Best Ice Fishing Rods – Excellent Selections by Expert!

Fans of ice fishing know how critical it is to have the right rod. You can’t expect to get a quality, comfortable, high-performance rod by just buying the first one that you see. There are a lot of factors that go into getting the best ice fishing rod for you, and a ton of different qualities and materials that separate and distinguish one rod from the next.

Today, we are going to look at three different, high-performing ice fishing rods. Take a closer look at them with us, so that you can see which one is best for you.

Comparison on 5 Best Ice Fishing Rods

Let’s kick this review off by starting with the Skakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 combo ice fishing rod.

The first thing that we really like about this ice fishing rod is that it is comfortable to use.

It is built with an EVA and totally ergonomic that is comfortable to grip and reel from. 

The reel has a twist lock for added security for fishing, and the pole is built one piece stainless steel guides for added security and durability. It has a 20 size spinning reel with a single ball bearing to that you can easily drop your line in the fishing hole, and reel it in as well.

This fishing pole also has a durable stainless steel body, so that it can maintain high-performance through long and harsh winters, year after year. It also has a ported aluminum spool that makes it super lightweight, and extra durable.

Pros

Let’s take a look at another incredibly durable rod with the Fiblink Graphite ice fishing rod. First and foremost, this fishing rod comes in two different sizes, so you can either get it in the 24 inch medium-light power rod of the 30 inch medium power rod.

The rod is setup with a comfortable and ergonomically designed cork handle, which is pleasant to hold and really easy to grip.

This rod is made of graphite, so it is not only incredibly flexible and lightweight, but is also built for durability and strength. This rod is blank through the handle for an even more lightweight and balanced feel.

This Fiblink also includes a nice feature with the aluminum oxide guides, which make the rod even lighter and more durable, and also give your line an easy pass through when dropping and reeling.

Pros

Let’s take a look at a combination rod now, with the Berkley Lightning Rod Ice Fishing Rod. The cork grip over the fiberglass rod is a nice touch, that makes this rod incredibly light and comfortable.

The cork handle is comfortable to the touch, threaded so it won’t tear up your hands, and holds in heat so your hands won’t freeze while fishing.

This rod uses oversized guides that are lightweight, durable, and thread your line perfectly straight. It has a light, graphite spinning reel, and ball bearing drive for easy casting and reeling. It also comes in a variety of sizes and actions so that you can get the right one for your preferences.

Pros

Let’s now take a look at the Piscifun Storm spinning rod. What separates this rod from some of the pack when it comes to ice fishing rods, is that instead of being primarily stainless steel, it is made from 24 ton graphite.

The graphite makes the rod increasingly more flexible without sacrificing durability. The material makes it feel light and well-balanced.

This model of fishing rod is specifically designed for a spinning reel, so keep that in mind. On the body, the rod is equipped with ceramic inserts and stainless steel oxide guides. Research shows that these are 25 times more durable and 60 percent lighter than your average stainless steel guides, and are perfect for braided line use.

The rod is comfortable to hold with it’s totally light, balanced, and ergonomically designed handle. It is designed to increase comfort and reduce fatigue while you are holding it.

Pros

This is another great ice fishing rod that has a slightly different construction from other rods in this review.

This rod is made out of 28 inches of E-glass, which makes it really sensitive, and also really durable and strong.

It has a secure hook setting and a strong backbone for handling any fish. 

Another quaint feature about this interesting rod is that the handle has a built-in, interchangeable bait cup. That makes it really easy to access stored bait and tackle.

The handle is constructed with an ABS design which gives the rod added sensitivity and is self-centering, to give you a better position for your reel. This works well as a dead stick or jigging rod, and has the look and feel of a custom fishing rod.

Pros

How to Choose The Best Ice Fishing Rods

So what are some of the key factors that should play into your choice of ice fishing rod?

Material

What material do you like and what are you most comfortable with? There are just as many benefits from using a stainless steel rod vs. a graphite rod, but they are going to feel and perform differently. Take some time reviewing the materials that these rods are made of before jumping into a decision.

Sizes

What size rod is best for you? As you can see, many of these rods offer different sizes, and some of them don’t. What size works best for you and is it offered?

Added Features

Added features are definitely something that you want to pay attention to when shopping for the right fishing rod. Pay close attention to the rod construction, handle cover, ergonomic design, and guides on the rod to see what they offer. Every rod is constructed a little differently.

Final Verdict

So at the end of the day, who won the top performing rod? We think that the best overall ice fishing rod in this review is the Shakespeare Ugly Stick. It has a durable design, is well balanced, comfortable to hold, made out of high quality materials, and rates high on the durability scale so that you can use it winter after winter, with minimal wear and tear.