Your fishing rod is your most important tool while ice fishing. Therefore, you want one that is not too long or too short. However, the myriad of options out there can pose a challenge to even the most veteran ice anglers. The key is knowing what factors to consider.
Generally, the best ice fishing rod depends on the type of fish you want to catch and the stiffness or power you need.
| Length (inches) | Target Species | Power |
| 22-27 | Small panfish (bluegill, crappie) | Light |
| 28-32 | Medium-sized fish (walleye, perch) | Medium-light |
| 32-36 | Large fish (pike, lake trout) | Medium-heavy |
While they are the most important factors, power and target species are not the only things you should consider when choosing an ice fishing rod. By reading further, you will learn what these other factors are and how they affect your angling.
What Is the Best Length for An Ice Fishing Rod?
Ice fishing is an exciting and fun winter sport, but like all unique sports, it requires unique tools. You need tents, drills, and snowmobile to get you out there, and specialized ice fishing rods. Your choice of fishing rod is of particular concern as it can make or break your day out on the lake.
Like other fishing rods, ice fishing rods are sold by length and come in lengths from 18” to 36” and longer. However, the “best length” for rice fishing is a subjective term. Sure, there are some standard sizes. But you must consider more than just length when buying them.
In particular, you must factor:
- The size of your target fish
- How much space you have
- Your technique and skill level
Ice Fishing Rods for Ultralight Fish
If you ask most ice anglers about their favorite fish to catch, you will most likely hear perch, panfish, bluegill, crappie, stocked trout, or some other ultralight fish. That is because they are the easiest to locate and catch since you can find them in shallow and deep water.
However, you will need a rod that is 2 feet or smaller to have the best chance of catching them. These small rods can easily detect then these small fish bite. They also provide all the power and action you need to catch them at much cheaper prices than the larger rods.
Ice Fishing Rods for Beginners
Fishing rods that are under 2 feet are ideal for small fish, but they can get unwieldy for beginners. If you are a new angler, you should stick to rods that are between 24 and 27 inches in length.
Rods of this size are the most flexible and versatile rods on the market as they keep your line in the middle of your hole. This makes them an excellent backup rod as well in case you ever need an extra backbone against some fish. They are also the most common variety, meaning that you will always find support for them if you need it.
Ice Fishing Rods for Medium-Sized Fish
Small rods may work in most cases but there will be times when you must go bigger. This might be because you must fish without shelter or when tackling larger fish such as walleye. For instance, you live in an area where these fish remain active all year.
When in these situations, your ice fishing rod should be between 27 and 32 inches in length. Rods of this size offer the perfect flexibility and range for fish that fight back. Just stick to the lower end of the range when fishing indoors and on the larger end when hole-hoping for the best result.
Also, while these rods are small enough to provide instant feedback, they react differently to different types of bait. As a result, you should stick to medium-light power rods when using rattle spoon bait, and median-heavy ones when using rattle balls.
Ice Fishing Rods for Large Fish
Fishing for trophy fish such as trout offers unique challenges. These fish are big, powerful, and have an attitude to match. They are active all year and prefer aggressive artificial bait. You must also travel great distances to reach their prime fisheries.
These traits add to their appeal but also require you to bring heavy, sturdy equipment. Because of this, you want the longest ice fishing rods available to even have a chance at catching them.
Trout ice fishing rods come in over 3 feet in length with some going up to 42 inches. These are huge rods, and they have to be. They need all that girth to drag the fish from their preferred depths of up to 100 feet below the ice. Their size also makes them sturdy enough to hold the largest trout baits.
Why Are Ice Fishing Rods So Short?
If you come from the more conventional fishing circles, you may find the above recommendations strange. That is because ice fishing rods are much shorter than their conventional cousins. There are several reasons for this, with most coming from the nature of winter sports.
The Small Rods Make Bites Easier to Notice
As its name implies, ice fishing happens on top of ice, which is usually opaque. This makes bites difficult to spot. You could compensate by making your hole bigger, but that may cause the ice under you to crack and give way. Plus, fish bite much softer in winter than they do during summer.
Therefore, you want a rod that can amplify the subtle movements the fish make. Small rods have the action and power to flex considerably, easing the detection. For instance, the average ice fishing rod will bend about 30 to 35 percent, especially if the fish tries to break loose by shaking their heads.
You are also better at seeing something 2 feet from you than what is 5 feet away. Do not overlook this. You need all the help you can get to notice the sluggish movements of wintertime fish.
There is No Need to Cast for Ice Fishing
Conventional fishing rods are so long because you must cast them great distances for them to be effective. Fish tend to spread out and casting allows you to create a bigger net, increasing your chance for a bite. A long rod gives you the moment to cast your line far from you, amplifying the effect.
However, ice fishing requires no casting. You just have to drop your lure above the hole, which you can strategically drill because the fish tend to bunch up in the freezing water. The fish are also more sluggish and lethargic, rendering the forgiving nature of larger rods irrelevant.
Small Rods are Easier to Control
Ice can get sharp, especially along the edges. You also tend to ice fish in tight spaces as well. As such, you want to keep your line as far away from the walls of your ice fishing hole as you can. This makes long rods risky as they can send your hook flying.
On the other hand, small rods provide more control over your hook and line. These rods rarely jiggle, ensuring your line will stay in one place once set.
How to Choose the Best Ice Fishing Rod
While the most important, target species is not the only factor to consider when choosing an ice fishing rod. You must also consider such things as rod power, rod type, your location, and your preferred fishing style. These factors can significantly affect the length and quality of the rod depending on the circumstances.
Power and Action Ratings
A rod’s power rating refers to the lure weight that can bend it. This rating is often expressed in descriptive values such as Ultra-light, light, medium, and heavy. As such, an ultra-light rod will flex much more easily than a medium or heavy rod.
Action is how much of the rod will bend when it reaches its power threshold. It is measured based on the inflexible portion, or backbone, of the rod, and is also typically labeled with descriptive text. For instance, fast action means that only the tip flexes and the backbone is long and stiff. Meanwhile, medium action means the rod flexes near the handle, or blank.
Most ice fishing rods have medium-light to medium power with fast or extra-fast action. However, like with rod length, you should pick a rod with a power rating that is appropriate for your target fish.
- Ultra-light for panfish
- Light for perch
- Light to medium for walleye, whitefish, and most trout
- Heavy for pike and lake trout
Ice Fishing Rod Type
Ice fishing rods come in two types and their variants.
Spinning Rods – The reel sits on the bottom of the bar and hangs horizontally. These versatile rods are the most common and look similar to traditional fishing rods.
Inline Rods – The reel sits perpendicular to the bar and hangs vertically. These rods are more sensitive with lighter power ratings. They also jiggle, which many expert anglers claim helps catch more fish.
Rod Blank Material
Ice fishing rod blanks come in full graphite, full fiberglass, and every combination in between.
If properly engineered, graphite is fast, light, sensitive, and stiff, and therefore perfect for larger fish. Graphite rods also have jiggly tips that help attract shy biters. However, graphite is more expensive than fiberglass.
Meanwhile, fiberglass rods are very flexible despite their lack of sensitivity, especially in high-end models. The rods are also more durable at lower temperatures than graphite, which can get very brittle under the right conditions.
Ice Thickness
Out of all the parts of ice fishing, most anglers will most likely overlook the ice beneath their feet. Depending on the weather and local climate, the ice can be only a few inches deep to several feet. In either case, you need a fishing rod that can reach the water underneath even if that means using something that is longer or shorter than usual.
Personal Preferences
Fishing rods are comparably simple devices with numerous opportunities for customization. Sure, you could go with a standard stock, but you can also release your creativity and have a rod as unique as you.
For instance, many ice anglers prefer the greater control offered by shorter rods and will use them regardless of the fish they catch. Others love the challenge that comes from using longer ones.
Many ice anglers prefer solid fiberglass when dead-sticking or when setting up their rods to work semiautomatically. These rods have limber tips that make it easier to see when minnows bite them while providing very little resistance during the take.
Other anglers prefer the instant feedback from graphite rods when feeling hits.
Your Preferred Fishing Style
There is no wrong way to ice fish, and anglers can have their preferred styles when fishing for certain types of fish. For example, many people love to finesse-jiggle bluegills, swim-bait walleye, or spoon lake trout. These styles can have different rod and lure requirements.
Then, there are the lures themselves. Different lures can have different rod requirements as well. Some lures are light enough that you can use them with any type of rod or blank material. Others require specific types of rods thanks to how heavy they are.
For instance, spring bobber and strike indicators provide a large enough bite signal on their own that they work equally as well with both graphite and fiberglass rods. So, you can lean towards cheaper models when using them.
Budget or Premium Options
When browsing for ice fishing rods, you may notice a few “budget” models and combos for sale. While these rods can provide good value for your money, there is usually a good reason for their low prices.
They might not be properly aligned, there might be defects in the handles or sloppy paint. Plus, there might be problems you cannot see that will only show themselves once you get out on the lake.
Therefore, if reliable quality is important to you, you should stick to the premium models.
Conclusion
The right fishing rod can make your ice fishing excursions relaxing and enjoyable. Luckily, there are only a few factors to consider when choosing the best one for your needs.
