Ice Sleds

[curtrein]

Hello All:
What brand/model of ice sled does everyone like? I’m looking to get a wide bodied ice sled instead of using my long skinny one. Would like one with a couple of the molded holders for 5gal buckets.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Dave R]

I use an Otter Pro medium. I bought it because it fits in the back of my SUV. There is no holder for a bucket. I just put a thin piece of rubber mat in the  bottom to keep things from sliding around. I suppose one could make a bracket to hold a bucket, but I've never felt the need.

[WALL E GATOR]

only sleds I seen with bucket slots were some they had at Cabelas last year. I have jet sleds and my Flip Shelter, usually put the bucket in one of those.

[MumbleSEED]

Jet Sled XL definitely will be able to fit more than a couple of buckets in it.  Has held up well for me for about  7 years now.

[hardwater diehard]

I just purchased a Shappel Jet Sled XL ...no molded bucket holder but pretty big .. I have an Otter Medium I believe ..its the same size ..but a bear to pull by hand empty ..add gear..and even less fun ..I went with the Jet Sled XL for hand pulling and to transport my 949i Eskimo and Jet sleds tend to pull much easier ..going to add wear bars/Hyfax to it ..to protect my investment. I love my Otter its rugged ..and if pulling  with an ATV/snowmobile I would have no need for the JS XL ..but it fills a niche.

Jet Sled XL definitely will be able to fit more than a couple of buckets in it.  Has held up well for me for about  7 years now.

Thanks I need reassurance I made a good choice . How do you find it pulls when loaded ?

[Redneck Fishfinder]

I've had the same otter for over 10 years. I'm pretty sure I'll have it for at least another 10.

[MumbleSEED]

I just purchased a Shappel Jet Sled XL ...no molded bucket holder but pretty big .. I have an Otter Medium I believe ..its the same size ..but a bear to pull by hand empty ..add gear..and even less fun ..I went with the Jet Sled XL for hand pulling and to transport my 949i Eskimo and Jet sleds tend to pull much easier ..going to add wear bars/Hyfax to it ..to protect my investment. I love my Otter its rugged ..and if pulling  with an ATV/snowmobile I would have no need for the JS XL ..but it fills a niche.

Thanks I need reassurance I made a good choice . How do you find it pulls when loaded ?

Well seems like we have the same gear as I have a 949i that I bring along with all of my gear.  I made a quick smitty sled for when it snows around here.   Otherwise it's not bad.  Recommend changing your rope to longer rope or harness style but definitely holds enough stuff and isn't too hard to pull.  It has taken a beaten over the years and has held up extremely well.

[hardwater diehard]

Well seems like we have the same gear as I have a 949i that I bring along with all of my gear.  I made a quick smitty sled for when it snows around here.   Otherwise it's not bad.  Recommend changing your rope to longer rope or harness style but definitely holds enough stuff and isn't too hard to pull.  It has taken a beaten over the years and has held up extremely well.

Thanks.. I have several Smittys in my arsenal  ..was going to change out the rope ..either thicker and longer or witha nylon strap ..which I have on my Otter ...and has held up extremly well.

[DrummerManDrew]

I just finished a JET SLED XL mod and its more than enough. good sled  Dimensions: 66" x 31" x 12" · Weight: 21.5 lbs.

[hardwater diehard]

I just finished a JET SLED XL mod and its more than enough. good sled  Dimensions: 66" x 31" x 12" · Weight: 21.5 lbs.

What modifications did you do?

[snow snake]

 I  have Clam single person flip over
 modification with   skis to bottom to help stop
the clam from  riding on dirt surfaces,  scratching into bottom
I  added a folding  seat and a cushion for comfort plus !
I also have a smithy sled for the deeper snow if needed

[DrummerManDrew]

What modifications did you do?

Here is the Jet Sled XL I just finished it was just a bare sled so the mod was everything

[stuckinohio]

Jet Sled XL definitely will be able to fit more than a couple of buckets in it.  Has held up well for me for about  7 years now.

Going to Ditto the above

[GBguy]

The Cabelas brand sleds have molded in bucket holders, happen to be there tonight and remembered your post so I snapped some pics. Medium sled is on sale for $37.49 and the large is on sale for $74.99.

Medium



https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-utility-ice-sled

Large



https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-large-ice-sled

[Blackfish17]

Are any of these sleds big enough to fit a pop up tent in, say the frabill hq 200? Or would i have to modify it to carry that.

[TRT]

I doubled up two large orange cargo sleds tieing together. My Otter hub 2-3 man fits on one side, power anger etc on the other. Sled weighs maybe 5-6 pounds an tows  easy on ice, hard pack or loose snow. It does not work well in deep powder.

[river_scum]

I doubled up two large orange cargo sleds tieing together. My Otter hub 2-3 man fits on one side, power anger etc on the other. Sled weighs maybe 5-6 pounds an tows  easy on ice, hard pack or loose snow. It does not work well in deep powder.

that's where the smitty sled comers into play. OP  about any shanty will benefit from one.  even a 1 man trap can suck in freezing slush stuff or up steep hills without one. its all in the surface area.  so whatever one you get OP build a smitty! 

[hardwater diehard]

Are any of these sleds big enough to fit a pop up tent in, say the frabill hq 200? Or would i have to modify it to carry that.

Just get a sled a tad bigger then the folded up height

HQ 200

SPECS
WEIGHT
23 lbs.
COLOR
Gray/Black
ENTRY
Full Zipper
FISHABLE SQ. FT.
34
MATERIAL
300D Polyester
SETUP DIMENSIONS
70"L x 70"W x 80"H
STORAGE DIMENSIONS
52.25"L x 8.5"W x 8.5"H
INSULATION
Standard
ANGLER CAPACITY
3 anglers
$199.99
IN STOCK
SKU 641100
1
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[Luckydog]

I have a jet sled xl. Plenty of room for a couple of buckets, an auger, fish locator, small cooler, minnow bucket, etc. You definitely want to put protective runners on the bottom.

[DrummerManDrew]

I have a jet sled xl. Plenty of room for a couple of buckets, an auger, fish locator, small cooler, minnow bucket, etc. You definitely want to put protective runners on the bottom.

Agreed. Save the life of the sled by putting runners on it. The only downside I’ve noticed with the runners is, when you try and pull the sled 90 degrees, the rigid 90 angles on the runner can be a little sticky. I round the sides of my runner to help more with pulling different directions. Also, the runners are primarily for staging my sled over parking lots and what not, as I do put my sled on a smitty before pulling it out on the ice. Helps with the resistance in heavy powder. We just got hammered in NH with 24” about a week ago so the lakes here are going to take a moment before we have some decent walking surfaces...

Here’s to working for your experience!!!!