Ice Rods - Questions

Okay.

I am into these spring tips now...I ordered some ice blanks to make for this season, I want to know how and what is the best method of attaching these spring tips to your rod?  I see from HT Tackle there is a clip on method, but they also sell a model that has a spring tip integrated into the rod permanently....see picture below



^ This rod has a spring tip tied in under the second guide.  The guide is 90 degrees from the zero axis, much like a spiral wrap.  What do you guys think about this?

Anybody have and or do it this way?  Is there a better way to get these on or a method of attaching them that you prefer over one or the other??  I need some input....

Loomis, that's the same type spring that's on the old schooley rods.
It looks in the pic like it's on the bottom of the rod (maybe not, hard to tell..almost looks like the eyes aren't lined up) - but they go on top. That's why I've found them hard to use with 'normal' rods that have the eyes on bottom. line goes through eyes under rod & has to go up through spring & back down through the end eye.
They work ok, and are somewhat adjustable by bending the spring up or down according to jig wt.
Could be that HT rod has the eyes set that way to fix this prob. I've never seen that rod, so can't say for sure.

I like the st croix & the yourbobbersdown ones I linked in the pm yesterday.
They just seem more sensitive & easier to get adjusted correctly.

Here's another type, the marmooska, similar to the one you posted, but a bit different.
it just 'snaps' onto the rod behind the end eye & sticks off the front with the line coming out the first eye & through the little circle wire.
http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/fishing/ice-fishing/accessories/ht-enterprises-marmooska-spring-bobbers

And then there are these:
http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/fishing/ice-fishing/accessories/ht-enterprises-slab-stopper-spring-bobbers
Don't like them for a few reasons,
one; you have to thread the line through it = PITA
two; they ice up pretty easily
three; not really adjustable

There's a ton of different spring bobbers/strike indicators...
everyone has their preference, I don't know that any stand head & shoulders above the rest.
As for attaching them...I'm no rod builder.
The only time I put one on like you posted on, I just used sewing thread & super glue.

hopahelpr

I see this setup now, and I also see that the ST. Croix spring bobbers are available.  I have deduced from my findings that this is the setup that is preferred the most, and exactly what I figured.

As far as being able to duplicate that, no problem.  Just a tip that is set 180 degrees off the top and wrapped/epoxied over.  I am sure a grommet can be had at Lowes or maybe even comes with the ice kit, I am going to call St. Croix to find out.

ORIGINAL: Loomis

I see this setup now, and I also see that the ST. Croix spring bobbers are available.  I have deduced from my findings that this is the setup that is preferred the most, and exactly what I figured.

As far as being able to duplicate that, no problem.  Just a tip that is set 180 degrees off the top and wrapped/epoxied over.  I am sure a grommet can be had at Lowes or maybe even comes with the ice kit, I am going to call St. Croix to find out.

I wonder if you can retro-fit existing rods?

Does anybody have a St. Croix spring bobber handy and a set of calipers?  I'd like to know the OD of the spring tube that fits into the grommet.

Awesome, please let me know.  I want to try to find a grommet.

ORIGINAL: LOVETOSHOOT

PM Bogeyjoker, he always gets the alerts for his PM's.  I know he has several SC springs.

Yep...plenty of broken SC rods with useless spring bobbers! However, I don't have a set of calipers.

I've been using Bic lighter springs for 20 years or more.

I have several like the one you show except they have a plastic end that snaps over the rod body and are glued on (normally)... they are easier to apply than the type you show, I've had to reattach mine a time or two after rough transport and a little epoxy is all you need. I don't really know if they came on my rods or if I bought them and put them on (I've been ice fishing a long time and don't remember)! I like them the best of all I've seen and tried because you can bend them to have more or less play before they hit the front eye... when jigging they give a nice tap - tap - tap which I believe helps to attract fish at times and they don't freeze up any more that the front eye of a rod does if it gets wet... easy to clear up if it does. The one thing that is negative about a spring bobber like this is it is susceptable to movement from the wind under moderate to heavy windy days and that can make it look like a light bite.

Good Luck!

Well time to revisit this thread.

I have been messing around w/ the tip section board member Pork sent me to try as a prototype.  After I took the guides off (which were cemented on worse than anything I've torn down)  I installed a handle and reel seat on this rod as it is a bit heavier than a normal ice blank would be.



TroutAbout lent me his spring tip to get the grommet/guide situation figured out.  The grommet that came w/ the st. croix model is a little soft for my liking and not as easily adjusted.  I have different degree of density grommets at work, and tinkered around with 6 of them until I found the perfect match.  Using an ALPS size 8 guide was the ticket, the grommet fits in there perfectly with no play.  The grommet density I found in this picture is the easiest to adjust, compared to the st. croix model it is much easier.  I believe the reason is that the st. croix grommet has rounded ends, which fold back into the spring when you are pulling it out.  The one I have chosen uses a flat face, and is of higher density, allowing the ID to remain consistent and the springs to pass easily past them.  I will take a youtube video of the adjustment and post it back here this afternoon if I can, if not very soon.

Spring Tip setup.



Will post the rest of the rod as I am going to begin wrapping/finishing.