Noodle Rods

[James]

What can anyone tell me about "noodle rods" I was thinking of getting one to use for light jigs for crappies and walleyes. Anyone know of a good brand for not a lot of money. I don't want to spend big bucks then not like them. Do they come one, two or even three pieces?

Thanks

[Lund_Dude]

I bought a Bass Pro Brand 10' Crappie rod last spring. I love the style of rod for fishing with a hook and splitshot during cold front conditions. The style of rod also works well for bobber fishing. This rod is a 2 piece and works well except that the guides are too small to cast effectively. It has since been recommended to me to try a 9-11' steelhead rod since they are designed to be casted well. Give this a try and I think you will enjoy it.

[rawburt]

For the last 5 years I have been using a 10.5 feet,2-pieces, Spinning/Salmon Steelhead rod. It's made by Fenwick and the number is HMX S105XL-2R. I outcast my buddies with this long rod and I have a ball catching wild brook trout up to 14 inches so far. If ever a trophy bites my small lure I know I'll be able to handle it since the rod is so long. Try one you'll see what I mean. Of course I haven't used it for bass or pike. Rawburt

[cisco]

I've got a 12' noodle rod I bought some years ago for use on Lake Michigan while trolling for trout and salmon. I used it straight off the stern as a trailing flatline, usually with a small J-Plub, Rapala, or other floating lure. It was fun to catch fish on the whippy stik, but turned out to be too much of a hassle, especially when action was fast. One downside on the noodle rod is the time it takes to tire a strong fish -- some argue they tire as fast, but that wasn't my experience.

At any rate, my noodle rod now sees service only when I fish for sunfish off my dock. It's reminiscent of the whippy bamboo poles I used as a kid.

My is two-piece, but that means two 6-ft sections.

[rickyp]

I am far from an expert, but i believe that "noodle" rods were invented and marketed by Dick Swann. They were designed for steelhead fishing. They allow the fisherman to use very light line (2-6lb test) to land line shy steelhead. The lenghts I have seen are 9'-12'. I believe the term noodle rod has evolved to mean any long, limber rod. But there is a specific noodle rod brand.

[ufda]

You have any old 8.5' to 9' lightweight fly rods? Put a spinning reel on it and give it a shot. If you want to go the next step, replace the eyes with spinning eyes and the handle with a solid cork spinning handle. That is the cheapest way to try it if not the best way. Noodle rods don't tire fish as quickly in my estimation, but with 9' or more of "forgiveness" you don't loose many big fish either.
Hope this helps,
ufda

[Boatnut]

James,
try ebay. type in "noodle rod" in their search engine. I found 14 items. Pays to compare pricing.
Mike(boatnut)

[D in MI.]

I have used fly rods (with spinning reel) and noodle rods for bobber fishing eyes in cabbage and coontail grass as well as trolling and drifting bottom bouncers and have caught more fish on these rods than on my regular (IM6&7) spinning rods.

[davef]

don't know where you live but walmarts in my area had 10.5 ft south bend graphite noodle rod marked down to $35 plus tax. i bought two and will probaly take them back because i didn't care for the action but you might like it. they were marked $56 normally

[BIGRAY]

If you want more info on noodle rods you might try www.noodlebagger.com/ They should have what your looking for. BIGRAY

[markb_loser]

i use a silstar pinnacle px90sn noodle which was fairly
inexpensive...picked up at a dick's sporting goods
store i think...noodle rods have a soft slow action
termed parabolic (they bend from tip to butt...like
a big 'C')...often people dont like them, or feel
uncomfortable with them, because of this action...it
does take a little getting used to...they are designed
for taking big fish on light line (the action allows
rod to absorb shock)...i use mine for fall/winter
steelhead fishing in eastern lake erie tribs...so
far has handled abuse fairly well...for walleyes you
might like a fast or medium action rod better...there
are many steelhead spnnings rods (not noodle) in the
8'6" to 9' range...when matched with 'long cast'
spinning reels the casting distance is amazing...before
getting noodle might want to put together and feel
action...have fun

[Starfish]

Berkley makes a 10.5' rod (I think it's Buzz Ramsey signature) that they call a noodle but which actually has enough backbone to set a hook with. It's an incredible rod for light tackle crappie and panfish, plus I watched my buddy land four steelhead on 4 lb test on it. Price $85, worth every penny-- better than a 12' Lamiglas.