Ice Rod Challenge Question--Prize offered for correct answer

[DDSBYDAY]

     We are going to have a little contest.  If anyone get this right in detail they will win a 25$ Cabella's gift card.   There only will be one winner and I will be the judge.  It is not easy and There is a correct answer.  Not only must you get the select the right rod but you must explain in detail why.  Like I said, this is not easy.  The specific answer and winner will be posted Wed.  If nobody has the complete answer I am looking for there will be a prize for the closest answer.
     Good luck!!!   

Question   

  I am going to show you 2 fishing rods.  One is a very poor choice and can only be used as an ice rod in limited circumstances.  One has no reel on it but that is not what I am looking for.  Assume they both have the same reel, line, lure, and bait on them.  Which rod is a bad investment and can only be used in such limited circumstances that it is a waste of money and WHY .     Be specific                                                                                       

[attachment deleted by admin]

[The General]

I think I just might know the answer, but I'll give some others a shot.  This is very nice of DDS to do so I hope others let him know with a thank you. 

[MTCOMMER]

I think both rods are good enough to catch fish 
Personally, I think the A rod would be better because its more sensitive and can be used for all diffferent fish - the 3 islet rod (B) looks like a medium which would be better for larger fish, but hard to feel that panfish, but I dont wear gloves when I fish, so I can feel everything.
But the A rod is nice, because the fish always feel bigger when I pull them in, even those 12 inch walleyes feel like monsters  :fishing2:

I would buy both rods, so I can have two and have both my lines in the water 

[DDSBYDAY]

    This is a tough question.  General be sure to put your answer in before Wed.  I got it wrong.  I bought the thing so I'm just trying to save some people some money.      If nobody is close I will post another clue tomorrow.  MT you have to pick one.  If you pick the right one you have a chance at winning something.   

[MTCOMMER]

OOo, OOoo, I think I know the answer now!  I choose rod A (even though I own them both), the B rod has too big of a top islet, so a small lure like an ATI Cyclops may slip though - which happens to me all the time.  With A, the lure will be stopped and no go through the islets    Thats my answer and im sticking to it!

But I still own them both and would use them both to double my chances of catching a fish 

[Tyler Rother]

I would say Rod A because the rod/eyelet is broken and is duct taped together, therefore taking away most if not all of the backbone strength of the rod.

Tyler

[MTCOMMER]

I would say Rod A because the rod/eyelet is broken and is duct taped together, therefore taking away most if not all of the backbone strength of the rod.

Tyler

GOOD EYE    I never saw that.  Now I am intrigued what the right answer is....

[The Rock]

I think A is the bad choice in this  case. The eyelets  are too small and would ice up too easily with slip bobbers.  Also the small tip eyelet limits the use of, and placement of spring bobbers. Though the B rod looks to be a little stout, rigged with the right lure bobber setups it would be much better suited for a broader range of uses.

[The General]

The Rock,

Welcome to the forum.  Very good points on your answer as well.

[rod-man]

Rod A is the better of the two rods
1) it has smaller guides (lighter weight on the blank)
2) it has 4 guides and a tip top (to better load the rod and cushion lighter line)
3) it has a built in spring bobber ( to detect the lightest and up bites)
4) the blank is 2+in longer (better to fight fish with. The longer the rod the better they are, more forgiving to OUR mistakes.
5) it has a hook keeper (no hooking to the guide feet or worse the ring itself)

I guess thats all I can see for now with a quick check

[BiggA]

It  appears to me that rod a has ceramic inside the eyelets while b does not. In my opinion for that reason alone I am choosing a to use. I feel the line will slide more freely and have less chance of fraying or other wear.

[JoeFisherman]

I was thinking along that same line.  I'm wondering if it's less likely the line would freeze to the ceramic eyelet.  You know how quickly a wet line can freeze to metal.

It  appears to me that rod a has ceramic inside the eyelets while b does not. In my opinion for that reason alone I am choosing a to use. I feel the line will slide more freely and have less chance of fraying or other wear.

[kenhuntin]

Way too many variables here like in or out, temp., what fish are being sought. I would pick A because of the hook keeper for travel but the cork will work as well on both.

[Fawkinnae]

I would pick A mainly because of the space between the guides.

[corny13]

I'll pick B as Ill be fishing for big walleye with a ATI-47 on early ice outside!      It was -15F here this am  BTW!   B has bigger eyelets, A's eyelets are two small and will ice up if the temp is cold and fishing outside.  A would be a ok rod in a warm icehouse just fishing pannies but to get on good pannies you need to move and find them outside not stay sitting in a warm shanty, so B would still be better...

[rod-man]

So who won?

[thunderpout]

I asume this is also if both rods were new? (duct tape on A)  A is a panfish rod with small guides that would freeze up outdoors when below freezing, B is more of an all-purpose medium weight rod with not much of a taper.... but you could use it for multiple species.... A is very limited as to what you can use it for, so if I understand the question right , I'd definatly go with B......

[DDSBYDAY]

     Answer at around 8 pm tonight.  Very good observations from everyone.  I hope this little quiz will help when someone goes to pic out their ice rods out. 

[thunderpout]

If its not too late to add to my answer.... not only is A a panfish rod with a spring bobber(which would be basically usless for anything but panfish, but I think A is also a "noodle" rod which is what the name suggests....  no backbone to the rod at all to fight even a small/medium walleye, and pretty tough to set a hook on any fish.... never liked noodle rods much... only one plus.... they make even a small, palm sized sunny look like you've got a mounter on the line.....

[DDSBYDAY]

    There is a winner.

                      Rod A is a better rod design.  Everything about it makes it better rod. 


                       Except  It can only be fished in a warm enviroment. 

                1.Slip bobbers can not be used.   Why have a reel then?
                2.Can only be fished outside if the temp is above freezing
                3.If you are in a warm house, temp is above freezing you still need a vex to fish with it.---Unless you add a spring bobber to it as I did.

     Rod B - can be used in any way you want.    Not as thick as a tip up. Very workable.


                 You guys hit every detail.  The perspective on how small the terminal eye was tough.  Thats why I was so disappointed the first time I used it.  It is great in March with the Vex .  That is not why I purchase it.    

               Winner=      The Rock    25$ gift card at Cabellas.  Send me a PM with your address and I will send it out on Monday.



              Great answers guys.   Rock ---Great job---  Welcome to MNO