I posted something similar to this many moons back. Since solid fiberglass ice rod blanks are so inexpensive, and can be purchased strong enough to land pike, musky, and big lake trout, use AT microwave guides and a solid casting reel on the blank. You'll be amazed at how far it will cast. It is a ton of fun fighting a big smallie, or pike on this rig. And talk about a compact rod for kayak, or float tube fishing, or even flippin in heavy cover to brookies, well, the diminutive size makes getting through choked brush so much easier.

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF

I love the Microwave guides!

Robert, what blanks are we talking about here?

If I was so inclined I would probably have gone with a Rod Geeks RG-42. They were selling the rod, reel and pack for $75 - 80 some months ago.

i built on the rg-42 some time ago..i tried using braid on it..way to herky jerky when fighting a fish..you need to use mono or go to glass especially with short rods if you want to use braid which i ended up doing.

I've used these with great success - [www.jannsnetcraft.com] Plus, I had customers asking for the, and so made about ten, each selling for $60.00. The only thing is that customers wanted bright orange, or yellow tips, making them easy to see.

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF

So Robert, about how long of a blank are we talking here?

Between 28 and 36 inches.

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF

you can take a 43" rod and cut it back to whatever..

Thanks Robert. So the guides cost about 20x what the blank cost. That is a heck of a bargain and an ice rod is the perfect application. Sounds like fun.