RODS AND REELS

What an evolution from the homemade rigs to whats available on the market today! In my youth almost all ice fishing equipment was scraps of wood, nails, coathanger wire, and braided line with heavy sinkers.

Over the last 30 years, ice fishing equipment has adapted much of the open water rods and reels. Of course the rods are shortened, but everything from ultra-lite reels for panfish to baitcasting reels for toothier game fish are being used with appropriate ice rods. These innovations are great for playing the larger fish, and when panfishing in deep water. Tangles are eliminated from hauling in line hand over hand.

The commercial ice rods usually come with either plastic or metal slip rings to hold the reel in place. These have a bulky feel to them and I cut them off with tin snips. I fasten the reel handle on with simple electricians tape for a nice, comfortable grip.

LURES, BAIT AND TACKLE

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