Icefishing101 - Answers to Gear Questions and More!

Frabill Straight Line 241 Reel at Red Rock

2012-11-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

Advanced Ice Reel Receives Hot-Handed Ovation

Multiplying-retrieve Straight Line 241 Reel spins faster without line twist or frigid fingers

Jackson, Wis. – Last year Frabill rocked the ice with the introduction of the Straight Line combo. Extracted from the panfish-addled brain of Brian “Bro” Brosdahl and Frabill R&D, at first the combo’s design left quite a few ice anglers scratching their heads.

But, for the ice intelligentsia it was only a refinement of what they had cobbled together over the years to remedy tight-lipped and picky-eating panfish bites (and non-bites). It’s no secret that diehards across the ice belt were already hip to the many benefits of fishing fly reels on ice sticks—the virtual elimination of line twist, no unnatural lure spinning, less hassle and a form-fit in the cupped palm that increases sensitivity.

But in-the-know ice-heads hadn’t done it with the precision, balance and performance that Frabill delivered the ice everyman in the Straight Line series . . . and anglers took notice in a big way. Retailers had a hard time keeping the combos in stock.

Now hold on to your bibs, ‘cause Bro and Frabill are back for the attack. From a bar napkin sketch to baitshop shelves, enter the Straight Line 241 Reel, available as part of the Straight Line 241 Bro Series Combo or by itself, allowing anglers customization on their favorite sticks.

It’s like the stealth fighter of ice set to an AC/DC soundtrack. Back in black, this lightweight winch will take a pounding and still perform, slab after slab. And while it’s rock ‘n’ roll (Bro wouldn’t have it any other way), it’s definitely not metal. An all-new composite design allows easy glove-less reel cupping without the icy palms and fingers. Line falls dead straight off the spool like a good winch, and the 2.4:1 reel ratio and super smooth drag ensure quickly putting that bait back in front of fish-faces—and once hooked they stay hooked. An oversized reel handle allows anglers with meathook fingers (or gloves) easy operation. Got cold? No worries—the 241 is suffused with Frabill’s Sub-Zero® for Swiss watch performance even in the coldest people-only-dogsled-here conditions.

“This reel is gonna put on the crush,” says co-designer Brian “Bro” Brosdahl. “Frabill and I challenged each other to re-think the Straight Line and we went into hyperdrive. It’s definitely a glimpse into the future of ice fishing!”

Order Your Straight Line 241 here

ABOUT FRABILL

Frabill, Inc. (Jackson, Wis.) is in its 74th year of engineering premium, trusted fishing equipment. Frabill’s ice fishing product lineup consists of portable ice fishing shelters, rod and reel combos, tip-ups, bait containers, portable aeration, and premium ice fishing apparel, including FXE Snosuit. Openwater products include landing nets, portable aeration, bait containers, bait care, bait traps and seines, accessories, and premium openwater apparel, such as FXE Stormsuit. Visit www.frabill.com.

Bomber Slab Spoon for Lakers

2012-10-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

You like lakers? Who doesn't.

Nothing says "bite me" harder than a Bomber Slab Spoon for lake trout. Drop it down, crank it back up. Jig it two- three times and blast it upward. Lakers will chase it all over the place and when it stops, set the hook and hang on!

Bomber Slab Spoons come in a whole bunch of colors. Pick a couple for your waters and see what happens. Easy to use and can be very effective.

They are inexpensive. Definitely have one shiny silver in your collection. 7/8 ounce and 1-1/4 ounce available. Click to Order Here

I'm going in search of lakers this winter with Bomber Slab Spoons. Can't wait!

JB

'Gills, Crappies Perch - Willow Kinkle by Snyder

2012-10-19T13:44:00.002-07:00

The hits just keep on a-comin' with Snyder Lures!

These are Willow Kinkles - little flat spinners with tow sparkly spinner blades attached to the back. The blades don't spin, they flash while jigging. Put a little piece of plastic on the hook and watch the panfish come in for the kill.

Willows Jigs by Snyder Lures

2012-10-19T13:30:00.001-07:00

Hang a minnow on one of these bright glow jigs and drop it down to the bottom. Wiggle occasionally to kick up some dust and give some flash. They glow, flash and the colors are perfect for tannin stained water. Add a Berkley Micro to the hook and they'll glide sideways making them awesome for splake and rainbows! They'll be chasing them around under the ice all winter long!

Your tackle box will not be complete with a few of these in it!

JB

Froggits by Snyder Lures

2012-10-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

These are new and going to be HOT for fishing perch this winter. Froggits - everybody is going to need at least one in their tackle box. Put a white plastic Impulse or Gulp waxy on each hook and start jerking perch!

Coolest things since sliced bread!

JB

PK Flutter Fish Jigging Spoon - Walleyes and Lakers

2012-10-10T12:53:00.004-07:00

These are the new PK Lures Flutter Fish. They are a heavy weight spoon that I'm going to use for jigging this winter. But they also use these "Mr. Peanut" type spoons for casting and trolling in the summer. You can snap jig them with a 7 foot medium rod as you are trolling for intense walleye attacks. You can also cast them for vicious northern attacks with their unusual wobble.

Firetiger Flutter Fish

But me, I'm going to vertically jig this spoon for walleyes and the little ones for crappies. The bigger model is going to put lake trout on the ice for me. These are my hopes and dreams of course, but it is different tackle and already winning rave reviews in various parts of the country. Plus, I have samples. That's one of the perks of owning a large tackle store. Somebody is always sending me something to review and test, but believe it or not, the vast majority of times, I buy tackle resale because I myself like the way it looks. That's always risky and explains why there are sections of the store with an inch of dust covering those regions. Nothing beats having money hanging from the pegs collecting dust. This does not mean that these lures do not produce. It does mean that fishermen are ridiculously susceptible to big tackle manufacturer marketing. Come on, fishermen! Do you seriously need an ad in a fishing magazine to tell you what to try? You can't determine that on your own? Apparently not. We see the "I saw it on TV or Biggun's Magazine" syndrome. Stop being a sucker for marketing. Ask a few questions, try some "off brand" suggestions if they look cool but you don't recognize the name.
See what happens! You will definitely have the lure that the fish haven't seen go by ad nauseum.

Nickel Flutter Fish

Based on the large number of fishermen passing through this business, no tackle is a dud all the time. There is always somebody who does really well on something that not everybody else is using. Tackle is one of those things that you never know how it works until you try it out. And everybody, I don't care how seasoned, hopes that new lure will be the "miracle" lure of a lifetime. There is nothing more vindicating than buying a new lure and having fish slam the crap out of it the minute it touches the water. Talk about making your day!

Pearl Chartreuse Flutter Fish

So, try out the PK Lure line. They are getting a little bit of hype an I think it's going to be hot stuff from the fish catching standpoint as opposed to the catching fishermen standpoint. My prediction is that these will be the "sleeper" lures of the winter. Everybody will want one and then they'll become impossible to get due to moderate supplies for new tackle not coming from a huge outfit like Rapala.

Red Rock Glow Flutter Fish

Order Your PK Flutter Fish Here

PK Panic - Exciting new tackle for this winter! PK Lures

2012-10-10T12:09:00.002-07:00

PK Panic is a unique lure with a blend of crippled minnow with lots of flash. Jig it in the winter for walleyes and lake trout. Cast it in the summer for lakers in the spring and fall, walleyes and northerns all summer long. I caught a nice laker last winter in a lake across the road and went back to that same spot for another 4 trips (24 hours of jigging) only to be taunted by other lakers turning their nose up at me. They were coming and going all over my graph and would follow, come really close and then swim away from whatever I had on. I need a PK Panic and I didn't have one! This winter will be different!

I'm putting one of these puppies on and I'm getting more lakers just like the one I'm holding. That was a delicious fish!

PK Panic

I realize it may be a pipe dream, but even though I sell tackle, I see something new like this and it makes me drool. The water can't get hard enough here in NE Minnesota and the trout season seems like an eon away. (Jan 15th, I think) Yes, I test tackle and I'm testing this PK Panic out this winter. It'll have a wild action and the flash needed to tick off a laker into making him hit hard! At least that's what I see in this lure. I have a whole tackle store of lures that fit that description and my tackle box is obscene with the amount of lures and doodads I have to test out. Like every good dog, each lure will have it's day. This season, for lakers, I'm predicting this particular lure, the PK Panic to be the hot one.

Flurries outside my window as I type. I smell ice in the air!

Order your PK Panic for this winter here

PK Lures - New Killer Tackle for Winter

2012-10-10T11:49:00.002-07:00

PK Lures are the new hot stuff for this winter in ice fishing tackle! We have them in stock and they look like lake trout are going to have something new to attack. PK Spoons have a really unusual shape on the back side of the spoon so when you drop them, they deflect in a different way. On the copper and nickel models below, you can see the bump in the lure. The other unique feature is the big glow eye. Making the inanimate look alive is what it is all about.

Copper

Order PK Spoons Here

Fire Tiger Glow

Nickel

Order PK Spoons Here

Company lure Description:
PK Jigging Spoons are the most dynamic spoons put on the market in years. The weighted design gives this bait an unparalleled action that calls in fish and causes them to strike. The counterweight system gives the lures an action that other tackle companies only dream of manufacturing. Each lure features glowing eyes to help attract fish in low light conditions. The lure comes in 7 color patterns: Firetiger Glow, Red Dot Glow, Copper, Nickel, Firetiger, Pearl Chartreuse and Shad. This is a must have lure for all walleye, bass, trout, pike, muskie and panfish fishermen.

If you would like to add some cool new jigging spoons to your A list, consider these PK Lures. Try a couple of different colors. My recommendation is a shiny silver and the firetiger if you are seeking lakers in clear water as they usually are found. For dark water, in search of lunker walleyes, do the copper and the firetiger glow. You can always add other colors down the road.

Nils Auger for Cordless Drill - with Handle

2012-10-01T13:51:00.001-07:00

This is the new Nils USA auger attachment for cordless drills. Stick it on your better quality cordless drill of 18 volts or more and this auger has been designed by Nils to takes a less aggressive bite out of the ice to allow a smaller motor to turn it effectively. In other words, it is actually designed for use with a cordless drill instead of being an auger onto which somebody stick a cordless drill. There is a big difference and it will show up in your drill. If you use a drill you bought at a big box store that specializes in home furnishings but also has a tool section, you may smoke that drill rather quickly. The planetary gears are usually plastic and can't handle real drilling. Be warned.

Cordless Drill Auger Attachment. You provide your own 18 volt drill. Handle is included!

Order your Nils Auger Here

The cordless drill is just for show so you can see what it looks like when it's together. That's also the 6" version. The one on the right is a 4.5" version which would be suitable for fishing perch, eels, or dropping your ice ducer down into the hole to avoid tangle ups when fishing. I myself usually drill two holes so I can keep my ducer from tangling up and getting beat up as I pull it out for up-coming fish. If you have the Nils Ice Saw and want to make a big hole it would be very easy to quickly drill a hole in four corners and connect the dots with the Nils Ice Saw. Slide the big block under the ice. Push it down, flip it upside down and then give it a shove. It will slide a lot further with that smooth bottom slides against the bottom of the main ice sheet.

That orange disk on the top of the unit is slightly bigger than the auger blades in case your keyless chuck on your cordless loosens up. Dropping your auger down the hole sucks.

Nils USA Ice Saw with Case from redrockstore.com

Order the Nils USA Ice Saw Here

The other cool thing with the Nils Cordless Auger is that it comes with a handle to drill by hand. Trust me, hand drilling with a 6" Nils is ridiculously easy. Drilling with the 4.5" auger is even easier. You'll think the ice is too thin to be standing on.

Instead of buying a hand auger every couple of years, and then blades, and then it still never works like it did when it was new, this is the time to invest in good equipment. You'll know why on the first hole.

JB

Frabill Straight Line 241 Reels

2012-09-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about spinning tungsten jigs when you are sight fishing bluegills, but you can watch the fish put on the brakes when they see your jig going round and round. You see those little pectoral fins on those bluegills back paddle and then they sit. They stare. They watch your little Pelkie jig spinning away with a little white piece of plastic on the hook. To them it looks diseased, unsafe - at least that's how Walt Disney would explain it. There's not a lot of brain in a fish. I watch them on cameras all the time. I've concluded they were put here for us to eat. Regardless, they can take a little bit of turning, but they aren't going to bite that fast spinning jig. It just ain't right.

So, you go through all sorts of contortions to take that spin out of the line. I lift up my rod as high as I can and let my jig spin out in the air. I even try to get it to twist some more in the other direction hoping to counter the twist that is still on my reel spool. That kinda sorta works, for a bit but a few cranks on the reel and we're back to square one. Now, I know that they didn't intend for the spinning reels to twist our lines up as you can see evidenced by the many spinning reels designed with anti-line-twist rotors and special bearings. Well, I remain unconvinced about the whole anti-twist design. I'm not so sure it works all that well.

Using a round reel would work, but there are always the backlash issues and bird nests, plus, you need to hold the weight of the reel up. Works fine when you are jigging mid to heavy tackle for lakers, but finessing bluegills and other panfish requires a lighter touch. There are some pretty cute mini-round reels out there but they are either pretty chintzy with no line leveler or really spending for a little tiny, very specific reel. Enter the tiny fly reel. There appears to be a wave crossing the ice fishing world with small fly reels teaming up with ice spinning rods. Makes sense from a sight fishing standpoint. I'm not certain about how they will work with more line in deeper water and there is no leveling device. But, like the dot-bomb investment years under the Clinton administration, everybody and his brother is jumping on the bandwagon for specialized fly reels made specifically for ice fishing. Unlike all the silly dot-bomb companies being sold on the net during the Clinton years, buying one of these reels is not going to wipe out your vast personal fortune. It's just a tangible fishing reel, not some risky, bubble-building venture that the media always loves.

Frabill was out in front last year selling what I thought to be a really spendy, fly reel/ice rod combo. We wouldn't bring them into the store. They looked clunky at best. Once winter got underway, we got a zillion calls to buy this ugly Frabill monstrosity. Of course, we could no longer get the combo so I vowed to not let the opportunity pass us again this season.

Holy smokes, the competition in fishing gear was thinking the same thing. This season, specialized fly reels are coming out of the woodwork.but that didn't stop Frabill from making some really innovative reels and stepping out in front of the pack for another year. When we got our hands on the first model of this reel, I started to drool. Absolutely cool to the max. This Frabill Straight Line 241 reel has a multiplier in it to make it spin faster when you turn the handle. The handle is centered in the reel body and for each revolution, the arbor spins 2.4 times. The line comes into the bottom of the reel straight with zero twist caused by the reel. Now, you need to account for the lure your are dropping up and down the hole for adding twist, but the reel should add no extra twist. You'll see other cool multiplier straight line fishing reels out there, but nothing as sleek as this reel.

Turn that handle and the oversized arbor inside takes off. This reel is also built like a tank. If feels strong and seems to have a pretty good drag. There will be guys out there who will fish walleyes with these as well as panfish. Attach to your favorite spinning wheel and give it a go. The one thing that will be a little strange will be releasing line down the whole. Looks like you have to pull it out just like a regular fly reel. Not sure how the drag will play in with this either. If you are not a fly fisherman, this may take a little getting used to as opposed to opening your bail and letting the tungsten drop down the hole.

Needless to say, these new Frabill Straight Line Reels were pretty cool. Yes - I gotta have one this hardwater season. My job is a dirty one, but somebody's gotta do it. I test equipment so you can get the goods and know what to expect.

Order your Frabill Straight Line 241 reel here

Neat stuff for this winter. Pray for top quality ice and THEN snow!

Ordering Striker Ice Hardwater Float Suits in Pre-Buy

2012-09-14T06:07:00.001-07:00

Q. Do you have in stock or will you be carrying the new Strike Ice Hardwater Jacket and bibs?
If so what is the pricing for a large jacket and xl bibs?

Tom M.
St. Paul, Alberta, Canada

A. Hi-

Not in yet. Arriving in mid October. But, you buy one now and it gets shipped out first when they arrive. During our Pre-Buy Sale which is going now, you get a gift certificate for future purchases as well.

Here's the link to the SI Hardwater Suit. http://catalog.redrockstore.com/product/striker-brand-clothing-strike-ice-floating-suit-11320.htm

Here's the link to our Pre-Buy information: http://redrockstore.com/PRE-buy.htm

Pre-Buy is a dollar amount deal. It covers your complete order regardless of whether or not the item you order is listed as "Pre-Buy". A $500+ order will get you a $75 gift certificate that you can use online for future purchases. This is a very popular promotion.

Thanks!

Joe
Red Rock

Nils USA Ice Saw

2012-09-10T19:06:00.001-07:00

Here's a new ice saw for ice fishing by Nils USA. It folds into a 42" long tool that you lay in your sled. It has a flat wood handle which makes cutting circles easier than round handles. The blade is a a bit thicker than other saws and we're coming out with a carrying case.

I swear that whenever I've around an uncased ice saw, I cut myself. The teeth are wicked razor sharp. You want to handle with purpose and care.

To cut any size hole in up to 2 feet of ice, first take a Nils' USA 6" hand auger and buzz a hole. Then take your Nils USA ice saw and start sawing, Because a Nils USA ice auger is so fast, some guys will drill the four corners and just connect the dots with the saw. This works best if the ice is thick. If the ice is a thin 4 to 10" or so, all you need is a starter hole and you can saw your entire big hole in minutes - you won't believe how fast making a big hole can be. Just shove the big block under the ice with the point of the saw and give it a shove. Here's an invaluable tip. Flip it over so the smooth underside of the loose block floats up against the smooth underside of the ice sheet. THEN, give it a shove. It goes a lot farther from your hole with less friction. Some guys believe that the big block scares fish. I don't share their beliefs.

Right now, based on whatever you buy (not just Pre-Buy items) at redrockstore.com, your purchase adds up to various gift certificates good for future purchases. If you spend over $500, you get a $75 gift certificate. You can read more about Red Rock's Pre-Buy here

So, if you are in the market for a really great ice saw and/or and unbelievable Nils USA Ice Auger, check out our site. Might as well take advantage of our Pre-Buy Specials while you can.

2012-09-09T07:18:00.004-07:00

This is the new ION Electric Ice Auger. It's powered by a lightweight Litihium Ion battery and the whole thing weighs 22 lbs. It'll drill over 800 inches of ice on a charge. That's 40 eight inch holes in 20 inches of ice! That should be enough for a day's worth of fishing - for an army. Even if you are hole-hopping for crappies, there should be way enough juice to get you through the day. If not, you need to make better use of your Showdown Fish locator or your Vexilar or Humminbird. Target your fish before drilling and then take drill your holes with your very quiet ION. NO gas motor making noise. Nobody on the lake can hear you. Drill your hole, catch a few, and move on. Except for the ridiculously bright green color, it's like a stealth auger.

Regular gas ice augers run around 28 to 33 pounds and that includes Strikemaster's Electra which is a still a great auger but slower, heavier and drills less holes than the ION. But, it is cheaper too and replacing the batteries is less expensive. But, I've been told the lithium battery does last a really long time, like 300 charges. You'd be really lucky to get 300 charges out of a lead acid battery plus the power in a your average ice fishing gel cell 12 volt battery really drops off when it gets a little older especially with the fast draw down the auger motor takes in cold weather. They work great when they are new, and in some rare cases, I've seen gel-cells go 5 years in a Strikemaster Electra, but you usually need to replace them after 1 to 1.5 winters assuming you kept it charged up throughout the summer months. (I ALWAYS forget - dang it!)

Lithium Ion batteries are different. I don't know all the details but they do hold their charges differently. In the ION Ice Auger, it is designed to draw down the power from the battery evenly across the cells in the battery itself. A regular electric auger grabs power nearest the positive terminal when you push the button and takes a big bite out of the power reserves which drills a hole. Initially it has some torque but then as the battery tries to fill the big initial void with it's remaining power from the rear of the cell, it slows down the auger decreasing torque when you are almost ready to break through the ice. You can hear it conking out as you are drilling. Then, when you set the auger down and let the battery equalize for a few minutes, you get a nice strong burst of power initially, but it weakens in torque before you get as far as you did with the first hole.

The ION Ice Auger has a delay in the trigger for about 3 seconds or so. You pull the trigger and nothing happens, then it kicks in. What is actually happening at that point is the onboard computer is calling for power but from the entire battery across the top of the cell. It doesn't just take a huge bite of power from one end and then make that battery require rest to equalize itself between holes. It draws the power it needs evenly from the battery which makes the battery last much longer from a charge standpoint and does not cause the ION to hit the ice hard and then fizz out right when you need it at break through. Being a Lithium Ion battery keeps the weight way down and the smart, efficient, even use of power is how you get so many more holes drilled in the ice. That's what makes the ION ice auger different from other electrics, or at least the Strikemaster. I can't claim to be an expert in any of this, but it was explained to me and it all made a lot of sense. Take it for what it's worth.

All I know is for drilling in the pop-up for perfect hole placement, this is going to be really handy. No smoke, no noise, no carbon monoxide.

8" Diameter
22 lbs.
42" tall with extension included in the box.

Order Your Ion Ice Auger Here from Red Rock

This is the ION ice Auger company Info

ION is the game changer!

ION gives you the power-auger performance without the hassles. It is powerful, fast and will drill up to 40 holes through two feet of ice on a single charge. No more gasoline or oil leaking out in your vehicle or on the fish house floor.

This is the perfect auger for ice fisherman who prefer convenience, light weight, and fast driling in 6" to 24" of ice! No smoke, no mess, just holes!

Drill up to forty 8-inch holes through two feet of ice on one lithium-ion charge! The Eskimo ION Electric Ice Auger gives you power-auger performance without the hassles. The ION is fast, powerful and lightweight, making it easy to carry. In fact, at only 22 lbs., the ION weighs nearly 40% less than many gas-powered augers. This Electric Ice Auger features lithium-ion technology, and is so quiet, you won’t scare the fish. ION's 8-inch steel auger cuts holes like a gas-powered auger, but without the usual noise and bone-jarring action. Better still, there’s no gas, no oil, and no fumes to contend with! The ION Electric Ice Auger features a Spot On centering ring that allows you to reopen frozen holes. A Straight Through blade design translates to a smooth, no-catch breakthrough with no jagged ice at the bottom rim of the ice hole to fray line. Other features include an onboard, high-energy 40V MAX lithium-ion battery, easy-grip handlebars, large ergonomically positioned trigger, and a compact, lightweight transmission with planetary gears

This is Red Rock's Info

When we actually touched the first one, we all saw Shang Ri La along with the Holy Grail of ice fishing. This auger is wicked! Charge your ION up and go crazy drilling! Crappies will be no match as you run around the ice setting up your crappie minefield with the ION. It's light, it's fast, it's green - no really, it's actually green colored and looks a bit like a superhero weapon for fighting the monster in Alien. One thing we know for sure is - no muss, no fuss, just hole-drilling heaven will be in your gloved hands come this winter when you get an ION from Red Rock! Push a button, fish away!

MNicefisherman

Eskimo Fatfish 949 vs Eskimo Fatfish 949i (insulated)

2012-09-07T06:56:00.003-07:00

Q. Hi – I’m considering buying either the Eskimo Fatfish 949 or 949i. Do you know if the 949i will be any more difficult to put up and put away than the 949? Is it stronger to accommodate the extra layer? What about moisture build up if I use a propane heater.

Also – I am Canadian and will ship product to a relative in the US. Any problems doing this?

What is the latest date I can pre-order the product.

Thanks for your help.

Chris S.

Canada

A. Hi-
They pop up the same and take down the same - pack away the same, too. The insulated one weighs more and doesn't "rain" on you when you use a propane heater or breathe in general. It'll still can get soaked inside, but that really doesn't mean anything either. It doesn't drip and it is noticeably warmer than the non-insulated 949. Regarding strength, they are built to stand up given the material used. Eskimo designs them for this.

Shipping to a US address is much preferred on our end. Shipping one of these to Canada is expensive (to Canadians) and slow. Sometimes it can get stuck sitting in Canada Customs for three weeks with nobody knowing why.

Our Pre-Buy at Red Rock usually ends at the end of October or so. Depends on how much stuff has been pre-bought and what is being delivered in our initial shipments. Order earlier is always better because we could have a run on an item and not be able to get more later, Last year we ran out of Eskimo 949i's and everybody wanted them all winter long. I expect the same this winter. So, sooner is better to make sure you get one.

Thanks!

Joe
Red Rock