Now use 2 inch wood screws to fasten the rails onto the struts. If it seems like there is too much that needs to be done, consider purchasing a different sled, which comes pre-installed with some of these extra gadgets, especially if you are not the DIY sort. Show some of your homemade equipment for ice fishing Recent Topics. It should not be too long as that might cause a rough drag. Ice Fishing Academy also participates in an affiliate program from Bass Pro Shops. The vertical bars enter the holes, and the horizontal bar then bridges the two skis. Theres just something about spending long nights in the shop, building tackle in anticipation of the next adventure on ice. Customize to your hearts content: You now have the bare minimum required to call your sled a Smitty sled. My first one was just a 1/2" rope about 12 ft. 1 10ft. If you are a competent joiner or craftsman a homemade sled may be a perfect project. Use a longer rope or tow strap as the longer the rope, the more leverage you'll have when pulling the sled. Fishing Kayaks. Keep reading to see how it is done in 7 simple steps! 34 Best ice fishing sled ideas | ice fishing sled, ice fishing, ice fishing diy ice fishing sled 34 Pins 3y A Collection by Anthony Wiegand Similar ideas popular now Ice Fishing Sled Fish Fishing Tips Ice Fishing Shanty Ice Fishing Tent Ice Shanty Ice Fishing House Fishing Boats Fishing Tips Fly Fishing Fishing Lures Trout Fishing Ice Fishing Huts Build the connecting rails: The connecting rails are what align the skis parallel to each other and provides the support structure for your sled. Again, it just depends on what you have available to use. The attachment can either be permanent or done in such a way so that the skis can be removed for easier transport. The Fur Hat Ice TourHow-To Series is brought to you byESKIMO. Step 7 Screw the sled down to the tops of the struts using the bolts, washers, and nuts. On a Smitty sled, the best place to attach a tow rope is on the front tips of the skis. Pelican Trek 60 Ice Fishing Sled - Best Heavy-Duty. (Ice Fishing DIY) by DWS Outdoors . #IceFishing #SmittySled #DIY. Its pretty cheap to do and even easier to make. I usually use a power auger, so I'd probably want something to balance it on on the other side, or carry it in the center. Sometimes, just using a long rope seems like a childish method to pull the sled, but the fact is that it is an incredible idea. This keeps the ski from digging into snow or slush. Pelican Trek Sport 75 Utility Sled. The first has holes to hold propane tanks and buckets, plus rod holders. After drilling the wood block in, use a drill bit to make a hole and attach a big screwed hook on the outside of the tote. Last updated 2023-03-01 at 12:57 / Affiliate Links & Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Ice Sled Ice Fishing Equipment Ice Hut SMITTYSLEDPRO kitted out with a Jet Pro XL tub, auger, two 5-gallon pails, and rods. Ice Sled. Remember, you'll be attaching the sled to the struts with a 38-inch bolt, so use the right bit for the job! I recently got into the DIY projects and started making a few fun tools. Reply #9 on: Jan 04, 2019, 09:54 AM . These homemade sleds are easy to pull and help lift your rod, traps, reel, and equipment throughout, making them a lot more comfortable. You can attach a tote box with a pair of skis and bind them together with wood mounts. Our guide has everything you need to know, from top brands to key features. In its most basic form, a Smitty sled utilizes a pair of down hill or cross country skis attached to the bottom of an existing ice fishing sled. Ice Fishing Gear Sleds | And my modified tipup holder that works wonderfully, drainage pipe cut Organize and Separate Fishing Hooks With Safety Pins. My Homemade $15 Sled! Make sure both sides of your rope are equal lengths from the handle to each ski. Try these mods and five more in this article to take your hardwater angling up a notch this winter. #077-8476-8. Show us your PVC, Build, add-on, rod holders, ETC. Telescopic Smitty Sled in raised position for travel - 4 inches of lift. Below are some examples of modifications and choices which can improve a sleds ease of use. Attach the connecting rails to the skis: Of all the steps, this one is most critical to get right. These are perfect for placing hooks, weights, jigs, and soft plastics to be ready in a moments notice. Learn about different types of rod holders, mounting options, and how to choose the right one for you. How much does your gear transportation weigh? Then you can put it in the sled. A few tools are necessary to make the ice fishing sled. Slab City Outdoors walks you through his wood frame Smitty Sled build in his video. Its super handy to have several rigged rods ready to go at all timesand separated from each other to prevent the inevitable tangles. Not sure how to start? If you are building a Smitty sled from scratch, expect to pay $80-$100 for the materials needed. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. For ice sleds, LED strips, portables, and trailer lights work very well. Check out the video below to build the structure for Smitty sled modification: If you're an ice fisherman, you know that one of the most frustrating parts of the sport can be lugging all of your gear out onto the ice. By adding skis, you change the surface area and amount of the drag (the part in contact with the snow/ice). First, a Smitty allows a vast range so everyone can haul their gear. Frabill Universal Shelter Tow Bar | Universally Clam (CLAM0) Clam Hitch Kit, Multicolor, One Size, Peterson Manufacturing V480A Amber Reflector. - Light and Detachable for a Two Man Ice Fishing Shanty Angling Anarchy. A sturdy, high-quality rope will be less likely to break or stretch under the weight of your sled. And if you are building Smitty Sleds, have a pair of ice skis (preferably downhill skis over cross-country skis) handy. Pinterest This site is founded and maintained by real anglers, with decades of fishing and boating experience, as well as longtime members of B.A.S.S. Then tie a rope with the hook with a solid knot to pull the sled. It is my hope that through this blog, I can help others learn more about fishing and how to enjoy it safely and responsibly. There is a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with creating something with your own hands and adding a personal touch to your fishing setup. Thats why one of the first mods anglers make is adding a tow bar and hitch. A slight curl on the back is even better. How To BUILD a Smitty Sled! They really do work that good. eyeguy 54 It should make your sled much more efficient than it was before the installation of the skis. Some of the cooler sleds Ive seen even have built-in seats, bucket holders and propane heater mounts. Tackle Scout is an online resource for anglers and boaters looking to catch more fish, and get more from their gear. An unbalanced sled can tip over easily, potentially causing harm to you and damaging your gear. When a sled is hard to manage, it can become highly annoying. Discover the perfect ice fishing rod holder for your next ice fishing trip. This gives me a solid connection while allowing me to quickly detach the sled component if need be. This will prevent rust and prolong the life of your homemade ice fishing sled. So, you can also follow this DIY to go fishing in warm areas. As long as you have the fundamental components in place, how you trick out your sled is entirely up to you. Attach your sled onto the rails and skis: At this point, youre nearly done. This is for placing and carrying the bait bucket. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 29 Ice Fishing DIY ideas | ice fishing diy, ice fishing, fishing diy Ice Fishing DIY 29 Pins 5y S Collection by Some Dude Similar ideas popular now Ice Fishing Fishing Tips Fish Fishing Lures Kayak Fishing Ice Fishing Sonar Ice Fishing Sled Ice Fishing Jigs Fishing Tackle Fly Fishing Fishing Shack Women Fishing Walleye Fishing Fishing Stuff PVC !! Try a Smitty sled one time and I guarantee youll be sold. Depending on the specific design of your sled, you may also need additional materials such as PVC pipes or plastic sheeting. Smaller sleds are more reasonable around $50. You simply need to attach your cargo sled onto the rails and skis. Attach your sled onto the rails and skis: 6 Best Ice Fishing Spinning Reels Tested And Ranked, 11 Biggest Ice Fishing Mistakes That Are Costing You Fish, Are Custom Ice Fishing Rods Worth It: An Honest Answer, How To Ice Fish For Stocked Trout Like A Boss, Best Ice Fishing Shelters For Any Situation, Can I Use A Regular Tent For Ice Fishing: Heres The Truth, Marcum Pursuit HD L Underwater Camera: In-depth Review, Vexilar FLX-12 Flasher: Full On The Ice Review, 1 1/2 inch stainless bolts with nuts and washers. dad use to go up there with a group. Make sure the skis are parallel and positioned with the front tips even with each other. Build A Crate - Triple Rod Holder for extra storage while kayaking and fishing in a sport where storage space is super limited. Some venison sausage, homemade wine, maybe even a sunburn with all that sun reflecting off that snow and ice and maybe a fish or . You can buy a tool holder made to fit around 5-gallon buckets or attached to the side of your sled. I used a sharp hacksaw blade to cut this plastic. I added a rod rack, spud bar holder and a cargo extension where I strap down my Humminbird ICE Helix 7 and tackle bag. Some snow cover on the ice is certainly way better than no snow and glare ice. The truth is, just about any set of skis will work. Placing screws through the bottom of the skis into the sled. Most of the modifications and changes made to a sled will tick-off more than one of the reasons (something that prevents breakages will also potentially reduce/better distribute weight). All of these sleds have a maximal cargo load capacity of over 500 pounds, which means you need to tow the sled behind a motorized ice fishing vehicle when it is fully . Another easy upgrade to your ice sled is adding hooks and holes for attaching bungee cords. One thing to look out for is that you attach your skis while they are pointing inwards of the tote. Is a Smitty sled essential for ice fishing? It doesnt matter how much experience you have. Posted Monday at 11:33 PM, By Enjoy your new ice-fishing adventure! Ice Fishing Reels vs. But which is Hi there - I'm Mike Rodman, the guy behind Ice Fishing Academy, and I began ice fishing in the mid-80s. The sled can help act like a snowplough when large amounts of snow gather/build up in front of it. Built to put my Frabill Refuge suitcase shanty on top of it. The rod holders can be used for storage and transport but are helpful for fishing multiple holes. When someone optimizes their ice fishing setup to the point that only a custom built Smitty sled is worthy of hauling their gear onto the ice, you know they mean business. Clearfield, UT. No worries. Reliability is key. There you have your homemade ice fishing sled. Install all your eye bolts then string bungee cords between them. Finally, use 3 inch outdoor wood screws to fasten both rails to the skis. Make sure the bungees are shorter than the width of the sled. 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