Can You Use a Regular Fishing Rod for Ice Fishing?

Ice fishing is a very popular sport in different parts of the world.

For example, vast areas of North America and Scandinavia use ice fishing as a way to catch food during the colder months of the year.

If you are new to the sport, you may be wondering can you use a regular fishing rod for ice fishing.

In this article, we will be discussing everything that there is to know about ice fishing, including why the rods are so small and which rods work best.

So let’s get right into it so you can get your gear sorted and out on the ice for your next trip.

Contents

Can You Adapt or Modify a Regular Fishing Rod for Ice Fishing?

Before you go about modifying your regular fishing rod, you should note that it can be used during the ice fishing season.

With that being said, this is not an ideal solution, as you will be going after different types of fish.

More so, the conditions we are exposed to during the ice fishing season are completely different, meaning that your rod should also be slightly different.

When people switch from regular fishing to ice fishing, many try to modify their rods.

However, experts recommend against this, as you could end up ruining that rod forever.

However, if you are confident in your abilities, it is important to note that the rod for ice fishing features a special ice fishing reel and ice lines.

For this reason, you will need to have the regular fishing reel and line changed out before anything else.

One of the biggest differences between ice rods and regular rods is the size.

As we will discuss below, ice rods are smaller in size, making it easier for the fishermen to fit into shelters.

You will not be able to alter the length of your normal-sized fishing rod – however, this is not an essential change.

Do You Need Special Ice Fishing Reels and Lines?

There are a number of differences when comparing regular fishing rods and ice fishing rods.

Two ice fishing essentials include ice lines and ice reels.

The biggest difference between the two types of lines is the way they behave when used in cold or freezing water.

Traditional fishing line is not designed to be used in water below 0 degrees Celsius.

For this reason, it is absolutely essential that you invest in lines specifically designed to be used on ice poles.

It is important to keep in mind that ice fishing manufacturers take the lower temperatures of frozen lakes into account when designing their lines.

For this reason, ice lines are likely to work properly in even the coldest of water, giving you more versatility when it comes to your fishing.

More so, the fish found in frozen lakes are usually much larger.

For this reason, ice lines tend to be much stronger and thicker.

This makes it much easier to reel larger fish in without having your line snap.

Ice fishing line has much less movement.

This provides the fish with more time to think before taking the bait.

If your line is highly visible, your chances of catching anything during the ice fishing season will be pretty low.

For this reason, most ice anglers tend to use fluorocarbon lines, as they are far less visible when placed in the water.

Why Are Ice Fishing Rods So Small?

Ice fishing poles are much smaller than regular rods.

There are a number of reasons why these rods are designed in this way.

When fishing in an ice hole, temperatures can get as low as -50 degrees Celsius (depending on your location).

For this reason, most ice anglers make use of some sort of shelter in order to keep themselves warm.

This is why the rods need to be shorter – to fit into the different types of ice shelters.

On top of this, ice fishing rods are designed to be used specifically in the ice.

When ice fishing, you should get as close to the ice hole as possible, making the small size of the rod more convenient.

The more sensitive your ice rod, the better.

For this reason, the smaller size of the rod makes it much easier to feel any bites.

These rods are so small that many inexperienced anglers confuse them with children’s rods.

Even though they may look a little silly, it is highly recommended that you invest in an ice rod if you want to fish successfully during the colder months.

By doing this, you will essentially be setting yourself up for success.

What Type of Rod is Best for Ice Fishing?

If you are new to ice fishing, there is a lot to think about before getting started.

As we have already mentioned, the rods used during the regular fishing season and the ice fishing season are different in a number of ways.

For this reason, you will first have to invest in a new rod that is specifically designed for colder temperatures.

With that being said, what type of rod is best when it comes to ice fishing? You will need to think about a number of factors when looking for the perfect ice rod.

This includes which material the rod is made out of, how much it costs, and which components are featured.

It is important to note that many ice anglers spend hours or even days at a time on the ice.

For this reason, it only makes sense that you invest in a lightweight rod that is easy to carry around and hold.

Graphite rods are an incredibly popular choice in this respect.

Graphite is also incredibly strong, meaning that the chances of the rod snapping when pulling a larger fish are low.

However, if you are looking for something a little more durable, you should also consider fiberglass options.

What Makes an Ice Fishing Rod?

As we have already mentioned, there are several differences between regular and ice fishing rods.

Fundamentally speaking, both ice and regular rods function in the same way.

In other words, you will still cast the line and wait until a fish bites. More so, you will reel the fish in using the same technique.

On the other hand, the most noticeable difference between the two rods is the size.

Ice rods are generally much smaller than regular rods, making it easier for fishermen to get close to the ice hole and feel bites.

To be more specific, most ice rods are about 48 inches in length, while regular rods are usually between 72 and 144 inches.

However, there are also a number of differences in terms of the structure and components used on the rod.

Ice rods feature special ice reels and lines. These components are specifically designed to be used in lower temperatures.

When ice fishing, you will notice that fighting against the fish feels completely different.

When a fish bites, you should aim to keep the line from dragging against the edge of the hole. For this reason, you

will have to position your body differently when compared to regular fishing.

The designers of ice rods keep this in mind, altering the size and structure as a result.

Summary

If you are considering starting ice fishing, there are a number of factors to think about.

For example, you will need to invest in a suitable rod.

It is worth noting that regular rods can be used for ice fishing – however, they are not the ideal choice.

There are a number of differences between regular and ice rods.

The most obvious difference is in the size and structure—ice rods and smaller, more lightweight, and stronger.

On top of that, ice rods feature a different type of reel and line.