Hi all, I just acquired a bunch of St.Croix ice fishing blanks. Tip sizes on these are quite small, 2.5 and 3.5. Being that they are for ice fishing i want to get large diameter tops but cant find 2.5 and 3.5 size tubes.

Is it possible to just glue on a 4.0 with the hot melt tip top glue? Will the glue take up the space with no problems? Aside from aesthetic appeal?

Calvin

Why not use a single foot fly guide as your tip top and just wrap it on.

This is done on a lot of float rods so it will work on an ice rod.



Rolly Beenen
Rovic Custom Rods

I will try that thanks Rolly

Calvin

You might think about wrapping some A thread on the rod to take up the gap if you are just going to go with the size 4 top. I repaired a busted rod I had in the garage that way and it came out great.

I've wrapped some tips with fly guides and the Forhan Locking wrap. So far, so good.

Jay

Calvin, I have some 2.5 and 3.5 tube Ice rod tops. Ring size though 3, and 6 . Pear shaped stainless wire top.

Pete
ACK Fishing & Tackle
866-285-0673

Calvin, go to jansnetcraft, page 100 in catalog,or the website, click on to tip tops and they have the larger hoops in size 5 for ice rods and also fly rod tips in sizes 2.2 and 3.5. most of the ice rods commercial made with the large rings use the lower quality berkley guides/ single foot, and then the large top. these guides are all under $1.00 most are around .59 cents each. I build on St Croix solid carbon blanks/ Avid series with the 2.5 tops , and use #10 high, and 8 fly and then the rest #6 fly guides with the size 6 ring 2.5 tip top. I generally use alconite, and the forecast single foot fly guides, just because they come in so many colors, and have the Zirconia guide which is practically indestructable. Understand that they cost a lot more money for you and the customer, but nobody makes anything commercial out there that is even comparable, which makes them a real treat to the die hard ice fisherman. I have not had any complaints about freezing problems, because generally they are used in ice houses and if they do freeze, simply use your hand to thaw the line out. Besides if you let your line all the way to the bottom and reel up a short distance, or have suspended fish, would the wet line not also freeze on the spool if it is cold ? I just don't see the point in the large heavy tops, if you are looking for sensitivity, and lightweight rods. just my take on the subject. Galen