What New Ice Fishing Gear Has You Excited for This Season (2023 Edition)

[Poppa]

We really upgraded our gear last year with the biggest Otter Vortex hub and a SM40v auger... absolute game changers. Also picked up some more Frostbite rods last year (My Drench is EVERYTHING!) along with some of their Diesel reels, which are surprisingly sturdy. I would like to get a floater jacket to go with my Striker Hardwater bibs, but just not sure I'm ready to drop the money yet. That's about all we really need, aside from maybe a sled or side x side, but that's a ways off yet, and will likely wait until we're back in MB full time.

[58thecat]

Gotta prep the beast for another long ice fishing season, did 1800 km’s on the skandic last season and probably more this season.
Starting to look around for possible upgrades to make things even easier.


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[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Gotta prep the beast for another long ice fishing season, did 1800 km’s on the skandic last season and probably more this season.
Starting to look around for possible upgrades to make things even easier.


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I just took mine in for an "Annual Service" last Friday. $540 each for glorified $%^#ing oil changes. I take everything in once and get so mad I do it myself forever after.

[Crazy4MooseHunting]

Ordered a 32 amped outdoors battery from riverside outdoors. Now need to decide between either an arc labs or summit shuttle for my Garmin 106. Anyone know where’s the best deal on a lvs 34-if and gls 10? Too bad Garmin doesn’t sell them in a bundle

[-JR-]

Getting older now ...so i invested in a better chair to watch ice fishing on TV
Lol

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

I just took mine in for an "Annual Service" last Friday. $540 each for glorified $%^#ing oil changes. I take everything in once and get so mad I do it myself forever after.

Yup, took mine in at the end of the season just because it’s still under warranty but after that I will do it myself.

Had a great chat with the mechanic at 54North for setting up suspension etc.

That to me was worth it being new to snow machines.

[fish99]

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

I just took mine in for an "Annual Service" last Friday. $540 each for glorified $%^#ing oil changes. I take everything in once and get so mad I do it myself forever after.

i hear you i took my skidoo in for its first service in April same price. not again for. those prices the oil change kit is under $100. for all parts . not hard and long to do.

[BcK]

looking to buy a big ice tent for my growing boys, any suggestions?

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by BcK

looking to buy a big ice tent for my growing boys, any suggestions?

How big?

[Curtsyneil]

Originally Posted by fish99

i hear you i took my skidoo in for its first service in April same price. not again for. those prices the oil change kit is under $100. for all parts . not hard and long to do.

Yeah when you buy a new sled or atv the big thing dealers like to do is the first service always seem to tell you that the valves need to be checked and balanced and the oil change after the first 250kms. Lol just a money grab even tho you just have them 14 grand for your machine. My first service on my can am was 600$ and I swore never to do that again. I understand why they do it tho but after spending that kind of money that first service should be covered by the dealership! ( I think anyways).

[Dave P]

Thinking about upgrading the Eskimo Z71 Auger to a 40v Electric.

The sounds of something that is sub 15lbs is sounding pretty nice.

Good little comparison vid here, although it is just comparing the stats from websites.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys8Ie-I_bU8

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by Dave P

Thinking about upgrading the Eskimo Z71 Auger to a 40v Electric.

The sounds of something that is sub 15lbs is sounding pretty nice.

Good little comparison vid here, although it is just comparing the stats from websites.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys8Ie-I_bU8

A good video from Alex. I'm surprised he doesn't have more subs as he puts out the best review content for hardwater by far.

As an Ion user for years, I didn't really see the point of the E40 when Eskimo released it. But after watching that video, I may pick one up with an 8" bit for hole hopping since it's so light. Lighter...cheaper...and no wobbling flight. StrikeMaster may need to make some changes to stay competitive. Giving away a second battery only goes so far...

[AlbertanGP]

Gonna do lots of laker fishing this season. Learned about these rods through 58thecat's buddy Mac Mulligan. I was pleasantly surprised to see you can get them at Cabela's.

[58thecat]

Awesome choice....another one is Timber Guide Series Mac Attack Ice Rod....I prefer medium/heavy...but I only catch smediums and dinks

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/15799...riantId=412748

Dam can hardly wait for hard water season.

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Awesome choice....another one is Timber Guide Series Mac Attack Ice Rod....I prefer medium/heavy...but I only catch smediums and dinks

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/15799...riantId=412748

I talked to Mac and he recommended this rod for what I typically encounter. At 48" though, I don't think it's going to fit in the Otter case. ;(

Dam can hardly wait for hard water season.

-13*C Saturday night.

[Dave P]

Looking at composite vs steel flights. Is it worth the $130 ish in extra price?Generally its only a couple pounds different.

How is the composite in really cold conditions?

[Sea Hawk]

Originally Posted by Dave P

Looking at composite vs steel flights. Is it worth the $130 ish in extra price?Generally its only a couple pounds different.

How is the composite in really cold conditions?

I tried a 6inch composite flighting last winter for perch hunting. Worked great and super light. No problems in the cold but had problems late winter when the ice was real thick. On a warm day the shavings would jam behind the flighting and cause it to start folding over. But the weight saving is great. No problem banging out an extra 20 holes every time i fired up the auger.

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by Dave P

Looking at composite vs steel flights. Is it worth the $130 ish in extra price?Generally its only a couple pounds different.

How is the composite in really cold conditions?

It is to me. I wouldn't run a steel flight if I was given it for free. A lot of it depends on how much you use your auger in a day.

The flights composite flights have been more or less trouble free. Jiffy had an issue early on with theirs breaking. But I hear the new ones are fine.

[Elchinodiablo]

My wife is the best!!! And with all the info I learned from you guys here....I cant wait for snow and ice. Our new gear is a Ski doo Expedition WT20 !! Gotta figure out how to rig it all out and whats important. Huge learning curve but excited!!

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[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by Elchinodiablo

My wife is the best!!! And with all the info I learned from you guys here....I cant wait for snow and ice. Our new gear is a Ski doo Expedition WT20 !! Gotta figure out how to rig it all out and whats important. Huge learning curve but excited!!

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I picked up a couple of 20" Expeditions last season. I'm familiar with most of the (expensive!) Ski Doo accessories if you have any questions.

[Elchinodiablo]

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

I picked up a couple of 20" Expeditions last season. I'm familiar with most of the (expensive!) Ski Doo accessories if you have any questions.

Thanks so much for that. I originally looked at the skandic 24 but decided on the expedition. It comes with the 90L linq box. They have it on order so I havent seen it yet. Hopefully its big enough.

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[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Elchinodiablo

Thanks so much for that. I originally looked at the skandic 24 but decided on the expedition. It comes with the 90L linq box. They have it on order so I havent seen it yet. Hopefully its big enough.

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Nice rig, 900 Ace motor?

I went with the Skandic, 24SWT, 900 Ace just because of the dam beaver swamp areas I get into. The two foot stumps they leave I just kinda bump over them as the pogo suspension doesn’t get hung up which was the deciding factor for me plus I got the additional belly skid plate put on too.
Last year Cold Lake had lots of flood water and the machine handled it easily but I had a huge pucker factor happening. I went a different route using a tote on the back which gave me enough room for two jerry cans and or a chainsaw etc. also put on two sets of kolpin gun grips to carry items like my rifles and or ice auger etc. still
Got ideas on changing things as I look at other peoples set ups.
One thing I learnt not coming from a snowmobile back ground is you can’t just sit and ride it in deep snow you gotta shift your body around or you will end up flopping around in the snow….I also played with the suspension too.
You ordered a nice rig now you get to trick it out to suit your needs!!!
Congrats.


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[Elchinodiablo]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Nice rig, 900 Ace motor?

I went with the Skandic, 24SWT, 900 Ace just because of the dam beaver swamp areas I get into. The two foot stumps they leave I just kinda bump over them as the pogo suspension doesn’t get hung up which was the deciding factor for me plus I got the additional belly skid plate put on too.
Last year Cold Lake had lots of flood water and the machine handled it easily but I had a huge pucker factor happening. I went a different route using a tote on the back which gave me enough room for two jerry cans and or a chainsaw etc. also put on two sets of kolpin gun grips to carry items like my rifles and or ice auger etc. still
Got ideas on changing things as I look at other peoples set ups.
One thing I learnt not coming from a snowmobile back ground is you can’t just sit and ride it in deep snow you gotta shift your body around or you will end up flopping around in the snow….I also played with the suspension too.
You ordered a nice rig now you get to trick it out to suit your needs!!!
Congrats.


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900 Ace turbo. I have read your post since you got yours and it really made sense to me. I did not get the skid plate but maybe in the future. How do the kolpins works for the auger? What kind of range are you seeing on a tank of gas? Hope to get up to Cold lake more and learn about that place!! This is gonna be way better than driving on.

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[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Elchinodiablo

900 Ace turbo. I have read your post since you got yours and it really made sense to me. I did not get the skid plate but maybe in the future. How do the kolpins works for the auger? What kind of range are you seeing on a tank of gas? Hope to get up to Cold lake more and learn about that place!! This is gonna be way better than driving on.

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Well when that turbo kicks in hang on.
The front skis will only touch the snow if you want them too! That will get you through the overflow.
Eco mode I went 200 km’s and still
Had just below half a tank but never pushed it just kept topping it up usually at half a tank. In sport mode she drinks the gas a lot quicker. Gonna have to actually try this year right to empty.
I got the claw grip clamp style kolpin which work awesome, I just also used a bungee cord to ensure the auger is secure.


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[Elchinodiablo]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Well when that turbo kicks in hang on.
The front skis will only touch the snow if you want them too! That will get you through the overflow.
Eco mode I went 200 km’s and still
Had just below half a tank but never pushed it just kept topping it up usually at half a tank. In sport mode she drinks the gas a lot quicker. Gonna have to actually try this year right to empty.
I got the claw grip clamp style kolpin which work awesome, I just also used a bungee cord to ensure the auger is secure.


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Wow!! I cant wait. Let me know what mods you decide to make. Im not coming from a sledding background either and Im always willing to learn.

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[Elchinodiablo]

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

I picked up a couple of 20" Expeditions last season. I'm familiar with most of the (expensive!) Ski Doo accessories if you have any questions.

Do you have a linq box? Size? Does it hood enough gear? Which auger mount did you go with? I cant justify the linq price for it.

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[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by Elchinodiablo

Do you have a linq box? Size? Does it hood enough gear? Which auger mount did you go with? I cant justify the linq price for it.

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My Sleds are 2023 Expedition SE's, so they came with the largest 135L LinQ storage box. I like it because it looks "factory" and it does hold a lot of stuff. But it also has it's drawbacks.

I want to have a rack made for my sleds to carry my rod boxes similar to what ArcLab made for Clayton Schick. Because of how the LinQ box opens, I'm still trying to figure out how to do it. I may just take the LinQ box off and run a Rubbermaid like he does...his Rubbermaid is the same size as my LinQ. To me it looks like it would hold more than the LinQ. I also have a fully tricked out Ranger I call "The Office" that swallows up literally everything. So to me a sled will never hold enough gear.



I have most other LinQ options that would relate to ice fishing. I've replaced the rear seat with the SR50 Utility Bag (Jesus $$$...), I have the Multi-Mount 2500 winch, the auger mount, and a few smaller accessories. The story is the same for all Ski Doo accessories...they are nice, but not worth the price. You can tell the auger mount was designed by some engineer in Quebec that's used to riding down wide, groomed trails. It's just begging to get ripped off on tight trails.

[StringTheory]

Originally Posted by Crazy4MooseHunting

Ordered a 32 amped outdoors battery from riverside outdoors. Now need to decide between either an arc labs or summit shuttle for my Garmin 106. Anyone know where’s the best deal on a lvs 34-if and gls 10? Too bad Garmin doesn’t sell them in a bundle

You might want to check out this bundle from Tackle Depot! $1k off of a lithium lvs 34 bundle

https://www.tackledepot.ca/products/...hing-bundle-li

[StringTheory]

Originally Posted by Dave P

Thinking about upgrading the Eskimo Z71 Auger to a 40v Electric.

The sounds of something that is sub 15lbs is sounding pretty nice.

Good little comparison vid here, although it is just comparing the stats from websites.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys8Ie-I_bU8

I was pretty happy with my SM40V with a steel 10" bit for the first four years I had it. Once I got my hands on the lighter SM 24V and Eskimo E40 though, my 10" collects dust. Packing around half the weight means I drill twice as many holes and Im not exhausted from it. I think you'll like the new lighter augers, I certainly do!

I also have a friend with a SM24V and his wife actually enjoys drilling the holes now. Can you imagine having someone to drill all your holes for you so you can just fish??

[fish99]

Originally Posted by Elchinodiablo

Thanks so much for that. I originally looked at the skandic 24 but decided on the expedition. It comes with the 90L linq box. They have it on order so I havent seen it yet. Hopefully its big enough.

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i have the expedition sport has been great for ice fishing. you will love it.