for light bites the PN does it for me. The reason I spent so much money on them is they where one of the only ones that specified large outside guides. I'm in Kansas so we can't just go to the local show or store and look at ice rods. I got tied of getting rods with dinkey guides that froze up fast.

xtrymefire · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 20, 2015, 11:27 PM »

I love my HT polar lites in either up or light action with a spring bobber. Can beat them for the price and I love the reel seats. They have a lot of eyes and a hook keeper. All for under 15 bucks. Can't beat it.

Kevin23 · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 21, 2015, 12:29 AM »

Have and have had various customs up to $100. Keep falling back to my ice blues. 30". Work just as well and im not afraid to abuse them.

jordy1380 · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 21, 2015, 03:41 AM »

I have a few rods that I use for panfish. It really is a matter of personal preference for the type of rod you like but I do have a couple custom quick tip rods with split grips that are awesome for panfish. One is a T7 custom 28" quick tip and the other is a 32" quick tip tuned up custom. The T7 has a bit more backbone to it than the TUCR but they're but awesome rods for panfish and they can handle a bigger fish if you happen to get a nice bass or walleye. You just need to have the drag set right. If you want to go the economic route, then the HT blue ice and Frabill panfish poppers work great. I would recommend a spring bobber on those rods on days which they're finicky though.

Natefisherman · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 21, 2015, 01:29 PM »

I use a htc blue ice 36 inch ultralight rod and have had good success with them I even have caught large sized bass on one the biggest being 25 inche's long and the rod handled it like a champ

IDAHOAUGER · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 21, 2015, 05:47 PM »

My two favs...Shakesphere Ugly Ice rod, and Clam Outdoors Dave Genz composite 23 inch rods...great choices IMHO.

matzilla · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 21, 2015, 09:44 PM »

Favorite bluegill rod - ugly stick gx2 light action
Favorite crappie rod - 25" no 8 snitch and 30" frabill bro series quick tip

Other great and affordable panfish rods: HT Ice Blue, Abu Garcia Veritas, Beaver Dam Noodle (carbon rods are nice too), St Croix

Add a shimano or pfleuger reel and have fun

Cabelas and Farm/Fleet (http://www.farmandfleet.com/outdoor/ice-fishing/ice-fishing-rods-reels-combos/ ) both have sales on rods right now

dab65 · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 22, 2015, 02:58 AM »

I've been using the Wright and Mcgill Tony Roach Noodle rods this year and like them. Got my last one for $18.00 at fleet. Also liking the No. 8 Snitch noodle rod. Costs around $35.00.

desmobob · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 22, 2015, 05:08 PM »

One thing I noticed today: the 13 Fishing's "White Noise" rods have cork over the reel seat. It was fairly warm today so I was fishing with no gloves. The cork handles feel MUCH better to me than foam. Maybe I'm just old school....

Anyway, the White Noise 27" ultra-light rod and HT's ACR-106 reel performed above and beyond the call of panfish duty by landing all four of four lake trout hooked today.

You can see the thick school of perch on my flasher. The trout were nailing my 1/8 oz. rattling spoon on the drop, before it got to the perch.

Tight lines,
Bob

Kyle_J · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 22, 2015, 10:18 PM »

ht ice blues are great rods for the money

Bockster · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 22, 2015, 10:36 PM »

I used the Frabill Panfish plopper the last two years...Best bang for your buck. $20 combo...Don't let the price fool ya, very sensitive rod, I use it for jigging plastics

For larger baits...Like spoons, jigging raps, or Halis...I use the Clam Meat Stick. Has a good sensitive tip for detecting those light crappie bites and still has a good backbone for the occasional walleye or pike

Big Soo · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 23, 2015, 08:57 PM »

Frabill Pan fish popper 30" Dead stick is my favorite rod. Great spring bobber and decent reel for the combo price of $20.

IceFever74 · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 24, 2015, 08:46 PM »

I like the panfish popper too. Only thing is you'd better be in a shelter or fishing a warm day. Otherwise the freezing line won't pass through the spring bobber.

jwetovick · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 24, 2015, 10:44 PM »

If you want to spend a little extra for a darn good rod when using tungsten jigs or similar weight jigs get a DH Custom noodle with regular fly guides. I think he gets 65 bucks or so. I actually buy the blanks from him for 20 bucks and build with components similar to his. I have about 38 bucks into them when done. Best panfish rod i have ever used. Good luck.

Super-ice-bird · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 25, 2015, 01:21 AM »

I have used many poles over the years, lately I have been using very cheap ($8.00) south bend thin ice rods. They have good action and when I started using them I figured that if I broke one I wasn't out much money. After literally thousands of perch and the occasional 1-3 pound trout I still haven't broken one.

waltman · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 25, 2015, 01:26 AM »

st Croix ice rods you will love them

peterk814 · « **Reply #21 on:** Feb 25, 2015, 08:34 AM »

frabill quick tip! cheap and super sensitive. built in spring bobber

News:

Author Topic: Panfish Rods-Favorite (Read 4533 times)

Kyle_J