FRABILL vs HT

[jeremypeace]

the whole line of fishing rods and reals which would be better for abuse. When I say abuse I mean abuse.. I mean there is a pretty big difference in price but which one would be able to handle some lunkers better if bolth are a medium action ice rod bolth are 26'' rods
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[MMDon]

Neither rod is high tech. Ice rods like any other rod aren't meant for abuse. I like the lightest most sensitive tipped rod I can get away with. Medium rods won't show a hit with out a flexi-tip indicator. The other problem with a medium rod is hooking anything under 5 lbs. is like catching a fish with a broom handle. Not much fun in that.

Your question begs another question. Why would you have so little respect for your gear and yourself that you would want something that would handle "abuse?"
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[jeremypeace]

because the fish I've been catching at chesterfield have been bending my 6'6 medium fast rod like no ones buissnes and the fish there along with every where else I have been when they hit they hit hard.. I need somthing that can handle the abuse of a hard fighting fish... And as a reply to the feels like nothing is on there you souldnt fight a fish to exursion it is extreamly bad on them increases the mortality rate considerably.... But that's besides the point... I just want a good ice rod that can take the same abuse as my river rod....
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[windriver]

I have both Frabill and HT rods. I don't think you will see a lot of difference in those brands as they both mass produce their rods.

The St. Croix series ice rods are also very nice. If you want a step up look at the Thorne Bros. or Jason Mitchell ice rods.

I haven't invested in expensive rods because I have many small kids who do "abuse" my rods. When my kids get older I will probably get a set of nice Thorne Bros, and Jason Mitchell rods.

Windriver
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[MMDon]

Sorry for the misunderstanding of your word abuse. Since jigging requires line light enough to feel the jig, the rod usually isn't the weak link in ice fish jigging. As far as exertion goes, cold water generally negates the effects of longer fights that would be fatal in warmer waters.
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[jeremypeace]

well thank you for your views and tips!!! I'm not trying to sound like I'm attacking you or anything... Even when jigging they hit really hard... You know right away they are there.. I've never been into a fish ice fishing that I could barley tell was biting every one I felt and it was very close to the same as when I'm fishing warmer weather open water...even the crappie I have caught threwthe ice have naild the line hard .... But thank you for your views.... I simply want to know which rod would handle the abuse of a hard hitter fish!! I don't mean to make it sound like abuse as in stomping the rod and reel into the dirt or ice in this occasion because that is not it. Mearly just the abuse of the fish in the fight.. I've witnessed many broken poles while ice fishing and well I don't want a broken pole to bad..
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[MMDon]

Rods tend to break due to the inadequate drags on combo reels popular with ice fisherman for the price. The level wind type reels allow for a lighter drag that doesn't jerk and it allows you to use your thumb for fighting really big fish that occasionally come along. I would really suggest looking at reels rather than rods to maximize your ability to control violent hits as well as the ensuing fight!
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[iwantabuggy]

[quote MMDon]Rods tend to break due to the inadequate drags on combo reels popular with ice fisherman for the price. The level wind type reels allow for a lighter drag that doesn't jerk and it allows you to use your thumb for fighting really big fish that occasionally come along. I would really suggest looking at reels rather than rods to maximize your ability to control violent hits as well as the ensuing fight![/quote]

Good advice. +1. Good reel with the drag set right is what I do.

My favorite inexpensive rod is called Cajun Ice. Can't remember who makes it. I have some rods I like better, but they were more expensive. Can't remember who makes them either. I think it was HT.
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[maghunter]

Most of my ice rods are dirt cheap, but I try to have nice reels on them. My favorite rod right now is made by Eagle Claw. Its an all glass, 3', medium action, and ugly. The reason I like it is it has a full size grip and a nice reel seat. Most ice rods have dinky little grips that won't even fit in some rod holders, and the reel seats couldn't get any more flimsy, I usually end up duck taping them to keep my reels from falling off. This rod is only $7 at Sprortsmans. As for the fish hitting the jigs so hard, you need to tell me your secret, 99% percent of the fish I catch ice fishing barely put the jig in their mouth. If I didn't have spring indicators I would have no way of knowing I was getting a bite.
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[iwantabuggy]

[quote maghunter] 99% percent of the fish I catch ice fishing barely put the jig in their mouth. If I didn't have spring indicators I would have no way of knowing I was getting a bite.[/quote]

You need jiggertotters.
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[iliketofish]

It seems to me that if you think all the fish hit it hard, you're probably just not noticing the soft biters.....
Buggy,
I've looked at the videos on the jiggertotters and I think I'm set on getting some. but I've got a question. I was thinking about getting some tip-ups for some spread out pike fishing, but now I'm thinking of just using the 'totters. My concern is I really don't want to get a rod stolen down the hole if I get a big bite and I'm a hundred yards away or something... So will they really hold my rod even if a big fish bites, I'd guess a loosely set drag would be important there too...? And do you think they'd work for what I want them for?
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[iwantabuggy]

It will hold an awful lot. It at least partially depends on how tight your drag is. Due to the design, it takes a lot of force to tip one over. I've never caught a pike or a big laker, so I can't say for sure, but I don't think it will be an issue. We had lines tangle once and used that opportunity to test with the lines down the hole. You can see in this video [url "http://jiggertotter.webs.com/apps/videos/videos/show/9023458-jigger-totter-in-action"]http://jiggertotter.webs.com/...ger-totter-in-action[/url], it takes a pretty hard pull to make one tipsy.

I am certain that with the line weights I use the line would break before I'd lose a rod. I would probably use heavier line, though, if I was expecting to get a big fish like a pike. Maybe you could be the first one to test them out on a huge fish and let us know. This much I do know, I used them at Henry's and never worried about losing a rod.

I lost some rods out of my old holders, so here is what I used to do before I had JT's. I'd tie a piece of bailing twine to the reel and the other end to the handle of a bucket. That could still be an option with the JT's until you had confidence that they'll hold.

You realize they are designed for 24-28 inch rods and may not balance with a full size rod, right?
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[iliketofish]

ya, I plan on using ice fishing rods. If you were OK at Henrys, I imagine it would be fine, I'll just adjust the drag accordingly...
Thanks I think I'm talked into it []
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