Looking for the latest in ice fishing gear and tackle? We’ve got you covered. Here are a few of our new favourites. To see the full list, pick up the Nov.-Dec. issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS, available on newsstands Nov. 21, 2016.
HT Enterprises’ Little Jigger 2 in 1 Tip-Down is a precision-balanced rod holder. The stable, durable wood base folds for storage, while the upper arm has multiple settings for the perfect angle for either a traditional jig pole combo or a spinning outfit, which will tip down when a fish bites.
MSRP: $29.99
www.icefish.com
St. Croix’s Mojo ICE rod’s lightweight split-grips offer an exposed blank, allowing hand contact for increased sensitivity using a pistol-grip hold. A precision-taper solid carbon blank, stainless steel guides, and twist-grip reel locking mechanism are features of the 10 spinning and casting rods in this series.
MSRP: $65
www.stcroixrods.com
FishHunter’s Directional 3D wireless, pocket-sized, portable fish finder can withstand -30 degree Celsius temperatures and easily floats within an ice-fishing hole. Flasher and other displays are found using the FishHunter app, compatible with over 9,000 Apple and Android smartphone or tablets with GPS. The Directional 3D has a real-time flasher and displays raw sonar data to view lure movements and fish location.
MSRP: $274.99
http://www.fishhunter.com/home/
Humminbird’s Ice Helix 7 portable fish finder has a bright, 7-inch, 16:9 LED widescreen for simultaneous viewing of a sonar and map/GPS, or another split-screen view. Buttons and intuitive menus make cold-weather operation easy – be it crouched over a fresh ice hole or from a snowmachine-mount displaying GPS for navigation. Soft-case, dual-beam transducer, and battery with charger included in ice packs.
MSRP: $799.99
www.humminbird.com
CHIRP sonar technology in Lowrance’s Hook 4x IceMachine provides enhanced target separation on a clear LED display. This is a real asset when finessing fussy fish to bite. IceMachine bundles include a transducer, weatherproof soft-sided pack, and two utility boxes. Four- and five-inch Fish finder/Chartplotter models are available in ice bundles for those needing GPS.
MSRP: starting at $395
www.lowrance.com
MarCum’s Recon 5 underwater viewing units are pocket-sized and packed with features. The lithium battery delivers six hours of run time on the five-inch, 16:9 LCD. View sharp images, thanks to the 1/3-inch CMOS sensor, LED or infrared lighting, Color-kill technology for low-light and stained water. The Recon 5 Plus displays camera depth, direction of view, and temperature, and has DVR capability.
MSRP: starting at $449
www.marcumtech.com
Clam’s Stealth shelters block out light while boasting thermal properties for a warm, dark interior made for sight-fishing and other covert tactics. Choose from two flip-over options or a pop-up style.
MSRP: starting at $329 U.S.
www.clamoutdoors.com
Darn Tough Vermont’s hunting and mountaineering socks are perfect for ice fishing. Prevent cold feet and embrace the comfy cushioning of a streamlined performance fit. Guaranteed for life.
MSRP: $34 for the Mountaineering Sock Over-the-Calf Extra Cushion model
www.darntough.com
Mustang Survival’s Bluewater Roll Top Dry Bags come in 5 to 35 litre sizes, offering tough, waterpoof storage for spare clothing and items on ice and open water. See gear through the label window without letting in snow and sleet.
MSRP: starting at $34.95
www.mustangsurvival.com
DO NOT GET THE LOWRANCE HOOK 3x. The prossesor chip is way to slow and its way to expensive. When you pop a jig a white line comes across the screen (83Khz) And at 200 Khz it shows a huge school of fish……. the depth doesent stay consistant and the bottom contour randomly changes. Did I mention its super flimsy and the zippers suck?!