Hotspotoutdoors

I need to get a new ice rod (OK I don't NEED one, just really want one) that is inbetween a light panfish rod and a walleye jigging rod. I currently have a Jason Mitchell Spring Bobber, and JM meatstick, then I jump strait to a 28" medium walleye rod. I want something that I can use for jigging perch and agressive crappies, a meduim light rod that has some bite detection.

I'm thinking about a JM Perch rod, Thorne Brothers Sweetheart, or something in the St. Croix line.

Any comments, thoughts, or ideas would be great. Thanks guys.

MuskieJunkie: I think you'd really like a St. Croix PIR 24M..it's a 24" medium action rod that, in my opinion leans a little more towards the light side than the medium..yet it has good backbone. I love mine...and it's my perch/crappie rod. Not too spendy, either. A good quality action rod.

Since both your lighter rods are for subtle biters (spring bobber and noodle rod), I'd probably steer you towards a Thorne panfish sweetheart. Great for jigging up active perch and panfish. The true ML choice would be the perch sweetheart, but that is more of a jumbo perch/smalleye rod IMO - depends on the size of the jigging spoons you'll be using. To fill the gap between a spring/noodle rod and a medium walleye fully, two rods ARE necessary..

All the rods you mention are good choices..

You should take a leasure drive to Thorne bros and play with a few of there rods...(sounds dirty, but effective). I did that a few years ago and now all i fish with are thorne bro rods. 28 inch perch sweetheart would fit the bill for you.

I'm with FW.. a panfish sweet heart may be what you are looking for? BUt... you can fight a walleye on a panfish rod, but is it optimum? No.. But will it work? Sure.. think about the average size walleye you will catch.. can you or will you loose a big walleye? maybe?. thats all I got.

The Mitchell Perch rod would fit the bill along with several TB rods. I've got a Quiverstick and it's a mighty fine rod, but higher priced. I have a JM Perch on order but don't have it yet but I think it will be a very nice rod as well and at a lower price. Try some out, and pick what fit's your budget, there's something out there for you.

I have both a Thorne Panfish Sweetheart, and a Perch Sweetheart...well, and a Walleye Sweetheart too!

The Perch Sweetheart is a nice rod that is between the Panfish and Walleye Sweetheart. I would probably call it a medium light. It works well for small to medium/small spoons, and bigger panfish jigs like you might use for bigger agressive perch and agressive crappies. I WOULDN'T really want to use it with typical 2 pound test and small bluegill jigs.

I don't know EXACTLY what you are looking for, but it sounds like the Perch Sweetheart might be a good rod for you. I haven't handled the Jason Mitchell Perch rod, but I would guess that would be a good one too. I have his springbobber rod, and like that. I was thinking of getting one of his 24" ultralights for a good extra rod for jigging gills too.

Anyway (I'm good at turning short answers into long ones), it sounds like a basic "perch" rod is about what you're looking for, and I'm sure either the Thorne or JM rods would do a good job for you. Unless you want something a little lighter than that, then the Thorne Panfish Sweetheart is an awesome panfish rod too...

gill man

Thats just it.. perfect posts above! What works great for some may or may not work for others. It really all depends on what you like.

Check out a TB quiverstick. Dynamite panfish rod.

St. Croix Premier 28" ML. I caught a few 14"-17" walleyes while fishing LOTW a couple years ago with the 28" UL and 2 lb fireline crystal and it handled the walleyes just fine so I'd think the ML would be just what you're looking for.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was looking at the JM perch rod today and it seemed a little on the stiff side. I'm not going to buy one until the ice show so I'll have a chance to check them all out.

I really like the idea of buying a thorne brothers rod since I've heard nothing but good things about them.

I'm thinking I might end up with 2 rods, a panfish and a perch version and see how I like them, with the JMs only being $30 why not.

What happened to the old days when I use to use cheap rods for everything, one day I tried out some expensive rods and now there's no going back.

Keep the comments coming and thanks.

Good idea to wait until the show... I think the Thorne perch rods have a faster action, probably a bit more power too. Unless your pulling slab crappie and mammoth perch, I would get a panfish first.

If you only want to buy one new ice rod, I highly suggest not getting a Thorne...