Ice fishing is a very popular sport in different parts of the world.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
If you are new to the sport, you may be wondering can you use a regular fishing rod for ice fishing.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
So let’s get right into it so you can get your gear sorted and out on the ice for your next trip.<\/p>\n
Contents<\/p>
Before you go about modifying your regular fishing rod, you should note that it can be used during the ice fishing season.<\/p>\n
With that being said, this is not an ideal solution, as you will be going after different types of fish.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
When people switch from regular fishing to ice fishing, many try to modify their rods.<\/p>\n
However, experts recommend against this, as you could end up ruining that rod forever.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For this reason, you will need to have the regular fishing reel and line changed out before anything else.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest differences between ice rods and regular rods is the size.<\/p>\n
As we will discuss below, ice rods are smaller in size, making it easier for the fishermen to fit into shelters.<\/p>\n
You will not be able to alter the length of your normal-sized fishing rod – however, this is not an essential change.<\/p>\n
There are a number of differences when comparing regular fishing rods and ice fishing rods.<\/p>\n
Two ice fishing essentials include ice lines and ice reels.<\/p>\n
The biggest difference between the two types of lines is the way they behave when used in cold or freezing water.<\/p>\n
Traditional fishing line is not designed to be used in water below 0 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n
For this reason, it is absolutely essential that you invest in lines specifically designed to be used on ice poles.<\/p>\n
It is important to keep in mind that ice fishing manufacturers take the lower temperatures of frozen lakes into account when designing their lines.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
More so, the fish found in frozen lakes are usually much larger.<\/p>\n
For this reason, ice lines tend to be much stronger and thicker.<\/p>\n
This makes it much easier to reel larger fish in without having your line snap.<\/p>\n
Ice fishing line has much less movement.<\/p>\n
This provides the fish with more time to think before taking the bait.<\/p>\n
If your line is highly visible, your chances of catching anything during the ice fishing season will be pretty low.<\/p>\n
For this reason, most ice anglers tend to use fluorocarbon lines, as they are far less visible when placed in the water.<\/p>\n
Ice fishing poles are much smaller than regular rods.<\/p>\n
There are a number of reasons why these rods are designed in this way.<\/p>\n
When fishing in an ice hole, temperatures can get as low as -50 degrees Celsius (depending on your location).<\/p>\n
For this reason, most ice anglers make use of some sort of shelter in order to keep themselves warm.<\/p>\n
This is why the rods need to be shorter – to fit into the different types of ice shelters.<\/p>\n
On top of this, ice fishing rods are designed to be used specifically in the ice.<\/p>\n
When ice fishing, you should get as close to the ice hole as possible, making the small size of the rod more convenient.<\/p>\n
The more sensitive your ice rod, the better.<\/p>\n
For this reason, the smaller size of the rod makes it much easier to feel any bites.<\/p>\n
These rods are so small that many inexperienced anglers confuse them with children\u2019s rods.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
By doing this, you will essentially be setting yourself up for success.<\/p>\n
If you are new to ice fishing, there is a lot to think about before getting started.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For this reason, you will first have to invest in a new rod that is specifically designed for colder temperatures.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This includes which material the rod is made out of, how much it costs, and which components are featured.<\/p>\n
It is important to note that many ice anglers spend hours or even days at a time on the ice.<\/p>\n
For this reason, it only makes sense that you invest in a lightweight rod that is easy to carry around and hold.<\/p>\n
Graphite rods are an incredibly popular choice in this respect.<\/p>\n
Graphite is also incredibly strong, meaning that the chances of the rod snapping when pulling a larger fish are low.<\/p>\n
However, if you are looking for something a little more durable, you should also consider fiberglass options.<\/p>\n
As we have already mentioned, there are several differences between regular and ice fishing rods.<\/p>\n
Fundamentally speaking, both ice and regular rods function in the same way.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the most noticeable difference between the two rods is the size.<\/p>\n
Ice rods are generally much smaller than regular rods, making it easier for fishermen to get close to the ice hole and feel bites.<\/p>\n
To be more specific, most ice rods are about 48 inches in length, while regular rods are usually between 72 and 144 inches.<\/p>\n
However, there are also a number of differences in terms of the structure and components used on the rod.<\/p>\n
Ice rods feature special ice reels and lines. These components are specifically designed to be used in lower temperatures.<\/p>\n
When ice fishing, you will notice that fighting against the fish feels completely different.<\/p>\n
When a fish bites, you should aim to keep the line from dragging against the edge of the hole. For this reason, you<\/p>\n
will have to position your body differently when compared to regular fishing.<\/p>\n
The designers of ice rods keep this in mind, altering the size and structure as a result.<\/p>\n
If you are considering starting ice fishing, there are a number of factors to think about.<\/p>\n