How to Choose an Ice Fishing Rod
Whether you’re new to ice angling or a seasoned pro, you won’t be successful on the ice without the right ice fishing rod. With so many options available for ice rod power, action, and length, it can be difficult to know which rod is best for your target species. Learn about the different ice rod styles and find the right rod for you whether you’re fishing for walleye, panfish, or pike.
Ice Fishing Styles: Jigging vs. Dead Sticking
Before choosing an ice rod, it’s important to understand the difference between the two most common ice fishing styles: jigging and dead sticking.
-
Jigging: You move the rod up and down to move the jig and entice the fish to strike.
-
Dead Sticking: You attach live bait to your hook and let it swim around, only moving the rod sparingly. Dead sticking also refers to fishing with your ice rod in a rod holder or tip-up.
Determining your preferred style of ice fishing is important, as each style has different demands on the rod. Many anglers choose to have a few rods for each style to give them versatility. For example, it’s common to have a jigging ice rod to hold in your hand and a couple of dead sticking rods to set up in a rod holder or tip-up, allowing you to fish more holes.
Understanding Ice Rod Power
When choosing an ice rod, rod power is one of the most important factors to consider. Rod power refers to the amount of force needed to bend the rod blank, and it is noted as ultra-light, light, medium, heavy, or in-between measurements like light-medium or medium-heavy.
Some manufacturers also use the term noodle to typically indicate a light power rod.
When determining which power is right for your fishing scenario, consider the following:
-
Strength vs. Sensitivity: The rod should have enough strength to handle a fighting fish, but also be sensitive enough to detect bites.
-
Target Species: Most anglers select rod power based on the size of the fish they are targeting. See the chart below for a general guideline on ice rod power by species.
Expert Tip | It’s a good idea to bring multiple rods to give you plenty of options for power.
Ice Rod Power Chart
| Ice Rod Power | Target Species |
|---|---|
| Ultra-Light | Panfish: sunfish, bluegills, small perch/crappie |
| Light | Perch, crappie, and smaller walleyes |
| Medium-Light | Walleye, larger crappie, jumbo perch |
| Medium | Walleye, whitefish, trout |
| Heavy | Northern pike, lake trout |
Understanding Ice Rod Action
While rod power indicates the force needed to bend the rod, rod action shows where along the blank the rod will bend. Ice rod actions range from slow (bends closer to the handle) to ultra-fast (bends closer to the tip).
Our Fishing Experts outline general uses for popular actions.
-
Fast & Ultra-Fast Action: This rod action makes it easy to detect soft taps and bits, while the rest of the blank provides plenty of strength and support. With the balance of sensitivity and strength, this action is best for jigging.
-
Medium or Moderate Action: This rod action is more forgiving during aggressive hooksets, making it better suited for dead sticking.
Understanding Ice Rod Length
The length of an ice rod is often determined by its power and action. Most ice anglers use rods ranging in length from 28- to 32-inches.
While rod length can affect the feel of the rod, it’s ultimately up to individual preference—first, choose an ice rod with the right power and action, then consider your length options. Also, keep in mind longer rods may be harder to use in an ice shelter or other enclosed space.
Before you head out on the ice, make sure you have the right ice rod for your target species, considering the rod power and action with your style of ice fishing. If you have additional questions about ice rods or looking for the best rods for the season, stop by your local SCHEELS and talk to one of our Ice Fishing Experts.