Select Rods & Reels

While some ice rods are handcrafted in the U. S., others are made overseas and are available at astoundingly affordable prices. The emerging trend, however, continues to be to develop darned good ice rods and combos here in the U.S., too.

One note before we begin: Ice rods are often labeled as panfish rods, perch rods, walleye rods, predator rods, and so forth. Truthfully, rods are built to balance well with a specific range of line diameters and bait weights. But it seems to confuse people when a rod is described as being a 2-pound-test rod, so we will follow the trend in describing rods by applying the species labels.

Thorne Brothers

Throughout the ice revolution that has become evolution, there’s been an elite leader, Thorne Brothers—driver of the edge, pusher of the envelope, maker of the ultimate tools. They’ve had long ”outside” rods for years (in the Professional series) that reach 42 inches in graphite, with glass versions out to 45 inches. New rods for taming walleyes and larger predators, able to handle lures up to 1/2 ounce, are planned for this season. Longer walleye, panfish, and perhaps perch rods are coming in the Sweet Heart series—32-, 34-, and 36-inchers. Also new and available on some models is the Hidden Hood Handle, a reverse-locking Tennessee grip—no need to tape the reel on. One more notable is a range of spring stiffness in their removable Spring Bobbers.

Nature Vision

Working with Dave Genz, Nature Vision has launched impressive new models this season. An overriding design philosophy: Short handles, so more of the blanks can be used to create complex rod actions. Handles have been redesigned to fit even more comfortably in the hand, with rounded, tapered edges.

Look for a new, short Sight-Fishing rod; a new DeadStick rod; and a new Standup panfish-jigging rod. The Deadstick is a 38-incher with a soft tip, with lower-end backbone for big fish. The Standup Panfish Rod is a 40-incher that lets you remain upright as you fish quickly from hole to hole. In relatively shallow water, you don’t even reel in—simply raise your bait above the ice, walk to the next hole, and drop it back in, returning immediately to fishing.

Jason Mitchell Rods

When a weathered, versatile ice guide puts his mind to a series of rods, they’re worth studying. Such is the case with Jason Mitchell Rods, created by the Devils Lake (ND) guide who’s part of the famous Perch Patrol. The overall philosophy: sophisticated, specialized rods at affordable prices.

His rods are light, high-quality solid graphite, in tapers and actions developed for specific techniques. Mitchell: “They’re balanced to fish tip heavy to increase sensitivity.”

No room to list everything new—they’re all new. Models range from short sight-rods to big predator rods. There’s a 24-inch Spring Bobber rod; the Meat Stick (a noodle rod with backbone, for light-bite situations and deadsticking); a Tightlining rod, created for this method made popular in Michigan; classic panfish, perch, and walleye models; and baitcasters for predators.