Eskimo Quickfish 6i Hub Ice Fishing Shelter

Eskimo Quickfish 6 Pop-Up Hub-Style Portable Ice Fishing Shelter, 68 Square Feet of Fishable Area, 6 Person Shelter, red

Eskimo Quickfish 6 Pop-Up Hub-Style Portable Ice Fishing Shelter Review

The Eskimo Quickfish 6 Ice Fishing Shelter is a top choice for anglers looking for a spacious and easy-to-set-up ice fishing hub. This portable shelter offers 68 square feet of fishable area, accommodating up to 6 people comfortably. Its distinctive red color not only looks striking on the ice but also enhances visibility.

Key Features:

• Spacious: 68 square feet of fishable area.
• Capacity: Comfortably fits 6 people.
• Portability: Easy to set up and take down.
• Durability: High-quality materials ensure longevity.
• Visibility: The striking red color enhances safety on the ice.

• Pros And Cons

• Pros	Cons
  Spacious interior	Can be heavy to transport
  Quick and easy setup	May require additional anchoring in strong winds
  High-quality, durable materials	Higher price point compared to some models
  Comfortably accommodates 6 people	Size may be too large for solo anglers
  Enhanced visibility with red color	Red color may not appeal to all users

 When venturing out onto frozen lakes and ponds for a day of ice fishing, an important piece of gear is an effective sled for transporting all your equipment. Ice sleds allow anglers to efficiently haul their ice fishing accessories including shelter, rods, gear bags, heaters, buckets, and more across slippery and snow-covered ice to the fishing spot.

Types of Ice Fishing Sleds

There are a few main types of ice sleds and toboggans used by ice fishermen:

Hand Sleds - Compact hand pull sleds are lightweight and good for smaller loads like an ice fishing tackle bag. Easy to pull manually.

Towable Sleds - Hitched to an ATV or snowmobile, these sleds can handle heavier capacity loads. Allow transporting all ice shelter, gear, and supplies in one tow.

Flip Over Sleds - Designed to be easily pulled by hand or towed, then flipped on edge to create a wind block and bench at the fishing hole. This unique style serves dual purposes.

Custom Sleds - For hardcore ice warriors, custom-built sleds provide customized storage and efficiency for the equipment needs ice anglers have. From rod and tackle boxes to live wells and seat mounts, customized ice sleds keep everything organized.

Uses on the Ice Ice sleds lend the mobility and cargo capacity modern ice fishermen need when battling elements at the fishing hole. Key uses include:

• Haul shelter, heater, rods, buckets
• Transport equipment from vehicle to spot
• Flip-over models provide seating and windshield
• Store tools/tackle needed during the day
• Carry out trash and gear at day's end

With the capacity to carry all necessary equipment in one sled, ice anglers can fully enjoy their time fishing instead of making multiple trips across the frozen lake. Choose the right ice sled for your needs and make transporting gear safe and easy this ice season. Brave the cold and enjoy the catch!

Ice Fishing Sleds

Brand	Model	Capacity	Price
Eskimo	Quickfish 3i	3 Person	$299.99
Frabill	Citadel 3255	2 Person	$249.99
Clam Outdoors	Nanook XL	2 Person	$279.99
Shappell	Jet Sled	1 Person	$69.99

Ice Fishing Lures

 As the cold weather rolls in, ice fishermen start gearing up for another season out on the frozen lakes and ponds.

An important part of any ice angler's arsenal is having the right lures and jigs for the species they are targeting.

When fishing through a hole in several feet of ice, the lures you use really make a difference in whether you pull up fish or just stare at your depth finder all day.

The main categories of ice fishing lures are spoons, jigging raps, plastic baits, and jig heads paired with live bait.

Each has its own applications and excels at catching certain fish. Here's a breakdown of some of the top ice-fishing lures and how to fish them:

Spoons

Spoons are excellent at covering water to find active fish. They have that tempting wobble and flash whether jigged lightly or dropped to the bottom.

 Spoons come in a variety of sizes and colors. Smaller spoons in gold, silver, or glow colors work well for panfish like crappie and bluegill. 

The classics - like the Acme Kastmaster - catch everything from walleye to pike to perch.

Jigging Raps

Nothing quite has the great action of a jigging rap when snapped and dropped back to the bottom. That erratic darting motion triggers reaction strikes from walleyes and other predators.

Jigging raps like the Jigging Rapala works best when using a sharp snap jigging motion. Adding a minnow head gives off scent and juices to further entice fish. Go bright colors in stained water and more natural minnow imitations in clear water.

Plastic Baits

Soft plastic baits that mimic larvae, worms, minnows, and insects are secretary snacks for panfish, trout, and more. Small tube jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes score plenty of crappie and bluegill.

Berkley micro plastics on dropper rigs catch trout through the ice. Finesse baits like Northland Foska Tube Jigs or Northland Bug Eye Jigs appeal to inactive fish that shy away from aggressive presentations. Fished alone or tipped with live bait, plastics constantly produce fish.

Jigs with Live Bait

A simple jig head paired with a live minnow or wax worms is a deadly combination every ice angler should have in their arsenal.

 This economical setup consists of a lead head jig, your line, and a live minnow hooked through the back/spine, lips, or tail depending on fish activity and regulations. The jig sinks and holds the bottom while the free-moving live bait appeals to all frozen water species from trout to walleye. Add some flash like blades, beads, or gulp to increase fish-attracting vibration and flash.

So there's a quick breakdown of proven ice fishing lures that no angler should be without. Now get out there this ice fishing season and drop them down the hole! Follow these tips and tricks to fill your bucket with keepers during those cold winter months ahead.

Top Ice Fishing Jigs

In addition to live bait rigs, jigs are a top producer when fishing through the ice. Here are some of the most popular ice fishing jig styles:

• Tungsten jigs - Dense tungsten has a smaller profile but gets down quickly
• Slab spoons - Large profile moves lots of water to trigger reaction bites
• Bug jigs - Resemble larvae and insects to catch finicky panfish
• Teardrop jigs - Classic shape for vertical jigging presentations

Jig	Best For	Colors
Buckshot Rattle Spoon	Walleye, pike, trout	Gold, glow, firetiger
Tungsten Bug Jig	Panfish, light-biters	Black, green, red
Ike's Micro Teardrop	Walleye, crappie, perch	Glow, UV, combinations

Fishing Rod and Reel for Ice Fishing

 Fishing Rod for Ice Fishing

• Design: Ice fishing rods are typically shorter than regular fishing rods, ranging from 24 to 36 inches long.
• This shorter design offers better maneuverability in the confined spaces often encountered while ice fishing, such as in an ice shack or hut.
  
  
  

• Material: They are usually made from graphite or fiberglass, providing sensitivity and flexibility to detect subtle bites in cold water.
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• Types: Various ice fishing rods for different fishing styles and target species exist. Some rods are designed with heavier action for larger fish, while others are more sensitive for smaller species and lighter lures.

Reel for Ice Fishing

• Types: Spinning and inline reels are the two central reels used in ice fishing.
  • Spinning Reels: These are similar to regular fishing and are famous for their ease of use and versatility. They are suitable for a range of fish sizes and can handle various types of lures and baits.
  • Inline Reels: Inline reels are more specialized for ice fishing. They are designed to reduce line twists, a common issue in ice fishing due to the frequent jigging motion.
• Size and Gear Ratio: The size of the reel and its gear ratio should be chosen based on the type of fish you are targeting. A smaller reel with a lower gear ratio is typically sufficient for most ice fishing needs.

Combining Rod and Reel

• Balance: It's essential to have a balanced setup where the rod and reel complement each other.
• This balance helps in better lure presentation and enhances the sensitivity of the setup, allowing the angler to feel even the lightest bites.
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• Line Choice: The choice of a fishing line is also crucial. Lines specifically designed for cold weather are recommended as they are less likely to freeze and have reduced memory, which helps in smoother casting and reeling.

Personal Preference and Experience

• Experimentation: Anglers often experiment with different rod and reel combinations to find what works best for their style of fishing and the specific conditions they encounter.
• Advice from Experienced Anglers: Newcomers to ice fishing may benefit from seeking advice from experienced anglers or local bait and tackle shops, as they can offer valuable insights into the most effective rod and reel combinations for the local conditions and target fish species.

In summary, selecting the right fishing rod and reel for ice fishing is a balance of functionality, personal preference, and the specific conditions of the ice fishing environment.

The right combination enhances the fishing experience, increasing the chances of a successful and enjoyable ice fishing outing.

Ice Augers

 Getting Equipped: Your Guide to Ice Augers

Among the critical gear enabling wintertime ice fishing success sits the mighty ice auger cutting holes, allowing anglers access to hidden trophy fish below frozen waters.

Whether powered or hand operated, understanding ice auger varieties, components, and considerations helps properly equip for safe, effective ice fishing this season.

Hand Augers

The classic hand auger provides a reliable, low-tech solution that gets through solid ice layers up to a foot or more thick when adequately sharpened.

Common iterations consist of cylindrical stainless steel blades joined by frame sides that extend into handles for gripping and drilling motion.

Some features include replaceable cutting heads and centering points to guide precision. Hand versions excel for portability accessing remote frozen lakes by sled or backpack versus heavier powered options.

Just anticipate physical exertion and time investment boring multiple holes by hand compared to powered alternatives.

Gas Powered Augers

Harnessing compact gasoline engines, power augers allow drilling multiple holes through thicker ice efficiently with minimal physical effort.

Their auger bits come in sizes from six to over ten inches in diameter and can penetrate deep ice. The engine and blades mounted on a guide frame are kept perpendicular when drilling by handles on the balanced rear section gripped by the operator.

Beyond raw drilling power, engine-driven functionality adjusts speed and torque settings, optimizing effectiveness across ice conditions and desired hole sizes.

From thick blue ice to slushy freeze-ups, power augers adapt to the challenge. Just be ready to refuel and mindful regarding potential exhaust gases in confined ice shelters.

Key Considerations

With either approach – hand or powered – keep sharp blades and bring spare shear pins, recognizing extreme cold and sudden jolts and sometimes bent components.

Also, consider ice conditions and desired hole sizes, bringing just over 3 inches for panfish, while gamefish like pike may need 8 inches.

Lastly, choose quality materials like solid stainless steel resisting corrosion from wet ice media for lasting performance across seasons.

Consult local sporting outlets to handle various ice augers and find your best fit this winter.