Home » Fishing Tips » Ice Fishing Gear to Buy This Winter

Ice Fishing Gear to Buy This Winter

Last Updated on August 17, 2020

Winter season is here and what a better way to spend it than to do some ice fishing if you are an outdoor person. Most people fear going out in the cold and thus, exploring fishing grounds at such a time can be a lot of fun because you will have a lot of space for yourself.

However, for you to succeed at ice fishing, you need to be prepared by having the required gear to survive the cold and also get to the fish in their hidden spots. Some gear recommendations are given below and these should be enough to keep you comfortable and also help you land some fish.

1. Rods and Reels

These are the most basic and essential fishing gear that you need for any fishing expedition and thus, you must have them for ice fishing.

There are different types of reels and rods, but the most ideal ones for ice fishing are:

Spinning Reels

Ice spinning reels are usually the smaller version of any reel series and coupled with short rods, they are designed to handle light lines and lighter fish.

Combos

This is simply a rod and reel combination that is sold as a set. It is cheaper to buy but most fishing enthusiasts would agree that you will get a better setup when you buy the two separately and create your own customized combo.

Tip-Ups

Basically, tip-ups involve setting up a small plank over an ice hole for holding a spring-loaded flag, which is released when fish take the bait.

This setup allows you to cover a bigger space because you can set up multiple baits over a large area. It also increases your chances of catching multiple large fish.

2. Insulated and Waterproof Cloths and Boots

Warm clothing is a must-have when ice fishing. You should have things such as:

Gloves

Your hands are very important for fishing. As such, it is important to keep your fingers protected from the cold using waterproof fishing gloves that also cover your wrists and can slip inside your jacket sleeves for full protection from the harsh weather.

Boots

You should also take care of your feet as much as you take care of your hands. Therefore, insulated and waterproof boots are ideal for keeping your feet warm, dry and comfortable during the whole period you spend outdoors.

Other clothing

For the outerwear, ensure that you have waterproof, windproof and properly insulated jackets, pants and headwear.

3. Ice Augers

Frozen lakes and rivers are very common in the winter. To create a perfect hole in the ice so as to get to the fish, you must have an ice auger.

A variety of them do exist and these include hand powered augers, which lets you drill manually by rotating the auger using your hands, gas-powered augers, and electric augers.

4. Ice Flashers

Since you won’t be able to see through the ice layer, an ice flasher is a very important tool to have because it will be your eyes down there.

Basically, an ice flasher is like a movable fishfinder that features a colored dial, which gives you information about the depth of the water, the depth of your bait and shows you when the fish start heading towards your bait.

The alternatives that you can use for this are underwater cameras and ice fish finders, but most anglers prefer to work with ice flashers because they are far more superior.

5. Ice Shelter

As much as insulated clothing keeps you warm as you fish, an ice shelter goes a long way in protecting you from extreme cold winds.

The two most commonly used ice shelters are:

Hub Shelters

Hub shelters are very affordable and usually have frames that expand outwards and lock into place, forming the structure. However, they are somewhat difficult to move, which means they can be a big inconvenience if you like changing fishing spots regularly.

Flip-up Shelters

A flip-up shelter features a plastic made sled base, which makes it glide very easily over the ice and thus, won’t be a bother if you like changing fishing spots. On the inside, this unit features built-in seats and storage compartments for keeping your gear. However, they are usually very expensive.

Final Words

Ice fishing can be a lot of fun if you have the above gear. However, these are just the most basic things that you can bring along for such an expedition. For more information about these and other recommended ice fishing gear, go to https://usangler.com.

You May Also Like to Read

Campbell John

Hi, I am John Campbell, an outdoor enthusiast. Just like you, I value the habitat, heritage and tradition of great outdoors. I do my best to make sure the correct research, writing, and photo are shown on Tacticalgearslab.com. Indeed, I am committed to preserving a great online experience for you.