ice fishing gear review

The Best 17 Discount Ice Fishing Rods, Reels, and Tip-Ups

There are several methods of ice fishing. You can choose a rod, tip-up or fishnet.

Ice fishing rods are usually shorter than regular ones. What about reels and best spinning combos? You can use spinning, inline, and baitcasting types. The most respectable brands on the market are: Abu Garcia, Black Betty, Cabela's.

Tip-Up - How it works?

A tip-up is a simple ice fishing system which implies suspending the bait (live or frozen) at a set depth through a hole drilled in the ice. This device allows you to detect if a fish has taken your bait just taking a look at the flag. This flag is connected to the arm which triggers when a fish pulls on the line.

There are several designs of tip-ups made today, but they all consist of a few basic components:

  • a base that is over the ice hole;
  • spring-loaded arm with the flag;
  • trigger bar;
  • an arm with a spool of line.

Whether way of ice fishing you chose, you can buy inexpensive and reliable gear so scroll down and look at the best ice fishing tip-ups, reels, and rods reviews.

Top 17

Productive Alternatives Rattle Wheel Bass Pro Shops® Micro Lite™ Spinning Combo Cabela's® Arctic Angler Tip-Up Eagle Claw In-Line Ice Reel Clam Outdoors™ Genz Elite Series Ice Rods Frabill Spring Bobber with Threader 13 Fishing Black Betty FreeFall Ice Reel 13 Fishing Black Betty 6061 Ice Reel Frabill Igloo Pro-Thermal Tip-Up Kit Frabill® Hardwood Tip-Up HT Enterprises Night Star Tip-Up Light Beaver Dam Original Tip-Up
St. Croix Avid Ice Rod Clam Outdoors™ Ice Team Ice Rods Beaver Dam® Tip-Stick Ice-Fishing Combo Automatic Fisherman® Snapper
Productive Alternatives Rattle Wheel Bass Pro Shops® Micro Lite™ Spinning Combo Cabela's® Arctic Angler Tip-Up Eagle Claw In-Line Ice Reel Clam Outdoors™ Genz Elite Series Ice Rods Frabill Spring Bobber with Threader 13 Fishing Black Betty FreeFall Ice Reel 13 Fishing Black Betty 6061 Ice Reel Frabill Igloo Pro-Thermal Tip-Up Kit Frabill® Hardwood Tip-Up HT Enterprises Night Star Tip-Up Light Beaver Dam Original Tip-Up St. Croix® Custom Ice Rods St. Croix Avid Ice Rod Clam Outdoors™ Ice Team Ice Rods Beaver Dam® Tip-Stick Ice-Fishing Combo Automatic Fisherman® Snapper
Rating ★★★★★ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Brand St. Croix HT Enterprises BEAVER DAM - Cabela's Clam Outdoors 13 Fishing Frabill Frabill Clam Outdoors Eagle Claw 13 Fishing - - Frabill Beaver Dam ST. CROIX

Productive Alternatives Rattle Wheel

Rig your icehouse or dock right with these durable, hands-free rattle reels. Unbreakable plastic spool features an internal rattle that sounds off when a fish bites. Smooth action provides little to no resistance so fish hold on longer, giving you plenty of time to set the hook. Friction wing nut allows accurate tension adjustment.
Available:

  • Removable Wall Bracket with long arm;
  • Clamp Mount that’s perfect for the support poles in your portable sled.
 Cancer and Reproductive Harm- www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Bass Pro Shops® Micro Lite™ Spinning Combo

  • Light, tough graphite reel frame and rotor;
  • Aluminum spool with double-anodized lip;
  • 5-bearing (4+1) system Powerlock instant anti-reverse;
  • Rod features an RT1 Graphite blank;
  • Bass Pro Shops rod and reel combo have stainless steel guides and inserts.

Perfectly matched, light and responsive, Bass Pro Shops' Micro Lite Spinning Combo looks fantastic and fishes even better.

The Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Reel is a tough little beast, sporting a lightweight graphite frame and aluminum spool with double-anodized lip. Smooth and quiet, it features a 5-bearing (4+1) system that includes PowerLock™ instant anti-reverse for quick, no-doubt hooksets. Equipped with a Soft Touch PVC handle knob to ensure a firm, comfortable grip at all times. Front drag.

The other half of this combo is the Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Spinning Rod. Available in both 1- and 2-piece models, this light, low-profile rod is built on a quality RT1 Graphite blank. Stainless steel guides and inserts promote smooth line flow in both directions. Fitted with comfortable EVA foam split grips flanking a solid screw-down graphite reel seat.

 Cancer and Reproductive Harm- www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Cabela's® Arctic Angler Tip-Up

  • Durable, weather-resistant molded base and spool;
  • Stainless steel components;
  • Super-sensitive, adjustable trip mechanism;
  • Freeze-resistant felt flag;
  • Integrated 16" measuring board.

Looking for an affordable pro-style tip-up? Our Cabela's Arctic Angler Tip-Up is built to perform flawlessly all winter, through the worst ice fishing conditions imaginable. Constructed with a durable molded base and spool, it features a corrosion-resistant stainless steel spool shaft, spring and flag shaft. Super-sensitive, adjustable-tension trip mechanism. Premium highly visible felt flag is designed to resist freeze-up, so you never miss a bite. Integrated 16" measuring board allows you to quickly size up your catch.

 Cancer and Reproductive Harm- www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Eagle Claw In-Line Ice Reel

  • Teflon drag won't freeze;
  • Smooth 4+1 ball-bearing design;
  • Durable nylon frame.

Eagle Claw In-Line Ice Reel creates less line twist than other reel types. Teflon® drag won't freeze in frigid temperatures.  Smooth 4+1 ball-bearing design. Durable nylon frame construction for long-lasting use. Freespool-release button. Retrieves 15.75'' of line per handle rotation.

We are disassembling an Eagle Claw inline ice real. First thing this is simple this knob here. There's a spring under it sees there is a small spring well on the tools that I'm using for this are going to just be. I'd like to use a pic. Not everybody has a pic at home but this is for me to get in and move small parts when your fingers just too stubby and big to get into the Mario's a no delicate pair of pliers.

Any fires would do I suppose but there's some pretty small screws that you're gonna want to grab into. They're going to need a small Phillips head screwdriver and we're gonna be put in some Treville sub-zero grease in there. So there's this sitting off to the side. They could say I already done once before here so we move along relatively quick.

Next up is this not being held on here. We'll loosen this bracket. Keep all your parks organized so you're gonna have to put it back together on your own. I'm going to just use my pick, just to grab dnd start turning them, not it actually turns them up for you and loosens all right. Got to get a little closer to the camera here. And I'll take the handle off. You have this fruit free reel or the drag wheel. You have to remove the reason. I take apart this side first is reason having the spool on here kind of holds. All the gearing in place so. You can spin that off of their otherwise the whole thing likes to spin on. And save you a bit of time. And trying to figure. That check out off spin. All the way up and into our hand underneath here also be aware there's a washer which then.

It is supposed to be like. It would be for cushioning your drag against your reel here okay so. Everything we can taken apart on. That side let's flip the reel remove the cap be careful there is an o-ring that's in between the stem here. And also the cap that we're taking off there's an old ring owning is important. When our gloves are hitting it. And the snow is hitting it in water's head. It keeps a lot of that from getting inside beat spool there's a lot of. That ice beside that could potentially get inside of. This pool you can see right here. We have the we have an old ring that's sure. You can see that in the camera there. It was a whole ring right there. It's real easy just to insert the loop in here as I've done try to hope. It gets around inside of there but that's not the case as I found out so I need to take off this plastic shroud.

Be careful not to lose any of the small pieces. All right have all loosened up. Iwant to carefully lift. Idon't know I can use my fingers. Idon't want to lose. These small screws here we're gonna take. That we're gonna set. That off the side as well just jumping ahead here inside. You lift that up you'll see the rest of the gearing now. You can see everything got gooped up before. Ijust tried insert. And grease in there without taking the cover off. Ineed to get greased on inside of these there's a gear cog here that's attached to. This piece you turn with your real handle there's no grease inside here. And also I'm guessing there's a bearing system. Or sleeve inside of there as well to kind of help. It moves freely that could potentially be dry dryer Lube is not like.

It should be in there so to get in there's. These small screws there's four of them right in there. We go maybe that'll pick. It up a bit it's a crummy camera so let's get. This out here and I'm actually gonna just tip. That screw out and number four. And I'm going to remove. This with my pliers pieces flying everywhere. You know we'll set all off the side along with my small screws here okay next up want to be pulling this out. You can see what I am actually pulling over here. He flips up gently Snyder down to the side okay on. This piece I just pulled out a bunch of grease on their piece. Ijust pulled out there is a sleeve. It sits over there and there is a washer too. That goes on top of. That sleeve I got dog here in my reel.

Anyone else have a lamp there. You go alright so right here watcher goes up here. This sleeve goes up on there. All rides inside of bearing. That is inside of there. It looks pretty dry so. Iam going to loop that up I'm going to lube up my shaft. That the sleeve is going on to. And the outside of the sleeve make sure. All the points of contact are going to be lubed up so. That hopefully come. This winter time on the ice my reel retrieve will be back up the part. And I'll get another good season out of my Eagle Claw inline ice real system is very good to use. It can still create backlash. You always have to manage your line on the ice you know.

Don't don't pull out of here too quick. It does ain't like a. It acts like a bait caster there's an adjustment for your for. Each bait or refer. You know did say you're aligned. Ilike to pull my line out yeah. Imight be able to set. That just enough to. When I'm pulling my line out. It actually has a little bit of tension so. That the line doesn't just back roll on itself like it's happened in the past but is their awesome little reels don't let them go to waste. And hope this video helps.

One little button in right on. That side now watch. You just spin that spool. You can realize how fast. You can drop a very lightweight jig straight down without. Any line twists that spool is still spinning we make. All graphite version so. It has a graphite body graphite frame. And a graphite spool. This happens to be the step-up model. It has a graphite body. And frame but it has an aluminum spool. And again very smooth as soon as. You want to set you just turn the handle. That much about an eighth of a turn. It stops at now you're in the retrieve mode just. That fast the new Eagle Claw inline reel you're gonna love. It got to get yourself.

And the free spool go see. How smooth that is that's nice and then to tension that's the free spool tensioning button is right here just twist. It just like you would a bait caster. You want to clicker on. It that's right here it's a really cool real Eagle Claw has them the inline ice fishing reel check them out at Eagle Claw. Thanks for watching.

Clam Outdoors™ Genz Elite Series Ice Rods

  • Highly sensitive solid-graphite blank;
  • Lightweight guides;
  • Comfortable cork grip.

Designed with ice-fishing pro Dave Genz, the Clam Genz Elite Series Rod is packed with technology for a better day on the ice. Solid graphite blank with woven graphite butt section overlay, has lightweight guides for incredible sensitivity. Cork rear handle and foregrip with uplocking soft touch reel seat for a sure grip, even with heavy gloves.

Images depict the style of the rod handle and may not fully represent the actual length.

Frabill Spring Bobber with Threader

Accuracy engineered for use with light lines and finesse baits. This spring-loaded indicator easily clasps into the tip-top guide of different panfish ice rods. Contains one line threader and two bobbers.

13 Fishing Black Betty FreeFall Ice Reel

  • Ultralight carbon-injected frame is incredibly strong and light;
  • 2.5:1 gear ratio;
  • 13 black betty ice reel has CNC-machined aluminum spool;
  • Four-ball-bearing system with instant anti-reverse;
  • Carbon-disc drag system starts easily with consistent pressure.

Send your bait into the strike zone on a straight, twist-free fall with 13 Fishing's Black Betty FreeFall Ice Reel. Pull the FreeFall Trigger System and let the smallest jigs drop resistance-free. Easy one-hand operation. Built for the pencil/pistol-grip position. Ultralight carbon-injected frame is incredibly strong and resistant to chilling temperatures. CNC-machined aluminum frame and four stainless steel ball bearings. Instant anti-reverse provides solid hooksets. Carbon-disc drag system starts easily and provides consistent pressure through the entire range. Available in right- and left-hand retrieves.

Dan Tinting uncle al here. We got the 13 fishing Black Betty. Why do they keep making fail videos for uncle L? To report on. So right off the bat. Let's look at the literature. This should be the first clue.

Welcome to the 13th family. As uncle L knows, now someone's always about to Jackie O. This reel is built to perform nice service every six months to a year by a professional. And here's the next fail Clearwater, Florida that doesn't sound like a ghetto. It sounds pretty pricey so. And then they got warranty on the workmanship. Maybe you have an older and it's you want to get rid of. You don't like this might be a loophole so the magnetic drop system I've been trying to work on. What I'm going with so the other reels. There's a little rubber stop. What happens is that makes contact with the surface. You can adjust and out so. That little rubber stopper makes. You make your tension so. It doesn't go all over the place so. This is a true free fall. Because the magnetic system the B F 24 has. Nothing to grasp on so. This magnet right here truly show. You it's a good magnet. Another magnet will go down think right about Wow so decent magnets. Both of these, and we'll try to pick up a spool barely in the center do. Any contact on the outer edge nada so to infuse metal into aluminum as expensive process.

And maybe the Taiwan factory just forgot to do. This is like a brake pad system to get. Any stoppage that has to make contact with the spool. Something has to make contact with the spool. And since they're touting this to be magnetic. That magnets supposed to grab onto. Something so let's go over. This real quick that's at maximum which is. Another fail because water is gonna get in there. And you're not gonna be able to adjust. This so that's at maximum put. This back on pretty decent quality, so we're locked up. And let's see that there's. Any stoppage no stoppage. And there's the second fail so you're driving along. You need to make a stop. You just want to use your transmission only.

You would have to throw it in reverse, you would stop so same system with this that's like a little transmission. You want to stop you throw it in reverse well let. What happens just back off so there's your gears. You push it in that's. What makes it unspool. You bring it back in there's. That soft brass what it engages on. It has two little tabs right there so what's gonna happen those two little tabs are gonna deteriorate. Icould see it forced against like the natural braking system it's supposed to be but. They just have those two tabs to lock into those which what's gonna happen is that's gonna wear out see. We can focus camera anyway trust. Me there're two tabs right there overall good field see. We can get the magnets to yeah see the magnets are strong enough but the other one so no issues with the magnets.

It's just there's no place anywhere except the middle which is not gonna gravitates towards to grasp on their total fail maybe they'll give. You a new spool or figure out something but there is no place for the friction to apply. Or the magnetic to grab. Idon't know yeah pretty cool box pretty cool. Everything sadly uncle Al's gonna have to return. Even think I'm gonna use. That whole system right there was. What I was planning on using that's about 80% 90% of the function of the rail. You push the button your line drops. All the way to the bottom so. You need the tension yeah long story uncle Al's out.

13 Fishing Black Betty 6061 Ice Reel

  • 6061 CNC-machined-aluminum construction;
  • Integrated fender design;
  • Dead stick alarm system;
  • Five stainless steel ball bearings.

The 13 Fishing Black Betty 6061 Ice Reel is the best take-along ice fishing reel. The 6061 CNC-machined-aluminum construction and 2.7:1 gear ratio work together to make your time on the ice memorable. Integrated fender allows you to pencil grip the rod without resting the palm of your hand on the spool. Dead stick alarm alerts you when the line is being pulled. Carbon drag plus five stainless steel ball bearings and instant anti-reverse for a smooth performance. Available in left- or right-hand retrieve.

Frabill Igloo Pro-Thermal Tip-Up Kit

Includes everything you need to start fishing at any weather conditions. You get the insulated tip-up designed for ice fishing. In contains: Lil’ Shiner tip-up light, 50-yards line, depth finding device, line marker.
Diameter: 10".

Cancer and Reproductive Harm- www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Automatic tip ups review video:

Frabill® Hardwood Tip-Up

Provides trouble proof performance in temperatures below 0 due to pre lubrication with Sub-Zero. The spool shaft is Ultra-Glide that gives free spooling, frictionless performance. The removable spool shaft is easy for lubrication and cleaning. You get wobble-free performance with large-capacity metal spools featured with double counter-balance crank knobs. Frabill® Hardwood Tip-Up provides dual trip settings.

HT Enterprises Night Star Tip-Up Light

Be always ready for the fish hitting! Just fasten the HT Night Star Tip-Up Light on the flag of tip-up. It will instantly inform you when fish have bitten a bait. Two colors of the light indicator are available: ultrabright orange and high-visible green. The reliable HT Night Star works with a lot of commonly used tip-ups. The power source is one lithium battery which is included in the item.

Another innovation from the tip-up experts at HD Enterprises. It's a revolutionary tip-up light that actually illuminates your entire flag wire. Now just like other tip up lights from the flag in a horizontal position it's off.

Whenever the flag pops up to a vertical position the light comes on and you've got two options. Either have a flashing light or a continuous light. And again, it's not just the flag or a small light. It's the entire flag where that's with any kind of night fishing at one tip-up light you're gonna want to try.

Beaver Dam Original Tip-Up

  • 23" pine base provides stability over wide holes;
  • Freezeproof lubricant for fail-safe operation;
  • Aluminum tube bearings deliver smooth action.

With Beaver Dam's Original Tip-Up you have reliable, freezeproof, and wind-tested unit. Implies a lifetime of use. Designed for being stable over wide holes. Featured with seamless steel tube filled with a frostproof lubricant for troubleproof operation. The tip-up also includes aluminum tube bearings providing smooth performance. The spinner trigger is suitable for a wide range of baits due to tapered and straight trips. The flag stands at 17.5" when the heavy-duty spring is released. It provides higher visibility. A windproof, rod-cradle design ensures strike-signaling consistency. Brass spool and line guide. 150-ft. line capacity. Made in USA.
Available: 
Original Clear Tip-Up, Tip-Up Red/Black, Tip-Up Red with Red Flag, TIp-Up Jolly Roger, No Trespassing.

 Cancer and Reproductive Harm- www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

All right, you guys just a quick video here to help you distinguish some things about Beaver Dam tip-ups. One of the questions I get asked a lot is how to tell how old there. I can't really have a definitive way to age the Beaver Dam tip-ups the. One thing that's going to stand out immediately is the older ones typically have a much darker finish on. This guy here these other two. You see here are brand-new last year for my son Nolan. He got them for Christmas he's just started ice fishies age 7 but there's. Some subtle differences between the two brand-new ones. One is brand-new they're. Both brand-new out of the box last year but. One is brand-new one is called. What people advertising if. You go on eBay something you'll see new old stock advertised. And I'll show some of the differences to look for in new stock versus new old stock versus maybe. Something that's a little. More vintage I'm gonna guess. One is probably 25 30 years old. Ipicked one up at an estate sale yesterday actually. And just judging by the amount of barn dust. And the type of line. That was on the spool it's got to be 25 years old. More so we'll pick this up I'm gonna try to get. It real close look at the spool for you guys so. You can see you can see good.

That a shake the line feeder spins completely free on there so that's. One thing to look for another thing to look for is I'm gonna zoom right into. That spool it's pitted it's old it's been in the water a bunch. And then it's at a barn for a long time not being used as well so but the big thing is there's no distinguishing markings on. That spool the only thing that identifies this as a beaver dam tip up line. Obviously is the Arctic fisherman logo Beaver Dam Wisconsin well look at the new spools here as. I zoom in on it you'll see. That rubber o-ring that just kind of keeps the line feed in place. You can see on the newer models they've actually stamped Beaver Dam ice fishing right into the spool. Now to distinguish brand-new versus brand-new old stock here is.

Something else you're gonna want to take a look for the first thing you're gonna see is blatantly obvious it's no longer bronze it's just a bare metal color the other thing that's gonna tip. You off immediately is the bottom of. That spool I'll zoom in on. You can see that one's actually held in place by a nut that's. Something that happened. Ibelieve after uncle Josh took over Beaver Dam tip-ups I'll show. You the new old stock bottom just so. You can see what I'm getting in here no nut to hold. One in place that's actually soldered on there. And the biggest difference. Both function identically ultra-smooth same exact tip up the only difference comes in later. You have to service. And real Outre cate them with the old new stock you're gonna have to heat up.

This solder in the center. And actually melt you can pull the shaft out get the old grease out of there. And go ahead and put your new grease in there on the new ones it's much simpler you're just gonna go ahead. And take a little tiny socket wrench in there. And you're gonna undo. One off you're gonna find there's. One behind that you're also going to have to remove but it's its just a much easier process in general. Because then you don't have to resolder.

You just reassemble. Everything give them a quick spin in a way. You go but anyways guys. That helps it comes to maybe identifying the age of. Some of your tip up obviously the darker finishes are gonna be older and you'll see the difference in the lion guide obviously. And there's no stamping on the spool whatsoever but hopefully. That guy's helps you out I'm gonna make. Another video later on that'll teach. You guys how to go ahead. And relocate the old ones. You got to get the solder off their hope. That helps you guys out a little bit see.

St. Croix Custom Ice Rods

St. Croix® Custom Ice Rods

  • Technique-specific models featuring proprietary blank technology;
  • CI20LXF and CI24LXF models crafted from solid carbon;
  • CI28LXF and CI28MLXF models crafted from solid glass;
  • CI32MF and CI36MF models crafted from tubular carbon;
  • CI28MLF, CI32MLF and CI42MHM are tubular carbon and glass;
  • CI32MM model crafted from tubular carbon fused to glass.

St. Croix Custom Ice Rods feature proprietary blank technology with construction customized for each model, delivering powerful, technique-specific performance. Choose from models constructed from solid carbon; solid glass; tubular carbon; tubular carbon and glass; and tubular carbon fused to glass. Each rod comes finished with two coats of Flex-Coat slow-cure finish; REC Recoil guides with black-pearl finish; and split-grip, super-grade cork handle. You can get st croix discount rods online. Manufacturer's five-year warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, USA.

Images depict the style of the rod handle and may not fully represent the actual length.

Introducing the brand-new line of CCI. Or croix customized rods from st Croix rods. These are unbelievable rods with a ton of Technology built in prose like myself. And Tony Roche along with their entire design team. And engineers have built. These rods from the ground up with dozens of revisions. That we've gone through. And changed everything from guide spacings power. And action length handles there's a ton of variables. That we've played with to give. You the ultimate ice rod. These rods feature a split grip design they've got wonderful handles. Whether your pistol grips. It standard black pearl recoil guides along with the perfect powers. And actions make sure to like. Us on facebook and check out st Croix rods calm ice anglers. You love pole hopping like. Ido chasing walleyes. All winter long out on the ice you're gonna want to check out the new outside eye rod from st Croix. What I love about this rod is 36 inches in length it's built on a tubular carbon blank. What this means is the ultimate in sensitivity. And weight but this rod delivers plenty of power a medium powered rod with fast action tip so regardless of what bait you're using if you're chasing walleyes outside you're gonna want to check out the outside eye rod. You want to learn more about. This like us on Facebook. Or check us out at st Croix rod Scott you.

St. Croix Avid Ice Rod

  • Highly sensitive precision-tapered solid-carbon blank;
  • Carbon handle transfers energy from strikes quickly;
  • Lightweight guides fight fatigue.

Designed specifically for jigging, this St. Croix Avid Ice Rod features a precision-tapered solid-carbon blank that is extremely sensitive, giving you complete control over your jig and allowing you to feel light strikes. Super-sensitive carbon handles transfer strikes to your hand quickly. Kigan stripper guide and low-profile running guides are lightweight for fatigue-free all-day fishing.

Images depict the style of the rod handle and may not fully represent the actual length.

Clam Outdoors™ Ice Team Ice Rods

  • Fast-action, solid-graphite blank;
  • Smooth Dynaflow guides reduce line friction;
  • Cork fore grip and handle are ideal for cold weather.

Clam Outdoors' Ice Team Ice-Fishing Rods feature a fast-action, solid-graphite blank for increased sensitivity, balance and fighting power. Smooth black-frame Dynaflow guides reduce line friction. Up-locking reel seat with soft-touch paint secures your reel. Composite cork fore grip and handle provide comfortable handling in frigid temperatures. Hook keeper. 24" light model comes with Nitinol spring bobber that detects the lightest bites.

Images depict the style of the rod handle and may not fully represent the actual length.

Beaver Dam® Tip-Stick Ice-Fishing Combo

  • Retractable titanium spring bobber allows multiple presentations;
  • Tough, lightweight high-modulus carbon-fiber blank;
  • Fitted cork reel seat boasts built-in rattles for fish-attracting vibration;
  • Size 300 spinning reel with three ball bearings.

No matter your target, Beaver Dam's Tip-Stick Ice-Fishing Combo makes it easy to deliver the perfect presentation.

Rod features a built-in, retractable titanium spring bobber so you can extend it to finesse for panfish, or keep it in to jig for lunker walleye. High-modulus carbon-fiber blank has a fitted cork reel seat with integrated rattles that deliver vibrations below the ice to attract hungry predators. Three-in-one design allows you to use it for ultralight panfish presentations, jigging for gamefish or deadsticking.

Size 300 spinning reel boasts three ball bearings for exceptionably smooth performance. Tough, lightweight aluminum spool.

Images depict the style of the rod handle and may not fully represent the actual length.

Automatic Fisherman® Snapper

  • Automatically sets the hook;
  • Replaces a standard ice-fishing tip-up;
  • Allows you to use your rod and reel to control fish;
  • Includes a bobber and trigger-adjusting tool.

The Automatic Fisherman Snapper replaces a standard ice-fishing tip-up, automatically setting the hook, putting you in control of the fight with rod and reel in hand. Adjusting to fit any ice rod from 20" to 55" long, the durable Snapper comes in high-visibility orange and includes a bobber and trigger-adjusting tool.
17.5"L x 2.5"W x 2.5"H.
Wt: 1 lb.

 Cancer and Reproductive Harm- www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Hi there I'm Doug from Milwaukee trophy trout fishing and today. Iwant to do a little instructional video on how to set up an automatic a lot of my clients have asked. Me for this information. Ifigured I'd I go about setting out the product for different applications. Iuse as well as you know trout fishing northern fishing pan fishing a. Few of the little hacks. And modifications that I've figured out over the years so. Igot a brand-new automatic fisherman kit here got the base unit rod reel. Everything and I'm going to show. How to set this up okay for all intents and purposes. And for saving time. This brand-new drought. And real society that I've already got I'll show. How your pretty good. Everything it's the exact same draw in real. That comes with the unit first step swinging the side here. And take our trigger off our little trigger tool here so. What we're gonna do is yeah two different holes here. You can use the top hole. Ilike to use with shorter odds 33 inches. And shorter and look longer. Or the bottom I use for my log arrives at 34 inches a longer basically. What we're going to do is take the lock nut off a trigger here might have to lose. This tool sometimes those things are in their pretty good almost got. All right there we are so with. This kit came the 33 medium heavy rod, so I'm gonna set. This base unit up for the 33 medium heavy so. That means I'm using top bolt.

And typically with a 33-inch rod you're gonna want to leave up about anywhere from a third to a half of an inch of thread poking out behind the nut. And see a I have my trigger installed. Ihave about a half of an inch sticking out behind the not here the next thing to do is going to be a set your trigger I'll use the robbie Kane with the semi-trailer. Now the triggers not gonna be right. And right out of the box you're gonna have to play with. It a little bit one thing to remember is never put your face above. This rod that comes off it's gonna whack. You it's not gonna feel. One thing a quick tip. Ilike to do was like to take my rights in. This is automatic fishing rod so. These are guaranteed for life. You can bend them here.

He ain't gonna break them. Icould take my rights have been bend. It out just a little bit. And you'll see why I hear. That's because it just matches up at the trigger a little bit better. That in there let's start working on setting the trigger we're gonna try. And find out actually. That one's pretty close right there. You can adjust you take. This little tool here. You can adjust this pin back. And forth times my finger here. That straw now to go over. What I got going on here. Ihave 10 pound fluorocarbon line. This is a place set up, so I'll show. You exactly what I do for pike my main line ten pound fluorocarbon off between the first.

And the second eyelet. Iput the little balsa bobber. That comes supplied with. Now the bolsa bomber weighs a little bit. It works better for larger bait like medium to large shiners. And suckers and stuff like. If you're paying fishing you want to use the lighter boom bobber. That comes with your unit off of there. Istraight up my stopper bobber. One of the greatest things ever invented here keeps your whole from well doesn't keep the wolf from free zone so keeps your line from freezing in the hole freeze around. You can still grab the rod. And fight the fish and it'll the whole freezing overall prevent the product from working I put.

Itied a little barrel swivel honor of course. You see my weight well barrel swivel helps to keep. This fluorocarbon from stretching and twisting up with your fighting fish off the bottom of the fluorocarbon line. Irun a 40 pound fluorocarbon leader which comes to a number-10 trouble hook a lot of. You guys I know like to run bigger troubles. Iprefer the smaller travel hooks my personal flavor so there. He goes we're set that's driving our bass. Now loop our line over the end of the trigger so. One of the fish pulls on. It's gonna set it off at night you're fishing stuff so basically. We got our trigger adjusted correctly we're set up. Everything the purpose of. This bobber is to allow the fish to grab your beat. And have some run with. It before it sets off. You don't have this bobber soon as. That fish makes any type of pull against your line against. This trigger here it's going to snap off with pike fishing walleye fishing and crappie. Ilike to have a little bit of extra run for.

That fish so the fish can catch. You on the bait a little bit get a little bit deeper in their mouth. You sometimes know a pike. They like to play with. It just seems to help for better hookups. You can take all the way down to the base. You want I have to plot. Some extra line here. Now you've got about two feet of run line. That the fish can take. You gotta flip going about down. This way you got about. Another foot going down. This way it's that fish can run for two feet under the ice before. It sets off this device. And then once your line gets tight wow. You got him right there the hook is set the fish is on you'll notice you're a guard.

And people hear of your hammer fall. When you're out there on the ice hopefully you'll look over to be able to see. That your hammer fell on the ice. Now you're not done so that's my basic northern pike setup. And I'm gonna show more setups. Ilike to use with the automatic fisherman save time I've already got other bases. That are subtle cutter rods. And reels about this here is my panda shut up. You grab one thing real quick. Now let the pan fish set up. You notice a couple things are different number. Ihave a longer rod in here so my trigger gets out in the second hole number two. You screw this not on for the longer rod in the bottom hole.

You don't want this much thread sticking out. You want to keep it about a quarter inch. This one's already adjusted to the sensitivity of. This rod everything this is my crappie setup so. Some six pound co polymer line on here. Iopted for a yellow just to make. It a little bit easier to see. You can use whatever line is preferred there. It comes down to a line to line not here. That goes down to I got four pound clear fluorocarbon leader. That runs about two. And a half three feet never my split shot weight. And on the end of I am running I want to say. This is a size 12 yeah I'm katsu an octopus hook. You can use whatever ice Jake. You want this is just. What I was fishing with last.

One other modification. Ilike to do these automatic fisherman is. You look the bottom of the hammer base. Ihave a little screw screwed in right here but. That screw does is it keeps. That hammer lean slightly back so. That way no matter you got a little snow buildup on the ice. Whatever the hammer isn't just gonna sit there. If the unit triggers it's going to drop matter. What because it's already kind of leaning. That was what I do is. Iset my line in trigger Murad on the right on the pin line. And trigger what I've done here is. Itook a little bit of 18 gauge aluminum wire. You can pick this up at. Any old hardware store um. It through my bobber. And bring it up and bend.

It with a pair of pliers so. What I can do is I can just flip. That bobber on that line. Idon't have to have. It little sense of their. Idon't have to have. It with my line run through. Ican just hook and you'll notice. This to work right now it's the same thing as with the pipe setup no technical difficulty here I'm actually gonna have to set rule like I'm going to set a little heavier for instructional purposes. Everything back to one here the rod I'm using here. This is an automatic fisherman rod. This is the 35-inch light action rod no they've got. Everything adjusted a little bit. More stout here hopefully. Ican finish this tutorial yeah much better okay so.

Ican just hang this bobber on my line. And simply leave for crappies. Idon't like to give them too much run. This works well for crappie perch. It types of pan fish. Ilike to set my slack bobber about at the top of the hammer. You can see it gives. You about 10 inches worth line. They can pull now the neat thing about. This is with the hooks. When the fish pulls. It sets the device off. It throws the bobber off so. You don't have to worry about the bobber beyond. Where you're fighting your fish. All your hammers down. You got your pan fish on there. You can fight your fish on rod. And reel just like you would. You were doing it this just gives. You extra opportunities to set up live bait. And do dead sticks and whatnot to try to get on crappies perch blue gills. Now I'm gonna show what I like to use out there on the Milwaukee Harbor.

And the tributaries. Wherever I'm at fishing for trout as. Ihave my automatic fisherman bass here. And of course I'm a trigger set up just like described. Ihave my screw in the bottom of my hammer. One other modification. Idid was I went to local hardware store. And bought some 10 gauge wire. And I've been too kind of into a horseshoe shape there's. This isn't thi. This is eighth of an inch. Itook a 1/8 drill bit. And mashed and drilled holes into the hammer here. It just took a hammer. That does is it allows. Me to run my blue tips tip up lights an automatic signal sender on my automatic fisherman so. We see it's there's no light on. Nothing and when the hammer Falls the light comes on. It alerts I have a fish not only by seeing the light but. It alerts me on my cell phone as well. And lets these numbered. It comes up in my phone as an automatic number. One just pops I don't know. That rod set up and right come out of the shanty.

Iknow right where to go. Idon't have to look around. One thing you guys got to remember is don't be afraid to drill into. These bases are made extremely well. You can come up with an idea for a modification like whom. Ihave here by all means go for it my basic setup I'm running here for 4 trowels. This is going to be automatic fisherman 38 medium light rods. Ilike the longer rod for the trout. Ilike the lighter action. It works like a good shock absorber. When the Browns get to shaking their head. It works like a shock absorber. Than their eye going straight. And getting slack in your line. It helps keep pressure on the fish you'll notice. One thing you not do here is. Ido not run a slack line bobber. When fishing for a brown trout. Some people do some people don't. Ihave better luck without. And the reason for that is simply. Because the Browns they put a hold of your bait.

If they can sense a anything's wrong will spin. All that's why tip ups typically don't work very well. Everybody using automatic hook setting devices out there so. Once again I have my ten pound fluorocarbon line I'm running a 2000 series River spinning reel by six gill fishing what I prefer to run. It comes to the big trout. These reels are extremely smooth. They hold up well automatic fisherman reels work great — I'm use those for years. Igot a lot of them in my collection so then. You must I stopped a bobber. What I like to put a bullet weight above my swivel. Once again I'm writing this we'll just like before. Iput a bullet was down there. It oh so the skinny end is up. That way when you're fighting a fish your sinker won't get hung on the edge of the hole.

It closes and it's just. One of those little things. Ilike to do this for a peace of mind. And hopefully it does help. Me catch extra fish. Or two over the years I'm coming off the swivel. Ilike to run six pound clear fluorocarbon leader approximately a foot. And a half to two and a half feet somewhere there. You don't want to get real long as a leader. If you're down in your knees fighting a fish. You have to still be able get your rod up. And land the fish nice fish you're big. You can't just snatch. It through a hole like. You do a bluegill or a crappie. You have to ice them on. One here once again. Iwell actually this is a little bit smothered well 'v must add trouble book. Ido have a stinger hook on here which. Idon't always use those but sometimes I'll run a little stinger. And basically you know is I'm gonna set. Everything up here this works just like. Everything else I've showed. You set your rods at the nerd get your line through the trigger. Now you're how to stop your bobber would be in the hole listen your fish come tonight.

And the unit goes off the hook is set I'm setting my signal to my phone time.

And I'm gonna grab a spawn sack okay. What I'm using is my good buddy Joe Schmidt. Iactually buy all my spawn from him. He ties them up and I've got a variety of different colors. And different sizes I'm just gonna grab a pink. One right here put these back. All I'm doing is taking this. And I'm hooking this up right through here like. That okay and then I'm going to drop. This down nice and easy. Igot my split shot fluorocarbon leader to a swivel I'm dropping it down again it's about 810 feet deep here, so I'm fishing probably about six feet down six seven feet down I've got my ice stopper. Now the line can slide through here. These holes gonna freeze up the line can slide through. And that's really important. Because trout are a very sensitive biter. You set up a tip up with a spawn sack there's a good chance.

That fish is actually going to hit the bait. And start to run with. And drop they can feel the pressure of the spindle so. You want to have an automatic fisherman. It sets the hook right away take the rod tip I've designed. These Rebel rods this is an ice hunter freewill rod here it's a trout rod. Idesigned for Rebel specifically designed it's got it's made of fiberglass so. It loads up good graphite rods are not going to load up good they're gonna snap really easy in the winter. When a fish hits you can watch. This bobber the line will pull through here. And the float starts to slide up. That allows that fish to eat. That bait for a split-second. And then it's a hairpin trigger. It pulls down and it's that's the hook. You have the fish on. You come over here you grab the rod give it a little hook set then.

You got your fish on so for trout fishing for pan fishing everything. That we're kind of doing these automatic fishermen have revolutionized the way we're ice fishing.

Conclusion

Fishing with using tip-ups we can call the most convenient method. You can sit in a shelter or make other things while the bait is waiting for a fish.
Nevertheless, many anglers are fond of ice fishing with a rod despite cold weather.

Having a proper set with various devices allows you to try every method and discover the most efficient. Hope, this task is a bit easier now with our ice fishing gear review.