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This just doesnt seem right to still be using these obsolete antiques, in this world of high tech fishing rods and reels. But for some unimaginable reason I cant seem to get enough of these things. There is just somthing about setting the hook and when you start to pull in the fish with your cold and weathered hands you can fell the monofiliment start to stretch and you say to yourself "whoa this ones pretty heavy, I better take it easy". Maybe im still stuck in "old days". Anyone else have any thoughts or old memories on these "sticks"? wink.gif

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Yes I do remember pulling sunfish out of 20 ft of water, cold hands, knots, broken line, line stuck in the ice, always having to lay your line down wind so it wouldn't get tangled up as bad. How about the broom handle with 2 eyelets to wrap the line around, and the nail in the end to stick it in the ice. Yes I remember those days, dont miss them that much yet.

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JD...

I'm in the same "boat" as you. I may sound corny or way outdated, but I love using those jigglesicks for pannies. I was thoroughly disappointed when I broke one of them a couple weeks back....now I'm down to one. I like using the rod/reel combos and all, but I feel I have a lot more efficiency getting re-baited and back down the hole with a jigglestick. They're lightweight, easy to carry around and just don't take up that much room in a 5gal pale I use to haul out rods & reels in. I too love the feeling of grabbing the line and having those times when you think to yourself..."I better back down and be careful with this one, it's got some heft".

You're not alone when it comes to jigglesticks. I use them and I know plenty of other guys who still do too, although they're all in their 50's. shocked.gifgrin.gif

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Yeah, Im 29 and I have all the other rods and reels too, but its pretty cool to go back to the "old days". Cant forget those......... grin.gif

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I remember the days when we cut our holes with a spud,sat on a pail and used jiggle sticks.We still caught fish without spending much money.

Now,I go to the lake with the locater,camera $100 rods,boxes and boxes of tackle,portable houses and power augers,not to forget the S.O.S. and many smaller things.

Sometimes it is still fun to take out the older jiggle sticks and add a spring bobber and hand pull your fish in,only I still take all the other gear along to make life a little easier.Oh ya,forgot the 4-wheeler.

All in all,today you are more comfortable with all the toys and yes,you do catch more fish.But,when your 10 years old and the small panfish is tugging on the line in your hand,it was still a rush and you had the same stories to tell.

If I would not have started fishing the older way,I probably wouldnt be enjoying all the fishing I do today. smile.gif

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Once in a while I still catch myself pulling the fish up by the line, even with the rod and reel. Old habits die hard I guess. My brother was giving me crap about it, "ya know that's what that reel is for". My reply was "I'm putting fish on the ice....where's yours"? tongue.gif

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I'm not against busting mine out from time to time, a buddy of mine doesnt fish very much, but he built a fish house with me last winter, all he uses are jig sticks, he usually out fishes me to......

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I still pull in every panfish I catch by hand. I find it more effective and only use a rod and reel set-up for walleyes. I am 33 years old and do not think I will ever convert to rod and reel for panfish. I even use the hand method for crappies in 30+ feet of water. I have been slow to change. I do use a vexilar and gas auger, but I am not a fan of cameras & GPS. Sure it hurts me at times, but I still put enough fish on the ice to have a meal of fish when wanted. To each their own. By the way - I am not trying to start an argument about cameras and GPS.

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the talk about jiggn' stick inspired me to pick some up at Gander Mtn for 40% off. The are going to be my new ultra, ultra light set up for the finicky panfish. I outfitted both with a high sensitivity spring bobber (the actually spring ones w/ the slight upward bend), some 2# Vanish and a #14 Marmooska. Those spike sucking pannies dont stand a chance!!! grin.gif

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What you mentioned about sensitivity is why I do not like the set-ups with a reel. The extra weight of the reel bothers me. When I fish for panfish I never use any bobber (float or spring bobber). It is all off of feel and watching the line. I most often use a drop technique and feel for a tick or watch for the line to go slack. If the fish want a still presentation, I drop the line an inch or 2 every so often to check for slack. Slack in the line - fish on!

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I have never used a jiggle stick before, I don't think. When we were younger, if we wanted to go ice fishing we had to make our own ice rods. We just got some dowels (old broom handles cut to about 12 - 16 inches worked nicely smile.gif ), pounded two finishing nails spaced 3 - 5 inches apart to wrap your line around and little Eye hook screws for your line to go through. I've got the one I made when I was 8 still somewhere here. I don't think it is an outdated way to go, if you're lazy like me and didn't feel like setting up the portable today, this was the only way to go in the cold wind we had. I iced more fish today than I have in the last week and a half because of that little broom-handle rod. Some of the biggest fish I've ever caught were brought up by hand grin.gif. So in conclusion, corny??? Maybe. Outdated, no way!!! Remember sometimes the old ways are the best ways.

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