Ice fishing is growing in popularity these days, and as an angler who wants to make their fishing experience unforgettable, you need to own a noodle fishing rod.
Today you’ll find many fishing rods on offer in the market. And is important to identify different types of rods and their application.
You do not have to wait until summer to go out and fish. All you need are the correct fishing tools, and you can fish even during winter. A fishing noodle rod is an ideal fishing tool during ice fishing season.
Let me tell you everything you need to know about what is a noodle rod, how to use a noodle rod, and what fish you can expect to catch.
Table of Contents
What is a Noodle Rod?
A Noodle rod is an ice-fishing rod made of steel, carbon fiber, graphite, or glass. They have a case-sensitive tip that detects the slightest bait bite.
Noodle fishing rods are long, about 30 inches, which keeps the top line of the angler out of the water and provides a longer cast than any other type of rod. They have a parabolic bend, which casts out lightweight baits.
The glass type of noodle rods is the most sensitive and visual in fishing and is often used to catch steelhead salmon. This is the most ideal for anglers who want to see the bite. I have used this for quite a while, and I recommend it.
The carbon types of noodle rods tips are not sensitive. Therefore, you can only feel the bite through the rod handle.
The graphite type of noodle rods is between the glass and carbon rods. They are neither too tip sensitive nor have a stiff handle.
The tips of the rods have a bright color for easy visual inspection in the water.
When Do You Use a Noodle Rod?
You use a noodle rod when fishing lightweights in ice-frozen water masses. The noodle rods are the best to detect light bites.
When tackling with a noodle rod, you must go very light and as fast as possible. When attacking a large mass of fish, you need to switch and get one with a strong metal handle to control the fish’s weight.
It would be best if you fished with as much light bait as possible for adequate noodle rod sensitivity.
When the guides are narrow, the noodle rod is more streamlined and impacts the cutting line under the frozen water.
How To Fish With a Noodle Rod
Now that you know the answer to “what is a noodle rod?”, let’s find out how to fish with one. Ice fishing requires a noodle fishing rod similar to regular fishing. When using the glass noodle rod, the most popular type of noodle, use small spoons because it hardens the softness of the rod to prevent it from tearing off the fish’s mouth.
You need to combine the small spoons with a very tight pound test on the tip of the noodle rod for it to be still sensitive in deep waters. You can watch the anglers, but if you are an expert, you can be keen on the sensitivity because that is where you will feel the fish faster.
You can catch a fish in two ways: some raise the tip and others dip the tip. Those that raise the tip are the hardest to realize, so you must be keener.
What Types of Fish Can You Catch With a Noodle Rod?
Different rods catch different types of fish. I would not say they catch a specific kind, but some of the most common fish I have encountered are steelhead salmon, pan fish, yellow perch, white fish, and stocked trout.
Generally, noodle rods are made for lightweight fish, but with the light power noodle rods, they can also deal with big fish like catfish and bass.
Having a good noodle rod with a sensitive tip and a high understanding of the fishing tricks, you can catch as many types of fish as possible. It all requires some technique and patience.
Pros and Cons of a Noodle Rod
It is not all bed and roses because, with the noodle rods, you get to have some good and bad experiences. They have some advantages and disadvantages.
Here are some that I have encountered in my years of ice fishing:
Pros
- They have an excellent visual and see even the tiniest movement.
- The tip is very sensitive.
- The rods are very versatile. You can still use them for dead sticking
- They are affordable from as low as $10 and provide the sensitivity as required.
Cons
- They only help you see the bite but cannot feel it on the handle.
- It is hard to set up the noodle rod in deep water
- Big fishes quickly destroy it
- They sometimes do not detect the bit-ups.
Noodle Rods That You Need To Consider
There is a wide variety of noodle rods to choose from, but here are some top two I have used before where my experience has been excellent. They are pocket-friendly, effective, and of good quality.
Zebco Z-Casting Rod
The Zebco Z-casting Rod is made from very tip-sensitive glass and has shock ring guides that will hold even the biggest fish.
It has a comfortable EVA handle, which provides comfort, and increases the grip to fish for hours without fatigue.
It pairs well with other line weights and can catch fish like panfish and yellow perch.
Kasting Konvert Twin Tip Ice Fishing Rod
This rod is made from 100% glass blank lightweight, quickly detecting bites. The handle is the pencil grip type with high tenacity bands that make it easy to hold.
Has two tips; one is for medium action and the other for medium light action.
It has obvious orange strikes on the tips, which are visible even in the dark.
It is 27″ long, making it suitable for long casting.
The Last Cast
Having been an ice-fishing angler for many years, I learned that by pairing your noodle rod with quality reels and soft drag systems, your rod could withstand even the biggest fish, bad weather, and walleyes.
Ice fishing is thrilling; and now that you know what is a noodle rod, just go out and buy one. Owning a noodle rod as an angler will change your ice fishing experience.
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