Even on a one-day fishing trip, a lover of
winter ice fishing has to take a lot of things. If you are not far from the place and you are not planning to make significant movements on the ice, you can get by with a backpack or a fishing box, which is carried on your shoulder. In other cases, it becomes vital to acquire a fishing sled.
What is a fishing winter sled and why is it needed
Until the end of the last century, almost none of the fishermen had a sled. Most of them used fishing boxes, which were produced in two versions: with clip-on and with folding runners. The former were more reliable, but they were rare on sale, and some anglers made them on their own, trying to make the runners wide. So the box was toppled and turned over less often. The fact is that fishing boxes have a rather high center of gravity and, when moving on uneven ice, they often fall to one side or even turn over. Folding runners usually have a short lifespan. They twisted, the fasteners loosened and, in the end, such a box became unusable.
Some anglers used children’s sleds, but they had the same disadvantages – narrow runners and a high center of gravity.
Finally, someone came up with the idea of making a fishing sled out of plastic. The result is a product, colloquially called a “trough”, but in fact it is a sled-sled.
Varieties of winter sleds for fishing
All sleds for winter fishing can be divided into two groups:
- sledges for individual use and fishing on foot;
- snowmobiles for towing behind any vehicle.
Vehicles are understood as snowmobiles and motorized towing vehicles.
Hand sled
The first to appear on the market were small hand-held polyethylene sleds with a low side. Anglers immediately appreciated their advantages, which are expressed in the following:
- due to the wide surface of contact with snow or ice and the low center of gravity of loaded sleds, they rarely turn over;
- even the smallest sleds have more capacity than fishing boxes;
- the sled is lightweight;
- the sled glides well;
- you can put the catch in the sleigh, and do it unnoticed by others;
- the cost of the sleigh is low.
Modification of plastic manual sleds for winter fishing: https://youtu.be/UJtIJBbyrmg The first sled needed some work. It was necessary to make two holes for attaching the rope, for which the fisherman drags the sled behind him. They also needed holes on the sides or back for securing cargo – the same fishing box or backpack. Recently, many models are available with pre-drilled holes. Expander elastic bands, which come in different lengths, are ideal for securing the load to the sled.
Healthy! Plastic sleds have one drawback – when ice freezes, which occurs while moving alternately on water or slush, then on dry snow, ice forms on them, which significantly impairs sliding. You have to beat it off or chop it off with a knife. To reduce the formation of ice, it is recommended to rub the underside of the sled with candle wax.
- for fishing involving the transportation of a large load, for example, for night fishing , when you need a tent or when fishing on gutters that take up a large volume even when folded, it is better to take a sled of the maximum size;
- if fishing is mainly one-day and walking , a medium-sized sled is suitable;
- if you have to get to the place of fishing by forest paths , then it is better to take a narrow sleigh that will not get stuck on the road;
- if the sled is supposed to be towed , take into account the power of the vehicle.
Snowmobiles for towing
Sleds for towing behind a motorized vehicle differ from manual ones in the size and thickness of the plastic. You can buy a sled for any purpose – for the carriage of only cargo, for the carriage of cargo and one, two, maximum three people.
Sleigh tent
It is clear what the sled tent is for. Having brought them to the place of fishing, you can stretch a tent over the sled and fish with relative comfort – although the holes will be outside, the angler himself can hide from the wind in a tent. Such sleds are produced by various manufacturers. The most budgetary can be considered the Russian sled SVP-150 with a fisherman’s tent. Their cost is 12.5 thousand rubles. There are many imported modifications. Their price starts from about 30 thousand rubles. In addition, they have a considerable weight – from 40 kg. When assembled, even the smallest sleigh-tents can fit into the trunk of only a serious SUV, but mostly they have to be transported in a trailer or on the trunk from above. 
Attention! You can move on the ice by towing the sled-tent when folded. When disassembled, they will greatly slow down movement and snow can fill up inside the tent.
Some anglers make a foldable sleigh tent with their own hands, but this is a laborious task.
Motor sleds
Motorcycle sleds are already a mechanized means of transportation. They are a Finnish sled with a seat for one angler, behind which there is a small engine, a wheel that drives the sled and a seat for the driver.
Inflatable sled
PVC sleds are not very popular. Firstly, they need to be pumped up upon arrival on a fishing trip, and secondly, they are extremely short-lived.
Finnish sleigh
Finnish sleds, known since time immemorial, are still used by anglers today. When moving on clear ice, they provide a large gain in movement speed. Fishermen equip the Finnish sleigh with various attachments for attaching an ice screw and a box in which tackle, catch and food with a thermos are stored. Some craftsmen put small motors on them. Finnish sleighs are produced in a collapsible version.
Important! Finnish titanium sleds are much lighter than steel ones, but they slide much worse and are more expensive.
In addition to those listed, you can see handicraft sledges on the ice. They are a large wooden box on wide runners. These are usually used by commercial fishermen. Ice fishing sled – which of the two types to choose: https://youtu.be/ax–TnXvrZc
Do-it-yourself winter sleds for fishing
Only a person who knows how to design and work with his hands can make a serious fishing winter sled. It will take a lot of materials and tools. A simple sled can be made almost from scrap materials. This will require the following:
- plastic (polyethylene) box;
- a piece of plywood;
- 4 bars with a cross section of 50 mm;
- a pair of old wooden alpine skis;
- self-tapping screws.
The process of making a homemade sled looks like this:
- The box is sheathed with plywood.
- The cover is made of plywood. If you wish, you can stick some soft material on it.
- Bars are screwed to the bottom.
- Skis are screwed to the bars, which must be cut to the desired length.
The construction is non-separable, but strong enough.
What sleds for winter fishing to buy, based on the backside and budget
The simplest fishing plastic sledges 89 cm long with a low side cost 450 rubles. At the price of 500 rubles. there is a wide selection of sleds in different lengths and depths. Sleds 1-1.2 meters long, which are suitable for transporting fishing luggage behind a motorized towing vehicle, cost from 950 to 1960 rubles. The same sleigh with a cover has a price of 3220 rubles.
