It’s once again that time of year to start thinking ice fishing. In this article, I have included 7 of the best ice fishing rod reel combos that can all be found on Amazon. It’s important to have a quality rod and reel that’s comfortable for you to handle while out in the cold tundra of ice fishing.
There are a variety of rod and reels that work well for ice fishing. So sit back relax and let’s find you the perfect ice fishing rod and reel combo so you can catch some monster fish with this ice fishing season.
7 Best Ice Fishing Rod Reel Combos
1. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2
The Ugly Stik GX2 is Shakespeare’s next-generation rod reel combo. This is a modern-looking rod reel combo. They are built for a light feel that helps you detect any little tug you get on your lure or bait while you are jigging.
The guides are made of stainless steel and are one piece. You get a ported aluminum spool. You will appreciate the twist-lock reel seat with the EVA handle.
You get three size choices with the GX2 they are
- 26” – Light
- 28” – Medium
- 30” Medium-Heavy
Some of the features that come with the GX2 combo are:
- Ugly Tuff Guides
- Ugly Tech Construction
- Ugly Stik Clear Tip Design
This is a lightweight but strong rod reel combo. You will definitely get some solid ice fishing done with this combo. You can purchase the GX2 spinning rod reel combo on Amazon.
2. Berkley Cherrywood Ice Fishing Spinning Combo
Berkley is a big name in fishing line but did you know they also make rods and reels? Well, they do and they made my list of one of the best ice fishing rod reel combos. Introducing the Berkley Cherrywood ice fishing spinning combo.
With the Cherrywood you get your choice of three combos:
- 24” – Ultra Light
- 27” – Light
- 30” – Medium
The frame of the rod is made of lightweight graphite with a full corked handle. You get 4 + 1 stainless steel ball bearings for a smooth retrieve. Instant anti-reverse is included and you can interchange the reeling handle from left to right or visa Versa.
The spool is made of ported aluminum and it comes pre-spooled with Berkley Trilene XL fishing line.
3. Frabill Straight Line 101 Quick Tip Ice Fishing Combo, 27-Inch
This lightweight composite rod has stainless steel ice guides that reduce the freeze-up of the rod while fishing in extremely cold weather. The drag on this rod reel is very smooth because of the 1:1 reel ratio. Although this rod reel combo is lightweight it is also durable and strong to withstand the rigors of ice fishing.
The rod blank goes straight through the handle. This helps for increased strength and sensitivity of the combo something you really need when ice fishing.
The reel is not cold to the touch even in frigid temperatures. So if you have to you can reel with your mitts off! The Frabill Straight Line 101 is a great combo for new and seasoned ice anglers alike. Pick yours up today on Amazon!
4. Berkley Lightning Rod & Reel
Here we have Berkley again on our list. This is the Berkley Lighting rod & reel. With this reel you get your choice of three sizes:
- 24” – Ultralight
- 28” Medium-light
- 32” Medium-heavy
The reel is size 20 and it has an aluminum ported spool. Your fingers will thank you because of the corked handle that’s ergonomically made. The reel is made of ultralight graphite. You get an interchangeable retrieve left/right.
You will appreciate the guides which are 20x stronger and 55% lighter than the widely used aluminum oxide guides. Making the lighting rod reel combo live up to its name.
The rod is made of solid fiberglass for durability and is lightweight. Now that’s a combination you will want when you are out on the ice. You will really love the oversized guides that won’t freeze shut on you. It’s never fun when your line gets frozen in the guides. It’s even worse when you finally get a hook on a fish and the line is frozen there.
Grab your Lighting rod reel combo on Amazon today!
5. Shakespeare Glacier
The Glacier comes in six different styles:
- 24” Ultralight
- 26” Light
- 26” Medium light (lady)
- 28” Medium (lady)
- 28” Medium light
- 30” Medium
The stem is extended for more clearance. Made of solid fiberglass and 15-degree tilt for better line flow. The handle is EVA with graphite sliding rings. The guides and inserts are made of stainless steel so they won’t rust.
Nice little ice fishing combo that won’t break the bank. You can check them out on Amazon.
6. 13 Fishing Whiteout
The Whiteout is a 23.5” Ultralight rod that’s made out of Toray Carbon. You get Evolve performance guides and Evolve carbon divide reel seat with this combo. A five-ball-bearing system comes in the reel. You will love the instant anti-reverse that the reel offers for a smooth retrieve.
The handle is made of aluminum with an aluminum spool and EVA handle. Line capacity is 4/160 6/160 8/70.
You can buy the Whiteout on Amazon.
7. 13 Fishing White Noise Light
The last combo in our list is the White Noise light by 13 Fishing. The rod blank is made out of Toray graphite. You get Evolve electric blue guides and a hidden Evolve reel seat. The handle is made of aluminum with a soft-touch knob. You also get anti-reverse for a smooth retrieve.
The length of the rod is 25” and the reel handle is interchangeable for left or right-handed folks. The line capacity for the White Noise Light is 4/160 6/160 8/70. You can find the White Noise Light on Amazon.
Conclusion
There you have it 7 of the best ice fishing rod reel combos reviewed for you. Ice fishing can be a fun sport as long as you have the right quality gear. I hope I have helped you make an informed decision on the right combo for you.
Once again here are the 7 ice fishing rod reel combos that I recommend:
- Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2
- Berkley Cherrywood
- Frabill Straight Line 101
- Berkely Lighting Rod & Reel
- Shakespeare Glacier
- 13 Fishing Whiteout
- 13 Fishing White Noise
If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comments section below. And as always Happy Fishing!
Thank you for this post.
I’ve not gone ice fishing yet, but it is on my list of things to do. That said, I’m ill-prepared for it. I know there’s more than a rod and reel to ice fishing, but I have to start somewhere, LOL.
So, knowing that I’ve never ice fished before, what setup do you recommend for the beginner ice fisher?
I see that both Shakespeare and 13 Fishing have two entries on your list. Are they the more prominent choices?
I’m both nervous and excited to be planning my trip and look forward to your reply.
Thank you,
Scott
Hi Scott. The Shakespeare or the 13 fishing rod reel combos would be a good choice if you are a beginner ice angler. Good luck on your first ice fishing trip and I hope you catch a monster!
Jigging can be one of the funniest ways to catch fish when ice fishing and can be important for catching bait to use on tip-ups. As such, I’m happy to come across your post here on the ice fishing rods and reels for the upcoming season. Of your choices, like the Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2, Shakespeare Glacier, and 13 Fishing White Noise. These would make holiday gifts as well, and I am bookmarking your site for when it’s soon time to order a new jigging set-up or two, well done!
Rod reel combos make excellent gifts for ice anglers. Most of them are affordable so you won’t break the bank. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Good luck on your next ice fishing outing!