What New Ice Fishing Gear Has You Excited for This Season?
Mid-October seems like a good time for this sort of post. Someone always seems to start one of these with a table covered in new toys every Spring and Fall. And you usually can get a hot tip on a product you weren't aware of. So here goes..
I'm not posting a picture. I really have most everything anyways tbh. I did pick up an ActiveTarget so I can see if Lowrance's software updates have caught up to Garmin's LiveScope (looks promising based on some YT videos put out during the summer). I love my Livescope, and will probably just keep it to have both. But I hardly wet a hook this summer I was so busy mapping Sturgeon Lake, and I need to run Lowrance or HB to take advantage of all that work. Despite not being a big fan of underwater cameras for the swamps that qualify as lakes in Alberta, I have to admit I did have fun with my Marcum 385c chasing perch in March before a windstorm blew it off the seat on my Otter and broke the case. After several calls back and forth with Aqua-Vu, TFH, and Cabelas, I gave up any hope of being able to get a Quad HD any time before January (50:50 not at all this season), so I picked up an HD10i Pro Gen2 during TFH's summer sale. The only item I'm still hunting for is one of Otter's Pro-Tech rod cases. They sold out before November last season. But after somehow breaking a brand new TUCR in a Flambeau Rod Bunk the first time out last season, I really want a 48" case. |
If you look at riffle cases, this might fit what you need for a rod case, or even a arrow case
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Dedicated rod cases can usually carry more rods in reasonably similar sizes and typically offer a bit better protection in my experience. But I agree rifle cases can work really well...I've used them in the past before hard-sided ice rod cases became a thing.
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This ... it's B-new for 2021/22 - Marcum Pursuit HD-L, got it last week and it did it's job finding structure = Whites. Looking forward to the hard water season.
D. https://i.imgur.com/epfcGIV.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CAEpuQU.jpg . |
Nice! Hard to beat that for hole hopping. Looks like it has a real good picture as well.
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Only item I have purchased so far and long overdue is an Eskimo Keeper flotation suit.
Have been checking out some accessories for my Eskape 2600 shelter. |
I'm pretty happy / satisfied with the gear that I have and the condition it's in, so nothing too exciting on my list. I do appreciate quality warm clothing these days as I get older though, so maybe some new base layers for me.
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Picked up a new Clam C-720 Shelter, hoping to do some overnighters and going from a 2 man uninsulated to this is a much welcomed change.
video: https://youtu.be/w8QXA9jbQR8 Picked up a Frostbite "Slapshot" rod 32" M looking forward to testing that out as well. Picked up some accessories that I will release videos/reviews for. |
What New Ice Fishing Gear Has You Excited for This Season?
I built a quick detach platform for the back of my snowmobile to carry my stuff easier, while still being able to pop it off quickly to tarp it. Looking forward to getting it out on the ice.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a52ccc48da.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b5081d923b.jpg |
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Don't be afraid to check out other manufacturer's when looking for accessories to trick out your shelter. I have lots of Clam products in my Otters. |
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Sled looks good! Saw your boat at Rainbow the other day too. |
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I put my Helix 8 MSI+ on a portable shuttle as well. Helix 5 with ZeroLines card will go on the sled dash for driving and can drop on a second shuttle if I have others along to serve flasher/sonar duty.
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Something tells me you won't be zipping that Helix 8 up. lol. I bit the bullet and bought a Summit Shuttle for my ActiveTarget yesterday. Close to $500...without a battery...YEESH. Then Brian at TFH informs me today that Lowrance is coming out with a case. But a) It probably won't fit my HDS Carbon 12 and b) who knows if it'll even be available this season. Availability seems to be worse this year than last. People that wait until its time to fish to buy stuff are going to be sorry...
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Thanks to the OP for this thread... So stoked for hardwater!
At the end of last season I bought new Striker Hardwater bibs that I only got to use once and I'm very excited to use them more. Also bought a Frostbite Dipstick for dead sticking and it was phenomenal the one that I used it. Again, super stoked for a full season with it. For new stuff, I'd love to upgrade from my Jiffy propane auger to a 40V, but just can't justify it when the propane still runs like a dream. As mentioned in another thread, we want to upgrade from a double bubble non insulated tent to a massive insulated unit that we can do overnight trips in. Still doing research on what is the right model for us. Last year we really dialed in a new to us fishing spot and are looking to take the next step this year by consistently putting trophies on the ice and not just any fish that bites. ****ing gas prices are going to be a bit of a pain (spot is 3 hours from home) but life is short and fishing is important! :) |
Farewell ice holes
None of it!! I have decided to hang up my ice cleats and sell my (4 man-2 man) tent and 8" power auger. Too cold for my old bones anymore. I'll keep the basics just in case; it's all vintage anyway and makes a nice addition to the walls of my den.
Free |
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But I digress. Back to a happier topic. :) |
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https://www.cabelas.ca/product/14137...-tech-rod-case Last year I added a Ice Defense Pro to my flasher since I was fishing outside most of the year. (Didnt want to share a tent during Covid). Its a great accessory, kept my hole from freezing over completely during a -35 cold snap! https://www.stringtheoryangling.ca/w...4-768x1024.jpg https://www.stringtheoryangling.ca/c...se-pro-review/ How do you like that Eskape 2600, JohninAB? My one man flip is feeling a bit too cozy. |
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It’s a 2013 Arctic Cat T570, which has been replaced with the Lynx. I’ve had it for only one winter but it’s been good so far. |
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http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...20#post4425120 |
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The Ice Defense Pro is the real deal. I bought one on a whim last season to try and was really surprised how effective it is. For solo fishing out of a flip shelter, I really like my Clam Yukon TC. It's a smaller two man tent that really works well for one person. There's a rule of thumb that your flip should be one person bigger than you intend to use (two person for a single fisherman, three person for two, etc.) I've found it to be a good general rule. |
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I read the first two sentences, and was about to recommend a Smitty sled, but you already figured it out. They do make a huge difference. Flip shelters are infinitely better for run and gun fishing. Hubs are too cozy...they make us lazy. Definitely go insulated. There is just no downside once you get over the initial cost.
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Still in the middle of hunting season so haven't got the itch really at all yet but hopefully will add another flip over shelter. Originally was dead set on the otter lodge but looking more at the eskimo eskapes as well. Haven't even checked on availability or what not but need to get an ice ducer for a garmin finder I picked up in the spring, and a big battery. Couple bait feeder reels, maybe a rod or two and that should do it.
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Maybe a less powerful ice auger…. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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