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Ice fishing isn’t the most convenient hobby in the world. Dealing with bone-chilling weather conditions is not a joke. Carrying weight makes the job even tougher. This is why you should consider an ice fishing sled.
Best 5 Ice Fishing Sleds On Amazon
- Shappell Jet Ice Fishing Sled
- Pelican – MEGA UTILITY GLIDER
- Beavertail Sport Sled
- Otter Pro Sled
- Frabill Universal Shelter Tow Bar
You can call this article a product review, a buying guide, a Q&A session, or whatever you like; because this piece consists of all of them. Let’s get started.
Let’s see some of the advantages and disadvantages of an ice fishing sled.
What are the benefits of an ice fishing sled?
- Ideal for long-distance angling duties
The primary benefit you anticipate from a sled is to carry your fishing stuff when you are on long-distance fishing travels. You would know how difficult it is to walk on the ice carrying a considerable amount of weight.
Also, it is not appropriate to use wheeled vehicles on the ice as you never know how safe the ice tops are. Considering these factors an ice fishing sled would be the ideal candidate to replace backpacks and other kinds of containers.
- The room
An ice fishing sled has more room for the tools compared to backpacks. On the other hand, sleds are way more comfortable to handle as well. Also, you don’t have to worry about the shape or the size of the tools to a certain extent, thanks to the open-built nature of the sleds.
- Uses
Fishing sleds are versatile; you can use them for various purposes other than ice fishing. You are not limited to use them only during the winter season, as you have the luxury of using fishing sleds in summer as a container for other objectives.
What are the drawbacks of an ice fishing sled?
- Most of the sleds come without a cover for the gear that you carry. Certain weather conditions may demand a protective cover for the stuff, and wet tools may not do the job you expect.
- Typically, sleds are light weighted and made of polythene. They will work flawlessly on a smooth surface, but you are bound to get issues when used on hard and rocky floors. In fact, they tend to get cracked easily if not handled properly; we assume you know how to work with tools.
Ice fishing sleds vs Kids’ sled
Simply put, kids’ sleds are made for kids, and fishing sleds are made for anglers. However, there are similarities between the two. As an example, both are designed to move on the ice and carry weight. But, the kids’ ones are not strong compared to fishing sleds. So, it would be ideal if you don’t use kids’ sled for angling purposes. But, you hardly will face issues the other way around; kids in your ice fishing sled. But, that too not recommended as the sturdy nature of fishing sleds can bring injuries to your kids if something goes wrong.
Factors to consider for the best ice fishing sled
- Capacity
Obviously, you should think of the capacity of the fishing sled before you buy it. It should facilitate enough storage space for all your fishing gears; also some additional space for other tools (augers, coolers, etc.).
- Weight
The weight of the sled won’t be felt until you start it loading. So, make sure you buy a lightweight product to keep this issue at bay. This won’t matter a lot if you are handling the sled with a snowmobile. But, things can get difficult when you use your hands to pull the sled. All in all, the choice of the sled should be portable.
- Materials
Yes, your sled needs it to be a light-weighted product; at the same time, it should be durable. Only high-quality materials make a durable ice fishing sled. If the sled is not made of quality materials, you will be going to face issues when used in tough ground conditions.
Most of the products come with polyethylene materials, and they are light weight as well. But, you need to keep an eye on the overall quality of the sled. Also, it would be best if the bottom side of the sled is well reinforced to bear the punishing of the ground.
- Dragging
When it comes to ice fishing sleds, the most used method is pulling them by hand. That can be an energy-draining task, especially if you have a long way to travel for the fishing area. The ideal option would be to drag the sled using a snowmobile. If you have the cushion of a snowmobile, your sled must have a feature in it to help you with it. Moreover, it has to be a heavy-duty unit as well.
- Color
Yes, color should be a factor to consider. Never underestimate the color of the sled, as it would come to your rescue if you face an emergency. A white color sled will not help your course if you want someone to trace you on ice. On the other hand, a camouflage design sled would be a good option for those who intend to use it for hunting.
- Modification features
The sled must be easy to modify if the situation demands such a thing, and modifying a sled is always fun. Rod holders, skis, towing bars, and additional storing containers are a few modifications people make with the sleds. So, yes, it must be compatible.
- Price
Last but not least, you have to think about the price of the sled. However, these are not expensive, to be honest. You can find a good ice fishing sled around 50bucks. But, if you are thinking of the cost you put on a fishing sled as an investment, there are high-quality products above that margin.
Here are our Top 5 Best Ice fishing sleds.
1. Shappell Jet Ice Fishing Sled
As you read throughout the article, the best ice fishing sled should facilitate enough strength and room for fishing accessories as well as other tools. This particular product from Shappell does have that quality, and even you can give your kids a ride with it.
The sled is made of durable polyethylene materials, and you will get little to no issues when used on most kinds of ice floors. The D-shaped hull is tailor-made to minimize friction, and you can say from the look of the sled that it is fast.
If you have a long way to travel from your home to your destination, look no more this is the sled you should own. All in all, it’s one of the best in the business, so why not give it a shot?
Pros
- D shaped Contoured hull
- Polyethylene construction
- Has enough space for most fishing accessories
- Affordable
Cons
- The rope is not long and thick
2. Pelican – MEGA UTILITY GLIDER
The name of the product says the story of this sled. If not, just have a look at the product; you would quickly realize what kind of tools you can carry with this awesome fishing sled. The capacity of Pelican – MEGA UTILITY GLIDER is more than enough for four children or two adults. That is a lot of space!
The design of the sled helpful for a smooth slide on the ice, and the rope can be used as a cargo attachment. Further, the polyethylene materials guarantee longevity, and the sled works magnificently under the harshest of conditions.
Although it suits most heavy-duty tasks, do not tow it using a motorized vehicle as it is not made to cater to that requirement.
Pros
- A long ice fishing sled
- More capacity
- A multipurpose sled
- Durable
Cons
- Not compatible with snow vehicles
3. Beavertail Sport Sled
The Beavertail Sport Sled does have sufficient features in it to name one of the best ice fishing sleds going around in the market. It weighs only 6 pounds yet powerful enough to hold a good amount of weight. You will get two separate pulling ropes to match your requirement, and the sled comes in three different sizes as well.
The design of the sled supports leading edges, and the sturdy-reinforcing runners give a convenient pull. The polyethylene made and the reinforced bottom reinforce means you can use this product in most rugged conditions without any issue, which is amazing for an ice fishing sled.
As we said, you can’t exactly predict the condition of the terrain, and that is why you should eye a product like Beavertail Sport Sled.
Pros
- A light-weighted sled
- Two pulling ropes included
- Reinforced bottom
- Ideal for any condition
Cons
- Not the strongest fishing led
4. Otter Pro Sled
Otter is no rookie brand when it comes to quality reloading equipment, and they possess over 60 years of experience in the trade. This is another top-notch product of Otter and features a thick and rugged bottom and molded-in hitch pockets to tow the sled pretty easily.
The combination of reinforced outer lip and the strength of sidewalls make it a solid unit. The high back of the sled is built in a way to provide additional protection to the cargo you carry. Unlike most competing products, this one is not limited to use only on snow; it works fine with most terrains.
It looks nice on the eye and performs up to the expected levels. What else you expect from an ice fishing sled?
Pros
- Durable
- Built-in hitch pockets
- High back for cargo protection
- Reinforced outer lip
Cons
- A wee bit heavy
5. Frabill Universal Shelter Tow Bar
We thought it would be good to finish with something unconventional. It’s not difficult to understand why we labeled this as “unconventional,” right? Simply put, this is not restricted to carry fishing gear; but more of an ice shelter hauler.
The tow bar is made of powder-coated metal, and it is rust and corrosion-resistant. Further, you can attach it to your snowmobile using the provided accessories. If you have read the previous four product suggestions, you will notice this is the only unit that is compatible with ATV or snowmobiles.
There is nothing you can’t carry if you Choose Frabill Universal Shelter Tow bar and it won’t cost you even $50.
Pros
- Compatible with ATV and snowmobile
- Made of durable powder-coated metal
- Top-rated product
- Easy to handle
Cons
- Has limited storage space
FAQ’s
- How to decide on the size of an ice fishing sled?
It depends on the equipment you have to take when you go fishing. That said, we are not talking only about the fishing gear as you might want to carry other stuff as well. As an example, if you intend to build a cover near your fishing area, you would want to carry additional tools. Further, the size of the catch and how many fish you are thinking of bringing back are also valid considerations when deciding the sled size.
- Do fishing sleds float on the water?
Most of them do float on the water, having said that the floating ability depends on the material of the sled. However, if you overload the sled or distribute the weight unevenly, the sled will sink regardless of its material. Either way, you should not think of the ice fishing sled as a floating container.
- Is DIY possible?
Of course, you can make your own ice fishing sled if you have the right tools and knowledge. In fact, you can do anything if you have those two in your armory, isn’t it? We feel it is an unnecessary hassle, when there are affordable and high-quality products in the market.
- Can I use a kid’s sled instead of an ice fishing sled?
It is not recommended. Scroll down and see why. We have a dedicated section in this regard.
- What is the best ice fishing sled?
The products we are recommending in this article are considered the best of best among the anglers who are into ice fishing.
- Are there shelters for ice fishing sleds?
Yes, you can get an ice fishing sled shelter separately as a cover for your sled. These covers are super vital to keep your sled’s ingredients dry.
- How to make the sled fast?
Again, it depends on the material of the sled. The plastic-made sleds tend to move fast on the ice without creating much friction. Moreover, if you want to move the sled fast, do not overload it. Another option you can try is fixing skis onto the bottom of the sled to make it a fast-moving vehicle.
