Reviews

What Are The 5 Senses of Fish? [Learn These & Catch More Fish!]

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Hand holding a fish at sunset and the words 5 senses of fish.

Understanding the five senses of fish will help make you a better angler and in turn, will help you catch more fish. Since that’s the case I thought I would write an article on the subject and that’s exactly what I have done.

So your first question would be:

What are the five senses of fish? The five senses that fish have are:

  • Vision
  • Smell
  • Taste
  • Hearing
  • Lateral Line

By the end of this article, you will completely understand these five senses and how knowing this information can help you catch more fish!

The Five Senses of Gamefish

Depending on the conditions fish find themselves in will determine what senses they use more. For example, if the water is cloudy or mucky and a lot of debris is stirred up gamefish will use their hearing, smell, taste, and lateral line.

If the water is clear they will make better use of their vision. I will explain each of the five senses of fish so that you get a better understanding of how fish operate underwater.

Vision

Bony Fish Eye Diagram
Gretarsson / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

All fish have eyes but some fish species see better in certain conditions than others. All gamefish have two types of receptors. They are:

  • Rods
  • Cones

The rods are the intensity receptors and the cones are color receptors. Fish such as sunfish and bass which are shallow water fish have a high cone to rod ratio. Having this high ratio allows them to see color just like a human would.

Also shallow water fish see color better than their deepwater counterparts. It’s amazing how nature equips animals with the senses they need for the specific situation they are in.

Deepwater fish like northern pike and walleye don’t need to see color because color becomes distorted the deeper in the water you go. You can only see the color red up to 10 feet of water and blue becomes nonexistent at 50 feet. So being able to see color does no good to deepwater fish. Northern Pike and walleye need to rely more on their other senses.

Another factor is if the water is cloudy or at night both shallow water and deepwater fish have to rely on their other senses to navigate the waters accurately.

Hearing

Fish don’t hear like humans because they don’t have external ears or an eardrum. In order for fish to hear they rely on small internal ear bones that vibrate from the external sounds in the water. This is called bone conduction.

Although fish don’t have ears like humans they do have what is called Otolith organs that are an inner ear of fish. Humans have this organ as well in our ears. It helps with keeping our equal Librium in balance. The otoliths also help us perceive our sense of speed when we are traveling and in fish, it does the same thing. It works with the gravitational pull of our planet.

Hearing is very important to fish especially at night or if the water is not clear.  Using noisy baits such as Larry Dahlberg Whopper Popper works well for catching bass. Bass are a very receptive to noise especially in conditions that they can’t see well. You can also use rattles on your lures to imitate the noise that crawfish make when they bounce off the bottom of a river bed. Bass go crazy for that.

Lateral Line System

Scales of the lateral line of fish.

The lateral line system is the touch sensory organs of fish. These sense organs run the length of the fish from what’s called the head canal system to the trunk canal system. They have small pores along with the system that picks up vibrations and pressure variations in the water. There are then nerve endings that pick up these vibrations and send them to the inner ear bone of the fish where bone conduction takes place.

These pores can tell the fish that prey is present. They also tell the fish how big the prey is, how fast it’s going, and in what direction it’s going. The lateral line is one of the most important senses a fish has. For without it fish would be hard-pressed to catch their prey.

Smell

A fish’s sense of smell is important because that is another sense that they use to pick up predators or prey that are in the area. Smell because more important when the water is cloudy or at night and if the sound is not there.

The current of the water plays a role because the smell of their prey or predators will flow with the current of the water. Some fish use scent more than others.

Fish such as bream, salmon, catfish, and trout use their smell much more than northern pike, bass, and walleyes. As a matter of fact, salmon can find the home rivers that they come back to spawn in using their sense of smell. They can actually remember the smell of the river that they have been before. To me, that is just amazing!

This is why fish like bream or catfish go after smelly type baits like scented plastic worms. You can also use a liquid base to add to your bait. Anything with a strong smell that humans would not like fish like catfish, bullheads, and bream will love. A good blood smell will go a long way in catching more fish like the ones I just described above.

 

Taste

The last fish sense is taste. Most fish don’t use taste as much as they do smell. But bottom feeders like catfish and bullheads use their whiskers that have taste buds at the end of them to taste out prey and other goodies at the bottom of the lake or river.

All fish have a sense of taste. Taste buds are located at the end of the whiskers or barbels as I said above. Fish also taste with their fins, mouth, and on their tongue. Catfish have what’s called chemoreceptors all along their bodies. Letting them taste everything they touch while swimming. Fish can taste:

  • Bitter
  • Sweet
  • Sour
  • Salty

Understanding the Five Senses of Fish

Once you have a good understanding of the five senses of fish and how they use these senses to navigate the waters you will be better equipped to use this knowledge to catch more fish.

You can use visual baits and smelly baits depending on the fish you are trying to catch and what conditions you find yourself fishing in. All of this plays a role in how many fish you will catch.

If the water is clear and your fishing during the day in shallow water you will want to focus on using baits that are colorful and stand out visually because in this condition fish will be relying on their vision and if the fish are there you will catch more of them.

When using colorful baits you will want to experiment with different colors to find out which colors are best used for that day and time you are fishing.

If you are fishing in dark waters at night for deepwater fish you will want to rely on smelly and rattle type baits to catch more fish. Experiment with different smells and types of bait to see what works best. Before you know you will be catching more fish then you can keep!

I hope you got some useful information from this article and if you have any questions or comments please leave them below. I would be glad to answer them to the best of my ability. Thanks for reading and Happy Fishing!

7 Best Fishing Tackle Boxes – Get Organized!

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Tackle boxes with lures and a spincasting reel on green table.

Looking for that perfect tackle box to carry all your essential fishing gear? You are in luck! I have put together a list of the 7 best fishing tackle boxes that money can buy. Some are small and some are large so you have a variety of tackle boxes to choose from and they are the best of the best.

Having the right tackle box that has enough compartments to hold all of your lures and fishing tools is a must when it comes to being prepared when you are out on the lake or river for a big day of fishing.

You also want to make sure you have a tackle box that won’t fall apart on you and that is tough, rugged, and will withstand the riggers of fishing.

Sit back relax and check out the 7 best fishing tackle boxes. I know you will find one that suits your needs.

7 Best Tackle Boxes 2020

Tackle Box Top Features
Plano Guide Series Stowaway Rack System Pro

  • Molded Construction
  • 3 Removable Trays
  • Easy Access
  • Large Bulk Storage   Space

Plano Angled Tackle System
  • 5 Removable Utility Trays
  • 15 Degree angled trays for easy access
  • Duraview Doors and Covers
Ready2Fish Tackle Box

  • 130 plus assorted fishing tackle included
  • Clear top for easy viewing
  • Spacious bulk storage
Plano Large 3-Tray

  • 3 Large trays
  • Huge bulk storage
  • Brass locking latch
  • Durable
​Runcl Fishing Tackle Box

  • Customizable
  • Waterproof
  • Made for tournaments
  • Designed to stowaway easily
Plano 4 Rack System

  • 4 – 3700 Utility Boxes
  • Clear Plastic Covers
  • Tons of storage
  • Durable
Wakeman Fishing Tackle Box

  • Assorted tackle Included
  • Clear plastic cover
  • Removable tray
  • Bulk storage

1. Plano Guide Series Stowaway Rack System Pro

First up on our list is the Plano Guide Series Stowaway Rack System Pro. Plano is a company you can trust and they make some of the best tackle boxes at affordable prices.

With this tackle box, you get plenty of storage space. This tackle box measures in at 21.25” long and 12” high and weighs 13 pounds. The molded construction that Plano builds all their hard shell tackle boxes with will withstand the toughest conditions.

You get separate access to three spinnerbait racks that are removable. The top storage tray is removable as well and comes with numerous compartments that can custom made with the dividers that come with this tackle box.

Under the top tray, you get huge bulk storage space for all your larger tackle like fishing line spools, stringers, etc. You can see through the top with the Duraview Lens. This is nice so you don’t have to open up the box to see what you got on top. Just glance through the Duraview lens before you head out and you will know exactly what you have or don’t have in the top tray of 7771.

The dividers that come with this tackle box, the possibilities are endless. You can make hundreds of separate compartments so that you efficiently organize and find the tackle you need when you need it.

You also get four removable Stowaway utility boxes with ProLatch closures that ensure your tackle will not fall out of the boxes.

Carry this tackle box in comfort with its comfort-form over-molded handle. All in all the Plano Guide Series Stowaway Rack Pro is one of the best tackle boxes on the market and at a great price!

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2. Plano Angled Tackle System

Next in our list is another one from Plano. Introducing the Plano Guide Series Angled tackle system. This is another from the Guide Series by Plano and is another excellent choice in tackle boxes.

With the angled system you get two Plano 2-3650 utility boxes, two 3455 Stowaway utility boxes, one 3607-04 Elite utility box and one 4648 polycarbonate wallet. Plenty of compartments and tackle trays to hold all your fishing tackle.

This tackle system measures 18” L x 9” W x 11” H and weighs only 5.65 pounds. Very light and easy to carry but the durability you need that you can count on.

The main compartment holds the utility boxes at a 15-degree angle which makes access to them easy. There is a rear pocket that expands for extra storage. This works great for putting those larger items that you need frequently while out fishing. There’s plenty of room for all your essential fishing tackle.

You get the Duraview doors and covers so you can easily see what you have inside without having to open it up. The non-skid rubber feet will keep your tackle box firmly where you put it so no need of worrying about knocking it over accidentally.

You are going to love the large inner storage compartment and the two top storage compartments that are easy to access. The strong latches will keep your tackle safe from falling out while carrying.

The Guide Series Angled tackle system is worth a look. You just can’t go wrong with a Plano! You can check out the price on Amazon by clicking the button below.

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3. Ready2Fish Fishing Tackle Box

The Ready2Fish tackle box is a standard classic tackle box one much like you would of had when you were a kid. This tackle box is perfect for the beginning or novice angler and can hold all the fishing tackle that is essential for a typical day of fishing. It makes a great starter tackle box especially for children who are interested in fishing.

This box comes with two plastic trays that are divided up in compartments so you can organize the tackle that you use most frequently. You get a 3 ½” deep bulk storage underneath the tray that works great for holding your larger lures or extra fishing line and fishing tools or pliers.

 It’s a strong durable but lightweight box that easy to transport and that will tuck away easily into any boat when not in use.

One of the biggest pluses of this tackle box is the fact that it comes filled with 130 plus pieces of assorted tackle including:

  • 3-way Plano tackle box
  • 2 tray pack tackle box
  • ⅛ oz. jig head
  • Ten size BB
  • 3/0 & 7 split shot
  • 2 tray box with accessories
  • Poly Stringer
  • Two 6” curl tail worms
  • Two 3” & 4” curl tail grubs
  • Thirty size 2 hooks
  • One hook Removal tool
  • Floats, weights, swivels, and lures
  • Thirty-one of #4 and Thirty-one of #6 hooks

So if you are new to fishing or are a novice this tackle box is perfect everything you need for a productive day of fishing comes in this tackle box. You even get a handy little fishing guide that gives you tips for beginner anglers.

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4. Plano Large 3 Tray Tackle Box

If you looking for a large size tackle box that can fit all your essential fishing gear then the Plano large 3-tray tackle box is the way to go.

You get three large trays that are divided into compartments to organize your tackle. Some of the compartments can be adjusted with the provided dividers. The top tray front row can be divided into 5 separate compartments and the section on the right can take one divider.

The left 5 sections on the left side of the bottom tray can take one divider. So there are plenty of options for you to customize the compartments to fit your needs.

The bulk storage on this tackle box is 4” deep when closed so you have room for larger items like pliers and extra fishing line or large lures.

Your tackle will stay secure will in transport with the brass locking latch that comes on this Plano tackle box. It’s also made of durable plastic that can withstand any jostling around you might encounter on the water. And the handle makes this tackle box easy to carry and it’s lightweight to boot.

The price is right for the amount of space you get. Check out the price and individual reviews on Amazon by clicking the button below.

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5. Runcl Fishing Tackle Box

The Runcl fishing tackle box is made for tough conditions that you typically find in tournament style fishing. If a tackle box can handle the riggers of a tournament than it certainly can handle a regular day on the lake!

This tackle storage box is designed to stowaway so that you can maximize the space on your boat.

The casket is 360 degrees of waterproof. The waterproof seals ensure that your tackle will stay dry if the tackle box lands in the water or if you get heavy rains.

The casket is also made with translucent plastic that will keep your tackle from getting damaged from the harmful rays of the sun and it will ensure that your tackle will last for a long time to come.

Another plus with the translucent plastic is that you can see what’s inside your tackle box without having to open it up.

Customization is a snap with the provided dividers. Just place the dividers where you want them and you will have a well-organized tackle box for ultimate efficiency of finding the tackle you need when you need it!

You will appreciate the huge bulk area which is great for storing your fishing tools, stringers, extra fishing line, and more. Your tackle will be secure from falling out with the secure latches that come on the Runcl fishing tackle box.

Check out the reviews, extra features, and price on Amazon by clicking the big blue button below.

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6. Plano 4-Rack System 3700 Tackle Box

The Plano 4 by rack system is one of those tackle boxes that is more of a stationary storage tackle box because it holds a ton of tackle and can get quite heavy when fully loaded.

With this tackle system, you get durability and plenty of space for all your tackle. The four 3700 utility boxes are interchangeable so you can put them in any order you want.

You get small compartments on the top so you can access your most used lures with ease. And it also has clear plastic covers over these compartments on top so you can look and see what’s inside without opening the covers.

Plano makes all their tackle boxes in the United States and they come with a limited lifetime warranty. The price is right for this size tackle box and it can also be used to hold tools or other items and is cheaper then a toolbox would be.

The Plano 4 by rack system tackle box is a monster of a tackle system that is well worth any serious anglers’ time in checking it out.

Check out the price and reviews on Amazon.

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7. Wakeman Fishing Tackle Box and 55pc Tackle Kit

The Wakeman Outdoor tackle box is very much a traditional tackle but except it has a special clear top so you can see at a glance what’s inside.

You can easily organize this tackle box with separate compartments in the top removable tray. Underneath the top tray is a spacious bulk storage area to put all your larger fishing items.

Measurements are 12.75” long by 7” wide by 5.5” high. The bulk storage depth is 4.25” and the tray is 1.25” deep.

The handle can be folded down for easy transport and storage of the box when it’s not in use. You also get all the essential tackle that you need which comes standard in the Wakeman tackle box. The tackle that’s included is:

Assorted sinkers and weights

Line Clipper

Snelled and jig head hooks

Round and Slip bobbers

Hook remover tool

Fishing line

Stringer

Spoon crankbaits and plastic fishing lures

The Wakeman is another great tackle box for the beginner or novice angler. It’s a sturdy tackle box with plenty of space for the novice angler to bring everything he or she would need for an effective day out on the lake.

Wakeman Outdoors makes all sorts of quality fishing and camping equipment that help outdoors persons enjoy their time in the great outdoors.

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Tackle Box Buyers Guide

Every angler wants a great tackle box that has enough storage to hold all your essential gear. There are a few things you will want to consider before buying a tackle box.

First, you will want to access your fishing tackle and see how big of a tackle box you need. How many compartments does the tackle box have and is there sufficient bulk storage for my larger fishing items such as fishing tools, line, and stringers?

You want to make sure that the tackle box is durable to withstand abuse while out fishing. You don’t want a tackle box that will break and crack at the first little drop.

Do you want compartments to be customizable? If so there should be dividers included in the tackle box so you can do that.

You will want to know if the tackle box is easy to carry and if it has a clear view so that you can see inside without having to open it up. Can you access your most essential fishing tackle with ease?

The last thing you want while fishing is having to dig around in the tackle box to find items. You want everything to be organized well and the right tackle box will have compartments and dividers so you can do just that.

Look for tackle boxes that come with utility trays or boxes with them. These work well for the organization of your tackle.

Soft or Hard Shell?

Determine if you want a soft or hard shell tackle box or bag. The softshell are more like bags then boxes and they usually come with many utility boxes that slip right in compartments in the bags.

Hardshell tackle boxes can withstand the tough abuse they sometimes get when fishing. Softshell bags are easier to carry around because they are much lighter and usually come with shoulder straps for easy transport.

No matter, if it’s a soft or hard shell tackle box you are in the market for you, will want to make sure that they latch or close securely so your tackle doesn’t fall out or get jumbled and twisted up during transport.

At the end of the day having the right tackle box will help you stay organized and possibly be the determining factor in catching that fish or the one that got away!

Conclusion

To recap here the 7 best fishing tackle boxes.

  1. Plano  7771 Guide Series Tackle Box

  2. Plano Angled Tackle System

  3. Ready2Fish Fishing Tackle Box

  4. Plano Large 3 Tray Tackle Box

  5. Runcl Fishing Tackle Box

  6. Plano 4-Rack System 3700 Tackle Box

  7. Wakeman Fishing Tackle Box

So now you have enough information to make an informed buying decision on the best fishing tackle box for you.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comments section below. And as always Happy Fishing!

7 Best Portable Fish Finders [2021]

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Man wearing flannel shirt and black baseball cap reeling in a fish.

In this article, you will discover the 7 best portable fish finders that are on the market today.

Having a fish finder that you can carry with you is essential in finding the best places to fish. Fishfinders come in many shapes, sizes, and prices. Finding the right one for the right price can be a daunting task.

Here I have taken the pain out of searching for the best fish finder by providing you with a review of the 7 best of them. I love fish finders especially portable ones because when I use them I usually come home with a boatload of fish and a ton of great memories.

So sit back relax and let’s find you a portable fish finder for the right price!

7 Best Portable Fish Finders of 2021

Model Scanning Depth Screen Size Price
Garmin Striker
 1600 ft. 3.5″
Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar
 330 ft. N/A
ReelSonar iBobber Smart

100 ft. N/A
Lowrance Hook2 5x

300 to 500 ft. 5″
Hawkeye Fishtrax 1C

240 ft. 2″ x 1.6″
Humminbird Piranahmax

320 ft. 4.3″
​Lowrance

Elite 9

 1000 ft. 9″

1. Garmin Striker 4 with GPS

Garmin is a company that is known for its fishfinders and it’s no surprise that one of the best portable fish finders on the market today is the Garmin Striker 4 with GPS and CHIRP transducer technology.

You will love the easy to read, 3.5-inch color screen and it’s highly sensitive GPS. The keypad is big and easy to operate. You can get back to your favorite fishing spots, boat docks, and ramps because you can save these right in Striker 4. Just follow the path that is laid out for you on the Striker 4 screen.

With the Chirp (77/200 kHz) sonar transducer technology, you get crystal clear images of fish and structures that lay underneath. Instead of sending out one frequency like other transducers CHIRP sends out a continuous wave of frequencies coming up with much clearer results. You will be able to distinguish more easily what you are actually seeing. The transmit power on the Chirp is 200 W RMS and the peak to peak is 1,600 W.

The Striker 4 will track the speed you are going and it also swivels and tilts and includes hardware so that you can mount it to a trolling motor. You will appreciate this when the water is rough and you need the fish finder to be in a fixed position.

The built-in flasher works great especially when you are ice fishing. The flasher will indicate if the bottom is muddy or solid. I will also show where your bait is and at what depth the fish are at when they swim through the sonar beam.

This fish finder is easily portable when you opt for the portable kit which is sold separately. The portable kit for the Striker 4 includes:

  • Protective carrying bag
  • Rechargeable Battery
  • Battery Charger
  • Suction Cup Transducer Mount and Float
  • Transducer cable management and storage

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2. Deeper Pro +Smart Sonar


The Deeper Smart Sonar Pro is built for inshore anglers. It’s a castable fishfinder with a castable range of 330 feet. No other castable fish finder can cast as far. The GPS allows the Deeper Pro the map right from the shore. Cast this fish finder to where you are planning on fishing and reel it in. You get detailed bathymetric maps from shore. To my knowledge, this is the only castable fish finder that can create maps like this.

Not only can you cast the Deeper Pro out to 330 feet you also get a wide scanning area of 55 degrees that the sonar beam can cover. If you want a detailed scan just switch to that and it will limit the coverage to 15 degrees.

And Talk about the depth this fish finder scans to 260 feet which is 100 feet deeper than any other comparable fish finders on the market today. That is deep, especially when scanning from shore.

You will appreciate the dual-beam transducer that the Pro has installed in it. It has a target separation of 1” and scans 15 times per second. This provides for very accurate readings and with the use of WiFi instead of Bluetooth, you get those readings lighting fast in real-time.

You get to mark fish and see fish archways. Also, add fish tags and depth tags. You can see the vegetation and fish with the split-screen scanning. View the bottom contour with ease of clarity.

Choose from 3 color pallets which helps you view the display better whatever the weather is outside. You will know the depth and water temperature as soon as the Deeper Pro+ hits the water.

This is an all-around best castable portable fish finder that money can buy! The Deeper Pro+ Sonar fish finder is available on Amazon and free shipping is available with a Prime account.

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3. ReelSonar iBobber Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder

The iBobber by ReelSonar is a handy little castable fish finder to have. As a matter of fact, it is the smallest fish finder you will find anywhere. The iBobber is wireless with Bluetooth capabilities that will sync up to your iPhone or Android smartphone from 100 feet away.

You can choose between raw sonar and fish tagging views. Fish will get tagged in your screen in two different colors depending on the length of the fish. Fish that are under 15” get an orange tag and fish over 15” get a green tag. This helps you determine which fish are worth going after before you even start fishing.

The sonar reads to a depth of 135 feet which is a long way down there and if you are fishing off the shore that should be plenty.

There is a trip log with the type of fishing, conditions, lure, number, and species of fish that you caught, water temperature, location, time, and date. This is great if you are an angler who likes to take notes of your trip.

You can tag your fishing spots with built-in GPS and interactive mapping. The iBobber is compatible with Google watch and iWatch. There is also social media share capability on the app thats provided free.

The battery is rechargeable and lasts up to 10 hours which is perfect for a whole day of fishing. The first time charging the battery takes 6 hours and after it’s been used once it takes about 2 hours to charge.

A little fish finder like this is perfect anglers who fish from the shore or for boaters who can’t get your onboard sonar to certain areas. Just cast the iBobber out to those limited areas and you are in business.

The iBobber is available on Amazon and you get free shipping with a Prime account.

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4. Lowrance Hook2 5x


Next up in our list is the Lowrance Hook2 5x. This fish finder is touted as the world’s easiest fishfinder. Lowrance has a wide selection of fish finders and the Hook2 is one of the best. If you want to find fish and not have to tinker with complicated settings then the Lowrance Hook2 is for you

With the easy to use autotuning sonar you just turn on the fish finder and see where the fish are. You are good to go. The Hook2 5x is a perfect size easily portable take it anywhere you go fishing.

The 5x stands for the screen size that is 5” diagonal. The Hook2 also comes in 4”, 7”, 9” and 12” models all depending on how big of a screen you would like.

The Sonar covers a wide area because of the wide-angle CHIRP sonar cone that is installed on the Hook2.

The single transducer is easy to set-up. You can place it on a trolling motor, on the transom of your boat or you can even put it through the scupper hole on your kayak. Quick and easy no problems. The transducer is Split-shot that gives you DownScan and CHIRP sonar. So you get a view straight down from your boat and on the sides. This allows a view of the whole area you are fishing.

With the SplitShot transducer, you can scan depths up to 500 feet with CHIRP and 300 feet with DownScan. This is excellent coverage you don’t find in all portable fish finders.

Navionics and CMaps software comes installed in the Hook2. This is a great software to use when you are new to some waters. The US mapping system shows you 4,000 lakes with 1-foot contours. The Navionics software has inland and coastal mapping of the US and Canada.

The screen display is of high resolution and is called SolarMAX which is handy when you need to see the fine details. The Hook2 5x also comes with a 12v battery and charger and two storage boxes to keep the fish finder safe when not in use.

Have peace of mind with the one-year warranty that you get with Lowrance products.

You can pick up the Lowrance Hook2 5x on Amazon and get free shipping with a Prime account. You can check on the price at Amazon by clicking the button below.

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5. Hawkeye Fishtrax 1C


The Hawkeye Fishtrax 1C is an excellent portable fish finder. The Fishtrax is great for fishing onshore, from a boat or kayak and on the ice. There is no complicated hardware very easy to set up. It’s a very versatile fish finder.

You get a transducer that is floatable, mountable, and trollable. Mount it right to your boat and your good to go. If you are a kayak angler the transducer works great just plop it in the water and troll away.

The sonar has two frequencies 83 kHz for deep water and 200 kHz for shallow water. This lets you get readings in water only 1.5 ft deep and as deep as 240 ft.

There are three modes that come standard on the Hawkeye Fishtrax.

  1. The Fish Finder Mode finds the fish, shows you what’s beneath the water like the contour of the bottom and how deep the water is. It’s always advantageous to know what kind of water you are casting your bait into.
  2. When you click on the data mode you get an enlarged view of the information for easy viewing. You get readings on the depth, battery voltage, and temperature. The data is displayed big enough so you can read it several feet away.
  3. The third mode is the ice mode which is a digital flasher that’s useful for ice fishing. You get sonar echos that are sent out in real-time.

The Fishtrax is powered by four triple-A batteries that can last for up to 30 hours. The housing is waterproof so no need to worry if you drop it in the water and we all know that will inevitably happen.

You can even wear it around your neck with the handy neck strap that comes with it. Just toss the transducer in the water and your good to go. It also includes a carrying case to keep it protected when it’s not in use.

You get a 2-year warranty so if anything happens to your Fishtrax fish finder you can have it replaced. What else could you ask for?

View the owners manual here.

Check out the Hawkeye Fishtrax on Amazon.

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6. Humminbird Piranahmax 4.3 DI

If you are looking for crystal clear images of what’s beneath your boat then you will want to swing for the Humminbird Piranahmax. What a cool little fish finder any angler would be proud to own.

First off Humminbird is a brand you can trust and has been around for over 40 years which is a great accomplishment for any business and this shows to the effectiveness of their products. They do make “top of the line” fish finders and Piranahmax is no different.

With the Piranahmax you get a 4.3” diagonal screen and a 272H X 470V pixel matrix that makes the images so clear.

The sonar can go down to a depth of 320 feet with coverage of 28” and 16 degrees at 10 dB. This gives you plenty of sonar power to play with. With the dual-beam sonar you will be able to choose from a wide or narrow sonar beam. If you choose the narrow beam you get finer details and the wider beam will give you the coverage you need when looking for the contour and structures of the bottom below.

You get Down Imaging, depth and fish alarms, Fish ID+ and zoom all in an easy to use interface.

The transducer is built-in and can be mounted on the transom of inside the hull. The Gimball mount dimensions are 3.91” x 7.34” x 3.62”.

Mounting the Piranahmax to your boat is easy with the tilt and swivel mounting system that comes with the Piranahmax. This allows you to view the screen from anywhere on your boat.

You can find the Humminbird Piranahmax on Amazon. Click the button below to check out the price.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

7. Lowrance Elite – 9 Ti2

Talk about top of the line. The Lowrance Elite 9 has it all! You get a 9-inch screen for a big viewing experience. There is Active imaging with the 3 in 1 transducer, Real-time map creation, preloaded C-MAP US inland mapping, and wireless networking included. The Elite 9 Ti even has touchscreen now how convenient is that?

C-MAP Genesis Live lets you map in real-time. Map your best fishing spots or map areas you have never been before and see it all in real-time on your screen.

You will love the preloaded inland US maps of 4,000 lakes with one-foot contours. Narrow it down to find where the drop-offs and cover are that fish tend to like hanging around.

The active imaging of CHIRP sonar lets you down scan and side-scan this provides for excellent coverage all around your boat.

With the enhanced display technology you get great target separation and clarity of the onscreen objects so you will be able to identify fish and underwater structure more easily. The overall technology is state of the art with the Elite 9.

Then you have the wireless networking coverage so you can share your waypoint and routes, sonar and mapping with whomever you like. There is no cable involved connect wirelessly.

The Elite 9 works in any type of water, saltwater, or freshwater making it a great fish finder no matter where you fish.

If you are fishing deep lakes this fish finder is perfect because you can scan to depths of 1000 feet. Now that’s deep but if you are talking ocean fishing that is precisely what you need and the Elite 9 can give that to you.

The Lowrance Elite 9 Ti is available on Amazon and ships free with a Prime account. Click the button below to check on the price.

 BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Portable Fish Finder Buyers Guide

portable fish finder buyers guide. Tackleboxtalk.com

There are a few things you want to consider while shopping around for a portable fish finder. Some of these are more important to look for than others but the more information you understand about fish finders before you purchase them the better off you will be in choosing the right fish finder that suits your specific needs.

Transducer

The transducer emits and receives a sonar wave that reflects off surfaces underneath the water. These waves come back as images and data that you can see on your fish finder screen.

There are usually three types of mounting to choose from with a fish finder. They are:

  • Transom Mount
  • Hull Mount
  • Scupper Hole Mount

You will typically find plastic transom mounts for your fishfinder. If you are mounting the transducer through the hull or in the hull of an aluminum or steel boat you will want to use a stainless steel housing for the mount. If the boat is fiberglass or wood then you would go with a bronze housing.

Make sure the transducer comes with the right mounting system for the type of boat you have.

High Wattage vs Low Wattage

The wattage of a fish finder will determine how reliable of a reading you get. Fishfinders that can scan deep and fast have higher wattage then units that cannot. The faster the waves of sonar the deeper and more reliable the scan.

Frequencies

There are four frequencies that a transducer will come in:

  • 50 kHz
  • 83 kHz
  • 192 kHz
  • 200 kHz

The deeper the water that you are scanning the lower the frequency that you will want. So deep water you would go with 50 to 83 kHz. For shallow water fishing, you would want the 192 to 200 kHz frequency transducer. Some fish finders offer up to 400 kHz frequency transducer which provides for a really sharp and clear image.

Most transducers offer dual frequency so you can switch back and forth depending on the depths of water you are in.

Screen Resolution and Color

The screen resolution and color choice can make a huge difference in the readability of your data on the screen. The bigger the screen the better the picture that you are going to get.

You also want to check out how many pixels your screen has. The more pixels that a fish finders screen display has the more detailed of an image you are going to get.

A color screen is better than a black and white screen. Color makes it easier to decipher between displayed images. On dark and cloudy days black and white is not the easiest thing to read.

Sonar Beams and Cone Angles

The beams and cone angles have to do with how wide of an area that the sonar transmits around underneath your boat. Most fish finders will come with cones that transmit 16 to 20 degrees but they can go all the way up to 60 degrees and over.

Some fish finders come with dual-beam features which means you can scan more of an area. Although this is a great feature to have the more beam options there are on a unit the more its going to cost.

Water Resistance

The water-resistance of a fish finder is another option you will want to consider. There are two ratings you want to look for the JIS and IPX. These ratings will tell you at what level the water resistance is. The ratings range from 5, 6, 7 or 8. The higher the number the better resistance to water that the unit is.

If your using your fish finder on the shore you will only need a rating of 5 or 6. If you are on a boat with rough waters a 7 or 8 rating would be a good option.

Conclusion

So there you have it the 7 best portable fish finders that are on the market today. I hope with the information that I provided here you will be able to find the best fish finder that you are looking for.

You can find all of these fish finders on Amazon. If you have any questions or comments about fish finders please leave them in the comments section below and I will be happy to answer each and every one of them.

As always thanks for reading and Happy Fishing!

10 Bluegill Fishing Techniques That Work – Catch Your Limit!

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10 Bluegill Fishing Techniques That Work

If you want to catch your limit of delicious bluegills then you will want to keep reading. I have compiled a list of 10 bluegill fishing techniques that work wonders and you will catch your limit of these panfish day in and day out!

Bluegills are one of the most plentiful fish species we have in North America. They are stocked and naturally flourishing in most of our lakes rivers and streams. One of the great things about bluegill fishing is that they congregate close to the shore so there’s no need to get into a boat to fish these blue, gill covered beauties!

I remember as a kid catching bluegills in lakes close to my home. I would pack up my bike with a tackle box and fishing pole and catch a stringer full of panfish every day. Then I would go home and gut and scale them and have my mom fry them up! It makes a youngster feel accomplished by catching his/her own food for the day. Oh, the good old days!

So I decided to write up a list of 10 bluegill fishing techniques that will get you catching your limit. Let’s get right into it. Enjoy!

10 Bluegill Fishing Techniques

Hooked bluegill with hanging worm

Tip 1 –  Farm Ponds Hold The Biggest Bluegills

Believe it or not farm ponds usually hold the biggest bluegills around. This is because ponds that are located on farms are usually clean bodies of water and the fish can live for years unhindered by overfishing and other invasive species that sometimes get into our lakes and rivers from boaters.

So if you want to catch some of the biggest bluegills around you should check out the farms in your area and ask the owners if you can fish in their pond. Most farmers would be happy to let you do this and if not just say thank you and find another farm. Doesn’t hurt to ask, right?

Tip 2 – Best  Baits For Bluegills

When choosing baits for bluegill fishing you want to think small size baits because bluegills mouths are so small.

Canned corn, nightcrawlers, bread and beef sausage sticks.

Bluegills and most types of bream are receptive to all sorts of baits. The best bait I recommend is, of course, nightcrawlers. You will want to cut the nightcrawlers up in little pieces about 10 pieces per nightcrawler. Because if you put a whole nightcrawler on a hook the bluegills will just slip your bait off the hook so that you will have to continually bait your hook.

Another type of worm that works is wax worms because they are just the right size to fit in the mouth of bluegill. Waxworms are a little more expensive then nightcrawlers so you have to consider that when purchasing your worms.

Some other unconventional baits that work well are sweetcorn kernels, slim jim beef jerky, and bread. You will be amazed at what these slabs will feed on. Do some experimenting with these baits and see which ones work the best for your particular fishing situation.

Tip 3 – Present Flies when Bluegills are Nesting

When bluegills are spawning you will want to not disturb the nests. To keep from disturbing the fish in the nests you will want to get a fly rod and present flies to the shallow areas around the nest.

As long as the bluegills in the nest are not spooked you will be able to fish this technique all day and catch a motherload of bluegills. Wolly worms and Wolly buggers work the best for fly fishing for bluegill while they are spawning.

Check out my article about fly fishing bream for more information.

Tip 4 – Small Hooks and Light Test

Since bluegill slabs are small under 1 pound, “unless you are finding some monsters” you will want to use small size hooks. Using a number 6 hook is just about the perfect size hook to use for bluegill fishing. If you use too big of a hook the bluegills will just nibble your bait away and you will never set the hook because it’s too big to fit in their mouth.

You will want to consider the test of the line you are using as well. Two to four-pound test line is plenty for bluegill fishing.

Tip 5 – Best Time To Catch Bluegills

Two people fishing at dusk.

Like a lot of fish, early morning or late evening is the best time to catch bluegills. That’s because panfish feed this time of day. They will eat all day and night but the optimal time to catch bluegills is in the early morning or late evening.

So what you can do is catch half your limit in the early morning. Cook them up for breakfast and take a nap. Then get up in the evening and catch the other half of your limit and cook that up for supper! The next day does it all over again. The perfect life! Fish, eat, sleep, repeat!

During the spawn is another perfect time to catch bluegills. They are very receptive to all sorts of baits during this time. The usual spawning season for bluegills in North America is between the months of June through August. But female bluegills are known to spawn up to nine times a year between late spring to early fall.

Tip 6 – Deeper Water Holds Big Slabs

Fishing the deeper water you will find the bigger bluegills especially at the end of summer early fall. Find waters that are 7 to 17 feet deep and you will find those big bluegills just waiting for your bait.

Fish along the weed lines at various depths to find the depth that these fish are. Once you find the right depth just keep fishing there and you will be amazed at the number of big slabs you will catch. Using a fish finder can help you find the right depth the bluegills are at more easily.

The big bluegills during the end of summer are done protecting the nests and are out in the deeper water. You will still find smaller bream in the shallow waters because they hide there protected from predators. But the big bluegills go deep because they don’t need the protection.

Fighting monster bluegill is like fighting bass fun and rewarding at the same time. And bluegills are a lot less finicky then bass.

Tip 7 – Use Slip Bobbers

The type of bobber you use can be critical in how far bluegills will take the bait. The longer they have the bait in their mouth the better chance you will have at hooking them. I recommend using slip bobbers instead of the commonly used round bobbers.

Slip bobbers will go with the fish and bait without very much resistance. Unlike round bobbers that have a ton of resistance that the fish will feel and might not hang on as long. Slip bobbers will tip up a little when there is a nibble so that you will know to get ready.

Tip 8 – Lighter is Better

When I fish for bluegills or any panfish for that matter I usually don’t use sinkers or anything that’s going to weigh the bait down. Because the hook, line, and bait should be enough weight. The more weight you have at the end of your line the more resistance the fish is going to feel.

And the more resistance the fish feels it’s going to think something isn’t right and let go of your bait. This is the last thing you want. So keep it light as possible.

Tip 9 – Jig Fishing For Bluegills

Other than live baits artificial baits work well when fishing for bluegills. Small jigs work well and the smaller the better because of the smallmouths even big bluegills have. That’s one of the only downfalls of fishing for bluegills is trying to get a hook out of those tiny mouths especially when they swallow the hook.

Using tiny jigs that imitate bugs is the best kind of jig to use when fishing bluegills. Bream love small bugs and when they want a little snack they will typically go after these bugs. You will also want to pair the bug jig with a tiny piece of worm or attractor scent because bluegills will smell their bait before the strike. So sight and scent are important in how many bluegills you will catch in a day.

Tip 10 – 3 Types of Float Rigs to Use

Various types of fishing floats

There are three types of float rigs that work wonders for catching bluegills.

  • ​​Waggler Float

These floats come in two types bodied or straight and are only attached to the bottom of the fishing line. Some of the materials that make up waggler floats are balsa wood, plastic, reed, and cane.

  • The Primal Slip float

The basic primal slip float includes a slip bobber, swivel, split shot, short leader and a jig at the end. You can more accurately fish around objects like fallen sunken trees and fishing docks using a slip float type rig.

  • Bubble Rig

With the bubble rig, you start with an artificial hair jig. Tie the jig to four-pound fluorocarbon line. Tie that to one end of a swivel and then tie the other end of the swivel to four-pound test line and at the top, you have a just a bubble bobber.

There are many types of floats and rigs but I have found that these three work the best for bluegill fishing. I encourage you to experiment with other rigs and floats. You never know what will personally work for you and the way you fish.

Conclusion

Bluegill fish swimming.

Put these bluegill fishing techniques to work and you will be catching more bluegills then you will know what to do with. Here is a summary of the 10 techniques for catching bluegills.

Bluegills usually get the biggest in farm ponds so find a farm and ask the owner if you can fish his ponds.

Best baits to use:

  • Nightcrawlers
  • Sweetcorn kernels
  • Wax Worms
  • Slim Jim Beef Jerky
  • Bread

Present artificial flies when bluegill is nesting so as you don’t disrupt the spawning process.

Use  number 6 small hooks, light tackle, and Four-pound test fishing line

The best time to catch bluegills is in the early morning or late evening and during the summer months when they are spawning.

Deepwater holds the biggest bluegill slabs. The smaller fish will stick around the shallows while the bigger bluegills will generally stay in the deeper waters along weed lines.

Use slip bobbers for less resistance. The more resistance bluegill feels the less likely he will hang onto your bait.

The lighter your fishing tackle the better. This has to do with resistance like the use of slip bobbers. The less resistance a fish feels the longer it will stay at the end of your line giving you a better chance at hooking it.

Use tiny bug looking jigs when jigging for bluegills. Bug jigs work well on bluegills that are being finicky.

3 types of floats that are great for catching bluegills:

  1. Waggler float
  2. Primal Slip Float
  3. Bubble Rig

When you start catching bluegills using these techniques please come back here and let us know how it’s working for you. Thanks for reading.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comments section below. And as always Happy Fishing!

Best Electric Ice Augers [2021]

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Man in yellow bibs drilling a hole in the ice with a red ice auger.

Deciding on the right electric ice auger can be a not so fun task. There are so many on the market today and you are left wondering which are the best ones to buy? Well, I have good news for you. You don’t have to search anymore. I have reviewed and put together a list of the best electric ice augers of 2019.

Up here in the Northern half of America where the winter tundra comes upon us one season a year sometimes spilling over into three, many of us anglers look forward to ice fishing!

Call us crazy, fishing in below zero temperatures but that is one of the things that makes us a hardy people, and a lot of us look forward to the hard water fishing season.

Having a great electric ice auger on your side that you can rely on can mean the difference between an excellent day of ice fishing or a horrible day of ice fishing.

Crappy ice augers suck. You get fewer holes drilled because they die out too soon or a plethora of other problems that can go wrong with them. And if your ice auger peters out on you then you end up with the holes you got drilled and nothing more.

Well, say no more, you won’t have to worry about that with the list of electric ice augers that I have compiled.

The Best Electric Ice Augers

Auger Name

Blade Sizes

Blade Length

Weight

Battery

8" or 10"

8" = 34"
10" = 42"

8" = 22-lbs
10" = 25-lbs

Lithium 40v 5ah

Strike Master
Check Price

8" or 10"

N/A

8" = 24-lbs
10" = 27-lbs

Lithium 40v 5ah

6",8" or 10"

40"

28-lbs

Lithium 40v 7ah

Trophy Strike
Check Price

8" or 10"

31.5"

34-lbs

Lithium 120v 2ah

Landworks
Check Price

8"

39"

22-lbs

Lithium 48v 2ah

8"

40"

17-lbs

Lithium 40v 3ah

Ion Standard
Check Price

6" or 8"

34"

22-lbs

Lithium 40v 3ah

1. Ion X Ice Auger


First on our list is the Ion X electric ice auger. This auger comes in two models. 8″ and 10″ circumference drills. Ardisam the maker of Ion products is getting back to their roots with the Ion X. This company started out manufacturing electric ice augers and they have made a superb ice auger in the Ion X.

Ardisam is located just miles from where I live in northern Cumberland Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, we know ice fishing there is not a better place in the world to manufacture an ice auger from people who actually use ice augers and ice fish. So you know you are getting a product from that use the product themselves.

The Ion X has a 5 amp 40-volt battery. The charging capacity on this batter is over 60% more than the original batteries that were used in the Ions of the past. Making this one of the longest-running batteries around. With one charge you can cut up to 1600 inches of ice with the 8″ auger and 640 inches of ice with the 10″ auger. You will love being able to hole hop all day long and not have to worry about charging the battery. Now to me, that’s astounding for an electric ice auger.

You are also going to love the fact that Ion X has a reverse button. No more getting your blades stuck in the ice. You will also have freshly cut holes with no slush to scope out when you are done the cutting.

The bottom is made of cast aluminum so you know it’s tough! With this new bottom, you get a more even cut when you are going in and coming out. It also has a center point that cuts right through the ice with ease and is as accurate as you can get with an auger.

The handlebars are redesigned closer to the powerhead so you can drill in tight spots close to your ice house. This also helps with the accuracy of the cut. You will be able to drill holes at night with the two led lights that are under the powerhead. The lights are an excellent feature that you can use to drill in your ice house without missing a beat.

The 8″ Ion X only weighs 22-lbs and the 10″ is 25-lbs so they are both very light ice augers indeed. The auger length is 34″ for the 8″ model and 42″ long for the 10″ model.

They are both available on Amazon so pick one up before the ice fishing season starts.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

2. Strike Master Lithium 40v

Next up we have the Strike Master Lithium 40v. With this auger, you get a 40-volt 5 amp battery. You get a choice of 8″ or 10″ auger blades. The gear ratio is 15.9:1 This is a lightweight but powerful electric ice auger. It comes with a tough DC brushless motor that will get you to drill holes like no tomorrow.

The Strike Master is known for there sharp durable Laser blades as they are called. They are serrated on both edges and made of rust-resistant stainless steel. This auger drills through the ice like butter. The handles are long and absorb the shock to your arms when you are drilling.

You are going to appreciate the safety deadman’s switch that they have included on the Strike Master Lithium 40v. If you run into any problems that hit the switch and the auger immediately will shut off. You will love the reverse switch for the clean-up of holes when you are done drilling. I don’t know about you but I think a good reverse on an ice auger is priceless.

They tested this bad boy on ice that was 16″ thick and determined you could drill 100 holes with the 8″ blade and 70 holes with the 10″ blade on a single charge. That’s a lot of holes even on a busy day of fishing I have never had to drill even close to that many holes!

This auger comes with two charging stations that take about 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery. Led lights are included on this electric ice auger so you will be able to see clearly at night if you are drilling holes or in your ice shelter. The Strike Master Lithium 40v is available on Amazon. Click the button below and check out the prices.

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3. Razr Lithium with Reverse

 

You will be cutting holes like a mad person with the Razr Lithium 40 volt electric ice auger. This thing is bright orange so you will be seen a mile away in case of a snowstorm. You won’t lose this ice auger anytime soon. You get a 7 amp hour battery. The reverse on the Razr is excellent for cleaning out slush from your holes and ease of extraction.

The auger length is 40″ so you can cut through up to 3′ of ice without needing an extension. That saves tremendously on extra costs. The blades are twin serrated making it easy to cut through the ice without having to push it through saving strain on your back and arms. No rusting with these blades because they are made out of stainless steel.

Razr has two different blades to choose from:

  • Curved Blades – Used For drilling new holes.
  • Chipper Blades – Used for Reopening old holes.

If you need light the Razr has that too. Included is an Led light that can be turned on and off even when the auger is not running. This is handy so you can have light in your portable ice house at night or if you have no windows to let light in. There is an indicator light to let you know when the battery needs charging and you get a quick charging station.

You will be able to fish all day on one charge. You can cut up to 1,785 inches of ice with the 8″ blade and 1,326 of ice with the 10″ blade on a single charge of the battery.

You get a 3-year warranty on the powerhead and a 1-year warranty of the battery unit. So Razr stands behind their products which is a driving factor when I’m looking for augers or for any product.

You can check out the price of the Razr Lithium 40v on Amazon below.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

4. Trophy Strike 120v Lithium-Ion

If you’re looking for power, you are going to want to check out the Trophy Strike 120-volt Lithium-Ion. This is a lightweight but powerful electric ice auger. You can drill up to 80 holes in 20 inches of ice and you can do it precisely and accurately. It’s a powerhouse of ice augers.

It’s the only kind that I know of that has a 120-volt battery for long-lasting power.

The motor is brushless and has 5 planetary gear transmission making the Trophy Strike one of the toughest electric augers around even in harsh conditions.

You will be loving the reverse drive on this thing making removal of slush and the auger blades a breeze.

The handles are ergonomically designed for a comfortable grip and less wear and tear on your hands. A center ring that is mounted makes opening up frozen holes a breeze. Trophy Strike is engineered in the Rocky Mountains where the ice gets extremely thick so they are made to dig through the thickest of ice.

You will enjoy the smooth cut you get from their revolutionary blades. No more losing a fish from a cut fishing line because of the jagged edges that some auger blades leave behind. And because it’s electric you can safely drill holes right in your ice house without having to worry about toxic fumes.

Here’s what you get with your Trophy Strike ice auger kit”

  • 8″ or 10″ auger blade
  • 3.0Ah 120 volt battery
  • Battery charger
  • Battery bag
  • 15″ Extension

You can check out the Trophy Strike electric ice auger on Amazon by clicking the buy now button below.

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5. Landworks Eco-friendly Cordless Electric Ice Auger

Landworks is a name you can trust. Landworks has made its name by manufacturing post hole digging augers and they are now getting into ice augers. Their auger comes with an 8″ blade that is 39″ long so no need for an extension unless you are drilling holes in the ice in the arctic circle.

The handles are widely spaced so you can get a good grip on the auger when you are drilling. With a 3 gear planetary transmission and a brushless motor, you get a very smooth and accurate cutting of holes.

A 48 volt 2 amp-hour lithium battery and charger are included. You can purchase a 4 amp battery sold separately if you choose. The Landworks ice auger is light at only 22-lbs but you will be able to drill through the ice with ease.

When it comes to well-known names in drilling and chipping equipment Landworks is it. On a single charge, you can drill approximately 2340 inches of ice with the 2 amp battery and 4680 inches using the 4 amp battery. That’s a lot of holes!

The manufacturer has a note about how to drill the holes with their electric auger. They say before you break through the bottom of the hole to reverse the direction of the blade and then continue drilling through. I thought I would pass that information on to you.

You can purchase the Landworks electric ice auger on Amazon. Check the price by clicking the buy now button below.

 BUY NOW ON AMAZON

6. Ion G2 Electric Ice Auger

Can you tell I really like Ion ice augers? The second Ion on our list is the Ion G2 electric ice auger. This is another excellent ice auger made by Ardisam. The G2 is the second generation ice auger. The G2 is crazy lightweight. Weighing in a only 17 lbs this is 29% lighter than other ice augers of its caliber and it’s light to carry. Always nice to lighten the load when you are going out ice fishing.

The battery is a whopping 6ah Gen 2 one of the longest life batteries in the industry. It’s also a single cell battery so it will work wonders even when the weather gets extremely cold and when you are ice fishing you all know that well.

The bottom is made of a polymer composite helping with cutting smooth as silk holes and making re-drilling a cinch. The polymer bottom also helps with keeping the auger’s overall weight low.

To flush the slush out of the hole just hold the reverse button for about 20 seconds and the job is done. You will be able to cut through the thickest of ice with the 40″, long 8″ circumference drill bit. No need for an extension here!

The Ion G2 has a long 3-year warranty on the auger and the battery. This is unheard of in the industry which shows that Ardisam stands behind their ice augers.

I highly recommend this electric ice auger. Do yourself a favor and check out the Ion G2 on Amazon by clicking the blue buy now button below.

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7. Ion Standard Series Gen 1

The last electric ice auger in our list is the Ion Standard Series. This is a generation 1 ice auger by Ion. The price is about $100 cheaper than the Ion X only because the technology is a little more advanced on the Ion X but the Ion Standard is still an ice auger that is a powerhouse.

With the Standard Series, you get a lightweight auger weighing in at only 22 pounds which is almost 40% less than gas-powered augers. You will love the center ring for reopening frozen over holes.

You get a 6″ or 8″ diameter auger bit that is as sharp as a razer for cutting smooth as silk holes making breakage of your fishing line near impossible. The length of the auger bit on both the 6″ and 8″ versions are 34″.

The great thing about battery-powered augers is you don’t have to put up with the nasty fumes that gas augers give off and they are much cleaner the handle. And no more mixing gas and oil in the fridged temps. All you do is put the charged battery into place and hit the on- button and your off and drilling!

The handlebars are ergonomically designed for comfort when drilling. They also have a large trigger button that you will appreciate. The ice slush gets flushed down the hole when you utilize the reverse option on the Ion Standard. You can cut up to 1000 inches of on a single charge with the 8″ blade and 1800 inches with the 6″ blade.

You get a generation 1 3ah amp-hour 40-volt battery with the Ion Standard. Even though it is a gen 1 battery it still is a powerful battery for an electric ice auger.

The Ion Standard Series electric ice auger can be found on Amazon.

 BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Electric Ice Auger Buyers Guide

Electric ice augers buyers guide with ice crystals in the background.

There are a couple of things you want to consider before purchasing an electric ice auger. You will want to determine what size holes you want to drill which will depend on the type of fish you are trying to catch. How long of an auger bit you want. And the type of battery you are looking for. The following buyers guide I will explain each one in more detail.

The diameter of Auger Bit

The first thing you will want to determine is the size of the blade you want. This will depend on the type of fish you are after. Basically the bigger the fish, the bigger the size hole you will want to cut. Most ice augers you get a choice of 6″,8″ or 10″ diameter auger bits. The bigger diameter bit the more the auger is going to cost.

If you are fishing for bluegills or perch a 6″ blade will do just fine. If you want to go after bass or walleyes you could do with an 8″ blade. But if you are aiming for catching bigger fish like lake trout or musky you will want to opt for the 10″ blade. If the fish you want are monsters you might have to go with drilling two holes next to each other.

The one thing you don’t want to happen is to have a hole that is too small when you latch onto a fish. Because once you have the fish on the line there is one of two ways it’s going to end by bringing that fish through the hole or losing it to the waters below. So picking the right size auger bit is a very important piece of the puzzle to think of before purchasing and electric auger.

Length of the Auger Bit

The length of auger bits varies from 32″ to 42″. The longer the bit will determine how deep of ice you can drill through. If you purchase shorter auger bits you can always get an extension of the ice you are drilling through is too thick. But if you get a bit that’s 40″ long that will get you through some pretty thick ice.

And the longer the bit the more it’s going to cost but if you don’t need to purchase an extension it might be worth the price in the long run. But some augers come with an extension anyway so you will want to check the manufacturer’s details about what is included with the auger.

Battery

The last thing to consider is the battery. You will want a battery that is at least 40 volts which most electric ice augers come with. A lithium-Ion 40 volt 3-amp hour battery will usually get you cutting through a ton of ice on one charge.

There is one auger in the list that has a 120-volt battery which in my opinion is overkill but you won’t have to worry about that one dying out on you.

Conclusion

So there you have it the 7 best electric ice augers for your consideration. These ice augers that I have included in the list are top quality electric ice augers that are worth your consideration.

Some of these ice augers come with warranties which is an important thing to consider as well. Like I said earlier in this article if a company offers a good warranty that shows that they stand behind their products and you are probably going to get a quality product if they have a 3-year or more warranty which the Ion’s do.

The goal in all of my reviews is to bring you the angler information that you need to purchase the right fishing product. I hope I reached my goal with this review.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you. If you own any of these ice augers I would like to hear about your experience with using them. As always Happy Fishing!

8 Different Types of Fishing Rods

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8 Types of Fishing Rods. Three fishing rod and reels leaning against a ships railings. Blue Skies and calm sea in background.

Learning about the different types of fishing rods will help you decide which one is best for the kind of fish you want to catch. Fishing rods come in all different lengths and sizes. There are two questions you want to ask yourself before you choose a fishing rod.

  1. What kind of fishing are you going to be doing?
  2. What kinds of fish do you want to catch?

Once you can answer those two questions you will have an easier time choosing the right fishing rod for you.

All fishing rods are obviously used for one thing to take the brunt of the force when you are fishing. But there are 8 different types of rods that function a little differently from one another and are meant for certain functions and fishing techniques.

The following are 8 main types of fishing rods and in this article, I will explain each one of them and the uses for each.

8 Types of Fishing Rods

Rod Type

Function

Casting Rod

Accurate casting long distances

Spinning Rod

Most popular rod

Fly Rod

Used for fly fishing

Telescoping Rod

Extendable/collapsible rod. Saves on space and is convenient

Offshore Rod

Deepsea fishing on a boat or ship

Surf Rod

For inshore fishing

Ice Fishing Rod

Short rods used for ice fishing

Trolling Rod

Used for trolling for fish

8 Types of Fishing Rods

1. Casting Rods

Boy fishing with a casting rod and spin-cast reel.

A young angler waits for a fish to take his bait Saturday during Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s 25th annual Buddy Fishing Tournament held at Covella Pond here.

Casting rods are meant to be used in conjunction with bait-casting reels or spin-cast reels. The eyelets on these types of rods face up and the line pushes against the rod when you are fighting with a fish. The great part about having the eyelets on top of the rod instead of hanging below the rod is that they have a lesser chance of breaking.

The proper way to hold a casting rod is to hold it in your hand with your thumb at the top of the rod handle and the rest of your fingers wrapped around the rod handle. The reel should be facing up at you. The eyelets that go down the length of the rod should be sitting up on the rod.

Bait-casting rods and reels are a little harder to learn then spinning rods and reels because of the backlash you can get from bait-casting reels but once you get the hang of them and have experience fishing with them they are much more accurate then the spinning rod and reels are.

You can cast farther with a casting rod than with a spinning rod mainly because of the different reels. These rods come in many different lengths and strengths so you can fish for all types of fish species from bluegills to musky.

Here’s a fishing tip for ya. If you are a beginner angler you could use a casting rod with a spin-cast reel. Spin-cast reels are much easier to learn how to use than a bait-casting or for that matter a spinning reel. You need to use a casting rod with a spin-cast reel anyway.

The casting rod in itself is not hard to learn to cast with. It’s the bait-casting reel that’s the tough thing to learn here.

2. Spinning Rods

Spinning rod

Source: (Fishing with spinning) from https://torange.biz/fishing-spinning-20257

Spinning rods usually come in sizes between 5 and 9 feet. They are similar to casting rods but have some main differences that I will explain here. Unlike casting rods spinning rods are just the opposite. The eyelets face down below the rod. The spinning reel also faces down below the rod.

With spinning rods, the eyelets take more of the force of the line pulling down on them. This makes them more likely to snap and break compared to casting rods that have the eyelets on the top. The eyelets are bigger on spinning rods which helps lessen the friction the line causes to the eyelets.

Spinning rods and reels are the most popular of all the rod and reels that you will find on the market. They are easy to learn how to maneuver and cast and they do a pretty darn good job for what they are made for.

An angler will usually hold the rod with his or her dominant hand and reel with their other hand. This is done so the stronger hand can have a stronger grip of the rod when bringing the fish in.

I wouldn’t recommend fishing for musky using a spinning rod but anything smaller like pike to bass to sunfish is a good choice with a spinning rod. I don’t recommend the bigger fish with these types of rods mainly because they are lighter than casting rods. But I’m sure others might differ from my opinion.

The Best Spinning Reels Can Be Found Here

3. Fly Rods

Man fly fishing in stream.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Bradley Wells, with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Fleet Week New York, casts out a line during a fly fishing event hosted by Project Healing Waters in Long Valley, New Jersey, May 26, 2018. The service members attended the fly fishing event as part of Fleet Week New York, which was hosted to give Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen the opportunity to interact with the public, demonstrate capabilities, and teach the people of New York about America’s sea services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bethanie C. Sahms)

Next, we have fly rods. There are many sizes and lengths of fly rods. It all depends on what type of fish you are trying to catch. Fly rods are used for you guessed it fly fishing. This is where you use what is called a fly tied to the end of the line and cast out to the water. There is a big learning curve when it comes to casting a fly rod. It takes technique and timing to get it right.

Fly rods don’t extend below the reel. The eyelets on a fly rod are called snake eyes and they keep the line from tangling when casting. Fly rods can get rather expensive but you can find them in the cheaper range as well. The more expensive they are the better materials they are made of.

Most fly rods are made of composite fiber which is light but durable and the more expensive rods will have a corked reel mount. Fly rods usually come in sections and have a wheel looking reel. Although there is a type of fly fishing called Tenkara that has no reel to it. Tenkara is kind of new to America but has been around for a long time in Japan.

You can fly fish for a number of species such as small stream trout to large saltwater fish like black marlin. It all depends on the size of the fly rod that you use.

If you’re interested in getting into fly fishing then check out my fly fishing beginners guide it shows you everything you need to know to get started with fly fishing

4. Telescoping Rods

Extendable rods or telescoping rods are a convenient way to transport your fishing rod. It’s also a big space saver.

All you have to do is collapse your rod when you are done and it will fit in your trunk or the backseat of a car without having to bend the rod which can cause damage if left that way for long periods of time. You can even put it in your backpack.

Most telescoping rods can extend between 6 and 10 feet long or more. Also, most of these types of rods are spinning rods so you will need a spinning reel to go with them. There are combos you can purchase these kinds of rods.

Telescoping rods open and close rather easily but there are a few steps that you will want to follow when opening and closing these rods.

Opening a Telescoping Rod

When opening the rod you want to be careful so you don’t put any side pressure on the rod. Pull each section out starting with the tip and going to the bottom. Making sure each section locks in place as you go. Go slow so sections don’t get stuck, twisted and damaged.

When you have the rod fully extended give it a shake. If you hear a clicking noise that means that one of the sections wasn’t fully extended and locked. Find the section that’s not fully extended and extend it.

Closing a Telescoping Rod

Closing the fishing rod you start at the bottom and work your way until the top is the bottom. Do this slowly holding each section at the joint. You loosen the joints by holding the two joints and pull them apart. Then you slide the sections into each other.

Every rod will not be the same so make sure that you consult the instructions that come from the manufacturer.

5. Offshore Rods

Man fishing with an offshore fishing rod wearing a fighting belt.

These types of rods are used for fishing in a boat or ship in the ocean. Offshore rods are short extremely tough fishing rods. This allows the angler to have the leverage needed while sitting or standing on a boat to land those monster fish. Think shark or swordfish!

You need to use heavy, thick line when fishing with these rods because of the sizes of fishing you will be going after.

The tips on these rods are big and the eyelets are extremely large because of the thick line you will be using. Large bait and tackle are used when fishing with these rods

Offshore rods have long straight handles or bent handles. The straight handled rods are to use in conjunction with fighting harnesses when battling a sailfish or other huge deepsea fish.

The bent handled rods are to be put in rod holders that are on the boat. Many of these rods will have roller guides. Having these guides makes the line move smoothly and cause less friction along the rod.

6. Surf Rods

Surf fishing rods in holders on beach.

Surf rods are used for fishing saltwater fishing along the beaches and bays of the ocean. These are extremely long rods up to 15 feet in length. The length of the rods is for long casting that needs to be done because of the high waves that accompany fishing from the shore.

When using these rods you will be casting out heavy terminal tackle and you will be catching enormous fish that fight hard like shark or redfish.

The handles are long and strong which can be placed in a rod holder or you can use what they call a fighting belt with these rods.

There are travel versions of surf rods that come in one, three, four, and five-piece versions making for easy transport while on vacation or flying in an airplane.

You will want to make sure you have the right line and tackle depending on the surf conditions and what type of fishing you are going to fish for. Conditions change fast in the ocean so you might want to have a few different rigs set up when you surf fish.

These rods are paired with spinning reels. And as you would think the reel seats connect the reel to the rod very securely because you don’t want to lose a fish that’s on the end of your line by your reel falling off.

The price of these rods can get expensive as you could imagine. Some of them going as high as $600 for a St. Croix Legend rod. But there also are some more reasonably priced surf rods as well. You will want to shop around before purchasing these types of rods.

7. Ice Fishing Rods

Ice fishing rod on frozen lake.

Ice fishing rods are of course used for ice fishing. These are short rods between 18” to 48” in length. These rods can support a reel but some of them are just the rod with the fishing line wrapped at the bottom. They are compact and short so that you can fish with them in an ice house which usually there is limited space to fish.

If you are going to be hopping from hole to hole you will want the longer versions of these rods. The shorter ones are used for fishing in your ice shack.

When ice fishing you will want to bring a few rods with you so you can cover multiple holes. Many ice anglers will use tip-ups as well to cover multiple ice holes. Ice fishing rods are strong but light so as they can detect the slightest nibble at the end of your line.

The rods that have reel seats use spinning reels so the rod itself is of the spinning rod type. And of course, there are fewer eyelets then there longer spinning rod counterparts.

You can get ice fishing rods by either purchasing the rod individually or purchasing a combo rod reel together. One great thing about ice fishing rods is they won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Which is good because you will be spending plenty of other equipment you will need for ice fishing like an ice house, warm clothes, and an ice auger.

Before you go purchasing a rod and reel combo take a look at my review on 7 of the best ice fishing rod reel combos. You will find some of the best combos on the market.

8. Trolling Rods

Trolling rods on back of a boat.

Trolling rods as the name suggests used for trolling on a boat. You can use these rods for fishing any type of fish fresh or saltwater. They fit in rod holders that you would place in the back of your boat. They are made of fiberglass and graphite with long corked handles that slip into the rod holders.

You can get these rods in one or two-piece and some of them are of the telescoping type for easy storage. Some of the rods you use with downriggers. These rods are more flexible than the other trolling rods because they pull up when the downrigger is triggered.

Trolling reels or baitcasting reels are usually used with trolling rods. These rods need to be strong to hold the terminal tackle that is used and for fighting big fish. Some rods of this type are meant for use with large spinning reels but that’s not the norm.

There are some trolling rods that are designed for certain types of fish species like musky, walleye, and salmon.

Some of the trolling rods have roller guides and specialized tips. You would typically find these types of rods in use with wire trolling lines. If you are using braided or wireline you want the guides to be made of stainless steel because of the abrasiveness of the line.

The reel seats need to be secure so the reel stays in place while heavy forces from a huge fish fight on the end of the line.

Usually, anglers who fish frequently use these types of reels because they can be expensive especially for the rods that are designed for a certain type of fish species.

Conclusion

There you have it. 8 different types of fishing rods. It’s important to understand the main types of fishing rods so that you can choose the right rod for the type of fishing you’re going to be doing. To recap here are the main types of fishing rods.

  1. Casting Rods – Great for casting long distances with high accuracy.
  2. Spinning Rods – Easy to learn how to use and they are the most popular of all rods.
  3. Fly Rods – Used for fly fishing.
  4. Telescoping Rods – Extendable and collapsible rods.
  5. Offshore Rods – Used for fishing on the deepsea on a boat or ship.
  6. Surf Rods – Used for fishing inshore bays and from the beach on the ocean.
  7. Ice Fishing Rods – These are used for ice fishing.
  8. Trolling Rods – Used to troll fish behind a boat.

Many different types to choose from for many different uses. I hope you enjoyed this article and I hope you got some useful information about fishing rods. If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comments section below.

Thank you and Happy Fishing!

Different Types of Fishing Reels – A Helpful Guide

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Different types of fishing reels. Baitcasting, fly fishing, spinning and spincast reels.

What are the different types of fishing reels? That is the question. It is also a very good question to ask when you are just getting started in the world of fishing. It’s a good question because the reel is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will want to acquire in your fishing arsenal.

But first, you will want to choose which type of fishing rod you want to use and then choose the reel that is right for the rod. So assuming you have picked a rod I will explain the different types of fishing reels and their uses.

4 Different Types of Fishing Reels

There are four types of fishing reels that you can choose from before going out fishing. The four types of reels are:

  1. Bait-casting Reel
  2. Spinning Reel
  3. Spin-cast Reel
  4. Fly Reel

Bait-casting Reels

Baitcasting spinning reel

There are two main kinds of bait-casting reels. They are round style and low profile.

Round Style

The round style is the more traditional type of bait-casting reels. They hold more line than the low profile reels but your line can get tangled up easily with these reels. This is the style you want if you are fishing for the monsters of the sea because they can put up with the fight of a large fish.

Low Profile Style

Low profile bait-casting reels are lighter and smaller than the round style reels. They produce less backlash and don’t tangle as easily as the round ones do. This style is not quite as accurate as of the round style but still can get your line pretty close to where you want it to be. Low profile reels are best used for large species freshwater fishing like lake trout, musky, or catfish.

Bait-casting reels are best for the more experienced angler. It takes quite a bit of practice to learn how to operate a bait-casting reel. You need to control the spool using your thumb which can be tricky to learn.

Once you do get the hang of how they work bait-casting can be one of the best reels to use fishing because they are extremely accurate casting reels. When you cast your line you can stop the line by pushing a button on the reel at the exact spot you want. This makes for excellent pinpoint accuracy that anglers love about the bait-casting reels.

Most of the bait-casting reels come with an open face. They are best used with heavy test line and big heavy lures. You will be able to fight some monster fish with these reels because there are many gears in these reels. For every revolution of the handle, the spool turns three times giving you extreme power against the fish.

So naturally, you probably guessed but baitcasting reels are popular with the saltwater anglers who go after the larger sized fish species like Marlin or swordfish. Saltwater anglers also love these reels because you can cast long distances with them. Which is important when casting into the ocean.

Spinning Reels

Spinning fishing reel.

Spinning reels are the most popular of all the reels. This is because they are easy to use and you can do most types of fishing using these reels. The reel itself hangs below the rod, unlike bait casting and spin casting reels that are located above the rod.

All you have to do with a spinning reel is hold the bail arm open when you are casting and let go when your lure or bait hit the spot on the water that you were aiming for. You also need to keep your fingers on the line before you cast and let go when you cast.

With spinning reels, you want to use light no heavier than 20 pounds test line. Line capacity is excellent on these reels and there’s no backlash with spinners.

There are six main components on a spinning reel. They are:

Drag

This component is located in the front of the reel on top of the spool. With the drag, you can adjust the tension of the fishing line on your reel. By tension, I mean how much the fish is going to feel when it’s yanking on your line.

Bail Arm

The bail arm is the curved piece of the metal lever that you flip when casting your line. Doing this lets your line loose so that it can be cast. You let it flip back when casting is complete.

Reel Handle

The handle that you use to retrieve the fishing line.

Line Spool

The spool holds the fishing line.

Line Roller

The line goes from the spool to the line roller to the rod.

Reel Foot

The reel foot holds the reel to the rod. It’s held to the rod by a screw or some type of tightening mechanism.

It can be a daunting challenge trying to decide on the right spinning reel to choose from. There are so many different kinds on the market.

If you’re in the market for a new spinning reel then do yourself a favor and check out my review of the best saltwater spinning reels here. These spinning reels are rated for saltwater fishing but can also be used for freshwater fishing as well.

Spin-casting Reels

Spincast Fishing Reel.

Spin-casting reels are good reels for beginning anglers to use. There’s not a lot that can go wrong with these reels. All the critical components are enclosed with a cover that screws or pops on and off for protection from line tangling and the elements getting in. You won’t have any backlash with this type of reel.

The fishing line comes out a hole in the cover. A button opposite of the cover lets the line release when you push it and it stops when you let go. Very easy to cast. But this type of reel is not as accurate as the spinning and bait-casting reels. And you won’t be able to cast as far as you could with the other reels.

Spin-casting reels are good reels for beginning anglers to use. There’s not a lot that can go wrong with these reels. All the critical components are enclosed with a cover that screws or pops on and off for protection from line tangling and the elements getting in. You won’t have any backlash with this type of reel.

The fishing line comes out a hole in the cover. A button opposite of the cover lets the line release when you push it and it stops when you let go. Very easy to cast. But this type of reel is not as accurate as the spinning and bait-casting reels.

Fly Reels

Fly fishing reel.

The last of the main types of fishing reels is the fly reel. What are the fly reels used for? You guessed it fly fishing. These reels are a lot different than all the other types of fishing reels.

I’m not sure why they even call these reels because you don’t even reel the fish in with them. They are only on the fly rod to hold the fishing line but they provide tension or drag which is important when fighting big fishing at the end of your line.

The main thing you want to consider when choosing a fly reel is that you want one that won’t rust. When you are fly fishing your reel is going to get wet. You are probably going to get wet as well because you are usually in the water likely a river or a stream when you are fly fishing. So a rust-resistant fly reel is very important.

The other thing you want to know is the weight of the line you’re typically going to be using and choose a fly reel that’s compatible with the weight for the line you are using. There are various sized fly reels and the prices can vary wildly so due your homework before choosing a fly reel for the first time.

If you’re interested in getting started fly fishing then you will want to check out the guide I wrote about fly fishing for beginners. The fly fishing beginners’ guide will show you what equipment you need to get started and some useful tips to get you catching those delicious trout that a lot of us crave.

Which Fishing Reel is Right For You?

Now that you have an idea of what different types of fishing reels are out there it is your turn. To recap there are four main types of fishing reels to choose from.

Bait-casting

There is the bait-casting reel used mainly by experienced anglers. They are the most accurate of all fishing reels. You use them when you are fishing large types of fish and for saltwater fishing. They handle heavier weight lines and large lures.

Spinning

Then we have the spinning reels. These are the most popular of all the reels. They are easy to cast for long distances. You can catch a variety of fish using spinning reels. They are ideal for intermediate experienced anglers.

Spin-casting

Next, we have the spin-casting reels. These are great reels to use as a beginner. They are easy to cast but they don’t cast as far as the other reels. These are the most inexpensive of all the reels but they won’t tangle or give you backlash and all the main components are protected by a cover.

Fly

Last, are the fly reels. These reels are used exclusively for fly fishing. There are many varieties and prices vary on these types of reels. You will want to choose a  fly reel that is rust-resistant and is rated for the right weight of line you will be fishing with.

I hope you got some useful information from this article. Thank you for reading and If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them in the comments section below. As always Happy Fishing!

How to Clean a Spinning Reel – Helpful Guide Shows You How

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Person's hand holding a spinning fishing reel.

Knowing how to clean a spinning reel is crucial to the continued performance of your spinning reel. Spinning reels are one of the most important pieces of fishing equipment that you could own. So you will want to clean your reel properly by removing dirt, debris, and saltwater that can accumulate on and in your reel.

These little particles can get in your reel and cause damage and corrosion that could become irreversible. That’s the last thing we want. You have spent your hard-earned money on this equipment and you want to keep it as pristine as possible.

If you adhere to the following guidelines your spinning reel should last for years to come. Without further ado let’s jump right into the dirty little details. 🙂

How to Clean a Spinning Reel Properly

Saltwater Usage

Saltwater is one of the worse things that can happen to your spinning reel. If you are a saltwater angler you will want to clean your reel more often than a freshwater angler would. You will want to clean it after every fishing outing that you go on.

Freshwater Usage

If you are a freshwater angler you will probably want to clean your spinning reel about once or twice a year. I will usually clean my reel once in the middle of the fishing season and then when I’m done fishing for the season. That way you don’t put it away wet so to speak.

Items Needed For Cleaning a Spinning Reel

Items use for cleaning a spinning reel. Spinning fishing reel with spool detached. Toothbrush, phillips head screwdriver, toothpicks q-tips, 3 sticky notes 1,2,3 written on them, lubricant cleaner, towel.

You will need a few every day around the house type of items to clean your reel with.

Here’s what you need:

  • Phillips head screwdriver or screw gun with a Phillips insert.
  • Flat Head Screwdriver
  • Tweezers
  • Q-tips
  • Toothpicks 
  • Toothbrush
  • WD-40 or a similar brand lubricant
  • Reel Grease
  • Ball Bearing Oil
  • Clean towel or rags that you can get dirty and stained

Once you have these items you are ready to clean.

First Clean the Outside of the Spinning Reel

spinning reel

Cleaning the outside of your reel is the easiest and doesn’t take long at all. You can do this after every fishing outing that you go on if you like. You can use a hose with a light mist of water to clean the salt and dirt off the outside of the reel. Next whip it off with a clean, dry towel or rag.

Whatever you do don’t dunk it in a bucket of water even though bearings and components are sealed it is not good practice to put your reel in water if you absolutely can help it.

Next, take the spool off and then you will want to lower the axle of the reel so that it is in a downward position. You can do this by turning the handle. After that, spray the body of the reel with WD-40 making sure to have the rotor and spool axle away from you while you are spraying.

Now take the towel and whip down the body of the reel. This will clean the dirt and grime from the outside of the reel. Pretty easy right?

Cleaning the Internal Components of the Spinning Reel

Now that the outside is nice and clean you will want to start disassembling your spinning reel so that you can clean the internal parts of the reel.

I recommend taking your reel apart piece by piece taking special note of the parts that come off so that you can reassemble them in reverse order from the way you disassembled them. A good way to keep track of the parts is to get a pad of posted notes and put the part on the posted note with a number that corresponds with the part 1, 2, 3, etc. Then you would assemble the parts in reverse order after cleaning.

Take out little parts like springs with the tweezer. This ensures that you won’t lose any parts while you are disassembling them. The tweezers also make it a lot easier putting the small parts back as well.

Grease the Gears and Oil the Bearings

Grease and oil can.

Once you have everything disassembled, check the gears in the reel make sure that grease doesn’t look black or have dirt and grime in it. The only reason the gear grease would be dirty is if you dropped it in mud or dirty water. If the gears have dirt in the grease then you will need to take the gears out and clean them with the Q-tips. Make sure that you align them right when you put them back in. If the gears are misaligned you are going to damage the reel and or it won’t work.

If the grease seems clean then all you have to do is dab a little grease using a toothpick onto the bottom and top of the gear teeth. The block that holds the gears should be greased as well on the top and bottom.

Clean the ball bearings with a biodegradable cleaner and then oil them using only one drop of oil per ball bearing.

Cleaning of Parts

Now you will want to clean all the parts with a biodegradable cleaner. There are special rod and reel cleaners that you can buy but you can also just use Simple Green or WD-40. Clean the parts scrubbing with a toothbrush and toothpicks to get into the small crevasses. This is the most important part of the cleaning process. Make sure all sand, grit, and dirt are out of the component parts before reassembling.

When All is Said and Done

Once you have sufficiently cleaned all the internal parts of the reel, greased and oiled everything that needs it then you can start reassembling all the parts. As long as you numbered the parts as I mentioned earlier you should have no problem reassembling them in reverse order from how you disassembled them.

Once the reel is put back together spin the reel and make sure it works the way it’s supposed to. The good thing is that it’s not that difficult as long as you have everything laid out and individually numbered. You only need to do this once or twice a year if your fishing freshwater but if your saltwater fishing you might want to do this after every fishing excursion.

At the very least for saltwater fishing clean the outside of the reel every time. Now that you know how to clean a spinning reel you will be able to keep your reel corrosion and damage-free for years to come.

I hope I have provided you with useful information on how to take care of your spinning reel. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them in the comments section below and I will be happy to answer each and every one of them. As always Happy Fishing!

 

7 Best Ice Fishing Rod Reel Combos – Catch More Fish!

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7 best ice fishing rod reel combos. Man ice fishing with rod and reel.

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.

BUY NOW 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.

This is a very affordable ice fishing rod reel combo from a brand that you can trust. Check them out on Amazon today.

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3. Frabill Straight Line 101 Quick Tip Ice Fishing Combo, 27-Inch

This lightweight composite rod has stainless steel ice guides that reduce 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 the 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!

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4. Berkley Lighting 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!

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5. Shakespeare Glacier

Next up on our list is the Glacier spinning rod reel combo by Shakespeare. Shakespeare is the maker of Ugly Stik. They produce some quality rod and reels. Their ice fishing gear is no different.

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.

 BUY NOW ON AMAZON

6. 13 Fishing Whiteout

13 Fishing is a company that has been around for a while now and they produce quality fishing gear. We have two ice fishing combos from 13 Fishing in our list. The first one is called 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.

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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.

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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:

  1. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2
  2. Berkley Cherrywood
  3. Frabill Straight Line 101
  4. Berkely Lighting Rod & Reel
  5. Shakespeare Glacier
  6. 13 Fishing Whiteout
  7. 13 Fishing White Noise

If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comments section below. And as always Happy Fishing!

7 Best Portable Ice Houses [2021]

by
Orange glow coming from a round tent. Snow and northern lights and moonlight.

Welcome to my review of the Best portable ice houses. It can be hard to sift through all the ice house options that are on the market today. So I decided I would do a review of the best of the best ice houses to make it easier to find what you are looking for.

I have included 7 ice houses for your consideration. You can find all of these on Amazon and they ship free if you have a Prime account. These are stable durable ice houses that will keep the cold off you in the dead of winter and they are all easily portable. Just through them on your sled and your good to go to the next fishing hole.

Ice fishing can be a cold endeavor so I know it is important to have a well-insulated ice shack that you can take anywhere easily. I have compiled as much information on these ice shelters as I could so you could make an informed decision before purchasing the right one for you.

Without further ado let’s dig into these 7 ice houses.

7 Best Portable Ice Houses

BEST PORTABLE ICE HOUSES

Product Name

Price

# of People

$359.99 - $549.99

3 to 4 Person

$499.99

2 Person

$115.99 - $199.66

2 to 3 Person

$254.90

1 Person

$429.99

2 Person

$259.99

3 to 4 Person

$256.00

6 Person


1. Elkton Outdoors Portable Insulated Ice Fishing Tent

First up on our list is a portable ice fishing tent made by Elkton Outdoors. I get the warm fuzzies just by looking at this ice shack lol. I can’t really say that with any other shelters that I have come across but this thing looks warm.

You can get this ice house in either the single hub 3 to 4 person size or the double hub 6 to 8 person size. It all depends on how big of an ice fishing tribe you have. You will stay plenty warm and dry in Elkton tent because it’s made of 3 quilted layers of insulation. The seal is made of tarpaulin which will keep you dry all winter long.

It comes with a carrying bag that is designed for easy portability and storage. The bag has a wide opening so you can easily insert the tent. There is also a drawstring and backpack style straps so you can put it right on your back and transport it wherever you are going.

Setting up and tearing down is a breeze only taking seconds comes with instructions on how to do that.

Dimensions 3 to 4 person: 70” x 70” x 80” tall

Dimensions 6 to 8 person: 137.5” x 68.5” x 81” tall

So there is plenty of space for your buddies and all your ice fishing equipment.

Here’s what’s included in this package. You get premium ice fishing tent, ice anchors, and tie-down rope. You also get a carrying bag with backpack straps. Everything you need in a portable ice house so that you can stay toasty warm on those cold winter days out on the lake.

If you are like me nothing is more important than staying warm and dry while ice fishing and also having plenty of room for all your ice fishing equipment and buddies. The Elkton tent provides all of that at a great price. Check it out on Amazon!

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2. Eskimo Evo 2iT


Eskimo is a trusted company that’s been around for 50 years. They make augers, ice shelters and even have a clothing line. We have two of their ice shelters on our list because Eskimo makes quality ice fishing products.

Introducing the Eskimo Evo 2iT. The Evo is a pop-up portable ice shelter that fits two people. This is a shed type ice house that gives you a lot of extra fishing space. It’s able to do this because of the hub technology and the fiberglass poles that are used to hold the structure up.

The roof and the back panels are insulated trapping. This is great especially because of the insulated roof because we all know that heat rises and in a lot of ice shelters the heat escapes out the top of the structure because the roof is not insulated. We all want warmth and the way that the Eskimo Evo is designed you get just that.

Eskimo uses what they call IQ fabric which covers the top and the back of the shelter. Giving you added protection from the strong cold winds that can whip up on an ice-covered lake. Black insulation is also utilized so that the heat held inside the shelter and it also reduced condensation.

Speaking of fabric. The roof and the side panels of the Evo are made with 600 denier Ice Tight fabric which has a thread count that is 59% higher than their competitions. With the Evo, you also have two huge doors on either side so that you can move your equipment in and out without having to worry about tearing the shelter down.

You also get ice anchors that are self-tapping and they have been improved so they don’t bend under stress. The windows are extra large which brings in more light so you can see every area of the ice inside.

To sum it up. The Evo 2it is lightweight but durable and easily transportable. It has extra height so that you can set the hook with ease. It’s roomy with large side doors for easy in and out of your equipment and the windows are large letting more light in so you can see everything inside. And it’s extra warm with the insulated roof and side panels making it 35% warmer than non-insulated shelters.

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3. GoPlus Portable Ice Shelter

The Goplus portable ice shelter is one of the cheaper priced ice houses on our list. It comes in two variations: a 2 person and a 3 person shelter. Your able to fish in comfort and warmth because of the 300 denier Oxford fabric that this ice house is made out of.

You also get a duffle style bag with shoulder straps so you can carry it on your back. This makes it easy to transport to wherever you are going. This tent comes with four windows that can be covered or keep it clear for the sun to shine through. The windows are detachable if you need to air the shelter out. It’s also frost resistant up to negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

6 ice anchors come with it that dig right into the ice making for a sturdy structure that won’t blow away. We all know how wild those winds can get on an iced-over lake in mid-February! There is no floor in this tent so you can drill your holes wherever you need them.

If you need an affordable shelter that will keep the cold off you and that’s portable then the Goplus portable ice shelter is worth taking a look at. Check it out on Amazon…

4. Frabill Recon 100

If you’re looking for a 1 person ice shelter then you would want to take a close look at the Frabill Recon. Frabill is a solid company that stands behind its products and the quality is unsurpassed when it comes to ice shelters.

The Recon is a flip-over style shelter that comes with a padded trunk seat to boot. This is the most compact ice shelter that Frabill produces but with enough space for you and your equipment. There’s enough room to jig when you need to.

This shelter is made out of 300 denier fabric which is the standard for ice shelters. It’s lightweight and easily portable. It weighs in at only 40 lbs. The dimensions are 93″L x 31″W x 57″H.

There are three windows. Two on either side and one in the front so you have plenty of spots to let the sun in. The Recon will keep you plenty warm especially if you throw in a buddy heater. It comes with a heavy-duty polyethylene sled for the base.

You will also find two pockets on the inside and one clear pocket on the outside where you can put your fishing license. And the exterior has reflective tape so you will be seen if the conditions get bad on the lake.

If you are ready to have a personal ice house that you can jump from hole to hole with then you will want to get yourself the Frabill Recon 100. Check it out on Amazon.

5. Clam Nanook 2-Person Ice Fishing Shelter with Padded Seats

Next up on our list is the Clam Nanook XL 2-person ice fishing shelter. This shelter is great for two people and is also a good shelter for big guys. The door system on the Nanook XL makes it easy to get in and out of the shelter. You will love how you can take this shelter from hole to hole when you are moving across the lake looking for the perfect spot.

You will appreciate the extra insulation that Clam has added to the thermal layers of the Nanook. Also included is a removable thermal floor! Keep your feet warm and dry while you fish. Stay warm and use less propane with this shelter.

The Nanook XL is as sturdy as ever with the heavy-duty hoop pole design. No sharp edges to rip and wear the fabric. The poles are held together with double-sided brackets. All of this makes this Clam shelter a very sturdy and sound structure.

There is something that Clam calls the RPSX system that stands for Rapid Pole Slide Extreme. With this system, you can quickly set-up and tear down the shelter. This has big thumb release buttons so you can push them with your mittens on and not have to worry about getting your fingers frostbitten just to take down the poles.

And of course, the Clam Nanook is made out of tough denier fabric which keeps the heat in and the cold out. Not only that but denier fabric also helps to keep your shelter from tearing which can be problematic especially out on the ice.

The doors open on the corners of the shelter making it easier than ever to get out. You won’t have to trip over your buddy or equipment just to attend to a tip-up or to take a bathroom break.

6. Eskimo FatFish Portable 3-4 Person Pop Up


Dimensions:

Set-up: 94” x 94” x 80”

Collapsed: 65″ x 8.25″ x 8.25″

Warranty: 1-year Limited

If you’re looking for reliability Eskimo has you covered. Introducing the Eskimo FatFish Pop-up ice shelter. This portable ice house fits 3-4 people comfortably. You can get this shelter with insulation or without.

The insulated version will keep you 35 percent warmer than the non-insulated version. You will love the easy access doors that are situated on either side and zip up and down is a breeze with the YKK zippers that are installed. The fabric is made of 600 deniers making it strong, durable fabric that won’t tear on the jagged ice or hard snowpack. Easily transport the FatFish in a large duffle style bag that you can carry on your back or put in a sled. Portability is not a problem with the FatFish!

There are 6 count em 6 large windows that can be removed. You will be able to view your tip-ups from many different angles and plenty of light will be able to pass into your shelter. I love lots of windows in my ice shelters. It makes for a warmer feel inside when it’s 20 below zero or colder.

You also get 6 self-tapping strong ice anchors that allow you to firmly hold down your shelter. These come in handy when that wind is whipping across the lake at 30 miles an hour. For extra tie-down and stability, a deluxe cam strap tie-downs with carabiner attachments are included.

The poles that hold the shelter up are made of durable fiberglass. And there is a metal ball and hub designed for even more stability of your shelter.

You will appreciate the large storage pockets and nets to keep your fishing gear stored and ready to use when you need it. You will be safe at night with the reflective trim that surrounds the shelter.

There are sixty-one square feet of fishable area in the FatFish. That is plenty of room for 3 to 4 people to do some serious ice fishing.

7. Eskimo Quickfish 6

Dimensions:

Set-up: 140” x 70” x 80”

Collapsed: 52” x 10.5” x 10.5”

Weight: 40lbs

Last but not least is another Eskimo ice shelter. The Quickfish 6 holds up to six people and it’s one of Eskimo’s biggest ice shelters. The fishable area in Quickfish 6 is 68 square feet. It only takes one minute to set-up and takedown.

You get a choice of insulated or a non-insulated Quickfish 6.

The fabric is durable 300 denier. Also included is an extra-long skirt that keeps the cold and breezes out making it, even more, airtight than the competitor’s shelters.

This shelter is easily portable because of the oversized duffle bag that it comes with. Just put the Quickfish in the duffle bag throw it on a sled or carry it on your back. You are good to go.

You get hook and loop windows for more viewable configuring. There are two doors on opposite ends so that you can enter and exit easily without tripping over equipment and people. You also get 9 ice anchors so that you can hold down the shelter with ease.

The poles are made of fiberglass for strength plus the all-metal ball and hub design for extra durability of the structure. So if you have a big group of up to six people and want a portable easy to set-up ice shelter Quickfish 6 is what you want.  Eskimo makes some top-quality ice shelters that are worth your time taking a look at.

Portable Ice Shelter Buyers Guide

Before buying a portable ice house you will want to keep a few things in mind. Some shelters are more portable than others. So if you are an on the go ice fisherperson jumping from hole to hole you will want a flip-style shelter.

Flip-style shelters

These are just what they say. You flip it over on top of you and your good to go. When you are ready to go to the next ice hole just flip it off of you and go to the next hole. Quick and easy. These are usually lightweight and they are 1 to 2 person shelters.

Pop-ups

These take a little longer to set-up and move but they are portable as well. You basically just pop them up and your good to fish. These will have a door entry of some sort. Most of the pop-ups come with a  duffle bag to carry the shelter with you when you are done fishing.

Hub Style Shelters

Hub shelters are more of a permanent shelter. They are more stable than the other two examples but they are also more structured because of the hub system that holds the shelter in place. They take a little longer to set-up and takedown but they will withstand the winds much better than the other two normally would.

The hub style is portable but not for ice hole jumping like the flip-style and the pop-up shelters.

Fabric

The type of fabric is another thing you want to keep in mind when looking for a portable ice house. Fabric in the ice shelter world is called denier. The higher the denier count the stronger woven the fabric is.

Most shelters are either 300 or 600 deniers. Also, the higher the denier count the better the shelter will be with keeping the wind out and also the cut-resistant the fabric will be. You will also pay more for a higher denier count.

Insulation

Not all ice shelters come insulated so you will want to know what you want before purchasing. An insulated shelter will cost more than a non-insulated one and the difference for heat retention from an insulated shelter and a non-insulated shelter is about 30 percent.

Conclusion

There you have it the 7 best portable ice houses of 2019. I hope I provided you with enough product information so that you can make an informed decision on which ice shelter is right for you.

Here is the 7 again:

  1. Elkton Outdoors Portable Insulated Ice Fishing Tent
  2. Eskimo Evo 2iT
  3. GoPlus Portable Ice Shelter
  4. Frabill Recon 100 Flip-Over Shelter with Pad Trunk Seat
  5. Clam 9714 Nanook XL 2-Person Ice Fishing Shelter with Padded Seats
  6. Eskimo FatFish Portable 3-4 Person Pop Up
  7. Eskimo Quickfish 6

If you have any questions about these ice shelters please leave them in the comments section below and I will be happy to answer them.