Contents
- 1 Our Selection 10 Best Ice Fishing Rods: All Fishing Types & Budgets Reviewed
- 1.1 1# St. Croix Avid Glass Ice Fishing Rod
- 1.2 2# Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ice Fishing Spinning Rod
- 1.3 3# Berkley Cherrywood HD Ice Fishing Spinning Rod
- 1.4 4# 13 Fishing Widow Maker Tennessee Handle Hardwater Ice Fishing Rod
- 1.5 5# Shimano Convergence Ice Spinning Fishing Rods
- 1.6 6# Fiblink Graphite Ice Fishing Rod
- 1.7 7# Fenwick Elite Tech Ice Fishing Spinning Rod
- 1.8 8# HT Ice Blue Rods
- 1.9 9# Schooleys Artic Blue Ice Rod
- 1.10 10# Clam Jm Gen7 Elite Series Ice Combo 24” Light
- 2 Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose an Ice Fishing Rod
The ice fishing rod is different in size from the usual one. The ice fishing rod is incredibly small, so it will seem to you that it is not able to cope with such a task. The small size of the rod will allow you to fish from a small hole. In waters suitable for this type of fishing, you can experience an unrivaled natural silence that gives you peace of mind.
Such a rod has excellent sensitivity, therefore it transmits all the fish bites. All ice fishing rods presented in this article are durable, move the lures upright, and can pull even very large fish. They are equipped with a comfortable grip, work great in cold environments, and allow you to fish comfortably even with gloves. Let’s take a look at 10 Best Ice Fishing Rods and Tip Ups that will let you enjoy the delights of ice fishing.
Our Selection 10 Best Ice Fishing Rods: All Fishing Types & Budgets Reviewed
1# St. Croix Avid Glass Ice Fishing Rod
This rod is one of the best in the company’s range. Avid has incorporated all the best qualities of a high-class ice fishing rod – sensitivity, lightweight, reliability. This rod is ideally suited for catching panfish. This is made from the solid glass blank. I recommend that you pay attention to the medium power model. You will find 24 and 28-inch models. This is the ideal size for fishing in a small hole.
The rod has incredible flexibility. In a fight with a huge fish, you will win. The guides are made of stainless steel and therefore resist corrosion. In addition, they are able to hold the line where you want it. Due to their size, the guides will not freeze at low temperatures. Wearing gloves, you will still feel movement on the line. This is available thanks to the split grip cork handle. I love the reel seat of this accessory. This holds the reel in place.
2# Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ice Fishing Spinning Rod
Ugly Stik rods are known for their durability and high performance. Since 1976 they have proven themselves to be the best on the market. Now there is a version for ice fishing and you can get it right now. I can say that this version is just as excellent as the original. I was delighted when I tried it in practice. It is of Ugly Tech construction. There you will find a combination of fiberglass and graphite.
This makes the rod lighter, more responsive, and incredibly strong at the same time. The Ugly Tuff guides have stainless steel guides. Now you won’t think that inserts can pop out! The accessory’s sensitivity is ensured by the Ugly Stik Clear Tip design. Believe me, I was convinced from my own experience that this is one of the best ice fishing rods that you can buy at an affordable price!
3# Berkley Cherrywood HD Ice Fishing Spinning Rod
Berkley has created a truly popular line of ice angler spinning rods Cherrywood HD. They are distinguished by the excellent quality inherent in premium series spinning rods, and at the same time at a low price available to every fishing lover. Berkley Cherrywood HD rods have balanced, stiff, and strong blanks. The sonorous tip of the Cherrywood spinning rod is distinguished by excellent tactile information content and will not leave unnoticed even the smallest bites.
The rod has a decent holding capacity, which is especially important when hunting large predators. The rods are equipped with reliable fittings and guides with Sic inserts and have a comfortable cork handle. The structure of the rods allows you to use a wide variety of lures: large wobblers, oscillating spoons, jig lures of various weights. Cherrywood HD rods are well suited for those who just want to start ice fishing.
4# 13 Fishing Widow Maker Tennessee Handle Hardwater Ice Fishing Rod
This rod meets all the requirements that the best ice fishing rod should have. The model has a solid graphite body and Portuguese cork handles. The rod is easy to use, lightweight and has excellent sensitivity to any fish bite. Graphite is an incredibly durable material that will allow you to easily stretch out large fish. The accessory is equipped with ALPS thin wire double diamond coated guides which provide not only strength but also precision.
5# Shimano Convergence Ice Spinning Fishing Rods
This model has held leading positions in sales for several years. They achieved their popularity due to the optimal price-quality ratio. The accessory has been designed to offer outstanding performance in all characteristics of ice fishing. Responsive letterheads work reliably. The model has a Sensitive carbon tip for quick bite detection. It has quite thin and light and extremely flexible blank. The guides are made of zirconium dioxide.
6# Fiblink Graphite Ice Fishing Rod
This rod can be described as one of the most sensitive, strong, and lightweight. It is ideal for fishing for perch, pike, trout, crappie, and more. The blank is incredibly strong and sensitive and also lightweight as it is made of graphite. They are available to you in sizes 24, 30, and 32 inches. Choose the length based on your fishing technique. Smooth line flow is ensured by the stainless steel guide with aluminum oxide inserts. Comfort and convenience are ensured thanks to the cork handle.
7# Fenwick Elite Tech Ice Fishing Spinning Rod
Ice fishing rods Elite Tech from the American company Fenwick are specially designed for ice fishing. The ergonomically comfortable cork handle with added TAC ™ material provides increased comfort and will always remain firmly in the fisherman’s hands even in the most difficult weather conditions. This is an ultra-light spinning rod of the highest quality. The rods have a very sensitive blank that transmits all vibrations from the lure and allows you to feel even the most delicate bites. The new “hidden” TAC ™ reel seat delivers non-slip performance in a wet hand. The blank is made of high modulus carbon and the SiC guides have titanium rims, making the rod much lighter.
8# HT Ice Blue Rods
This rod is designed for use in cold environments. If you are looking for your first ice fishing rod, this is the perfect option for a great price. It has ultra-light action and is 24 inches long. This is an excellent length for this type of fishing. You will appreciate the high-visibility fluorescent orange tips.
9# Schooleys Artic Blue Ice Rod
Multifunctional fishing rod, lightweight, reliable, comfortable, made of frost-resistant, and shock-resistant material. The firm pays special attention to the quality of the rod’s tip, which has sufficient elasticity and the absence of permanent deformation during the strong bending of the rod. The reel rotates without friction and backlash. The friction clutch is reliable and provides a stable response when catching orbiting large fish. The handle is made of cork and therefore provides a secure grip even when wearing gloves.
10# Clam Jm Gen7 Elite Series Ice Combo 24” Light
For over 30 years, Clam Outdoors has been the premier fishing tackle manufacturer. As a client of this company, I can confidently say that they produce reliable, durable products. This is important because no one wants to have equipment problems on the ice. Quality is Clam’s top priority and it is reflected in everything. Quality and practical rod made of fiberglass with a comfortable cork handle. The model is equipped with a reliable reel with two ball bearings. Robust and practical model to use.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose an Ice Fishing Rod
I think you understand that choosing the best rod is not easy. Especially when it comes to ice fishing rods. When I first decided to tackle this type of fishing, I spent quite a few days before finding a high-quality and suitable rod for me. Therefore, before making your final decision, take a look at this list of selection criteria. They will help you not to make mistakes and, as a result, not to be disappointed in the purchase.
The Size
These rods come in different lengths. Length varies from 16 “to 42”. You probably, like me have a question about why ice fishing rods are so small. There is an explanation for this. When you fish in cold water, baits are dropped and lifted through a small hole in the ice. You don’t need to cast long-distance lures, so a small rod is enough for you.
Rod Material Composition
You need a sturdy fishing rod. A poor-quality accessory will not withstand harsh weather conditions, as well as vertical fishing. However, such a rod must be super sensitive. It should be able to transmit even the slightest bite of fish that is under the ice. ice fishing rods are usually made from graphite, fiberglass, or a combination of these. But you can also find carbon fiber models. I like graphite because it is a light, sensitive, yet durable material. Fiberglass is even stronger than graphite. However, this material is less sensitive and less lightweight.
Rod Action
These rods, like others, bend in certain places depending on their action. You can find super-fast, fast, moderate, and slow action. Superfast ones are different in that they only bend at the end of the rod. The rods with fast action bent in the upper third of the tip. The rods with moderate action bent in the lower half. And models with slow action I bend closer to the handle.
Rod Power
This characteristic allows you to know what pressure the rod will bend under. Typically Action and Power work together. A heavy rod needs a lot of pressure to bend. For a medium-size model, you will need the medium. But light and ultra-light rods bend under low pressure. If you want to catch big fish, you should choose The heavier-power rod. Lightweight and ultralight models are ideal for fish such as panfish or light lures.
Handle / Grip
This is one of the most important factors. Your fishing will take place in unusual conditions. Your hands will be in gloves. This means that your manual dexterity will be reduced. Therefore, such an accessory should be equipped with a comfortable grip. best ice fishing rods should have plastic, foam, or cork handles.
Spool
The reel must be of sufficient size and have excellent capacity. This is necessary in order for the reel to support the length and weight of the line. The spool should also work in harsh winter conditions. Check that it has an anti-freeze lubricant. Then the reel will not freeze while fishing. These points should be checked even if you are purchasing a fishing rod and reel combination for ice fishing.
Conclusion
If you’ve never tried ice fishing, then you are missing out on a lot. But now is the time to start! All you need is a high-quality, flexible, and reliable ice fishing rod! All these characteristics can be found in the St Croix Avid Glass Ice Fishing Rod.
Tags: #best ice fishing rods / #best ice fishing rods for walleye / #best ice fishing rods reviews / #best ice fishing rods field and stream mag / #best fishing rods / #ice fishing rods
I live in Tenerife (Canary Islands) for the last 10+ years and share my daily fishing experiences on my website. Many years of personal experience as a fisherman and the vast experience of my friends allow me to write professionally on any fishing topics (from choosing a flashlight and equipment to deep-sea fishing).
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