13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light Review

Our Verdict: 13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light

A cult favorite for panfish feel, held back only by a fragile tip and spotty quality control.

A flat tip carbon rod whose PC2 blank turns faint bites into a visible tip movement, often replacing a spring bobber.

What's the bottom line?

Scored a 9, one of the best here.

The PC2 Parallel Composite Construction flat tip is built to show ascending and descending strikes you would otherwise not feel.

Owners routinely say the tip is so telegraphic it makes a spring bobber unnecessary for panfish.

The flat tip shows bites I would swear I could not feel on any other rod. That said, I have snapped a tip and know two guys who have too, so treat it gently and keep it in a hard case.

Shaun, Top-Notch field tester

Reasons to buy:

• Flat tip shows the faintest bites
• Replaces a spring bobber for panfish
• Hi-Vis tip is easy to watch
• Under 50 dollars

Reasons to avoid:

• Reported tip breakages
• Inconsistent quality control
• Needs a hard case for safe storage

Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results

The 13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light scored 84 out of 100 overall.

It is strongest on sensitivity and weakest on durability.

Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.

Value for Money

Scored an 8.

Usually under 50 US dollars, which is a lot of feel for the price.

The flat tip design that anglers pay a premium for on custom rods shows up here at a mid tier cost.

The value case weakens if you have to return one due to a quality control fault.

Value for Money	Rating
Best in test	9/10
13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light	8/10
Category average	7.7/10
Worst in test	6/10

Ease of Use

Scored a 7.

The Evolve reel seat and light overall weight make long jigging sessions comfortable.

But here is the catch:

ALPS thin wire guides keep weight down but demand care when clearing ice.

The Hi-Vis tip is easy to watch, which helps newer anglers read bites.

Ease of Use	Rating
Best in test	8/10
13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light	7/10
Category average	7.7/10
Worst in test	7/10

Durability

Scored a 5, the weakest durability rating among the rods here, and the reviews back that up.

This is the QC caveat to be honest about.

Multiple owners report tips breaking, including one who had a new rod break on the first fish and its replacement break before use.

Earlier generations had small eyelets that iced up, which 13 Fishing enlarged on newer runs, so guides are improved but tip fragility remains.

The strong recommendation is to store it in a hard case, never a soft PVC or canvas bag where it can slide and snap.

Durability	Rating
Best in test	10/10
13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light	5/10
Category average	6.7/10
Worst in test	5/10

Sensitivity

Scored a 9, one of the best here.

The PC2 Parallel Composite Construction flat tip is built to show ascending and descending strikes you would otherwise not feel.

Owners routinely say the tip is so telegraphic it makes a spring bobber unnecessary for panfish.

The Hi-Vis tip lets you see light bites as well as feel them, which helps in low light.

Sensitivity	Rating
Best in test	10/10
13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light	9/10
Category average	6.8/10
Worst in test	4/10

Action

Scored a 9.

The flat tip adds rigidity by stopping the blank from rolling over, which sharpens hooksets.

The ultra light power stays lively for the smallest jigs, roughly 1/64 to 1/16 oz.

Fast recovering tip suits a quick, snappy jigging cadence.

Action	Rating
Best in test	9/10
13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light	9/10
Category average	7.3/10
Worst in test	5/10

Should You Buy the 13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light?

A cult favorite for panfish feel, held back only by a fragile tip and spotty quality control.

It is best suited to panfish anglers who want visible flat tip bite detection.

Want to know the best part?

The big win: Flat tip shows the faintest bites.

The main compromise: Reported tip breakages.

We scored it 84 out of 100.

What Other Ice Fishing Rods Should You Consider?

Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.

The St. Croix Custom Ice Fishing Rod is our best solid carbon blank ice fishing rod. The most sensitive rod in this test, and the one to pick if feeling faint panfish bites matters more than the price.

The Fenwick Eagle Ice Fishing Spinning Rod is our best ice fishing rod for budget. The best rod here for the money, with a crisp action that punches above its low price.

The Fenwick HMG Ice Fishing Spinning Rod is our best high modulus graphite ice fishing rod. The most balanced rod here, with high modulus graphite feel and no glaring weakness.

Specifications

Blank	PC2 flat tip carbon
Length	23 inch
Power	Ultra Light
Lure range	1/64 to 1/16 oz
Guides	ALPS thin wire
Reel seat	Custom Evolve
Tip	Hi-Vis

Conclusion: 13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light

After testing it against the other top ice fishing rods, the 13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light earns its place as our best ice fishing rod under $50 pick.

Its standout strength: Flat tip shows the faintest bites.

So:

The main thing to weigh before you buy: Reported tip breakages.

If you want panfish anglers who want visible flat tip bite detection, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.

Still comparing? See exactly where the 13 Fishing Tickle Stick Gen 3 Ultra Light ranks against the full field in our The Best Ice Fishing Rod guide.

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