Choosing the correct ice fishing rod is important as you don’t want to have to deal with problems with equipment when you are out on the lake. Spending some time getting a rod that will meet all your needs is a good idea since they are undoubtedly one of the most important factors in being able to bring in the big fish.

Ice fishing rods, since they are not required for casting, don’t need to be as flexibly and certainly not as strong as typical summer fishing rods, but they do need to be sturdy and strong to support the drag of the fish on the end of the line. Remember that there will be more of a vertical drag on the end of the ice fishing rod that there will be in traditional fishing, and the last thing that you should have to worry about is the rod breaking or the end snapping off.

Typically most ice fishing enthusiasts prefer a twenty-eight inch ice fishing rod that has medium action and is considered to be a jigging rod. This rod will be perfect for walleye, whitefish and most types of trout. A lighter action is excellent for smaller species such as perch, and a heavier action will be ideal for the larger species of pike and even some of the heavy lake trout.

Another important consideration for an ice fishing rod is the action along the blank. A slow action rod is very stiff with little flexibility or bend, and typically will not allow enough sensation for the angler to feel the fish nibbling at the lure or bait. Remember that fish tend to strike much less and nibble more at bait and lures during the winter, so it is key to be able to feel the action on the end of the line. Rods than have too much flexibility will be ineffective in bringing the fish towards the surface.

Ice fishing rods for jigging or using artificial bait are often fast action or ultra-fast action rods that allow the angler to feel the fish on the line and set the hook. Graphite rods offer a strong enough backbone to reel in the fish without bending too much or breaking. It is important to keep in mind that graphite does become more fragile and brittle in really cold temperatures so many ice anglers choose to use a fiberglass ice fishing rod and sacrifice a bit on sensitivity to get increased durability in their equipment.

The snow is falling and you realize area getting out that tackle box because it’s ice-fishing freezes time. You have been waiting all year for this bitter weather and it has finally arrived in its splendor. Your mind is cluttered with thoughts of which lake you are going to make your first ice-fishing escapade of the year. Before you get to excited let’s go over some ice fishing tips that will ensure a bite or two.

The first tip is to be prepared as you go out fly fishing. This may sound very redundant, but it’s very important that your prepared when its subzero temperatures outside. Make sure you pack enough to eat and drink for the entire day even if you only plan on being there a several hours. Make sure that you layer up so that even if the weather takes a turn for the worst you will be prepared. Bring items like pocket knives, flash lights, first aide kits, extra socks, and extra gloves and more. Wearing glove liners will give you added protection from the cold and provide more movement with the fingers. The trick to fishing sometimes is just outlasting the elements.

The next trick is to go fishing at the right times. If you know anybody that is a regular at the lake you are going to find out when the fish are most active. This way you will work smarter and not necessarily harder. Some times just watching the moon and the weather will help you see the activity of the fish. If you start early on in the season you can give yourself time to learn the lake.

If you often use bait than gang hooks are a good way to go. The gang hooks are smaller hooks paired together allowing the bait to look totally natural out in the water. If you like synthetic bait you can use pre-tied gang hooks, which will allow you to use double as much bait, giving you a much better chance of getting a bite.