Bow cases for ice rods

I’ve been hearing of people using bow cases to protect their rods. I don’t hunt, but know plenty of people that do so I’m looking a little insight into this

Arrow case was what I used to use. $20-30 if i remember correctly. Some get brittle in sub zero temps.

Quote:

---

I’ve been hearing of people using bow cases to protect their rods. I don’t hunt, but know plenty of people that do so I’m looking a little insight into this

---

In the past I had used an arrow case for my ice rods and I ended up ruining a $75 walleye sweatheart because I was trying to pack up in a hurry with below zero temps after dark and I accidently shut the case on my rod tip. I finally gave in and just spent the money to get an Otter rod case and wished I would have done it sooner. IMO the Otter Rod Box is the way to go

Quote:

---

Arrow case was what I used to use. $20-30 if i remember correctly. Some get brittle in sub zero temps.

---

I used to use an arrow hard case like this and yes, they are brittle when it becomes sub-zero and I had to collapse my reel every time I put my rod in the case. My buddy was looking at a small gun case that is used for break down guns and there was not enough room to keep from having to collapse reels again. Granted that could be just the version he was looking at but he purchased a case made for ice fishing rods and I convinced him it is worth the extra money if you have you expensive rods in there.

I use the $20 cases from Walmart

Randy is that a arrow/gun case? or is it made for ice rods? Looks pretty nice for $20.

I ended up using an arrow case that I got on a end of the year discount for like $10 and spent another $10 on a foam mattress pad. It works well it has metal clips so it holds up fine in the cold, however it isnt deep enough so I have to fold in my reels all the time.

Quote:

---

I ended up ruining a $75 walleye sweatheart because I was trying to pack up in a hurry with below zero temps after dark and I accidently shut the case on my rod tip.

---

Couldn’t you just as easily do the same thing with an Otter case. Don’t care how much you spend, accidents like that can still happen.

Quote:

---

Randy is that a arrow/gun case? or is it made for ice rods? Looks pretty nice for $20.

I ended up using an arrow case that I got on a end of the year discount for like $10 and spent another $10 on a foam mattress pad. It works well it has metal clips so it holds up fine in the cold, however it isnt deep enough so I have to fold in my reels all the time.

---

Gun Case – I think the actual cost was $21.xx plus tax
It comes with the foam inside, but I had to glue it in. Few dabs of Power Grab Caulk and done. I do need to collapse the reel handles though. But for my applications, that’s fine for me

I have to colapse the reel handles with my Otter so I think that is SOP for all the ice rod cases. FYI-Plano makes a nice gun case that fits the bill.

I have the plano gun case and I can fit 6-8 rods in there. As mentioned above don’t be in a hurry….but I would think that would be the case with any hard case.

I use a Plano break down gun case and it works great for me, I do have to fold my handles down but it’s not hard to do. I gave $25 for mine on Amazon.

Ed

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

I ended up ruining a $75 walleye sweatheart because I was trying to pack up in a hurry with below zero temps after dark and I accidently shut the case on my rod tip.

---

Couldn’t you just as easily do the same thing with an Otter case. Don’t care how much you spend, accidents like that can still happen.

---

It could and I hope I didn’t jinx myself now My point was just that trying to fit rods into a cheap case that wasn’t as long, wide, or deep resulted in a rod shifting when I closed the case and I think the odds are much less using a better case like the Otter. Since it ended up costing me more in the long run I wish I would have just bought a nice case in the first place. A nice gun case or bow case would probably fit the bill as well depending on the size.

We are a Otter case crew. If you use somthing else make sure the plastic can withstand cold temps. It would be interesting to know how many 100’s if not thousand miles Chris G. has on his Otter case. Tough cases

Does the Otter case fit a 36″ rod???

I just took seven rods out of my Plano Gun case. lengths range from 24-31 inches. Case was bought at mills. Glued the pad down with gorilla glue and haven’t had a problem. Been using the case for 5 years. 15-20 trips a season. As far as temps. I’ve never fished with it when the temp/windchill has been below zero, but up to that point it hasn’t been problem. I know I know otter is god. I have there otter lodge and can’t complain blows clam out of the water, but if it aint broke why change it.

I know I know otter is god.
The Otter cases are most likely the best on the market. That also comes with a price tag that some people can not afford. The “alternates” are suggested as a good solution that fit within their budget. If you can swing the cost on an Otter, they are the way to go

I picked up the Frabil hard case this year, it was 60 bucks, but worth the money. I have all 6 of my combos in there, with room for at least one more. Very durable, and I have thrown that thing in and out of the truck and onto the ice is some VERY cold ND weather.

I use Cabela’s Fly rod and reel case. I can get up to 3 combos into one and it doesnt take up nearly as much space as those huge boxes. And you can get them for about $20.

Quote:

---

Does the Otter case fit a 36″ rod???

---

Yep. It fits my 36″ TUC precision with room to spare. I’m pretty sure it would fit rods even up to 38″.

Of the gun/bow/rod cases many of you have posted about, do any of these accomodate long rods such as 42″-45″ rods for lakers and big pike? I have a couple of ideas for a case to fit long rods, but curious as to what others have used.

Quote:

---

Of the gun/bow/rod cases many of you have posted about, do any of these accomodate long rods such as 42″-45″ rods for lakers and big pike? I have a couple of ideas for a case to fit long rods, but curious as to what others have used.

---

All my custom crappie and Pike rods are 42″ that I make. Those are the rods in the pic above. I have about 1-1/2″ to spare in the case.