Pro Sled
4.7(1,420)4.7 out of 5 stars, 1,420 reviews, on Amazon at the time this was writtenA rotomolded hauling sled built thick enough to drag a shelter, auger, and heater across pressure ridges without splitting.
Beaver Dam
Beaver Dam · Ice Fishing
Original Tip-Up
4.7(1,680)4.7 out of 5 stars, 1,680 reviews, on Amazon at the time this was writtenThe wooden tip-up that has been catching Great Lakes pike since the 1940s, with a sealed underwater spool that does not freeze up at fifteen below.
Check price on Amazon$44— Original Tip-UpPrice shown was accurate on 2026-09-01. Amazon sets the live price.
What's good
- Underwater spool and greased-shaft design keeps working when plastic tip-ups have iced solid
- Trips reliably on a light pickup, so you see a flag before the fish drops the bait
- Wood frame lays flat over the hole and blocks light, which slows the hole from refreezing
What isn't
- You must maintain the lubricant in the shaft — neglect it for a season and the spool binds, which is the one job this design asks of you
We list the drawbacks because a recommendation with no downside is a sales pitch. If a cheaper item does the job on your water, the write-up says so.
Also worth a look
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