Rod Length

[Chasin Tales]

:lol: Now that I have your attention, just getting back into ice fishing and I want to purchase a new rod and reel combo. I looked at an ice blue rod and reel combo at Gander Mountain. It was light action and 30" long, I really liked it, but didn't know if I should go with the 24" if I was planning on being in a shanty from time to time. I currently have a one person, flip over which should give me room. Just didn't know thoughts on standing versus sitting, being over the hole versus farther away with a longer rod etc.

Thanks!

[DE82]

How long of an ice rod to use all depends on what you like and what your fishing for...I always like shorter rods, soft-water and ice season so I use a 24in. ice blue and shimano sedona 750, my other combo is a 26inch L action ugly stick, spring bobber and shimano sahara 750, both work in and out of the shanty and both will catch anything, though the ugly stick is better suited to handle bigger fish because of the backbone the rod has -Bryon

[deep6in]

I have both lengths in that style rod and perfer the 24" rod over the 30"- I find the 24" has better response and is not in the way when I set it down while working another rod in another hole. I also found the 30" light rod is quite flimsly that if I do set it down the rod tip takes a long time to settle thus not allowing me to read my spring bobber as well. Just my opinion though -I'm sure either combo will work its a matter of personal feel one of my other fishing partners only uses the 30" set up.

[Lerxst]

It probably comes down to personal preference. I prefer a shorter rod for panfish especially when in my one man shanty. I use a 22" Frabil Sensive XL microlite w/Quantum XLS3 reel and a 24" Frabil Sensive XL ultralite w/Shimano AXULS reel. What I like about the rods is they are sensitive yet not flimsy. For walleye or other large fish I have two 30" South Bend medium action rods w/Daiwa 40XD underspins. Someday I might downsize them to 28" to give me more room to operate in the shanty.

[Chasin Tales]

Thanks for the thoughts and tips. Just what I was looking for.

[DaveW731]

IMO, water depth plays a role. Deeper water = longer pole, to aid in moving the extra line for a good hookset. Also, I tightline and like to hole hop and usually fish standing up when doing so. I have a 40" pole that I made from the tip of a 5# Fenwick flyrod that is great for that purpose. I use it for panfish and it can handle the occasional small to midsize walleye or pike that can hit a panfish bait from time to time.

[GoneFishin]

When fishin' panfish, for action outside or with the flip top at half mast (wind breaker mode) I really like my J. Higley and St. Croix UL's in the the 28" length. But once I flip the top completely I prefer a UL rod 24" or less as it just seems to handle better inside the Trap. For sight fishin' I'll even go down to a 18" UL rod.

24" rods seem to be a good middle of the road choice for inside/outside fishin', IMO.