Can you use a regular fishing reel for ice fishing? Yes, absolutely – you can use a regular spinning reel for ice fishing Small spinning reel sizes from 1000 to 3000 are ideal for hard water fishing
What type of rod is best for ice fishing?
Fast- and medium-action rods are preferred by most ice anglers for sensitivity and strength Ultra-fast and fast-action rods have limber tips to signal light hits, while the rest of the blank bends little, providing strength (or backbone)
Why are ice fishing rods short?
Ice fishing rods are so small because they are designed specifically for use in ice For ice fishing, you need to be close to the hole, so a standard open-water pole will be too long You also need a more sensitive rod for ice fishing, so the small size of ice fishing rods helps with feeling the fish
Can I use a summer reel for ice fishing?
Use it they will be fine One main reason some people dont use them is because in extremely cold weather the greese in your regular summer reel might freeze up You wont have to “cast” and reel all the time but you will be letting the line out and reeling it back in quite often
How do I know what size ice rod to get?
Rod Length: Consider a rod between 30 inches and 42 inches If your ice fishing techniques usually produce an occasional larger fish, consider a 36 inch, or maybe even bump up to a 42 inch If your technique is pretty dialed into a particular range, then you are probably safe with a 30 to 32 inch rod
How long should an ice fishing rod be?
That’s why we recommend ice rods in the 25-to 27-inch range for fishing inside most portable fish houses, especially flip-overs Longer 27-to 30-inch models can be great options in hub or the more spacious wheelhouses The trend today is for ice anglers to fish longer and longer rods, and for good reason
Do you need ice fishing line to ice fish?
No doubt, for maximum ice-fishing success, you need a line that can combat the ice-fishing challenges Trilene Cold Weather and Trilene Micro Ice lines were developed with ice anglers in mind Cold Weather line is blue, so it shows up well against the snow, while Micro Ice is clear, making it invisible below the water
Are shorter fishing rods more sensitive?
The biggest advantage to fishing a short rod and reel is that the sensitivity is crazy good You feel every rock, weed, and bite, and you can tell the difference between them The shorter RG-42 travel fishing rod has much less material due to its short length, so there isn’t much dissipation of tip vibration
What makes a good ice fishing reel?
Corrosion & Durability It’ll be exposed to water, ice and freezing temperatures Not to worry though, as the best ice fishing reel will handle all this A durable reel made from corrosion-resistant materials is a must A reel made using graphite, aluminum, stainless steel and/or brass is a good choice
Can you cast an ice reel?
Because you normally don’t cast but just lower the lure or bait into the hole in the ice, the reel may have a tendency to be overlooked and undervalued Like a fly fishing reel, it is mainly a spool which lets you efficiently gain control of light, cold fishing line
How does an ice fishing rod work?
It has a long stick with a reel and a trigger device that hangs into the hole A flag is attached to a spring at the top of the stick When a fish bites, the spring activates and the flag goes up in the air to let you know you have a catch
Why are fishing rods different lengths?
Rod length is measured from the end of your handle to the end of your rod’s tip and can heavily influence your casting abilities In general, smaller fishing rods cast shorter distances, while longer fishing rods cast longer distances Each type has a purpose, however
What does a medium heavy fishing rod mean?
Light rods handle lures that weigh under 1/16 ounce Medium rods work best with lures around 1/8–3/8 ounces, and Medium-heavy and Heavy rods handle line over 4lb Test and lures between 3/16–1 1/2 ounces
How do you determine the action of a fishing rod?
A fast action rod will bend in the top third or less of the blank, a medium or moderate action rod will bend in the top half or so, and a slow action rod will bend starting in the lower third of the rod and into the handle Action, simply put, is where a rod bends
What all do I need to go ice fishing?
Ice Fishing Rod, Line, and Reel If you’ve been fishing in warmer climates, you’re probably used to the longer fishing pole with the spinning reel Lures and Bait The only way to get a fish to bite is with bait, a lure, or a combination of both Tackle Box Ice Auger Ice Shelter Warm Clothing Find Your Ice Fishing Gear
Does line color matter for ice fishing?
No matter which type of fishing line you use, the most ideal color for line watching is yellow In addition to being perfect for murky waters, yellow is very visible above the water and even more visible in clear waters and will let you detect the bite better
What is a 7 foot rod good for?
A 7-foot baitcast rod is an ideal choice for tossing buzzbaits and spinnerbaits, as it will provide better casting distance, leverage and the ability to pick up line quickly
What is a 6 foot fishing rod good for?
A short (6 feet or less) rod is ideal if you want to make short, accurate casts When pinpoint accuracy is less critical, a long rod (over 7 feet) is the way to go Dingy or dirty water and heavy cover are two situations where short-range accuracy is part of the recipe for success, and a shorter rod can really shine
Do longer fishing rods cast further?
Longer rods will deliver additional casting distance, providing the rod is matched with the right reel To achieve those benefits, you’re going to have to increase the line capacity of the reels you use The more line you can get on a spool the easier it will unfurl on a cast
What is an inline fishing reel?
Typically, inline reels shine brightest when jigged These reels allow the line to lay on the spool without twisting, which, in turn, allows the bait to be jigged without spinning over and over again