Hole Hopping Gloves

Hey all,

After getting out a few times this year, I’ve decided I need to snag some new gloves and am looking for suggestions.

Need: I hole hop, without a shelter, and the 3 layer system I’ve been using just doesnt cut it (latex work glove, neoprene layer, and win blocking outer layer) on sub freezing days. I almost had to call it after a half day yesterday but my buddy had a spare pair of gloves with thinsulate and a hand warmer pocket. I had been using the warmers between layers on mine but only his worked. He didn’t know the brand, or where he got them, and it wasnt printed on the glove.

I’ve got a pair of the glacier glove neoprene waterproof gloves and they just don’t cut it for staying warm. They are also hard to flip off when trying to manage a fish (the tips dont really stay open when flipped back).

I buy a pack of 12 brown Jersey gloves, the grippy ones, when wet, put on dry pair, been working for me for 50 years. When it’s too dang cold I don’t hole hop alot.

Sounds like your buddy had Fish monkey flip tip gloves. Neoprene outer skin, so they dry quickly, and they keep the fingers warm. There’s even a pocket for hot hands on super cold days.

I’ve tried a lot of different gloves for ice fishing. Like you I do a lot of hole hopping. When its a bit cold and windy a hot fish bite sometimes really sucks. Wet hands from removing fish + cold + wind = Really cold hands. trying to get damp hand back into gloves also sucks. I find that Oversized Mittens work muck better than gloves. They go on a lot better when you hands are wet and you can add a small handwarmer packet when really cold out. They also wash up a lot easier than gloves do. Gloves and Mittens tend to get rather smelly and slimmy after a few days of a good bite in cold weather.

Another thing that I find works really well is a hand muff with a handwarmer inside. When you hands gets really cold it only takes a few minutes inside a handmuff with a handwarmer to get them back to a fairly warm state. They are also really easy to wash often.

If you end up finding something that works really well for you – Let us know. I’m always looking for something that works better than what I’m using.

iTinker wrote:

Sounds like your buddy had Fish monkey flip tip gloves. Neoprene outer skin, so they dry quickly, and they keep the fingers warm. There’s even a pocket for hot hands on super cold days.

The ones he had were actually the ski glove style (no flip tip and not neoprene exterior).

I’ve been using wool convertible mitts for the last two seasons hole hopping and really like them. When handling the fish from the hole and on ice, I take them off and put them in my coat pockets. Then when ready to fish again, I put them on again. They warm up pretty fast and the open fingers help with rigging tackle.

I fish similarly to you – hole hopper who doesn’t use a shelter. I also hate wearing gloves. I like the feel of the rod in my hands… But when it’s really cold, you gotta wear something. I like wearing oversized mittens in that situation. They’re super easy to pull off as I’m reeling up a fish, and once you put your hands back in the mittens, they warm up faster. Usually, I’ll just pull off my left mitten to reel and handle the fish. For those in between conditions, or if the bite is good enough where I’m constantly pulling off my mitten, I’ll wear one of those handwarmers around my waist and keep my left hand in it until I hook up.

Fleece or wool fingerless gloves and oversized gloves. As sometimes that’s the only way. Handwarmers goes a long way.

I still bring a micro fleece towel for hand wiping. Makes a huge difference too.

Taking in all you folks said. Any thoughts on something like this?

https://www.rei.com/product/870649/black-diamond-mercury-insulated-mittens

I wear the old Sno Suit gloves that are now Frabill I think. I bought them to be a little over sized so they’re easy on and off and I keep a hand warmer in each one. They’re waterproof and really warm.

A pair of choppers and big enough to fit Jersey gloves and warmers. If needed

glenn-d wrote:

I wear the old Sno Suit gloves that are now Frabill I think. I bought them to be a little over sized so they’re easy on and off and I keep a hand warmer in each one. They’re waterproof and really warm.

These look like what you are referencing? Looks like they might be discontinued.

Frabill FXE Gauntlet Glove (X-Large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036QZ636/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AVrhEb0XPT7EG

Also thoughts on these convertibles? Good reviews but I always worry they are based more on looks than function.

ViGrace Winter Knitted Convertible Fingerless Gloves Unisex Warm Wool Mitten Glove for Women and Men https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RPLMLQ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_lcshEb2DP16WH

I’ve never never found a pair of gloves I’m comfortable fishing in, especially with a small ice reel. I usually either make sure my top layer jacket has a really good pocket to switch hands in and out of as I’m fishing or use one of those hand warmer pouches that strap around your waste. All this said, I always have a heated shack to go back to when I need it

catmando wrote:

I buy a pack of 12 brown Jersey gloves, the grippy ones, when wet, put on dry pair, been working for me for 50 years. When it’s too dang cold I don’t hole hop alot.

I do the same. Also where them hunting and keep my hands in a hand muff with a disposable hand warmer. For what ever reason I end up with have a dozen left handed gloves with no right handed to match next season and buy another pack.

A million good pair of gloves out there. Get something that fits well….I have one heavy pair of striker ice gloves and then a thinner pair that are essentially shells from REI.

Wear a pair of black latex mechanics gloves underneath. The thick ones you can get from northern tool that don’t tear easy. You can slip your big gloves on as needed but the latex gloves keep the water and wind off your hands. You have all the dexterity needed and your hands will stay warm.

Looking for a good pair of hand made Beaver Mitts. Anyone have info I’m looking to buy a pair. Please PM me. Thanks!

trophybucs wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>catmando wrote:</div>
I buy a pack of 12 brown Jersey gloves, the grippy ones, when wet, put on dry pair, been working for me for 50 years. When it’s too dang cold I don’t hole hop alot.

I do the same. Also where them hunting and keep my hands in a hand muff with a disposable hand warmer. For what ever reason I end up with have a dozen left handed gloves with no right handed to match next season and buy another pack. I hear ya where do the right ones go, those jersey are the only gloves I will wear with my release on.

catmando wrote:

I buy a pack of 12 brown Jersey gloves, the grippy ones, when wet, put on dry pair, been working for me for 50 years. When it’s too dang cold I don’t hole hop alot.

Ssme here. On the real cold or breezy days maybe add a second glove.

I also pay attention to the cuffs on my coats. If you layer your coats and have to many elastic bands on the wrist it can restrict blood flow to the hands. I also like to have atleast one cuff that covers a good part of the hand.

Joe K wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>glenn-d wrote:</div>
I wear the old Sno Suit gloves that are now Frabill I think. I bought them to be a little over sized so they’re easy on and off and I keep a hand warmer in each one. They’re waterproof and really warm.

These look like what you are referencing? Looks like they might be discontinued.
Brother in-law just got these Joe and they look to be the same glove as the old Frabill

https://www.cabelas.com/product/CLAM-CORP-ICE-AGILITY-GLOVE/3388919.uts

Frabill FXE Gauntlet Glove (X-Large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036QZ636/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AVrhEb0XPT7EG

Anybody tried the stealth glove by striker?

Jensen wrote:

Anybody tried the stealth glove by striker?

Got a pair for Xmas and don’t like the fit. If my hands were wet I probably couldn’t get them back on.

catmando wrote:

I buy a pack of 12 brown Jersey gloves, the grippy ones, when wet, put on dry pair, been working for me for 50 years. When it’s too dang cold I don’t hole hop alot.

Same here. That’s all I use hunting and fishing. More feeling with jerseys than any other glove I have tried. I use heavier gloves to and from the fishing area and sometimes to run the auger.

I got the Striker Ice Defender Gloves and they have been fantastic. Warm, waterproof and wear like iron.

Doug Larsen wrote:

I got the Striker Ice Defender Gloves and they have been fantastic. Warm, waterproof and wear like iron.

I believe now they are called Ice Combat gloves and Marine General has a great Striker sale going on right now and I got a pair for 79.99 just ordered them.

Joe K wrote:

Taking in all you folks said. Any thoughts on something like this?
https://www.rei.com/product/870649/black-diamond-mercury-insulated-mittens

Great great product but not sure would be my first choice for ice fishing. Inside it runs the split finger inner mitt. That might be harder to put on when the fingers are a little wet. Maybe something in more of a chopper style??? I have some older Ice Armor mitts. Quality is terrible but they are easy on, easy off.

I like the muff idea with handwarmer, might have to give that a try

Get some leather choppers then go buy the wool liners, still my go to mittens no matter what I’m doing, plus you can always put some hand warmers in , and they shake off quickly, gloves are usually a variety of jersey and a more water resistant pair, depends on conditions or if I’m setting up etc.

Reviving an old thread here but I wanted to share something I found. I was at the local firearm shop and found a pair of Manzella Upland Shooter gloves for $15. The palm side is fake leather and the top side is a rugged briar resistant material. They have 40g of thinsulate and are surprisingly warm. I would call them water resistant but not water proof. I could still feel bluegill bites on a light Fenwick while hole hopping. I will attach a link to them.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/ramseyoutdoor.com/amp/mens-upland-shooter-glove-black/

I just ordered a pair of Fish Monkey Tundra FM25 mitten gloves.
https://www.fishmonkeygloves.com/Item/FM25

I like the idea of waterproof, dedicated pocket for hand warmer pouch, flip glove/mitten for dexterity of uncovered fingertips (thumb flips open too) and then able to warm back up in the mitten. The”finger pulls” are also an interesting concept.

We’ll see, but they checked enough boxes for me.

I had the old Frabil fxe task gloves, this year I tried the strikemaster mid weight and so far love them