Best noodle rod on the market?

[slick2526]

Im sick of spending money on a mid price oned every year that I am not satisfied with. Looking for a crappie/sunnie rod with a very visual tip that I can see a "up bite" when using a very light jig. I tend to run 2lb test micro ice also. Bought a dave genz series spring bobber rod last year and I really dont like it. I just have never liked a spring bobber that I have used.

So far what I have looked at is the thorne bros outside power noodle and the TUCR Precision noodle. From what I can see I like the guides better on the TUCR. They seem to be a little bit more over sized compared to the Thorne bros. I have also heard the warranty is better on the TUCR line and the turn around time is faster. Needless to say I think I know already what I am going to get.

SO what are my options as far as high end noodle rods go?

[PhilTickelson]

I have a noodle rod from both Thorne and TUCR. Both are awesome rods, but they aren't identical. It's not a fair comparison as my TUCR has recoil guides and is 28" while my Thorne has their standard guides and is only 24" I think(I got it for fishing in my father in laws suitcase shack, which is pretty tight quarters).

Why not stop by Thorne and TUCR one test them out in person? Bring a light jig tied to a few feet of 2lb mono and thread it through the guides. It won't be perfect as the jig will feel heavier than it would in water, but you can see how much bend it puts in the rod tip. Give the jig a very light tap and see what effect it has on the rod tip.

I know when I stopped by TUCR they had a rod rigged up with a small tungsten jig so the could demonstrate exactly what you are asking for.

I like my TUCR better than my thorne, but mainly for the guides and extra length, I prefer to fish outside when I can. That's completely biased though, as the thorne rod was about $30 cheaper and not bought for that purpose. I can't comment on which blank I prefer, I like both!

[dfeste]

I will start by saying that I do not own a TUC noodle rod however I do own a Power Noodle, a custom turned noodle from Adam Bricker, as well as 4 Al Dente noodles from DH Customs. As far as best on the market I have to say they're all excellent but my vote goes to the Al Dente simply because I feel it outperforms the others if you happen to hook into a larger fish.

In the past I always bought Recoil guides but a couple years ago I was talked into the fly guides by Adam Bricker and I have not looked at Recoils again. Not knocking Recoils I just feel you can get all the benefits at a fraction of the cost with the fly guides.

All good rods IMO so I don't think you'll be unhappy with any of the choices.

[slick2526]

I will start by saying that I do not own a TUC noodle rod however I do own a Power Noodle, a custom turned noodle from Adam Bricker, as well as 4 Al Dente noodles from DH Customs. As far as best on the market I have to say they're all excellent but my vote goes to the Al Dente simply because I feel it outperforms the others if you happen to hook into a larger fish.

In the past I always bought Recoil guides but a couple years ago I was talked into the fly guides by Adam Bricker and I have not looked at Recoils again. Not knocking Recoils I just feel you can get all the benefits at a fraction of the cost with the fly guides.

All good rods IMO so I don't think you'll be unhappy with any of the choices.

Do you feel the fly guides handle cold weather ice up as well as recoil guides?

[Moose]

DH Custom Aldente for heavy crappie and walleye. Try the lighter version for the micro stuff you're looking at. Funny is they a only slightly more expensive than the stuff you buy at "sporting goods stores" but the quality and precision are not even close. Google DH Custom rods and go to the hardwater link to see the choices.

[dfeste]

As far as I can tell the issues with ice up are because the guides on traditional ice rods are extremely small. Both the fly guides and the Recoils have a much larger opening than the others so they don't ice up as quickly. I don't think the Recoils have any advantage as far as ice up goes over guides made with a cheaper metal.

[walleyeking19]

I have a power noodle from thorne bros. I love it and plan on adding another one to my collection. If they don't have one exactly like you want, they'll custom make it to your specs. Just do it soon cause it'll get busy soon

[holmsvc]

I have the DH Aldente and I have been really happy with it.

[amateurfishing]

I can only review a TB noodle rod, but after 2 of spring and styro bobbersi love them. I have 24 and 28, bktb recoil guides for outside cause I perfer outside fishing. I can honestly say after watching u tube videos and readi g here I have taught myself the negative bite and up bite with my noodles and hook rate immedeately increased drastically. FYI, I also put an okum 2/3 on my first noodle rod, ended up upgrading every combo of mine to okuma 2/3 inline reels and wont look back.

[slick2526]

I was browsing at fleet farm today and they had a 13 rod that they called a super ultralight noodle rod. Want to say the price was close to $50.00 but wow that thing had a super flexible tip. For that price I would still look at a DH custom first but I almost thought twice about buying it.

[Northlander]

I have a little bit of every type and make of rods and the rods I always seem to grab 1st are The DH El Dente. I had mine done with the Otter Camo patterns and a high vis orange and chart tips. Like said above its a great panfish rod but can be used as a walleye deadstick in a pinch. I have pulled in some monster eyes and pike on my El Dente. A good balance between rod and reel is super important as well as a good line in the correct weight for your rod, lures and fish targeted. Make sure your reel drag is good in the cold. If not clean that baby up.

[Putn'am ondaLine]

I have a 34" TUCR noodle that works great for what how I use it, but it sounds like you use lighter jigs than I normally put on. You can get better sensitivity out of a longer noodle, perfect for seeing the up bite on tiny jigs like you mentioned. I would talk to John at TUCR and get his take on what length would be best for what you're using, he makes amazing rods specifically for your presentation and he's a pretty die-hard panfish guy. Calling doesn't mean you have to buy the rod; so I would get his take on what kind of rod you would be looking for and compare that to what you can get from DH or TB, then go with your gut.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

I have both a Thorne Brothers Powernoodle and a TUC Precision Noodle. The TUC is more sensitive than my Power Noodle in my opinion, but both rods have their place in my arsenal. I use the TB for heavier tungsten, spoons, and deep water conditions, but my TUC is usually the first rod out of the case especially for finesse situations. Both are good rods for the money.

[clayton08]

My go to rods are dh customs al dente and the longboard noodle. I like the longboard for fishing outside as it is 31 inches long and dont like being close to the hole and just makes it easier for my kind of fishing. The al dente is awesome too I usually use those when Im inside the portable or wheel house. I have the dh longboard with the fly guides and it works just fine. But when I fish tourneys I only use the recoil guides. Most the companys out there make fine products just find what fits you best and roll with it. My vote is dh and its not just because I am pro staff I was using dh well before that.

[pushbutton]

Think what is the "best" is how one prefers to fish as far as tackle/bait, distance from the hole, size of line, desired species, inside or outside ....and ultimately the acute manner in which the fish are biting at a particular time on a particular lake. All the customs are going to give you a slight edge over a stock rod, but which one ....at a particular time...over another....is a coin flip. All are merley a tool. If you care that much about the answer to your question(in no disrespect), buy all three, use them exclusively in as many situations as possible, and fine tune for how/where you fish. Almost guarantee 3 good anglers using the 3 comparable different customs would not have a discernible difference as far as catch rates....outside of luck or skill....or how they particularly hone their skill using one particular rod over another, given the listed, as well as other variables. Also, can guarantee, a skilled fisherman, using a newer high end stock rod,like the 13, will not catch less than half as many fish....the difference in price....as a high end custom rod.

[Mr.Seaguar]

String is as important as rod

[John Mickish]

Check the new St. Croix Avid glass panfish rod. It's as good as an El Dente or power noodle, and it retails for $50. No kidding, it's that good.

[OnAFly]

Having used a TB PN for years now, I still think a good spring bobber rod is the best for detecting the lightest biting fish on very small jigs, even the tungsten ones. I use a 32" TB Panfish Ssweetheart with a good bobber and I see bites better and have better hook sets than with my PN. That said, both rods are very good for that type of fishing.

[NCLaker]

Having used a TB PN for years now, I still think a good spring bobber rod is the best for detecting the lightest biting fish on very small jigs, even the tungsten ones. I use a 32" TB Panfish Ssweetheart with a good bobber and I see bites better and have better hook sets than with my PN. That said, both rods are very good for that type of fishing.

+2 on this. I primarily use my noodle rods (TB or TUCR) panfishing with jigs, but for real light jigs when the bite is really light I pull out my St Croix spring bobber rods. When the jigs are real light they don't put enough weight on the tip of a noodle rod to detect the up bite IMO, so I have to compensate by pulling up on the rod gently to confirm the fish is on - still work but have to focus on what is going on more actively. Don't have to do this with the St. Croix style spring bobber.

[Zenit]

biased, so I will only chip one thing in. The Al Dente can definitely handle bigger fish. I've used that rod 2 years in a row now at Lake Hebgen, MT, routinely handling 2-3 pound rainbows and browns with ease. I do also like the TB noodle rods.

If I use a noodle rod for panfish, the Al Dente is a good all around choice but with the ultra small 3mm jigs I will use the DH Mini Bite Noodle, which IMHO is as close as you can get to a palm rod's sensitivity with a traditional rod.

[OnAFly]

I have to compensate by pulling up on the rod gently to confirm the fish is on - still work but have to focus on what is going on more actively. Don't have to do this with the St. Croix style spring bobber.

I do the exact same thing. It works pretty well, but spring bobbers are still more precise.