Ice Fishing Sled: A Review of the Top 5
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Introduction
If you have ever been ice fishing, even just one time then you know how much gear it takes to be comfortable out on the ice. This is where having an ice fishing sled comes in handy. You really don’t want it to just be any old ice fishing sled though, because as with many other things out there a junk sled can make things even harder.
That is the big reason I chose to write this article for you, to review the best ice fishing sleds out there for you, so that when it comes to buying one, you can be an informed buyer and make the right decision.
Oh, and this will make it so you have more time to fish! Because you will spend less time finding the right sled or messing with a ton of heavy gear without a sled!
When it comes to finding the right ice fishing sled, you might be tempted to go for those flimsy ones. But don’t, they are cheap in price and also incredibly cheap in quality. If you want to carry your tent, poles, bucket, heater, and auger in the sled, then make sure to get one of the rugged and light polyurethane sleds.
That is what we will be reviewing in this article.
By the end of this article you will know about the top 5 rugged, tough, and lightweight polyurethane ice fishing sleds on the market.
That way you can make a decision and get to fishing quicker and easier!
Lets get to it.
Comparison Table
Table could not be displayed.#1 Otter Pro Ice Fishing Sled
This is a massive sled. This size of the Otter Pro (the medium) is 66 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 15 inches tall. It weighs in at about 40 lbs. There is an even larger one that is longer, wider, and heavier. When it comes to the Otter Pro sled you really can’t find one that is heavier duty, especially if you get the Hyfax Kit (primarily for the runners), and the tow bar. When you combine the Otter Pro sled with those few upgrades you will have a ice fishing sled that will go wherever and do whatever you want, while carrying all your gear.
With how heavy this awesome sled is, this means most ice fishermen won’t be pulling this by hand, not that you aren’t tough enough, but we go ice fishing to relax and catch some good fish, not to pull a heavy sled.
This sled will go great behind your ATV or snow machine. Because of this you will probably also want to get these items:
- Otter Pro utility Hitch
- Hyfax Kit
- Otter Pro Utility Cover
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
Overall the Otter pro ice fishing sled is a great buy that can be used for more than just ice fishing. If you are a serious ice fisherman and planning on buying this ice fishing sled, then I would highly recommend you get the customizations mentioned above for it. Those customizations will make this an indestructible and solid sled that will be easy to tow and will hold all your gear easily.
#2 Pelican Ice Fishing Sled/Multi-Purpose Sled
This sled is a rugged one for sure. It comes in two different kinds, the trek 45 and the trek 75. The difference between the two “models” if you will is that the trek 45 is smaller and less sturdy than the trek 75.
If you are looking for a strong sled that can be used with hunting, ice fishing, or really anything then the trek 75 is the one you should check out. The Trek 75 has a max capacity of 500 lb, it is 4 feet long and comes with the runners on the sled.
The runners are so key to a strong sled like this because they will help to extend the life of the sled, and this will save you money in the long run.
This is a very solid and durable ice fishing sled that is long enough and sturdy enough to be used for many many years, and even better can be fit to be pulled behind your ATV or snow machine since it is such a heavy and solid sled you will probably want to pull it with a motor.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
Overall the Pelican Ice Fishing sled is a great tool to have. It has a lot of different uses, comes in two different sizes, the larger one is more rugged and sturdy, and ultimately will do what you need it to do. If you are thinking of purchasing this sled, I would highly recommend you got with the Trek 75 as opposed ot the Trek 45, simply for the size and the build material. The75 is made from polyurethane and is very solid, the smaller one is not the same material and would run the risk of cracking with all your gear in it.
#3 Otter Sport Ice Fishing Sled, Large
The Otter Sport Ice fishing sled is a great option for those of us that want a slightly cheaper sled that can easily handle the lightweight to medium weight loads. This sled is a great option for both deer hunting and ice fishing.
This sled slides great on the snow, especially in those super cold temperatures when the ground is frozen over.
One of the main drawbacks is the construction of this sled. It is made from a polyethylane, which makes it slightly weaker, it also has a thinner bottom, making it more prone to cracking.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
Overall this is a solid sled, you can’t go wrong with the Otter brand. This sled definitely has its drawbacks, especially when it comes to the durability and overall solidness of the plastic sidewalls, but if you recognize that then you will be able to know the limitations (don’t drag over huge rocks or through mud) and it should be okay.
#4 Shappell Ice Fishing Sled
Alright, when it comes to ice fishing sleds the Shappell brand is one of the best known brands. This rugged sled is made in the USA and it is made out of polyurothene, which is super strong. It has a thick hull and overall the construction of this sled is among the best out there.
This sled is 54 inches long and 24 inches wide. It is constructed out of strong polyurothene plastic, it also has the runners molded onto it for stability and added strength. The hull has a specialty contour design that makes it a lot easier to pull by hand or hook it to your ATV or snow machine.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
Shappell is to ice fishing sleds, what Toyota is to cars, known and reliable. This is a great sled overall, it isn’t the biggest or most rugged sled, but it will certainly get the job done. If you decide to get this sled, then be sure to get the Teflon wear bars as well, that will make it so you don’t beat up the bottom of the sled, and overall that small investment will make the sled last a lot longer.
#5 Pelican Heavy Duty
This rod has an aeroglass component to it similarly to the Ugly Stick rod mentioned above. When it comes to the quality of spinning rods, it doesn’t get much better in terms of quality per money spent then this rod.
This rod is one of the cheapest rods out there in terms of the price, but the quality and ability of this rod is exceptional. One of my personal favorite things about this spinning rod is the fact that the guides are aluminum oxide, meaning the line will slide nicely through them making for very efficient and smooth casts and retrievals every single time. If you are looking for a rod that is a great price and great quality, then it really doesn’t get much better than the Shimano Solara Spinning Rod.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
Overall this is a good sled that will get the job done for some light weight towing crossed the ice. I wouldn’t try to load this sled up like crazy for a day of fishing, but a light load should do. The cool thing about this sled is that it can be used as a sled for your kids as well, making it a great buy for its multiple uses.
Keys to Selecting a good quality Ice Fishing Sled
- Size: There are many different sizes of ice fishing sled. It is so key to consider all the factors when buying a sled for you. These factors are how much gear do you have, will you hand pull or ATV pull, how many things will you use it for, what terrain will you pull it over, the space you have to haul it in (car, SUV, or truck).
- Capacity: This is very similar to the size. How much gear will you haul? That is the main question to ask when you are thinking about the capacity of the ice fishing sled you are looking to buy.
- Runners: The runners are the metal tracks that are on the bottom of the sled. These take the beating from the ground and allow the plastic to stay like new. Either find one with runners or pick up a set to put on your sled.
- Versatility: Will you only use your sled for ice fishing, or will you use it for a ton of other things? This is another important question to ask before you buy a sled.
- Hitch pockets: These allow you to add on hitch components for towing behind an ATV or snow machine.
- Modifications: There are a ton of different modifications you can make to your sled. Tow bars, ski’s, pole holders, covers, and a lot more.
Other related FAQ’s
Is ice fishing dangerous?
Most people will think that the most dangerous thing when it comes to ice fishing is the possibility of falling through the ice. This is actually wrong.
There have been studies done on this by the Mayo clinic, and the most dangerous thing about ice fishing is falling on the ice, not through the ice. 89% of injuries result from falling (slipping) on the ice.
Falling through the ice accounts for about 5% overall of the injuries according to the studies done, so not that much overall, but very dangerous.
How mant inches do you need to ice fish
Rules of thumb say:
- 4 inches is safe to walk on
- 5-7 inches is safe for ATV
- 8-12 inches is save for small car or pickup
This is all with clear ice, which is the strongest ice and it forms because the temperature is very cold. If the ice is white or grey then you need to likely double those values. White ice forms after storms and is not as solid as the clear ice.
What does every ice fisherman need?
- Ice rods/Reels
- Auger
- Seat/Bucket
- Pliers/forceps
- Sled
- The right clothing
- Tent
- Heater
Is clear ice stronger than cloudy ice?
Yes, clear ice is a stronger ice than cloudy ice. The Clear ice comes about after deep freezes and drops in temperature, whereas the cloudy ice (white ice) comes about after storms that produce cold temps and snow.
How do you pick a good ice fishing spot?
You can use a GPS and use the countour map on it to see the slope of the lake. You want to find a place with a gradual slope and is about 4-10 feet deep. An easy way to do this is to look for the contour lines on the lake by looking on your GPS.
Fish like to hang out near structures, so fishing in that 4-10 feet range is great because there is typically good vegetation at that depth.
After you find this with the GPS you can drill a hole and set up a quick jig and get jigging to test it. If you catch fish then great, if not then move on and copy the above methods to find another area to drill a hole.
How I chose these Sleds
My experience: As with anything the more you do it and are immersed in it, the better your understanding of that topic is and the more you realize just what you do and don’t need in terms of gear. I have been ice fishing for quite some time and that helped me to know what you would need for your ice fishing sled.
My Research: As with any good article, a good portion of it should come from research as well as experience. If we have a passion we usually know quite a lot about it, but we can always learn more. I spent time researching each sled and what they have to offer, also I spent time going over other articles to learn what people are looking for and what the majority of people want out of an ice fishing sled.
Conclusion
Alright so you have just spent a decent amount of time learning about ice fishing sleds and many other topics related to ice fishing. Remember, when looking for an ice fishing sled, it is so important that you find the one that works for what you want it to do. If you are a hardcore angler, then make sure you get the stronger more rugged sled, if you go fishing a few times here and there, but also love to take your kids out in the snow and play, then a less rugged one that has more uses may be for you.
I hope this has been helpful, and that you can now more easily choose the best ice fishing sled for your needs.
Good luck fishing
Sean
