The Extremely Practical Ice Fishing Tent

Ice fishing doesnt require a permanent ice fishing house or even a shanty, even a simple, easy to set up and collapsible ice fishing tent may be just the option anglers are looking for. An ice fishing tent is different than a camping tent, although some fishermen do use traditional tents out on the ice, but they are often not constructed in a suitable fashion.

It is important to consider several key factors before deciding on the best model of ice fishing tent. Many tents are designed for one or two people, with larger tents available for four to six people. Typically tents are either traditionally shaped or they are hexagonal in design, allowing for circular type seating around the fishing holes. One drawback to most ice fishing tents is that the doors or flaps are on the end, which makes it difficult for fishermen to move in and out of the tent once others are seated. It also provide difficulties in heating the area, as the heater is usually located on the opposite end of the tent from the flap, which makes it harder to heat uniformly. In smaller tents this is not as much of an issue but in larger four or six man tents this can be a really concern.

The ice fishing tent needs to be easy to collapse and erect out on the lake, especially in snowy or windy conditions. All in one collapsible fiberglass frames are ideal as they eliminate the need to connect the tent poles and simply fold in on each other. This collapsible type frame eliminates the need to search for poles and parts in the snow on the lake, something that can be a huge problem in windy conditions when you are out on the flat surface of the ice.

Finally the ice fishing tent needs to have a strongly reinforced bottom. Typically the holes are preset in the tent, with additional fasteners to keep unused holes closed. Pegs are needed to anchor the tent to the ice, and more anchor tabs are better than fewer when it comes to securing the ice fishing tent. Without the anchors the tent will move about on the ice with the wind, even on relatively calm days.

For those anglers that enjoy spear fishing in winter months it is important to ensure that the ice fishing tent is tall enough and has enough room to allow standing and movement. Hexagonal tents are often considered the best for this sport. Most tents fold down into backpack sized packages, complete with arm straps for easy transport. Larger ice fishing tents may be packed and moved on ice fishing sleds.

Consider A Kit For Getting Everything You Need In Ice

Consider A Kit For Getting Everything You Need In Ice Fishing Tackle

For those that are planning to start the exciting sport of ice fishing, there is usually some concern with ensuring that they have the right ice fishing tackle. It does tend to be a bit overwhelming with the huge number of rods, reels, lures and specialty items available in online fishing stores, sporting equipment outlets and at fish and game shows and exhibitions. Thankfully many of the equipment manufacturers now put together ice fishing tackle kits that provide all the necessary equipment to ice fish almost every variety of winter sports fish in almost every waterway.

Ice fishing tackle kits are sold in particular sets including set numbers of items. There are also ice fishing tackle kits that are available for fishing particular species of fish such as walleye, pike, lake trout or bluegill. These kits are a great idea for new anglers as well as for children that are just getting started in the sport.

Typically an ice fishing tackle kit will include:

A tackle box with various sized compartments and sections for storing tackle in a safe and secure fashion
A variety of weights and split shots including light and heavy weights for various depths of fishing from very heavy through to ultra light
Ice fishing jigs and lures.
A variety of leaders
Bobbers
Depth markers

Essentially this will be the basics of most ice fishing tackle kits. Some more advanced level kits will also include additional lures and even tip-ups, rods and reels for a complete fishing equipment requirement.

Those individuals that know that they will be fishing for various species such as walleye may choose to buy a specific tackle kit such as a highly illuminated or glow in the dark type tackle kit. These kits can be used to enhance an existing tackle box or may be a stand alone set of items. Likewise additional tip-ups or fishing lure kits can be ideal if you are planning on running more than a couple of lines in the water at any one time. Kits provide an excellent selection of lures, weights and leaders, jigs and plastic worms and spoons that can be use in all types of fishing conditions.

Typically purchasing an ice fishing tackle kit is less expensive than buying all the various components separately in a bait store. Some of the lures and specialty items such as ice fishing bobbers and tip-ups may only be sold in kits, not as separate items.