I have a bullwhip and a commander. Covers all my needs. I've probably spent more on cheaper rods trying to find a budget option that fills the need but they never live up and usually break
I would say for 70% of the population there are shelf rods that will do the job. The other 30% are hard core n know what they need at different times. Unfortunately lots of guys think they need these expensive rods to catch fish. The most versatile rod is a medium light with a ultralight to medium spring bobber on it. St. Croix has made big bucks on this. If you have the money for customs go ahead. If you don't you can get very close with shelf rods on sale n save a lot of money.
Love my custom st croix ice rod for the walleyes! I would highly recommend any day of the week for anyone to get one, you won't regret it. Absolutely the best!
After finally getting my custom Thorne Bros Perch Sweetheart (even though I haven’t used it yet) I can say the extra money is worth it. The recoil guides are awesome, it is so much lighter weight and more sensitive just from playing around with it. Acustom rod is not necessary to catch fish, but u will catch more fish and it will be waaay more enjoyable!
Had an old zebco kids rod for ice fishing with a shimano reel. and it’s never let me down.and still use it on occasion.many times has landed fish other rods would have just broken long before getting the catch
Like one said,it's all about balance.I have been modifying ice rods since 1978.All the rods I build are for purpose. I have a vintage SnoBoat shelter I love,and made rods to fish inside of that.26"-28" length is perfect.If I fish in the open,I prefer 36" or longer.Or if I sight fish in shelter,I have a few that are 22" or slightly shorter.And I build those styles to fish the same,whether rod is 18" or 38"long.I gave up on off the shelf rods years ago. One thing that bothers me with many ice rods,custom or mass produced is flexing in handle.Thinner diameter noodle style are the worst.Nothing like paying 110.00 or so for that.Won't say the builder,but most have that problem.
My first time starting out ice fishing I had an Ugly Stick and Abu Garcia ice rod. Next season upgraded to 13Fishing rods(end up giving all these rods away). Nowadays, I have custom ice rods from TUCR, BassKhang, and JT. Only non-custom rod I have is JM Deadmeat rod. Custom rods are worth the money. They perform better and have a higher catch rate in my experience. You have to try one to know what I am talking about.
I'm the same way. All my rods are TUCR with the exception of my JM deadmeat. As much as I love my other rods I can't justify spending $130 on a rod that is just gonna sit there and do nothing
So I would have to say that so far my favorite ice rod to date is the snitch from 13 fishing, I also have a tickle stk but not sure how well I like it haven’t caught a fish on it yet.
Good Video and good honest opinions. One craze over the last few years though is this term, "Noodle Rods". Custom or not and what a person considers this rod action, these type of rods have been built probably close to even before I was born. If you wanted a rod with that type of action back when I was a kid, think all you had to do was go to your local sport shop and there would be a 5 gallon pail full of Schooley's(think that was them) for under $5 a piece. You want a custom noodle rod?? Now there was the true definition of noodle rods. They even had cork handles, some later year models even came with rings for your reel. The bite and detection you get today with a Noodle Rod can be the same with Frabil for example as a $100 custom rod. Just like some said though, you get what you pay for and if you like the nicer things in your ice fishing life more power too you. I did find kind of funny the comments made about the St. Croix series Blackouts being built in the basement. Lol, I've had St. Croix ice fishing rods since the early 90's and still own them. Only thing different about the Blackout series is the addition of the built in spring bobber on some models, the price and maybe a few more actions/length's. Plus the first St. Croix's never was associated with their Legend Freshwater rod series to my knowledge. Nice advertising Gary P., think if I used the Hot Boxes and rods for them I would probably go on Ebay, too a auction or even a by chance garage sale and find some ice fishing rods that would work just the same as custom made rods for them. Lol, just MPO and a poke.
everyone doesnt mention there brands,,, like j mitchell never says his rods and brad never says tuned up and tony never saus wright and mcgill etc,,, but parson just blabbs the rods he supports lol clown
There are so many very good shelf rods that custom rods are not that much better to explain the cost increase. You should not have to pay over like $75 for any ice rods. Heck I build very good rods for personal use for way under $100
toben42 amen to that! I got a St Croix Mojo Ice 36M on sale at a local tackle shop for $50 Canadian. It is so much more nice than my old Frabil. The sensitivity on the St. Croix rods are insane.
Most of them are overpriced. I bought two $85 dead stick rods that I really don't even care for. They are quality made but not any better than ones I paid $30 for several years ago and don't even look as nice. You really have to handle them individually to suit your individual preferences and you just can't do that online. Most of these guys I wouldn't even fish with- they are paid to be biased. If you really consider their responses closely, few if any of them respond with the general public in mind- their responses are plainly in their self-interest. That's what I like about Jason Mitchell, he may sell and promote his name too, but doesn't come across as a sellout and seems genuinely concerned about helping others to be more successful at angling. That's a guy I could spend an afternoon with, fishing or otherwise. Mark Martin too.
Jason is middle ground on a lot of subjects. He has gained a lot of my respect with his advice and his channel. He responds often and always considers, "less fortunate" fishermen.
All of these guys are biased....all of them r sponsored by some type of rod company so of course they will go with there side....if I'm sponsored by Thorne brothers I'm not gonna say custom rods suck lol
Id recoomend Tuned up custom rods. And, I'm not a 'pro' that gets them given to me.
I have a bullwhip and a commander. Covers all my needs. I've probably spent more on cheaper rods trying to find a budget option that fills the need but they never live up and usually break
I would say for 70% of the population there are shelf rods that will do the job. The other 30% are hard core n know what they need at different times.
Unfortunately lots of guys think they need these expensive rods to catch fish.
The most versatile rod is a medium light with a ultralight to medium spring bobber on it. St. Croix has made big bucks on this.
If you have the money for customs go ahead. If you don't you can get very close with shelf rods on sale n save a lot of money.
Love my custom st croix ice rod for the walleyes! I would highly recommend any day of the week for anyone to get one, you won't regret it. Absolutely the best!
Which one ?
The custom ice series is near perfection - I've got two Pan Dancers
After finally getting my custom Thorne Bros Perch Sweetheart (even though I haven’t used it yet) I can say the extra money is worth it. The recoil guides are awesome, it is so much lighter weight and more sensitive just from playing around with it. Acustom rod is not necessary to catch fish, but u will catch more fish and it will be waaay more enjoyable!
I bought 80-100 custom rods but I always go back to my trusty cheap frabill 22” ultra light rod.
Had an old zebco kids rod for ice fishing with a shimano reel. and it’s never let me down.and still use it on occasion.many times has landed fish other rods would have just broken long before getting the catch
Back in the day maybe, but there’s a lot of good production rods out there today
Like one said,it's all about balance.I have been modifying ice rods since 1978.All the rods I build are for purpose.
I have a vintage SnoBoat shelter I love,and made rods to fish inside of that.26"-28" length is perfect.If I fish in the open,I prefer 36" or longer.Or if I sight fish in shelter,I have a few that are 22" or slightly shorter.And I build those styles to fish the same,whether rod is 18" or 38"long.I gave up on off the shelf rods years ago.
One thing that bothers me with many ice rods,custom or mass produced is flexing in handle.Thinner diameter noodle style are the worst.Nothing like paying 110.00 or so for that.Won't say the builder,but most have that problem.
My first time starting out ice fishing I had an Ugly Stick and Abu Garcia ice rod. Next season upgraded to 13Fishing rods(end up giving all these rods away). Nowadays, I have custom ice rods from TUCR, BassKhang, and JT. Only non-custom rod I have is JM Deadmeat rod. Custom rods are worth the money. They perform better and have a higher catch rate in my experience. You have to try one to know what I am talking about.
I'm the same way. All my rods are TUCR with the exception of my JM deadmeat. As much as I love my other rods I can't justify spending $130 on a rod that is just gonna sit there and do nothing
So I would have to say that so far my favorite ice rod to date is the snitch from 13 fishing, I also have a tickle stk but not sure how well I like it haven’t caught a fish on it yet.
Good Video and good honest opinions. One craze over the last few years though is this term, "Noodle Rods". Custom or not and what a person considers this rod action, these type of rods have been built probably close to even before I was born. If you wanted a rod with that type of action back when I was a kid, think all you had to do was go to your local sport shop and there would be a 5 gallon pail full of Schooley's(think that was them) for under $5 a piece. You want a custom noodle rod?? Now there was the true definition of noodle rods. They even had cork handles, some later year models even came with rings for your reel. The bite and detection you get today with a Noodle Rod can be the same with Frabil for example as a $100 custom rod. Just like some said though, you get what you pay for and if you like the nicer things in your ice fishing life more power too you.
I did find kind of funny the comments made about the St. Croix series Blackouts being built in the basement. Lol, I've had St. Croix ice fishing rods since the early 90's and still own them. Only thing different about the Blackout series is the addition of the built in spring bobber on some models, the price and maybe a few more actions/length's. Plus the first St. Croix's never was associated with their Legend Freshwater rod series to my knowledge.
Nice advertising Gary P., think if I used the Hot Boxes and rods for them I would probably go on Ebay, too a auction or even a by chance garage sale and find some ice fishing rods that would work just the same as custom made rods for them. Lol, just MPO and a poke.
Joe Shock rite everyone didnt mention brands except that parsons dude lol
I took an old solid fibre glass rod. Cut it down tied quality guides it. It has sensitivity but good back bone to fight a 10 + lbs fish
Who needs a custom rod ill out fish alot of people with with my daughters walmart princess rod
$8.86 at Walmart for the HT Ice Blue Rod
Phenomenal rod... catch just as many fish with it as rods I wish I wouldn’t have bought that were $30+...
@JEALSTI u like the plastic spinning reels?
everyone doesnt mention there brands,,, like j mitchell never says his rods and brad never says tuned up and tony never saus wright and mcgill etc,,, but parson just blabbs the rods he supports lol clown
eric hitaja has a rod company as well.
When gary comes on i turn the volume off and read the comments lol
Series is great. New one would be awesome
"Snare" Rod sounds like a marketing term for "Sucker" Rod
There are so many very good shelf rods that custom rods are not that much better to explain the cost increase.
You should not have to pay over like $75 for any ice rods. Heck I build very good rods for personal use for way under $100
Go buy a nice Fenwick or St. Croix rod for $50-$60. No need to spend two or three times that.
toben42 amen to that! I got a St Croix Mojo Ice 36M on sale at a local tackle shop for $50 Canadian. It is so much more nice than my old Frabil. The sensitivity on the St. Croix rods are insane.
Actual custom rods are worth the $; the ones that are duplicated over and over lose the "custom" title.
I’ll take the cheesecake tomorrow
💯💪👊LET'S GO!!! Its just preference
Well worth the money.
Most of them are overpriced. I bought two $85 dead stick rods that I really don't even care for. They are quality made but not any better than ones I paid $30 for several years ago and don't even look as nice. You really have to handle them individually to suit your individual preferences and you just can't do that online.
Most of these guys I wouldn't even fish with- they are paid to be biased. If you really consider their responses closely, few if any of them respond with the general public in mind- their responses are plainly in their self-interest. That's what I like about Jason Mitchell, he may sell and promote his name too, but doesn't come across as a sellout and seems genuinely concerned about helping others to be more successful at angling. That's a guy I could spend an afternoon with, fishing or otherwise. Mark Martin too.
Jason is middle ground on a lot of subjects. He has gained a lot of my respect with his advice and his channel. He responds often and always considers, "less fortunate" fishermen.
needed no, luxury yes, Ive got both
eric is biased he owns a rod company lol .
that makes awesome rods tbh, i want one.
Once you go to custom you'll never go back.
$100 dollars for a snare rod that you can feel flex in the handle lol,,, nah im good on the snare rods,,, should be called deadsticking rods,,,
All of these guys are biased....all of them r sponsored by some type of rod company so of course they will go with there side....if I'm sponsored by Thorne brothers I'm not gonna say custom rods suck lol
Nicholas LaFleur Well maybe... get this... they decided to go with these custom rod brands because they like custom rods.
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