For ice fishing, many anglers use rods and reels specifically designed to handle the task. Shorter, lighter and more compact than traditional warm weather fishing gear, ice fishing rods and reels are better suited to fishing vertically in the water column through holes drilled in thick ice on lakes, ponds and reservoirs. These rods and reels are sensitive enough to detect even the lightest strikes in cold weather, yet strong enough to bring in game fish.
Description
Ice fishing rods typically consist of cork or foam handles, plastic or metal hardware to hold the fishing reel, a fiberglass or graphite rod blank and three or four fishing line guides. Reels for ice fishing are similar to those used for traditional warm weather fishing, although many are much smaller, due to the reduced size of ice fishing rods. For larger ice fishing setups, standard warm weather fishing reels will also work.
Types
Ice fishing rods and reels come in several different types. Spinning, spincasting and bait casting rods and reels are commonly available in sizes and weights for ice fishing and frequently come as combo sets. Spinning reels with high gear ratios and an open spool design work well with lighter lines. Fully enclosed spincasting reels are more weather resistant and effectively handle light to medium-sized game fish. Anglers often use baitcasting gear with larger line capacities and super fast gearing which allows them to fish deeper water for larger game fish with faster retrieves of hooked fish.
Size and Weight
Because casting is unnecessary, ice fishing rods are typically short. Manufacturers construct ice fishing rods and reels to take certain weights of fishing line. Anglers usually catch small fish, such as bream or smelt, on shorter, ultralight weight rods and reels, usually between 20 and 30 inches long. Heavier fish, such as walleye require medium line and lure, so a medium weight rod and reel is also required. These rods average 24 to 36 inches in length. For those anglers targeting lake trout or pike, medium-heavy or heavy rods, 36 to 42 inches in length, work well.
Balance
To set up ice fishing gear properly, you must achieve a good balance between the rod, reel line and lure. Make sure the rod is stiff enough to provide sufficient strength when handling a fish, while sensitive enough to tell when a fish strikes lightly. Size the reel to accommodate the weight of the line and lure you plan to use. An easy way to ensure that a rod and reel are well-balanced is to purchase a combo setup, with both rod and reel together in a single package.
Use
Use ice fishing rods and reels to fish with jigs, spoons or other artificial or natural baits at different depths within the water column through a hole in the ice. Work the rod and reel up and down, with a pumping motion to give your lure or bait action and movement that is attractive to game fish. For fishing in deeper water, use reels with higher gear ratios to provide faster line retrieves that help keep a tight line and prevent a fish from throwing the hook.
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