When you work extra hard, the reward is always a hundred times better for that little extra effort. Therefore, you may not be content with eating chicken that you can catch easily. If you want to escape, work hard,f and have a great meal in the end then ice fishing is a really good choice.
You will shiver for sure when you are silently waiting for the fish to bite- making no noise, acting like you do not exist- yes, like Harry Potter. However, the sizzling fish you will have afterward will just turn all your hard work into a pleasant memory.
However, in order to enjoy the fishing time, you need to have the best ice fishing rod with you. Because as you know, ice fishing is not completely similar to normal fishing in warm weather.
You have to really mind the ice- if you do not the ice fishes won’t mind you. Therefore, let’s get to know the best ice fishing rods that exist and the features that you need to consider when buying.
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Best Ice Fishing Rods We Will Cover Today
1. Best choice- Shakespeare Ugly Stick Combo.
2. Fenwick AETOS Ice Fishing Rod
3. Croix Avid Jigging Series Ice Fishing Rod
4. Akataka Ice Fishing Rod
5. Berkley Cherrywood HD Ice Fishing Rod
Ice Fishing Rods Reviews!
1. Shakespeare Ugly Stick Combo.
Ugly stick GX2 is the next generation stick that hold the tradition while maintaining strength and durability. The price is so much wallet-friendly that you brag about this with anyone. This new rod design includes graphite into the fiberglass which makes it a clean matte black finish and very attractive with the look. One will wonder what is the difference between a normal ugly stick and what new features are here.
The moment you pick it up you will notice the reel. It is different from the standard reel and an average reel. One good thing is that there isn’t any reverse switch so it’s an infinite reverse. The GX2 comes in a large range of designs. There are 15 casting models, 20 spinning models, and 3-pack rod options. Especially for ladies, there are six models of design. The rod feels really lighter in the hands and easier to cast.
This is a one-piece guide, most people will notice the new guide design. The new grip is made of an EVA material so you know that you are going to feel comfortable… The rod is designed with a classic diamond pattern in silver and red on top of the grip. The rod still has a clear signature tip and more importantly the clear will produce the sensitivity you will need to feel a light strike on strong fish.
Whether you are a novice fisherman or an experienced angler, you can add a few of the Shakespear Ugly Stick models to your collection. The ice fishing rod is durable and performs above many rods compare to the price it comes in. This is still a great combo for beginners and experienced fishermen.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Smooth and reliable performance
- Lightweight rod
- Lots of weights available
Cons:
- Not be the best choice for fish that are prone to fight
2.Fenwick AETOS Ice Fishing Rod
If you’re an experienced angler then you’re probably aware of the awesomeness of the Fenwick fishing rods. There are indeed one of the best fishing rod manufacturers and the performance of their product is hard to beat.
If you’re into fly fishing then the AETOS ice fishing rod is a must-have.
This rod comes in three different length sizes so that anglers with different styles can find their best match. The Fenwick AETOS is made with graphite that is super lightweight yet offers phenomenal strength. The rod can withstand a large amount of bend when you’re fighting with a large catch.
Also, the AETOS weighs only around 2.6 pounds, so, you’ll not be fatigued when you’re out fishing with this bad boy. The reel seat of this rod is made with aluminum which offers excellent durability as well.
Along with the rod, you’ll get a bag where you can carry the rod along with a few of your essentials. The bag is also waterproof. hence, all your belongings will be safe inside the bag. There’s a cloth-covered tube inside the bag which will protect the rod from any sort of dent or scratch when you’re traveling with it.
The handle of the Fenwick AETOS is made up of AAA-grade cork which is super comfortable to hold. You’ll not feel a thing even when you fish for hours with this one in hand. The handle provides plenty of grips that will enable you to hold onto the handle even when your hands are wet.
Pros:
- Suitable for beginners
- Budget-friendly
- Comes with a bag with a cloth tube inside for better protection
- Comfortable handle with plenty of grips
- Comes in multiple different sizes
- Casts very accurately in short to mid-distance
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Not suitable for long-distance
3. Croix Avid Jigging Series Ice Fishing Rod
If you’re looking for an ice fishing rod with phenomenal performance then the St. Croix Avid Jigging Series Ice Fishing Rod is the one for you. It features a high-quality solid carbon blank that ensures the utmost performance in icy cold weather.
The build quality of the Avid Jiggling Series is undoubtedly top-notch. It’s made with high-quality components and with advanced technology that will enable you to have the best ice-fishing experience.
This rod is specifically designed for jigging.
It has a lightweight yet durable construction that makes it a great fit for jiggling. The best part is, it comes with a super budget-friendly price tag. So, if you’re on a budget but don’t want to miss the fun of ice fishing then this bad boy is the one for you.
The St. Croix Avid Jigging Ice Fishing Rods come in three different weight variants: medium, medium-light, and medium-heavy. Also, the length varies along with the weight of the rod. It comes in three different lengths of 27-inches, 30 inches, and 36 inches.
All of them are equally well for jiggling, so, if you have a specific weight preference you can pick anyone from these three. For beginners, we recommend going for the lighter one as that will not tire their hands even after long hours of use.
It features a sensitive carbon handle that’s very comfortable to hold. It’ll also enable you to have feedback on how well the rod is working. The Kigan stripper guide with lightweight and low-profile running guides makes it perform even better.
Pros:
- Specifically designed for jigging
- Comes in three different weight variants
- Comfortable carbon grip handle
- Lightweight and durable
- Well-constructed
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a warranty
4. Akataka Ice Fishing Rod
When it comes to quality and performance, the Akataka Ice Fishing Rod is hard to beat. This rod is made with pure carbon fiber which makes it lightweight and strong at the same time. You’ll be surprised to see how lightweight the rod feels despite the strong build quality. If you’re into ice fishing then the Akataka ice fishing rod will be a perfect companion for you.
The durability of this ice fishing rod is absolutely phenomenal. We can assure you that you’ll not be left with any room to complain about this bad boy. It’s also not heavy on the pocket, so, if you’re in a budget and looking for an inexpensive model then do take a look at this one.
The handle of the Akataka fishing rod is made with 3A cork that provides superb comfort and ease of use. You’ll not be fatigued or exhausted even when you fish for long hours with this rod. The handle is ergonomically designed which ensures the ultimate level of comfort.
The Akataka ice fishing rod features stainless guides that are super sturdy and well-built. These are suitable to be used on low friction as well. One of the best features of this fishing rod is that it comes with a sensitive tip that will let you feel the bite of the fish easily.
This feature comes in very handy for novice users.
Also, you’ll get a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty with the Akataka fishing rod. If you face any problem with the rod within this period then you can always ask the manufacturer for a refund or replacement. They have excellent customer service, so, your issue will get resolved easily.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Sturdy build quality
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Very comfortable to use
- Ergonomically designed handle
Cons:
- Suitable for only ice fishing
5. Berkley Cherrywood HD Ice Fishing Rod
Berkley’s stainless steel rods are a staple of summer. Their Cherrywood series is very respected by anglers because of its strong performance and sensitivity. The price is reasonable and offers the same quality as other fishing rods. This rod is perfect for shooting docks and it has a good backbone. It doesn’t have any external adjustments.
This rod is constructed with a hybrid design. The cork handle of this rod is very comfortable and makes it easy for the users to grip. This rod has SS304 guides. They are 20 times tougher and 55% lighter than aluminum oxide guides. They are always tested in the factory to determine their dependability. It can spin up to 5’6” in length.
The power of this rod is light and it can act pretty fast. The line rating of this rod is 2-6 lbs. The lure rating of this rod is 1/16 – ¼ oz. The material of the blank is composite. It has a hook keeper. It has 5 guides including Tip. The guide system of this rod is made of chromium which is better than oxide guides. Its high sensitivity and hybrid design construction make it almost impossible for you to miss a freshwater fish bite.
It can be used in freshwater. The dimension of this product is 66.00 x 1.00 x 2.00 inches. It is pretty much stylish. It is highly responsive and durable. Cherrywood is still the most trusted name in fishing gear. For having all these features, it is a favorite product among users for 30 years.
Pros:
- The weight is light
- Supplies great action
- Exceptionally flexible
Cons:
- If mishandled then it will break
- Cannot be used to catch a heavy fish
Ice Fishing Rods: Important Features to Consider
The existing bests in the market are not always the best for you, is it? You may have bought something that had really good reviews- but didn’t even like it. The problem was not with the product but with its compatibility with you.
1. The Type of Rods.
Casting rods come with guides on top of the blank on top that allows fishermen to place their cast with utmost accuracy and precision. They come in both baitcasting and spin-casting models to match up two different types of reels. The trolling rod is also a type of casting rod. However, these are heavier than the other kinds. Trolling rods are best for the times when you’re going for larger catches such as tuna, marlin, etc.
Spinning rods are for lighter baits and they’re suitable to accommodate spinning reels. The guide of a casting rod is on top of the blank whereas spinning rods have guides on the bottom. This feature makes them more comfortable to use and easier to handle.
Spinning rods are also an excellent choice for beginners due to their ease of use. Spinning rods also come in another variation called surf rods. These rods are for the long cast which enables the saltwater anglers to land on their bait from beaches, rocks, or piers.
2. The Length of the Rod.
Apparently, one of the major differences between ice fishing rods and normal rods is the length. Ice fishing rods are much shorter in length. This is because it provides you with more accuracy and sensitivity.
In fact, the cold water fishes are quite lethargic- and you cannot really blame them, can you? So, they bite the rods quite gently and you need to catch the signal fast. Therefore, the shorter length helps.
Apart from that, if you are fishing through a hole in the ice- you have limited space for the rod. This is also why the length of ice fishing rods is short.
But, you can use longer rods as well. Especially if you are fishing out in the open. Long rods are more suitable for larger catches like pike and walleye. On the other hand, short rods are more suitable for trout, crappie, bluegill, etc.
3. The Action of the Rod.
You will find rods of various actions- starting from extra fast to slow. Apparently, the extra fast action means the rod mainly bends at the tip extremely fast when a load is applied. With decreasing action- the rod bends more slowly and the bend keeps moving toward the back.
Apparently, the moderate-action ones bend up to the lower half and the slow action ones bend throughout the body. Each type has its own sensitivity. Apparently, the very fast action rods have the most sensibility and it decreases as you move toward the slow actions.
4. The Material of the Rod.
Usually, three materials make fishing rods: graphite, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. However, not all fishing rods are suitable for ice fishing. You need the material to be strong enough to deal with the freezing weather. Therefore, most ice fishing rods are either made of graphite or fiberglass- or a combination of both.
Graphite is extremely strong but weighs feather-light. They have a super rigid build quality which makes them a perfect fit for cold-weather fishing activities. Due to their rigidity, they’re suitable for single hook lures and they’ll come in very handy when you have a single chance to land on your bait.
Fiberglass is also quite strong but they’re not as stiff or sensitive as graphite. Fiberglass is heavier than graphite but they’re less expensive than the other alternatives. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, is stiffer, stronger, and lighter than graphite and fiberglass.
5. The Handle of the rod.
The handle of the fishing rod needs to be comfortable as you need to be holding it for a long while. The handle needs to be sturdy so that you can use it comfortably for long hours. EVA foam or cork usually makes the handle grips as those provide the most amount of comfort.
Longer handles are more suitable for longer casting as they will enable you to place both your hands on the handle and help you withstand the load. Split grips and pistol grip handles are also quite popular among anglers. These handles help them to keep the total weight down for lighter baits.
When you are ice fishing, you need the handle to provide you with a good grip. Why? Because you will be wearing gloves or something that slips. So, the handle has to make up for the lost grip.
6. The Spool or the Reel.
How smooth your action and retrieve will depend on the spool to a great extent. You need it to work smoothly. And, for that, you cannot really rely just on any spool in the cold weather. Because it may freeze.
Therefore, you need a spool that can handle cold weather and has enough lubrication to not freeze. Furthermore, there should be ball bearings in the rod that make the movements even smoother.
7. The Ferrules.
The collapsible rod comes with two ferrules: one male and one female. The rod will come together for proper use in this place. Make sure that the guides line up when you’re connecting two pieces as that will ensure that the line has a straight plane of travel.
8. The Blank and Guides.
The main shaft portion of the rod is called a blank. Guides are the circular pieces along with the blank where you thread the fishing line for better control. The guides are usually of plastic, ceramic, or metal.
In a casting-style rod fishing rod, the guides are on top. With the spin-style rods, the guides are at the bottom of the rod.
Best Ice Fishing Rods: The Benefits
There are actually a few benefits you will get when you buy a rod, particularly for ice fishing. These are:
A rod that does not freeze: The material and build of the rod will be such that it does not freeze. As a result, you will get the maximum quality of performance in the ice.
A more comfortable option: The handle will be such that you can hold it easily no matter what you are wearing on your hands. It will be way more comfortable than a summer rod.
The perfect design: Ice fishes are different from summer fishes. As a result, they can be caught better with a different kind of rod. Ice fishing rods do the job best without much effort from you.
Ice Fishing Rods FAQ
- What types of fish can I catch with the ice fishing rod?
Ans: You can catch various types of fish with your fishing rod. From light fishes such as baitfish or crappie to extra-heavy fishes such as tuna, sailfish, etc. - How long should the ice fishing rod be?
Ans: Well, the size of the rod is dependent on the weight of the fish. The heavier the fish, the longer the length. - 3. What does an action in fishing rods mean?
Ans: “Action” is the term that we have used multiple times in the article. Action refers to the amount of bend the rod can take when you apply pressure to the tip.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The ice fishing rod bears extremely important in deciding how successful your fishing expedition will be. It can be quite daunting to pick the right one among the wide array of different options available out there. We have picked the best ice fishing rods to make this task easier for you.
We have accumulated rods that are suitable for ice fishing. So, pick the best ice fishing rod and make the next fishing trip worthwhile.
Read More:
- Size 20 spinning reel suited for ice applications
- Ported aluminum spool
- Genuine ugly Stik blank with clear tip design
- Twist-lock reel seat with EVA handles
- One-piece stainless steel guides
- Red translucent solid glass rod with EVA foam handle and graphite rings
- Stainless steel guides with stainless steel inserts
- 20 size ultralight spinning reel pre-spooled with line
- 36" Ugly Stik rod
- Cork and EVA grips with twist lock reel seats
- Pre-spooled with 6 lb line
- 30 size spinning reel
- Ugly Tech construction with a combination of graphite and fiberglass to create a strong, yet sensitive rod
