and money wasn’t a consideration (gotta love whatever world that is) and you had to pick between a tracked ATV or snowmobile for getting you on and off the ice, what would it be and why? I’ll answer in a bit.
ATV…use it all seasons. 
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and money wasn’t a consideration (gotta love whatever world that is) and you had to pick between a tracked ATV or snowmobile for getting you on and off the ice, what would it be and why? I’ll answer in a bit.
Money no consideration? Tracked ATV without question. I’m actually wrestling with the decision to add one for this winter… except money IS a consideration.
damn considerations anyway..don’t ya just hate’em?
I also go with tracked 
Id probably go fan cooled 800cc sled with a loooooong track. a TON lighter and you can use it for any ice contition. Especially around where I fish, ice isnt always the most safe, and with this setup, you could always punch out of some water if you happened to go in. Just my thoughts…..
slead all the way for the iffy conditions like grant mentioned. Although I took the tracked Razor up to Rainy and that thing would go anywhere. The ATV’s were dropping into big slush pockets but the razor would float right over the top of them with the tracks.
For me, it would be tracked ATV all the way for two reasons primarily: 1) much more carrying capacity and customization, and 2) greater floation over snow/slush. Other than cost, I don’t see any reason to have a sled for me. It’s not like I’d rather ride the trails in the winter than fish.
I always thought a tracked ATV, would be the best, I wouldn’t consider fishing ice iffy enough that I feel I’d need a sled. (Not that ice is ever really safe)
I’ve also heard of you get your ATV stuck you’re going to be really stuck.
BTW, here are the numbers that I see in the discussion. A used sled runs $1k – $1.5k. Tracks are probably pushing $3.5k – $4k…assuming that you already have the bike. I told myself this year I would be upgrading to tracks but I still don’t know if I’m going to pull the trigger. As James said, it’s still a pretty good chunk of change.
Here’s my rig as it sits right now. 
Here’s my rig as it sits right now.
Show off. I’m jealous. Nice rig. 
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Id probably go fan cooled 800cc sled with a loooooong track. a TON lighter and you can use it for any ice contition. Especially around where I fish, ice isnt always the most safe, and with this setup, you could always punch out of some water if you happened to go in. Just my thoughts…..
X2
I once saw a group of guys whipping across Mille Lacs all on wheelers and the fourth guy was waaay behind and running tracks. Seemed like the guy with tracks was having a real time keeping up. By having tracks does that take more energy from the engine? or was a he just taking his time?
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and money wasn’t a consideration (gotta love whatever world that is) and you had to pick between a tracked ATV or snowmobile for getting you on and off the ice, what would it be and why? I’ll answer in a bit.
Money no consideration? Tracked ATV without question. I’m actually wrestling with the decision to add one for this winter… except money IS a consideration.
Check that. I guess I meant UTV (or whatever people call these things) as I lumped 4 wheelers in with what I’ve been looking at. I’m not a fan of 4 wheelers for ice fishing except for early and late in the year when snow pack is limited. If I’m going to get a tracked vehicle this is what I had in mind…
Option it up to be fully enclosed with a heater, tracks, giant gear box in the back and THIS would be my ultimate ice fishing vehicle when I needed to haul a bunch of gear and people. And the last couple seasons I’ve been hauling a lot of both.
As far as tracks go, I’ve heard good things about the Mattracks. Anyone have any first hand experience with them as an owner with some extended hours on them? I’ve driven a Polaris with a set of Mattracks installed… the thing feels like it could crawl up a brick wall while towing a string off Otter houses. 
ATV…I could use it for deer hunter as well as ice fishing.
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Id probably go fan cooled 800cc sled with a loooooong track. a TON lighter and you can use it for any ice contition. Especially around where I fish, ice isnt always the most safe, and with this setup, you could always punch out of some water if you happened to go in. Just my thoughts…..
X2
I once saw a group of guys whipping across Mille Lacs all on wheelers and the fourth guy was waaay behind and running tracks. Seemed like the guy with tracks was having a real time keeping up. By having tracks does that take more energy from the engine? or was a he just taking his time?
Kruger Gearing has to change in order to have enough power to drive the tracks and in doing so, speed is sacrificed. I’ve heard the stated reduction in top speed is about 1/3 but from the guys that have them, it sounds more like 1/2. I’d have a hard time thinking that I need more than 30 mph on the ice so that hasn’t impacted my want to do this.
James, why don’t you just put tracks on your truck? 
That’s some serious chunk of iron/change you’re talking about there. Regarding Mattracks for ATVs/UTVs, it’s not first hand experience, but the G2 I’ve heard is that they are more expensive and not without issue. If I were pulling the trigger right now, it would probably be Camoplast Tatou 4 Season. However, if you get a set for your truck, I hear the full-size Mattracks are about the best.
Kruger Gearing has to change in order to have enough power to drive the tracks and in doing so, speed is sacrificed. I’ve heard the stated reduction in top speed is about 1/3 but from the guys that have them, it sounds more like 1/2. I’d have a hard time thinking that I need more than 30 mph on the ice so that hasn’t impacted my want to do.
Thats kinda what I thought. For my needs I still like the idea of a big 800 with a huge track! 
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As far as tracks go, I’ve heard good things about the Mattracks. Anyone have any first hand experience with them as an owner with some extended hours on them?
Right there in that question about “extended hours” lies the rub.
I look at those tracked ATV setups and they just scream “MAINTENANCE NIGHTMARE”. Just think of all those nice bearings that have been added, all of them running down there where the tires usually are, in the water, snow, dirt, grit, salt, you name it.
In commercial use where the tracks are the best option for getting something done and time = money, I can see the point. But for fishing? No way.
Grouse
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But for fishing? No way.
Grouse
I had an extended discussion with a guy tonight that’s been running this style track on a jeep for 5 seasons with mega hours on the set-up. His firsthand experience with them is that they’re almost indestructible and his feedback made me more curious about this direction than ever. Is it for everyone? No. But what is?
For what I’m looking to do which is a go anywhere and everywhere vehicle that can move large quantities of people and heavy loads… I can’t think of a better way to get it done.
We’ll see. Right now it is nothing more than a glimmer in this guy’s eye. And I’m enjoying the research. 
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If I were pulling the trigger right now, it would probably be Camoplast Tatou 4 Season.
Thanks for the lead – http://camoplastsolideal.com/en/atv-utv/products/utv
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We’ll see. Right now it is nothing more than a glimmer in this guy’s eye. And I’m enjoying the research.
Come on James, surely you can take on another sponsor/client for something so beneficial, yes? ‘Course that means that you’ll have to upgrade your vehicle to a diesel just to haul the beastie though. I so love spending other people’s money.
I just ended up with a used ARGO Conquest 8×8 last year with/wo tracks. I used it last year up on Gogebic and was really glad I had it. 
Went over ice cracks that were hidden by thin cover ice that would have dropped the front end of a UTV up to the hood. Also had some sink holes that dropped this unit down to the skid plate and we never missed a beat. 
Saved my butt at least twice and it may not be pretty but at least it floats and goes.
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and money wasn’t a consideration (gotta love whatever world that is) and you had to pick between a tracked ATV or snowmobile for getting you on and off the ice, what would it be and why? I’ll answer in a bit.
Money no consideration? Tracked ATV without question. I’m actually wrestling with the decision to add one for this winter… except money IS a consideration.
Check that. I guess I meant UTV (or whatever people call these things) as I lumped 4 wheelers in with what I’ve been looking at. I’m not a fan of 4 wheelers for ice fishing except for early and late in the year when snow pack is limited. If I’m going to get a tracked vehicle this is what I had in mind…
Option it up to be fully enclosed with a heater, tracks, giant gear box in the back and THIS would be my ultimate ice fishing vehicle when I needed to haul a bunch of gear and people. And the last couple seasons I’ve been hauling a lot of both.
If you are looking to do this, you might as well save a fortune and buy a small 4 wheel SUV like a Geo/Chevy Tracker or a Suzuki, jeep, etc. An older used SUV is a lot cheaper than a polaris, and comes with an enclosed cab, heat, and everything you would need.
We fish up at Arnesen’s a lot over the winter and the tracked Geo tracker is the vehicle of choice up there.
I have heard good things about american track truck. Requires no modifications to your vehicle, just bolt onto the hubs of your vehicle. I saw a guy on here has an S-10 Blazer with these on Leach Lake. He picked up his rig last winter.
I have never owned a snowmobile but do own an ATV. This will be the first winter I will be using it strictly for ice fishing.
Tracks all the way. Your speed of travel is greatly reduced, but you can travel almost anywhere.
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Tracks all the way. Your speed of travel is greatly reduced, but you can travel almost anywhere.
Not that I have to worry about glare ice all that often if at all where I live but do you have to stud the tracks? I run chains on my rear tires with the ATV right now.
You do get some slippage on glare ice, but it’s not near as bad as you do with tires. The only time that I had much of a problem with it is when try to pull two heavy gear sleds behind it. I did figure out that pulling a trailer on glare ice does work quite a bit better. Getting going took a little bit, but once moving it wasn’t much of a problem.
Ive had years on Lake Of The Woods where the snow is deep and very soft.
Not to mention the 100 yard stretches of slush.
I’m wondering how a tracked ATV would work in those conditions?
Not to mention a tracked ATV would have a difficult time keeping up with snowmobiles.
What about the 4 stroke starting in -20 -30 below weather?
I’d buy a Polaris Wide Track or Arctic Cat Big Bear.
Exland Fire Department here in Wi. Is running tracks on their Can-Am 4-Wheeler year around. That thing runs awsome. Got to watch it run around a couple times and It has no problems. The guy did say it drives a lottle slower but they have the gearing converted so it didn’t cut more that a 1/3 the power he said.
quad with tracks. could use it year around if needed.
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