10 The Best Ice Fishing Rods of 2022

An ice fishing rod is essential equipment for fishing during extremely cold weather. They are jigging rods approximately 18-42 inches long that produce light to medium action. Although the fundamental structure is the same, there is a wide range of modern ice fishing rods on the market. Variety can make narrowing down to a single or a few ice fishing rods a daunting task. This article has information to facilitate the selection process. He reviews some of the best ice fishing rods and offers a buying guide for choosing the right one.

10 the Best Ice Fishing Rods of 2022

Below is a review of the best ice fishing rods currently available online.

1. Fiblink Graphite 32 “Ice Fishing Rod

The Fiblink Graphite 32 ”Fishing Rod has a medium-heavy rod action. It is light, strong, and responsive. The white is made of graphite. Five aluminum oxide guides, including a tip guide, are attached to the blank. Each guide has a stainless steel ring.

The reed has a cork handle that offers a firm and comfortable grip for easy handling while being adequately responsive. The fishing rod is reel compatible and the handle has a heavy-duty reel seat. The manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty. This fishing rod is available in two other sizes: 24 ”and 30”.

2. Berkley Cherrywood HD 27 ”Ice Fishing Spinning Rod

The 27 ”Berkley Cherrywood HD Ice Fishing Spinning Rod is ultralight and best suited for catching smaller fish. Its blank is made of 100% fiberglass. It has a cork handle, which has a graphite sliding ring reel seat. It has two stainless steel guides and a tip guide.

3. KastKing Konvert Twin Tip Ice Rod

KastKing Konvert Twin Tip 27 ‘Ice Bars are available in two options: Medium and Medium Light Glass and IM6 Medium and Medium Light Graphite. They are both two-in-one fishing rods, and their only difference is the material of the blanks. The blank and tips are made of 100% glass, while the other blank and tips are graphite.

The rod is light but strong. It is also very sensitive but can adequately support solid hooksets. Graphite fishing rods have highly visible chartreuse attack tips, while glass rods have bright orange tips. These highly visible tips allow you to fish even in stormy conditions or at night. Each blank has five guides, including the tip.

The rod has a pencil-shaped handle that is made of rubber-reinforced cork. The handle is compatible with high tenacity spool strips and spools.

When it comes to guides, each type of KastKing Konvert Twin Tip Ice fishing rod has two different tip sections that offer medium action or medium-light action. You can choose which tip to use depending on the action of the rod that you prefer for the presentation of the bait and the fishing technique.

These rods are easy to pack and store as they retract slightly from 27 ”to 17”. They can be used for fishing in ice shelters and shacks. They come with a handy travel case and a clear storage tube.

4. 13 Fishing 20 ”Snitch Ice Rod

The 13 Fishing 20 ”Snitch Ice Medium-Light Action Fishing Rod offers top-of-the-line features. Incorporates fast cutting edge technology and flexible core tip for increased sensitivity. Its blank is made of solid graphite, while the cork is made of cork.

The solid graphite target offers a sturdy backbone that can hold heavier hooks and handle the stress of a fighting fish. The design of this rod also integrates a reel seat. It has a stainless steel guide and a tip. It is also available in 25 “and 30” sizes.

5. St Croix Avid 26 “Ice Fishing Rod

The St Croix Avid 26 ”Ice Fishing Rod is designed to catch panfish. Its design incorporates Xtreme-flex solid glass blanks, which are flexible and not prone to freezing or shrinking even in extremely cold temperatures. It also has Kigan stripper and running guides, which are lightweight and low-profile for fatigue-free fishing for extended periods.

The super responsive handle is made of carbon, offering robust and balanced control. It is manufactured exclusively by hand to offer excellent performance and durability. And it is versatile since it can be used from the shore, lakes, or rivers. It is also available in 18 “and 30” sizes.

6. 13 Fishing Microtec Walley Ice Fishing Spinning Combo

This 13 Fishing Microtec Walley ice fishing spinning combo is the latest model of 13 fishing rods from the fishing company. It is available in one size and comes with a spinning reel. The blanks are made of fiberglass, while the handle is made of cork. It has stainless steel guides with polished inserts. The rod is super flexible and has 3 + 1 guides.

The accompanying spool has three stainless steel ball bearings and an instant anti-reverse gear. Its reel is made of anodized aluminum. It has a soft-touch handle knob.

7. HT Enterprises 18 ”Ice Bar

The HT Enterprises 18 ”ice rod stands out for its blue color and orange tip. It is a fast-action ice fishing rod. It has a comfortable cork handle with rings to mount the reel. Orange tips offer high visibility. It is ideal for jigging bait to target fish. It is only available in the 18 ”size.

8. 24 “St Croix Legend Black Ice Fishing Rod

The 24 ”St Croix Legend is popular for its flexibility and resistance on ice. Blanks are made of solid carbon with precision taper. At the tip is a black anodized high tensile stainless steel impact indicator for superior performance. Its handle is made of EVA.

It offers excellent sensitivity, so you can easily detect even the most subtle bites. The medium power ice fishing rod has a spring system that is fully adjustable and interchangeable to improve sensitivity.

This rod is also available in a 30 ”size with medium, medium-light, and light power ratings. It is light and strong, making it ideal for catching small to medium-sized fish. It comes with a 1-year warranty.

9. Fiblink Saltwater 1 Piece Jigging Jig Spinning Rod

The Fiblink Saltwater 1 Piece Swivel Rod is specifically designed for vertical jigging, although it can be used for other techniques as well.

It assumes a one-piece blank design that is made of fiberglass and graphite, offering incredible pulling power. The blank has 6 + 1 guides whose frames and inserts are made of ceramic.

Ceramic is great to use even with braided lines as it produces little to no friction. It has an EVA handle that has front grips. The handle has an aluminum alloy reel seat. The manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty.

10. Abu Garcia Veritas Ice Fishing Spinning Rod

The Abu Garcia Veritas 25 ”Ultralight Ice Fishing Rod consists of a 24-ton graphite blank and a high-density split-grip EVA handle. It has reel compatibility and has a micro click reel hood. Its 4 + 1 guides are made of smoked stainless steel, while the inserts are made of aluminum oxide. It is super light and can also be used by children. It is compatible with the Abu Garcia baitcasting reel.

Buying Guide: factors to consider when choosing an ice fishing rod

The following are key factors to consider when determining which ice fishing rod to buy:

Target fish species: You need an ultralight rod for panfish, a light rod for perch, a medium rod for pike and trout, and a heavy rod for pike and bass.

Rod action

Rod action refers to the point where the blanks flex. It influences your casting technique and presentation of the bait. For ice fishing, you want medium to fast rod action. If the action of the wand is too slow, it will dampen the sensitivity. Rods whose maximum curvature is at the tip offer fast action, while those that curve in the middle have a medium action.

Blank material

Ice fishing rod blanks are made primarily of graphite, fiberglass, or a composite of both. While graphite is more expensive than fiberglass, graphite rods are more sensitive. Fiberglass is more durable than graphite. Additionally, graphite is more susceptible to freezing in extremely cold weather conditions.

Rod Length

Generally, ice fishing rods are short, ranging in length from 14 to 42 inches, but some are longer than others. Longer rods offer better shock absorption as a result of handshakes and lure shaking, but are not ideal for use in enclosed or smaller areas. On the other hand, the smaller rods do not have adequate shock absorption; therefore, your hand withstands the stress during a fishing tackle. However, they are ideal for use in ice fishing neighborhoods.

Rod Weight

Lighter rods are easier to transport and handle without getting too tired. However, lightweight shouldn’t come at the cost of quality build. The weight of the rod should also be consistent with the weight of the line you will be using.

Rod Guides

Pay attention to the number of guides a rod has. The more guides, the more evenly the rod bends and the better its shock absorption. Choose guides with larger eyes: they make the line easier to pass and are less prone to ice build-up. The two-legged eyes offer enough support for jigging heavy baits and lures. They reduce the overall weight of the line in the bar blanks.

Rod Handle

Ice fishing handles are often made from foam, plastic, cork, and rubber. The foam is lightweight and durable, but it tends to absorb moisture, which is a major drawback when fishing in extremely cold and humid conditions.

Rubber and cork offer a firm grip. Cork is the best choice among experienced ice fishermen as it conducts vibrations through the blanks constantly. Some high-end ice fishing rods have graphite handles to improve sensitivity. Opt for rods whose blanks extend into the handle as their counterparts don’t transmit vibrations enough.

When choosing the type of handle, consider whether you want it to have reel mounting options, such as locking seats or adjustable rings. A spinning reel is suitable for smaller fish, while a baitcasting reel is more suitable for larger fish.

Conclusion

Don’t miss out on the fun outdoors during the cold season. If you like to fish as a hobby or as a sport, you can still keep up. All you need is a good fishing rod, some baits, and lures, and of course, to be well dressed.

Different ice fishing rods depend on their length, rod action, and whether or not they are compatible with a reel. You may need several ice fishing rods for each getaway, as one rod can be ideal for catching smaller fish and another large fish.

The best ice fishing rods are super lightweight, have a visible tip, are made of high-quality materials, and are sturdy. Whichever rod you choose, be sure to use fishing lines with a fishing capacity compatible with the particular rod.