Fishing Accessory Reviews

Ice Fishing House Supplies – Be Prepared For The Ice

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Ice Fishing House Supplies

Ice Fishing House SuppliesSo, you’ve chosen your lake, set aside the time, and decided you want to try your hand at ice fishing. I’ve found it to be a great way to relax and, once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s a rewarding way to earn your dinner. That said, it’s critical to do your research and make sure you’re all caught up with the best ice fishing house supplies that you will need.

For me, proper equipment is necessary to enjoy the process, and enjoying it is essential to catch fish. Let’s see what’s out there.

Getting comfortable

When I began to prepare for my first outing ice fishing, I was woefully unprepared. I thought a big jacket and four walls to block out the wind would keep me sufficiently warm.

Little did I know that without an insulated seat, the ambient cold will get to you, one way or another, no matter how prepared you think you are. I’ve personally found that those two pieces of ice fishing house supplies to be the two most important when it comes to enjoying the experience.

Many people swear by sitting on their bucket, but I say they’re crazy. Sitting for hours on something with minimal insulation is just a nightmare, and you lose a lot of body heat.

Maybe they have better circulation than I do, but I don’t know if I’d still be ice fishing today without insulated chairs. I’m a fan of the Clam® Chair, which you can get at any sporting goods store with ice fishing house supplies.clam chair

In addition to a nice, warm seat, I find it necessary to have a good shelter for the long haul. Depending on your budget, there are a few approaches you could take.

I must have seen re-purposed trailers a hundred times. That can be expensive and, if done wrong, disappointing and cold.

One of the most important parts of being able to enjoy the experience is keeping yourself comfortable Staying out of the wind is crucial as well.

DIY Ice Houses

Too many times I’ve seen big, do-it-yourself shelters that don’t get the job done. I imagine these people thinking they’re saving money, but it’s quite inexpensive to buy a shelter, there are some good ones on the market.

For budget ice fishers, Cabela’s sporting goods sells a serviceable ice fishing shelter, and the brands Shappell and Frabill sell similarly priced shelters of similar quality for a price point of roughly 150-200 dollars.

Breaking the Ice

By this point, you’ve got an idea on how to manage the temperature and stayingEskimo Sting Ray comfortable, but now it’s time to get down to business. Breaking the ice.

First things first, you’re going to need an auger. The auger is one of the most fundamental pieces of ice fishing house supplies, hands down.

I’ve heard of some awful ways people have tried to make a hole in the ice. But, anything but a specially designed piece of machinery is asking for trouble.

If you’re not familiar with ice fishing, you might be asking what is an auger? A fair question, I was confused at first too. Despite the technical term, it’s mainly just a drill for the ice.

I must advise against using anything else to break the ice. An auger is the safest way to get through the ice. That’s because it runs the least risk of cracking the ice, which is very dangerous.

There are a few on the market at the moment, and I’ve had no problems with the cheaper ones, such as the Eskimo Hand Ice Auger (about $50) here in Wisconsin.

That said, you may want to consider a gas-powered model, such as the Eskimo Sting Ray 33cc with 8″ Quantum Auger, running about $250 if you live further North, like Canada, where the ice tends to get thicker.

But when it comes to augers, though, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’ve got the budget for it, it’s a smart move in the long-term to buy a heavy-duty auger that can last you for as long as you keep ice fishing.

What sort of rod do I need to go ice fishing?

st.croix legend ice fishing rods

Typically, in my experience, ice-fishing requires a rod a bit longer than I grew up with. Once I got used to it, though, the 24-40 inch rods started to make perfect sense. And I began to understand the specifics of hovering over a hole in the ice.

For me, the various rods I’ve gotten over the years are some of my favorite ice fishing house supplies. In time, you too might have a whole slew of multiple rods for various purposes.

So, now you know longer rods are generally more common in ice fishing. Now it’s time to think of the reel. Usually, ultralight reels are the go-to, and ice fishing specific models are much cheaper than their open water counterparts.

When I go ice fishing, I try to stay modest concerning my catch. So I tend to be happy catching perch, crappie, and bluegill, which are relatively common prey when ice fishing.

For these fish, I prefer inexpensive rods. I have enjoyed variously using my 13 Fishing brand Widow Maker Ice Rod. Also like my Frabill brand Straight Line 101, and my Cabala’s Tourney Trail® Ice Combos over the years.

Time to hit the ice

Now it’s time to put all these pieces of equipment to use! If it’s your first time using an auger, you might want to bring along someone who knows how to use it. It’s easily the most technical part of the whole process.

With a little patience, you can figure it out on your own. Once you’ve got your hole and set up your shelter, you get to enjoy the relaxation.

Depending on your luck, you may have either a productive first year or an educational one. Considering you’ve done your research on ice fishing house supplies, you can expect at least some success.

In just a few seasons you’ll become a wise old fisherman, and you’ll be looking forward to every winter. That’s how I feel about it, and I hope you will too, it’s a great way to spend your winters.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below. Thanks for Reading and Happy Fishing.

Ice Fishing Pole Holder – How to Catch More Fish

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ice fishing pole holder

Ice Fishing Pole HolderFinding A Quality Ice Fishing Pole Holder

I realized the first time I wanted to go ice fishing that there was so much I didn’t know. To top that off, there was so much stuff that I didn’t have.

An ice fishing pole holder was first on my list because I wanted to fish with a few poles at one time. Therefore, I decided to do a lot of researching.

One of the items that I had to find was the best ice fishing pole holder, to eliminate the stress of the pole while I was out on the ice. I decided to put a few lists together to help me make a better decision. I thought that my list might be of use for those in a similar predicament.

Versatility:

Versatility is essential when researching pole holders. If the pole does not have any versatility, then the pole can be taken by any fish from under the ice, causing me to lose a piece of equipment that was essential to have. I want to be the best at ice fishing, therefore finding an ice fishing pole holder is a priority in my book.

Durability:

Most pole holders have this feature. Durability is not built into all ice pole holders. Therefore, I made a list of the top pole holders that had consistent strength as well as the ability to make any necessary adjustments.

Shelter Fit:

I knew that a quality pole holder needed to have the option of fitting any ice shelter. Therefore, I spent some time looking at different products. I wanted to see if they had any opportunities to fit multiple shelter styles. Shelters varied in multiple ways, so I needed to be well-diversified to complete the rest of my gear.

Design:

The overall design of the pole holders needed to have a strong and solid design. They needed to be able to handle different types of fish. And support the pole if I stepped away for a few minutes. The design should also have the ability to hold multiple lines.

I needed a holder that was able to adjust to different levels and was simple to maintain. I was aware that fish have senses. So I had to take that into account. I knew the pole holder had to be carefully designed so that the pole could easily be balanced and moved around.

Pivot Capabilities:

When I looked for different pole holders, I learned that some of them had the ability to pivot. I then learned that it depends on how you are ice fishing that makes the difference. Since I do different methods of ice fishing, I tried a few different pole holders out that had the option to pivot.

Fish have certain senses, and with the use of a pivot on the holder, it allowed the pole to shift with the water making it more natural to the fish.

Does It Include Hardware?

Included in the pole holder package should be all the hardware needed. I wanted my set up to be simple and less stressful because ice fishing can take a lot out of a person. If all the hardware was already included, I would not have to go about and find all the required materials. I would just need to install it.

ice fishing pole holdersA Few Ice Fishing Pole Holders That Are Top Quality:

I put together a few top ice fishing pole holders. When you head out on the ice, I hope these pole holders will be a great fit. And to help make your experience easier when you head out to go ice fishing.

•Hawkeye Catch Cover MF02 Portable Multi-Flex Rod Holder

This pole holder is simple and lightweight and tough as nails!  Very versatile as well. The price is $23.19 on Amazon.

•  EDTara Ice-Fishing Dual Holder 

The EdTara is a double pole holder. It rotates 360 degrees and is wind resistant. It’s corrosion proof and environmentally friendly. Price for this one is only $7.38 on Amazon.

• Brocraft Ice Fishing Bucket Rod Holder 

This holder attaches either to an ice shack, portable pop up shack or right to your ice bucket! It’s very versatile and can rotate 360 degrees for easy fishing. You can pick this one up at Amazon for $13.99.

Final Thoughts

I learned that the more knowledge that I obtained, the better my skills in ice fishing grew. I found that the ice fishing pole holders made a huge difference. Especially in capturing the fish. My ice fishing escapades would be less stressful if it were simple to maintain and set up.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.

St.Croix Legend Ice Fishing Rods

St.Croix Legend Ice Fishing Rods – Most Sensitive Rods!

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st. croix legend ice fishing rods

st.croix legend ice fishing rodsIt’s that time of the year again, Winter… And when winter creeps up on our doorstep, so does the ice on the lakes. Ice anglers from all over get the urge to get out and do some ice fishing. You will want to make sure you have a sturdy, sensitive, quality rod like the St.Croix Legend ice fishing rods.

These fishing rods will help you catch your limit. Legend ice fishing rods have excellent sensitivity because of the black anodized spring coiled strike indicator system. This provides above par bobber versatility and performance of these ice fishing rods. You will see that a fish is on the end of your line before you even feel it! That’s the kind of ice fishing rod every angler dreams about having.

The spring coil system is fully adjustable and also interchangeable, which is useful in the customization of the rods. When you get the rod customized to suit you just right, don’t be surprised if you catch your limit time and time again. You’ll be hooking the fish before the fish even knows what hit’em!

To get your own St. Croix Legend Ice Rod on Amazon CLICK HERE

St.Croix Legends Ice Fishing Rods Series

There are three lineups in the legend ice fishing rod series that we will be discussing throughout this article. The legend gold came out for ice fishing season 2013/2014. The Silver edition came out that same season, and the Black edition came out in the 2017/2018 season.

The whole legend series is built on a graphite blank. This is as solid as it gets in an ice fishing rod. The St.Croix Legend ice fishing rods are very strong rods that will take the abuse, and you can keep on fishing!

Gold Series

St. Croix Legend Super Finesse Spring Bobber

This series is made of 24k gold plate. The gold color helps if you are fishing on a cloudy day or if you’re night fishing with a lousy light source. This series also has a Fuji SK2 reel seat.

The handle is made of neoprene-skin. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that can maintain its flexibility over a wide temperature range. This makes it ideal for ice fishing.

The gold series comes in only one length, which is 24″. That is what the length of the original St.Croix Legend ice fishing rods.

Silver Series

The silver series comes in an original stainless-steel finish. They have a cork trim around a secure lock reel seat. The silver series legend rods come in 10 tension supports and four different lengths…

  • 17” Model – comes only in Light tension support
  • 24″ Model – comes in Ultra Light, Light, Medium Light, Medium and Medium-Heavy
  • 30″ Model – comes in Light, Medium Light, and Medium
  • 48″ Model – only comes in MediumSt. Croix Legend Black Ice Fishing Rods

Black Series

The black series legend rod is the top of the top in the Legend series of ice fishing rods. This series is one of the best freshwater ice fishing rods on the market. Black features a stainless-steel strike indicator. It’s super-finesse and high-tension, so you know when those fish are biting before you even feel it.

It has the adjustability with the interchangeable spring indicator system. That is what makes this rod more sensitive than others on the market. This lets ice anglers notice the smallest nibbles and catch that fish before you even feel it.

The fully adjustable and interchangeable spring indicator system is much more sensitive than any other type of indicator, allowing ice anglers to see the most subtle bump or strike before it can be felt. The St.Croix Legend Black ice fishing rods come in many models with different lengths and tension supports.

  • 17” Model – comes only in Light tension support
  • 24″ Model – comes in Ultra Light, Light, Medium Light,
  • Medium and Medium-Heavy
  • 30″ Model – comes in Light, Medium Light, and Medium
  • 48″ Model – only comes in Medium

The Spring Coil Bobber System

All 3 of these editions of the Legends series have a stainless steel strike indicating spring bobber. But for added tension support, you can purchase the coil spring bobber system  (sold separately), which makes them extremely sensitive.

With the coil spring system, you will get that little extra that can make all the difference in how many fish you catch.

Greg “The Prowler” Wilczynski came up with the St. Croix super finesse spring bobber system. It’s a stainless steel metal coil with the last loop extending out to a little bobber on the end. With this bit of system on the end of your ice rod, you will be able to see the fish nibbling on the end of your rod before you can even feel it. This is one thing that makes St. Croix Legend ice rods legends in the ice fishing industry.

If you haven’t experienced fishing with the St. Croix spring coil bobber system, then do yourself a favor this ice fishing season and pick yourself one up. You can get them on Amazon. Believe me, you will be catching more fish with this one little add on!

Once you see that little bead that is on the end of the spring move, it’s time to set the hook. If you wait to feel the fish biting, it’s too late. You have to set that hook when you see it before you feel it. That’s because a fish’s metabolism slows in the cold season, and if you don’t hook them at the first sign of a strike, you will many times lose them.

At The End Of The Day

The St.Croix Legend ice fishing rods are a perfect choice if you are looking for durability and sensitivity while fishing for those low biting fish. These Legend rods can withstand the torture of ice fishing as if it falls on the hard ice or bending almost in half. 

These rods will bounce right back because of their graphite blank that there made of their sensitivity derives from the stainless steel strike indicator system that they are all equipped with. You are really going to appreciate the spring coil bobber system that you can purchase as an add on for these ice rods. That system alone is going to help you catch more fish. And that’s something all of us ice anglers want!

If a strong, durable, lightweight and sensitive ice rod is what you’re looking for well, then you have found it in the St. Croix Legend ice rod series! You will never want to fish with another ice rod again.

3 Types of The St.Croix Legend Ice Rod Series

Let’s recap; there are three ice rods in the St. Croix Legend series.

Gold – The Gold series is made of 24 karat gold plate. This series only comes in one length, which is 24”. It is ideal for fishing on a cloudy day or at night because you can better see the gold color.

Silver – The Silver series is made of stainless steel. It has ten different tensions and four different sizes to choose from. The four lengths are:

  • 17”
  • 24”
  • 30”
  • 48”

Black – The Black series is the top of the line in ice fishing rods. The blank is made of graphite. It has a stainless steel indicator that is super finessed for superb sensitivity for fussy fish. It comes in four length models.

  • 17”
  • 24”
  • 30”
  • 48”

And various tension strengths to choose from.

Which One Will You Choose?

Most anglers get the lighter versions of the rods. The length of the rod is a personal preference. But if you’re going to be fishing in a portable ice house, you will want to opt for the shorter version of rods because of space issues. A shorter ice rod will also give you more room in an ice house for setting the hook.

I would recommend this rod series to those fishermen and women who love to go pan, crappie, and perch fishing. And also to those anglers who love to catch their limits day in and day out. Now, that’s good eating!

Now, check out what’s available in the Legend Rods Series by clicking below. Thank you for reading, and if you have questions or comments, please send them my way. Remember, you can Catch Your Fish and Eat’em 2!

Ian Miller Fishing Rods – Most Unique Rods In The World

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Ian Miller Fishing Rods

Ian Miller Fishing RodsHave you ever fished with one of these Ian Miller fishing rods? If you said no do yourself a favor and buy one of these beauties! You won’t regret it.

You know whoever said fishing is like dating and that it’s all catch and release until you find a keeper was not far from being right. I have been fishing for life, and it’s one of the most therapeutic things anyone can do.

I believe I speak for all fishing lovers when I say as much as my community loves to fish; we also love talking about it. Well, at least I love to talk about fishing. Let’s start with basics; successful fishing requires some essential gear.

Top Five Fishing Gears

• Rod and Real – First of all Ian Miller Fishing Rods – One of the more unique fishing rods in the world is my go-to source when it comes to rods. I would say go simple and easy on your first fishing rod and reel as long as it can bait and lure fish. You can dive deeper into exploring the different types of rods used for different fishing styles when you get the hang of it.

• Line – I get fascinated that of late, fishing lines are designed with various materials and diameters to give anglers more options. Who doesn’t like options and the freedom to choose whatever works?

• Tackle – The three types of tackles you need to think of are hooks, floats, and weights. This will all make sense if you stick around longer.

• Bait or Lures – I use live baits like shiners and nightcrawlers to entice fish because I know that my target fish loves eating those. They work like a charm. Over time, I got bored with using baits only and spiced my catch by using lures. Maybe not bored, that’s not a word I like to use, but it reaches a time in fishing when all you want is a little challenge.

• Tacklebox – Golfers and tennis players have their small bags just like fishing enthusiasts. My tackle box carries all the gear I need for fishing thus increasing my mobility.

Identify Your Purpose

Large Mouth BassFirst things first: before choosing between the Ian Miller fishing rods, you need to know which type of fish you intend to catch because that affects the rod action and power. If you use the right rod to catch the wrong fish, it will break without a doubt. When deciding on the suitable fishing rod for fishing getaways, I always consider:

• The kind of person using it.

• The type of fish to be caught.

• Location of fishing: lake, ocean, fish pond, or boat.

• Method of fishing.

• Time of fishing.

In my other life, I tend to be a natural when it comes to mastering new things like I have aced fishing? In all my past knowledge, experience and glory, I can assure you that this natural superpower called fishing talent can fail you if you have the wrong gear.

Factors to Consider when Choosing an Ian Miller Fishing Rod

Ian Miller Fishing Rod ChartI got to tell you though that choosing a fishing rod is not as easy as I might make it look. See, there are so many fishing rods with publicized details that it can be overwhelming to decide. Not to worry though, with practice and my guidance, you can become an expert with time. I bet you would like considering the following before making your first purchase:

  • Type of Fish

Regardless of where my fishing escapades take me, I try to find out the kind of fish dominating the water body of my choice. Having this knowledge is powerful. Knowing the type of fish, I am targeting priory helps in researching my chances of getting a good catch.

I research on the feeding habits of different fish and get to know which specific baits and lures are favorable. The research process includes finding out where particular target fish are in plenty and about the life cycle of different fish. Such nitty-gritty details always help me to score some pretty amazing catches.

  • Rod action

Okay, what happens now that I know the type of fish I would like to catch? The next step includes choosing the right fishing rod. Rod action is a term used to refer to how the rod behaves in different circumstances. How long is it? Does it flex a lot or a little? How long does it take after flexing to return to its original position?

A lot of the rod action and power is determined by the type of material used to make the rod. Again, it comes down to the basics. I must know my target fish, and that knowledge places me in a better position to choose the rod with an appropriate rod taper and length to handle the fish.

  • Materials

Owning a unique fishing rod comes down to the type of material used to design the rod. Ian Miller fishing rods, for instance, are my number one recommendation. The rods feature exquisite detail in their construction. Fortunately, materials for producing rods have diversified over time. They range from carbon, graphite, fiberglass, and composite materials. The type of material used determines the overall rod action.

  • Budget

I know that you can only scratch your back up to where you can. Money is another fundamental determiner of the kind of rod that you can get. I wanted to venture into fishing for life so badly that I saved for months only so that I could get a unique fishing rod. If you intend on fishing for the long-term, invest in a good rod once and for all. If you are in it for the short-term, then buy what you can afford or stick to hiring high-quality equipment.

Popular Catches

Below are some of my favorite fish catches, and most of them are what you are likely to catch:

• Bass

• Salmontypes of fish

• Panfish

• Crappie

• Trout

• Marlin

• Catfish

Types of Ian Miller Fishing Rods

 

If there’s one thing my fishing experience has taught me is that as much as fishing is a fun activity, the kind of gear I use is instrumental in determining whether I make a catch or not. The following are different categories of fishing rods from which you must choose:

  1. Casting Rods – These are the simplest rods to use and very ideal for beginners
  2. Ultra-Light Rods – These are short and light because they are designed for small fish.
  3. Spinning Rods – They are slightly technical to use and are the most preferred for sports fishing.
  4. Fly Rods – These are instrumental for fly fishing.
  5. Telescopic Rods – They are flexible enough to collapse the rod length on a shallow surface or extend the length into a deep surface. I find this rod ideal for surf fishing.
  6. Surf Rods – Largely used in sea fishing. They are long and robust enough to withstand heavy baits.
  7. Trolling Rods – They are used to fish in a moving boat. The motion of the boat sinks the bait in the water.

Always remember that you get what you pay for. With Ian Miller fishing rods you’ll get a quality, unique fishing rod.

Fishing is my go-to therapeutic activity. The better you treat and maintain your rod, the better it will perform in catching fish for you.

If you have any questions feel free to leave them and I will respond.

Happy Fishing,

Cory Haasnoot

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Catch Your Fish And Eat’em 2