i got a rod building kit from mudhole for christmas and am looking at building a ice rod for panfish mainly crappies something with a sensetive tip that transfers into back bone fairly quick i have never built a rod before it is something that has intrigued me for a while so i figure no better time than the present. i tried searching the archives for ice rod blanks but came up empty.

any help is appreciated and thank you in advance

Justin Sietsema

Janns, a supplier on the left carries them. Also when trying to find sources, I find googling it works.

justin,
Where are you located? Your email is hidden. Email me please. thanks
Buzz

Justin,
My favorite Crappie ice rod, is a rod that is very very limber from the tip to about 1/2 way down the blank.

I prefer to use no bobbers. But with a nice soft noodle rod that has this much flex in it, the rod gives a great visual indication of a bite. For crappies, the rod really needs very little back bone to nicely land the fish. Remember, you can always point the rod straight down the hole and just reel straight up, using your arm and elbow as the landing device for the fish.

If you don't already have an ice rod, my first suggestion would be to go out and buy and inexpensive rod and see if ice fishing suits you. Pretty easy to pick up a $10-$15 rod that works just fine for most fish.

There are some other sources which have a nice setup with the guides already in place and the only thing that you have to do, is to glue the handle to the blanks with the guides on it.

Just do an internet search for ice rod - rod building and blanks and you will find these sources, as well as all of the great sponsors on the left side of the page.

Be safe

My personal favorite for this application and for most panfish other than jigging for perch is the 31" Microlite from Janns. The tip is soft enough to detect a light bite but it has plenty of backbone as well. I would describe it as a moderate action. I have built hundreds of them over the years and they are always popular.

The ultralight from Mudhole would be my second choice. The action is a little faster and the tip isn't as soft as the Microlite but it is still a nice blank. I use it for jigging perch with smaller Rapalas etc. It also makes a good dead stick for crappies if you like to set one down on the ice with a bobber and a minnow.

thanks for all of the replies, been ice fishing for many years already, i fish more on the ice than i do all summer long dont make sense to some but it is just more relaxing. you guys gave me lots of options to consider will keep you all posted as to where i get something from.

Victor Heal Wrote:
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> My personal favorite for this application and for
> most panfish other than jigging for perch is the
> 31" Microlite from Janns. The tip is soft enough
> to detect a light bite but it has plenty of
> backbone as well. I would describe it as a
> moderate action. I have built hundreds of them
> over the years and they are always popular.
>
> The ultralight from Mudhole would be my second
> choice. The action is a little faster and the tip
> isn't as soft as the Microlite but it is still a
> nice blank. I use it for jigging perch with
> smaller Rapalas etc. It also makes a good dead
> stick for crappies if you like to set one down on


Are these the ones, Victor?


MICROLITE ICE ROD BLANKS, 31" LENGTH
MICROLITE ICE ROD BLANKS, 31" LENGTH
Microlite ice fishing rod blanks are designed with the panfish fisherman in mind. Microlite ice rod blanks are a solid graphite/fiberglass composite. The super sensitive tip measures only 2/64". To finish your ice rod, add handle, guides and our special microlite top. Rod blank is 31" long, black with blaze orange tip.
Order #: 920215
Availability: In Stock
$4.75 / EACH
.

I agree with Vic, the Microlite ice blanks from Janns are a go to favorite with my clients. Get the tip tops that Janns offers for these blanks, the action of the blanks is Moderate, the the blanks are very sensitive and transition well after the hook set. I will often cut a couple of inches from the butt section of the blanks to build shanty rods to 28 inches, and the longer blanks are a favorite with the bucket fishermen.

Yes Sir.