Just got done making my homemade ice sled. This obviously cuts down on the cost to make a Smitty sled. If you want to make your sled more visible during those low-light days out on the lake, consider adding reflective tape or paint along key points of it. These wood mounts will give the tote height on the snow while pulling. Then add several necessary hooks, tie a rope and pull. 4 sections of this (they come in 5' intervals-20' total) will cover each slat on the small otter sled. Its submitted by dealing out in the best field. Thus, I made my own ice fishing sled that helps me carry my tools whenever I go ice fishing. There are quite a few good ones available in the market. Another easy upgrade to your ice sled is adding hooks and holes for attaching bungee cords. Seaponer Pontoon Boat light, Marine Led Light Nilight 18021F-B 2PC 4Inch Triple Row Lights 60W Nilight 10 PCS 3/4 Inch Round Mini LED Clearance Best Ice Fishing Chairs for Comfort & Support, 10 Best Ice Fishing Lures for Northern Pike, The Best Gloves for Ice Fishing & Cold Weather, The 5 Best Ice Fishing Sleds for Smooth Gear Hauling. A platform can help hold bulky gear, like coolers for live bait, large bait buckets, electronics, tackle boxes, and rod holders are very handy for fishing. Two examples are shown below. Manage Settings Aluminum or other lightweight metal should be used to make stands/legs which attach to the holes. Dont have a counter sink bit? Drill big washer screws to the wood mount from the inside of the tote. #IceFishing #SmittySled #DIY. This feature ensures more secured transportation of fishing tools. Even so, I still designed it to be easily disassembled with simple tools if need be. Easy DIY. But which is Hi there - I'm Mike Rodman, the guy behind Ice Fishing Academy, and I began ice fishing in the mid-80s. Step 7 Screw the sled down to the tops of the struts using the bolts, washers, and nuts. A general rule of thumb is that ice should be at least 4 inches thick for walking, 5 inches for snowmobiles and ATVs, and 8-12 inches for cars and trucks. Making a Smitty sled will cost well under $50 if you already have a sled. Then all you need is a bolt with a clevis pin to hook up to the ATV or snowmobile. When pulling your ice fishing sled, use a long tow rope or tow strap to distribute the load evenly and reduce strain on the sled. Logged. Keep in mind that sled costs vary greatly. Towing a heavy train up a steep ramp all depends on how much traction you have under the dogs track. Ive lost or broken a ton of ice fishing gear, either dragging my sled to the lake or pulling it behind a snow machine or Can-Am way out across uneven ice. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. This tent isn't light, but it's portable. In addition to fishing, I also enjoy sharing tips and tricks with other fishermen. Ice fishing materials and equipment are light years ahead of where they were a decade ago, but that doesnt mean theres a commercially available solution for every gear need. Nothing better than a warm meal while on the ice!!!! Out of the box, ice fishing sleds are basically just big plastic tubs with a tow rope and some molded glides on the bottom. Pelican Trek 60 Ice Fishing Sled - Best Heavy-Duty. However, is not a homemade ice fishing sled a great idea for an experiment? These modifications cost us less than $50 and took less than half an hour to complete. For instance, whether you are going to use a wooden base, steel, or plastic. Welcome to the site! Second, the Smitty Sled is far more comfortable than stuffing up the ATV. 2 In Stock. You can also buy something like the Plano Ice Bucket Topper with plastic trays, either on your buckets or built into the sled. After all, what good is all the rest of your stuff if you cant even get it to your fishing spot. Use a good-quality tow rope. [How to Fix], Do fishing rods float? eyeguy 54 Sleds were designed to make ice fishing easier while pulling your gear across the ice, but is there any way to improve their functionality? Its somehow true that its hard because its constructed to carry on intricate conditions. Place the skis parallel on the floor and tap the sled supports into place. Ice fishing has a PR problem, according to Steve Rinella. It wasnt until recent years that they gained some much deserved attention. Step 7: Test out your homemade ice fishing sled by taking it out onto thick patches of ice or snow! Sometimes, people face deep or fluffy snow. If you think your sleds center of gravity is higher, then span your skis even further apart. Customize to your hearts content: You now have the bare minimum required to call your sled a Smitty sled. No worries, we wont let you ruin your ice fishing passion because of this simple pulling concern. Ski installation is another good idea to make the sled easier to pull. Step 2: Cut out the basic shape of the sled. A Smitty sled brings a whole new layer of fun to ice fishing while simultaneously reducing the work required to get your gear from point A to point B. You can design your sled skis to be fixed or movable if you like adapting to the conditions. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The fun part is having a blank slate to customize and accessorize your sled into an efficient ice fishing machine. Frabill Universal Shelter Tow Bar | Universally Clam (CLAM0) Clam Hitch Kit, Multicolor, One Size, Peterson Manufacturing V480A Amber Reflector. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The best part about converting your current sled into a Smitty sled is that it costs hardly anything if you shop smart. Ice Sled Ice Fishing Equipment Ice Hut SMITTYSLEDPRO kitted out with a Jet Pro XL tub, auger, two 5-gallon pails, and rods. Keep your gear organized. It doesnt matter what you do when ice fishing, a sled that can pull easier and faster always makes you enjoy your activities better. Its also likely the most destructive when shit goes sideways. These bungees also allow you to secure a tarp on top of your gear to keep the sled from filling up with snow thrown off snow machine tracks. Here are the steps for building a homemade ice fishing sled: Step 1: Gather the necessary materials. This compact shelter fits two anglers and has comfortable jump seats, yet still provides a surprisingly large fishing area. So, it is a win for me. Good to go! Certain variables are involved in the efficiency of making the sled easier to pull. You can make it far more streamlined and functional by adding accessories and customizing/modifying your sled. 1. You can screw the blocks through the inside of the sled. This is a more challenging project to tackle, but weve found several videos and ideas you can use for inspiration. Another option is clip-on LED safety lights that turn on and off with the push of a button, similar to those runners and bikers use. The wheels of the ATV are rigid that helps you draw the sled by hooking the sled up with the ATV. I added a rod rack, spud bar holder and a cargo extension where I strap down my Humminbird ICE Helix 7 and tackle bag. Now you can tie a double overhand knot at each ski to lock your rope in place. And most important of all, they make hoofing it across the snow or slush covered ice as easy as it gets. Then I ran 4-inch bolts through the PVC, through the back of the sled, added washers, then tightened down nyloc nuts down just tight enough that they didnt compress the pipe. The Fur Hat Ice TourHow-To Series is brought to you byESKIMO. It should not be too long as that might cause a rough drag. 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (3,467) $59.99 $ 59. Shapell JSX Jet Sled, Extra Large. This feature ensures more secured transportation of fishing tools. Once you make it yourself, you already know to place your equipment to make your sled balanced and easier to haul. Boat Blinds. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You want them to be handy when you need them, and you dont want to lose them, so make sure you add tool holders to your sled to keep them organized and at the ready. Cut the four 24 struts however you please. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a26b23b329ced5e2a2c8a7cbf33a98a5" );document.getElementById("hce0cfad21").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. the one yer after they had to hire a guide.they told him to stay home after he got his cash!!!! ATV and snowmobiles make your adventure easy by hauling your gear, so of course, there should be no issue hooking them up with your sled. So why not build one for yourself? If you are a competent joiner or craftsman a homemade sled may be a perfect project. The screws should tightly secure the 2x4s that you install over the base of your sled. Ill show you exactly how I built mine and how you can make yours even better. Make sure when purchasing an ice sled that you buy one that is a suitable size and which can carry a reasonable weight to house all your gear and supplies, as well as your catch. The base that mounts to the ski is about 6 inches long and tapers up to the 3.5 inch width of the 14. Therefore, if you prefer to build a homemade sled instead of buying them. The first has holes to hold propane tanks and buckets, plus rod holders. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. All you need is snow sleds, bolts, screws, waterproof cloth, drills, skis, or waterproof adhesives. Ensure the hook is attached to the front side of the tote box because you will be using this part to pull the sled. Started Sunday at 10:41 PM, Copyright 1998-2023 Hot Spot Outdoors - WorldWide WebResults Inc. - Powered by Outdoor WebResults Marketing. 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. Unfortunately, the low light also makes you harder to see to people who might be out on snowmobiles, UTVs, and cars. Ill list all the specific materials I used here but feel free to substitute various parts with other stuff you have on hand. You'll need a lightweight material such as aluminum, plastic, or even wood to build your sled. Which one you buy all depends on how much gear you need to haul. I also opted to add a 3/4 inch PVC pipe as a tow handle. To ensure that your sled glides smoothly over the ice, keep the bottom clean and free of ice build-up, especially if you have to tow over an area of deep snow. Lots of ways to do this, on the cheap. If you have an eye for aesthetics, then it probably isnt for you. Ice Fishing Auger, 3 Adjustable Depths Up to 55 in., Including 2-Pieces Replaceable Blades and Storage Bag Scarlet. 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 . They are slightly wider which keeps my Smitty sled riding a little higher in powdery snow. #077-8476-8. There are all kinds of upgrades you can make to a sled, limited only by your imagination and shop skills. Repeat the same drilling process on the top of the tote to secure and carry the fish auger. To solve for this issue, I added brackets to the bow of my sled to hold my auger for easy access. Adding rod holders is one of the easiest and most useful upgrades you can add to your ice fishing sled. First, take the bindings off the skis before attaching them to the tote box. 42 lbs. Fishing Reel But the skys the limit and you can create all sorts of awesome ways to pack your gear onto the ice. Another useful tip is to add skis to your sled. An unbalanced sled can tip over easily, potentially causing harm to you and damaging your gear. Shappell Jet Ice Fishing Sled, Large Heavy-Duty Multi-Purpose Utility Sleds for Hauling Fire Wood, Deer, Duck Hunting, Fishing Gear, Supplies, and Accessories. I opted to drill 4 holes through the sled and rails and bolt them together. Join the Duo to stay informed with trusted fishing advice! Place two screws about two inches apart and the third between these, but a half-inch behind them. 29.00 to 50.00 bucks is the quickest option. Is a Smitty sled essential for ice fishing? It is made out of durable polypropylene, weighs two pounds, has dimensions of 46.9 x 1.9 x 0.7 inches, and comes with a one-year manufacturer warranty. Here is an excellent video of how its done: Sometimes the ease of pulling is not only related to improved movement; sometimes, it includes the use of the sled in general. Simply put, the idea behind these sleds is: Attach two skies underneath the sled, with a spacer between the sleds bottom and the skis. First, here are the basic components required to build a Smitty sled like mine (minus the rod holder and cargo extension), which Ill show you how to build next. Snowmobiles, on the other hand, are even better than ATVs. Wish I could say that I came up with the idea but I did get the idea from another ice fishing web site. Try a Smitty sled one time and I guarantee youll be sold. I have some Ice gear that could use a good home. Then stick a wooden bar in between the narrow parts of the skis behind the tote. Having a dedicated battery rigged in your sled is a super clean way to rig your fish finder, bait bucket oxygenators, and lights. How do you spot a hardcore ice angler? I seen a sign of spring today. Runner Kit - Nanook XL/Nanook XL Thermal Ice Shelters. Before you call bratwurst, pretzel buns, and hot toddies ice fishing traditions, you really should take a look at ice spearing. 300 L. 500 lbs. 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. The sled Ill show you how to build is quite simple so it only requires common tools and very little carpentry skills. A flock of over 50 robins. Year end Ice fishing clear out. With the right materials on hand, you can easily construct a reliable and functional homemade ice fishing sled. A sled is an essential ice fishing tool. Otter sleds and Shappell Jet sleds are among the most popular. Modifications to make ice fishing sleds easier to pull and improve their functionality include adding skis and a longer pull rope. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Just enter your email to subscribe to our blog and receive notifications of new posts. We have compiled a list of the most reliable and value-for-money picks for you to enjoy your ice-fishing adventures without all the hassles of building a sled. A well built Smitty sled makes dragging all your ice fishing gear nearly effortless. However, you will see that the making process is relatively easy. A sled can make the process a lot easier, but sometimes even those can be tough to pull, especially if the ice is rough or you're dealing with a particularly heavy load. Clearfield, UT. Ronnie D More Buying Choices $55.44 (3 new offers) Which one you buy all depends on how much gear you need to haul. High-sided sleds are also recommended to keep your equipment safe, and they will provide more space for customization. These legs/stands are comprised of one horizontal bar and two vertical bars welded together, with the horizontal bar at the top of the two vertical bars. Then you can rig your cabling through your sled into a battery box. Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 2500 vs 3000 [6 Questions Answered], How to store fishing rods | Get All The Details. Build A Crate - Triple Rod Holder for extra storage while kayaking and fishing in a sport where storage space is super limited. You can use a fiberglass repair kit or a similar product to patch up any holes or cracks. If you go for a high-quality one, it will give you great efficiency at a high cost. Augers, fishing rods, shovels, and shelters are large and potentially heavy items that must be considered when purchasing, building, or modifying a sled. Bad Habit Started 15 hours ago. 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