Making jigging rods from old rods

[Tom (N.W.Ont)]

My buddy picked up dozens of 'used' rods...all mismatched butt-ends and tips...no two go together. So, we've decided to cut the butt-end off- leaving the handle and about 2-3 inches of the rod.....and, insert a full tip length into the rod stub...and viola...a 3 foot jigging rod.

Our inquiry is this...what do we use to fuse the two parts together with? I've already discounted the superglues, and silicon...but am considering using one of the "GOOP" family of products...they always work well. Also have considered epoxy, but may be a bit too messy/smelly for my tastes.

Any suggestions welcome!

Tom

[BIG AL]

I have made several ice rods that way and have always used 2 part epoxy to join them.....Never had one come apart or fail in any way. Good luck to everyone ice fishing this year(yesterday it was 70 degrees here in Michigan) HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!! I've got to get the muzzleloader and my camo shorts out now....><> ><> ><> AL

[eyewinder]

I've done a bit of this type of rod building. My largest problem is that almost all of my tip-section ice rods have eventually failed. . .and not necessarily when fighting a fish.

There have been times when the weight of the jigging spoon has caused the rod to snap (the damage could have occurred during transport). Other times, it's been when I lifted the rod to set the hook on a fish.

I'll continue to put together and use these rods, but I just don't expect them to hold up as well as a rod made from an icefishing blank.

Good luck!

[Tom (N.W.Ont)]

Yikes Big Al! 70? We, just North West of you in Thunder Bay got blown off the map last night by a Colorado Lo! No shorts for me...but I agree, no icefishing for a while. Good time to prep up!

Epoxy...yeeesh, I knew it! I do hate the stuff but at least i know it works.

see ya

Tom

[BIG AL]

I agree with Eyewinder, the best ice rods are made from blanks(fiberglass is my favorite,much more durable than graphite) Where we perch fish on Lake St. Clair, there are always a pack of them toothy critters (PIKE) hanging around looking for lunch too. I've had them snap graphite rods like a toothpick, while we have horsed in several fish up to 10# on the glass rods spooled with 4# spiderwire. We purchased the blanks through Netcraft Co. and turned our own handles out of walnut on the lathe....very appealing to the eye and functional with an ultralite reel taped to it....Well, enough babble for now, good luck and bent rods to all!!! ><> ><> ><> AL

[wheels]

This is a little rough around the edges, but here's what my ice fishing poles consist of.

Two things that I'm almost guaranteed to break in a year, a fishing pole, and a shovel handle. Trust me, the shovel handle is not from over use. I cut off the end of the shovel handle about 8" worth, and drill a hole in the end. Cut the tip off the fishing pole to my preferred jigging pole length, add a little JB Weld into the hole, insert the rod, throw on a reel and you're good to go.

You have to understand, I don't take ice fishing that seriously.

"Friends don't let friends fish for trout!"

[BD]

I have several ice rods made from old fibreglass rod tips. They work great and I haven't had one break yet (now that I said that I'll be breaking rods left and right). I use two part epoxy and a large diameter dowel for a handel. On one rod I had a spinning reel seat fitted to the dowel. On most rods I just use tape or hose clamps to hold the reel.