How Long Are Ice Fishing Poles in the USA

While conventional fishing rods are usually 6 or 7 feet in length, an ice fishing rod is seldom longer than 48 inches. This leads many anglers to ask if they really need to be so short? Ice fishing rods are usually shorter than 48 inches, which allows you to fish inside an ice shelter.

How long are ice fishing rods?

Rod Length: Consider a rod between 30 inches and 42 inches. If your ice fishing techniques usually produce an occasional larger fish, consider a 36 inch, or maybe even bump up to a 42 inch. If your technique is pretty dialed into a particular range, then you are probably safe with a 30 to 32 inch rod.

What size rod is best for ice fishing?

That’s why we recommend ice rods in the 25-to 27-inch range for fishing inside most portable fish houses, especially flip-overs. Longer 27-to 30-inch models can be great options in hub or the more spacious wheelhouses. The trend today is for ice anglers to fish longer and longer rods, and for good reason.





Why are ice fishing rods short?

Ice fishing rods are so small because they are designed specifically for use in ice. For ice fishing, you need to be close to the hole, so a standard open-water pole will be too long. You also need a more sensitive rod for ice fishing, so the small size of ice fishing rods helps with feeling the fish.

What is the average fishing pole length?

The length of a fishing rod typically ranges from 6-12 feet, so to choose a measurement for your needs, consider the type of fishing you plan to do, the species you are after and your fishing environment. A good length for beginner anglers is usually around 7 feet.

Are shorter fishing rods more sensitive?

The biggest advantage to fishing a short rod and reel is that the sensitivity is crazy good. You feel every rock, weed, and bite, and you can tell the difference between them. The shorter RG-42 travel fishing rod has much less material due to its short length, so there isn’t much dissipation of tip vibration.

How do I choose a rod length?

A short (6 feet or less) rod is ideal if you want to make short, accurate casts. When pinpoint accuracy is less critical, a long rod (over 7 feet) is the way to go. Dingy or dirty water and heavy cover are two situations where short-range accuracy is part of the recipe for success, and a shorter rod can really shine.

What bait do you use for ice fishing?

For ice fishing live bait, try wax worms (bee moth larva), maggots, spikes (fly larvae), wigglers (mayfly larvae) or minnows. You can drop your bait and leave it alone, or you can slowly jig to attract the fish. Ice fishing jigging also works with artificial ice fishing bait.

What is a medium light ice fishing rod used for?

Light rods are good for perch, and light to medium rods are good for walleye, whitefish and most trout. Heavy rods are best for pike or lake trout.

Can ice rods use normal reels?

Yes, absolutely – you can use a regular spinning reel for ice fishing. Small spinning reel sizes from 1000 to 3000 are ideal for hard water fishing. You should use the smallest ones (1000 – 2000) for panfish, and the larger sized models (2500 – 3000) for bigger fish such as walleye, pike and lake trout.

Can you use ice fishing rod in the summer?

Try chillin’ when the temperatures sizzle during the heat of summer. Ice fishing tactics are dynamite for bluegills and crappies, even during the peak warm months. You guessed it—the same tackle that is used in December, January and February is often a great choice for July and August.

Do you need ice fishing line to ice fish?

No doubt, for maximum ice-fishing success, you need a line that can combat the ice-fishing challenges. Trilene Cold Weather and Trilene Micro Ice lines were developed with ice anglers in mind. Cold Weather line is blue, so it shows up well against the snow, while Micro Ice is clear, making it invisible below the water.

Why are fishing rods so long?

Longer rods are for covering more water and casting a great distance. They’re great for walking baits, deep diving crankbaits, and other power fishing reaction baits. Saltwater anglers casting from piers or the surf commonly use longer rods.

What is an 8 foot fishing rod used for?

Long baitcasting rods (8′ to 9′): these are often used for power bass fishing, which involves extra long poles that have Medium Heavy to Extra Heavy power, and that are used with high pound test braid (30-60 lb or more).

What is the best rod length for bass fishing?

The recommended size would be from 7- to 8-feet long (many tournament circuits do not allow bass fishing rods longer than 8-feet). A good choice would be a 7 1/2-foot rod because it is a little easier to pitch the baits.

What does medium/heavy mean on a fishing rod?

Light rods handle lures that weigh under 1/16 ounce. Medium rods work best with lures around 1/8–3/8 ounces, and. Medium-heavy and Heavy rods handle line over 4lb Test and lures between 3/16–1 1/2 ounces.

How do you determine the action of a fishing rod?

A fast action rod will bend in the top third or less of the blank, a medium or moderate action rod will bend in the top half or so, and a slow action rod will bend starting in the lower third of the rod and into the handle. Action, simply put, is where a rod bends.

Do longer fishing rods cast further?

Longer rods will deliver additional casting distance, providing the rod is matched with the right reel. To achieve those benefits, you’re going to have to increase the line capacity of the reels you use. The more line you can get on a spool the easier it will unfurl on a cast.

Are longer fishing rods stronger?

A longer rod naturally means more power, which is better for casting at great distances.

What is a good casting distance?

25-30 yards is the norm Most anglers proficient at casting average 25-30 yards, depending on their tackle and wind conditions.

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