Custom Jet Sleds

[kaseyj5678]

I'm planning on customizing my Jetsled to give everything (bait, traps, jig, heater, etc) a specific home. Does anyone have any photos of their build or any lessons learned?

[crashed87]

PVC frame to elevate and carry my pop up and auger. Built it get over my bait bucket but totally messed up when I made it too tall for the tonneau cover on the truck so that was dumb. Walmart rod holder slightly modified to hold jigging rods. I have a big comfy new chair so I’m going to have to play around on how to secure that too. My bait bucket stays wedged in place with a tackle box and backpack everything else just kinda fits. I don’t bring as much as I see other people and I’m sure people think I bring way too much!

[sab]

Sled Length? 6'? 9? Is longer better or two small 6'?

[lynng]

First and foremost if you pull by hand build a Smitty sled. Just remarkable how well these things work. Lots of “how to” in the Equipment section of this forum.

This thread has lot of info on sled mods;
https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=172918.0

Here is what I did to mine. I have a couple and use this one when I’m taking a lot of “stuff”. It lets me get a couple of buckets and my traps out of the tub.

[RippinLipsTakingSips]

First and foremost if you pull by hand build a Smitty sled. Just remarkable how well these things work. Lots of “how to” in the Equipment section of this forum.

This thread has lot of info on sled mods;
https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=172918.0

Here is what I did to mine. I have a couple and use this one when I’m taking a lot of “stuff”. It lets me get a couple of buckets and my traps out of the tub.

Your bucket mount on the back is next level. I love the gutter downspouts to hold the tip ups. Definitely borrowing that idea for my sled.

[ira-akrfc]

R.L.T.S. -  Your skis are removable from the sled. Can you provide details on how they attach/detach? Did you drill holes in bottom of the sled and then use screws to attach?

[lynng]

R.L.T.S. -  Your skis are removable from the sled. Can you provide details on how they attach/detach? Did you drill holes in bottom of the sled and then use screws to attach?

If you are asking about my sled, it’s a “Smitty Sled”. The jet sled or sled on my flip over just sits on the cross members of the Smitty. Ive attached another picture. The rubber pieces on the cross members keep it from moving around. There are also eyebolts for tie downs if need be. The Smitty disassembles for travel. If you pull a sled by hand, a Smitty makes it so so much easier.

[hardwater diehard]

R.L.T.S. -  Your skis are removable from the sled. Can you provide details on how they attach/detach? Did you drill holes in bottom of the sled and then use screws to attach?

Good read ..the high lights .. Down hill skis ...15 foot rope....tied to the tips of the skis ..

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=103927.0

[kaseyj5678]

I love the idea with the gutters. I was planning on using PVC to hold my traps vertically, but I think the gutters are stronger/cheaper

[hardwater diehard]

Not really a custom ...more in the way of add ons  ...full back directors chair  I have since added an Otter Side Kick atop that bucket...its my sunny run n gun hole hopping set up








This may be my new seating option



That Jet Sled may be 15-20 years old ..had some wear to one of the back corners ..Harbor Freight plastic welder kit worked wonders so I gave it some love and added the Hyfax runner kit ...which I would recommend .

[Jack978]

I love the idea with the gutters. I was planning on using PVC to hold my traps vertically, but I think the gutters are stronger/cheaper

Consider using a pulk to pull the sled instead of just ropes. A pulk isn't hard to make and if you use two pieces of PVC pipe and run the ropes through it you won't have the sled running into the back of your legs on downhill stretches.  You can buy a harness so you can pull it hands free for about $40 which is also convenient.  I made mine (which is not a work of art) for about $ 80 total (harness poles and all connections) and it makes life a lot easier.

You can buy one ready made for a lot more but one trip to Lowes saves you a fortune.

Here is a utube video that shows you how to make one.

[Bottle_O_Moxie]

That Pulk sled how-to video was very good.

[ice4066]

No need to buy a harness if ya hunt..if you have treestands ...you have harness that came with it ..and harness makes huge difference when pulling sled

[Jack978]

That Pulk sled how-to video was very good.

Compared to mine his is over engineered but as long as you follow the basic design it makes a world of difference.  I use carabiners instead of the connections he uses as it is easier to undo with numb fingers.  He uses rope and D rings for the connection to him instead of a harness which isn't a bad idea in case the sled goes through, and you want to disconnect in a hurry.  Either way there is infinite room to DIY a solution.

[rdhammah]

R.L.T.S. -  Your skis are removable from the sled. Can you provide details on how they attach/detach? Did you drill holes in bottom of the sled and then use screws to attach?

Check this thread out...... https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=103927.msg3721169#msg3721169

[kaseyj5678]

Not quite finished with it yet, but I'm liking it so far.

I'm planning on storing my traps under the last two milk crates/plywood. I still need to add something to keep from from sliding out of the back when I accelerate.

I may also add some type of "push pole/handlebars"

[Jack978]

Not quite finished with it yet, but I'm liking it so far.

I'm planning on storing my traps under the last two milk crates/plywood. I still need to add something to keep from from sliding out of the back when I accelerate.

I may also add some type of "push pole/handlebars"

Nice rig.  I wonder about the skis and notice yours are short.  I just bought and easy sled frame and its getting shipped to me in the next week.  I was debating on ski length to ensure the load was spread out as much as possible to lessen the ground pressure.  I like the width of yours just wonder about the lenght.

[bart]

[hardwater diehard]

 A little pricey ...but may be more durable in the cold


https://www.homedepot.com/s/PVC%20furniture?NCNI-5

[jigmaster5]

For me, 2 best additions to my sleds have been hyfax runners & an extra long & thick smooth nylon rope.   

[kaseyj5678]

Nice rig.  I wonder about the skis and notice yours are short.  I just bought and easy sled frame and its getting shipped to me in the next week.  I was debating on ski length to ensure the load was spread out as much as possible to lessen the ground pressure.  I like the width of yours just wonder about the lenght.

I'm reusing the ski from an old/smaller sled I made. I took it for a test run around the yard and all seems well so far. But if I didn't already have these cut ski's laying around, I would of left them the same length of the sled.

[jethro]

I don't know how you guys all have good luck making things out of schedule 40 PVC... Years ago I built a wind break on a sled of mine out of PVC tubing and it cracked instantly in the cold. Maybe I used the wrong kind of white PVC?

[woodchip]

They should make a bigger sled  so one could use it on thin ice. With ice pick paddles , then one could slid out on thin ice . poke a hole with skimmer and jig some fish.

[Nameless]

They should make a bigger sled  so one could use it on thin ice. With ice pick paddles , then one could slid out on thin ice . poke a hole with skimmer and jig some fish.

How about strapping and inflatable pontoon boat to the sled? Lol

[woodchip]

Probably lighter floats filled with foam plastic that dont stick to ice, Aluminun skis pick up ice making them heavy.

[gunn308]

I don't have any pics because my son thinks I have a warehouse at his place. Look around for a used aluminum truck toolbox raise it up about 6" and put some skis under it. works great.

[bee]

Nice idea

[Jack978]

I found this website by chance and ordered one of their sleds.  If I tried to build my own, it would be finished sometimes in August of 2025.  With shipping it was $116.  I bought a pair of used skis for $20.  Its supposed to be here on the 3rd of January.   Perhaps by then there might be some ice somewhere.

https://www.easysled.ca/

[woodchip]

With aluniumun  skis slush will stick and freeze on making sled very heavy.

[Jack978]

With aluniumun  skis slush will stick and freeze on making sled very heavy.

The skis I bought were cross country skis made of wood so no problem with them being aluminum.   Just the sled frame is and it doesn't contact the ice surface.