Do I need an Ice Fishing Rod?
We primarily ice fish at a lake in our small hometown. It’s a popular spot for families walking their dogs and anglers alike. Once the ice fishing season hits, we get a lot of questions. People love watching the kids catch fish and lots of those people approach us wondering just what ice fishing is all about. We are asked the same few questions. How thick is the ice? Are you guys catching anything? And, do you really need those tiny rods? Thats what were here to discuss today….Do you need an ice fishing rod for hard water angling?
The short answer for that is no, you don’t necessarily need an ice fishing specific rod. You can totally bring your long rod out and drop a line in the hole. In fact, you don’t really even need a rod at all. You could technically simply drop a line in a hole and get into the game. That being said, there is a reason you see almost all ice fishermen with an ice fishing rod in their hands. They are super helpful in many ways…
Short rods work better in small spaces. When ice fishing in a tent or shelter, real estate is minimal. Having a short rod allows you to be closer to the hole, and fit within confined spaces. Even when you’re fishing out in the elements, its much nicer to be close to the hole for landing fish and even seeing what’s going on right below the ice surface. Having a long fishing rod will keep you away from the action and make it much harder to fish through the ice.
Ice fishing rods are hyper sensitive. During the winter months, fish slow down quite a bit. The fish metabolism is lower and they aren’t as active. That makes for faint nibbles and bites. You’ll enjoy the sensitivity of an ice rod that is designed to feel even the smallest bites. If you’re using a long traditional rod, you’re likely to miss many opportunities.
Ice fishing rods are made specifically for ice fishing. Instead of casting and reeling or drifting a fly down the river, while ice fishing, you drop the line directly into the water. Ice fishing rods won’t cast as well as a long rod, but they’re perfectly designed for ice fishing. You’ll get the perfect action for jigging and enticing the fish from the waters below!
Ice fishing requires a lot of gear so you’ll appreciate the smaller size of ice fishing rods. Both for storage and transport. Our rods fit easily alongside the rest of our gear, tucked into the gear sled. Between fishing gear, snacks and cold weather comforts like heaters and shelters, you don’t want to lug around long rods too.
In conclusion, ice fishing gear doesn’t have to break the bank. You don’t need the fanciest rod on the market, but you will want to get an ice fishing specific rod. Most times, you don’t even need and auger (see upcoming blog post all about ice fishing auger free). However, I wouldn’t skimp on the ice fishing rod. You can find an inexpensive ice rod combo at your local Walmart for as little as $20. Go ahead and grab it…You’ll never regret it!
Ice fishing is an amazing winter activity. Much like warm winter clothing, a good ice rod will make the whole experience more fun. You’ll catch more fish, and thats what its all about!
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Tight Lines and Happy Trails,
The Trails to Trout Family
