Snowmobile ice fishing set ups

Trying to see what others have built or fabricated for ice fishing set ups. Over the weekend I picked up a 03 polaris sport touring 550 2up with very low hours. ( traded it for a little bit of concrete work). It has a back basket behind the passenger seat, and auger holder connected to that. I would like to put the auger on the front rack but also want to be able to open the hood fully. It has 6 rod holders connected to the back rack but I want to change that around to mounting a big otter monster box or a flip open weather tight storage box for alot of my gear. Something permanently mounted so I don’t have to load and unload it. And ideas pictures and other options are all appreciated and welcomed.

2001 Arctic Cat Panther 550 with two up seat removed, Contico Xtreme Pro Tuffbin from Menards, Digger style auger mount incorporated into framework to hold Tuffbin. Split collars used to mount graph to handlebars. I can fit my Livescope, Vexilar, BigBuddy Heater, and other misc. in Tuffbin.

Attachments:

1. 

   thumbnail_IMG_1189.jpg
   

2. 

   thumbnail_IMG_0361.jpg
   

3. 

   thumbnail_IMG_0360.jpg
   

If you want a front auger mount you will have to fabricate something. Those bumpers are not east to mount to like the older polaris’ are.

You might be best off fabbing into the front bumper mounts with brackets that you can mount a digger auger rack to, or mounting a receiver hitch tube and making it removable as to open the hood if it interferes.

Ive got a 95 and just gave up on the front mount and went with rear bumper as it was easy and done with a digger.

I will be keeping the 2 up seat on so I can always have the option of the second person. That tuffbin is exactly the style box I need. I want heater, tackle box, vex and 5 pound propane in it. Then I have to build a side holder for my rod box as well. Or maybe mount that on top. I don’t really need to mount my auger to the front but I just wanted to for the easy way to watch it. Fabricating some aluminum at the shop should be to bad but maybe I’ll just carry it on back.

Trying to upload a picture but i keep getting a message that says blocked not sure what I doing wrong?

supercat wrote:

Trying to upload a picture but i keep getting a message that says blocked not sure what I doing wrong?

I have never seen the blocked message. For me it runs through a auto system that tells me I’m not a robot and posts them. Maybe you’ve been put on the naughty list.

supercat wrote:

Trying to upload a picture but i keep getting a message that says blocked not sure what I doing wrong?

I had that happen last week too. Are you trying from a phone? I later did it from my pc and it worked.

I have a 1997 Bearcat Widetrack 550. On the back I put and Arctic Cat Speedrack mount that allows me to attach their accessories to the side like baskets and such. I then got a cheap Plano plastic box and put on top of it. It works fantastic. I have a digger auger mount that I plug in on one side and a basket on the other. It is wide however so navigating tight areas is not going to work. Good luck finding one though. I tried finding one for my buddy several years ago and couldnt find anything but its awesome.

I’m prolly goin to get a two up this season also. I’m thinking I’ll drag 2 sleds, one Otter pop up and another custom’d out to carry the rest. Propane, heater, rods, bait, etc…

Found the rack that I bought at Country Cat:
https://www.countrycat.com/parts-accessories/atv-accessories/atv-speedrack-racks-extensions/arctic-cat-1436-026-speedrack-rear-rack-side-adapter-kit-2008-2019-models

Careful adding too much to the back of the sled. I’ve seen people add too much weight and end up having difficulties with balancing and keeping the skis down.

I have a poly toolbox on the back of my sled riveted to a aluminum frame. That toolbox frame then sits on aluminum 2x3s that are welded to the tunnel. Two hitch pins hold the box on that way I can quickly take the tool box off if needed. On the front of the sled I have a hub house holder, auger mount, and light bar.

Tom Boley has a slick setup that’d be worth looking at as well.

This is how it looks right now. Just want to be able to have a bigger weatherproof tote.

Attachments:

1. 

   20230530_171912-scaled.jpg
   

2. 

   20230530_171843-scaled.jpg
   

My setup

Attachments:

1. 

   IMG_8623-scaled.jpeg
   

2. 

   IMG_8621-scaled.jpeg
   

3. 

   IMG_8636-scaled.jpeg
   

Here’s my old setup. Not really what you’re looking to do but it can carry a ton of stuff, still 2-up, and back to stock in 5 bolts. The rack is like having a wheeler rack and I like having the removable totes but could put whatever on there. I can load/unload them inside and then dump them out when they fill up with snow and ice.

Ram mounts are miserable on snowmobiles and don’t put anything you don’t want full of snow dust or slush on the back.

Attachments:

1. 

   7.jpg
   

2. 

   8.jpg
   

Bearcat I think you are going to have a hard time finding something that will keep snow dust out on the back. It finds its way in no matter what you do.

CaptainMusky wrote:

Bearcat I think you are going to have a hard time finding something that will keep snow dust out on the back. It finds its way in no matter what you do.

I have a big weatherproof box at home that’s fully sealed. I just want a bracket that I can take on and off. Just so it’s not permanent. I have a older wheeler cargo rack I might make work with some 1×1 angle iron. We will see. I’m just looking at others ideas.

2000 indy. Front auger brackets are removable with a pin so cover can still be used. Rear rack attaches to a homemade 1×2” channel iron extended bumper with 3 U-bolts.

Attachments:

1. 

   IMG_1598-scaled.jpeg
   

2. 

   IMG_1591-scaled.jpeg
   

3. 

   IMG_1590-scaled.jpeg
   

BC that ATV rack I shared earlier I think would work great, you would just have to figure out how to mount it for easy removal. Mine is mounted with U bolts so its not that easy. Plus you have other attachment points for their other accessories which is sweet. I have two baskets that mount on the side for coolers and other stuff along with my auger rack.

here is my home made setup… keep the box as narrow and as low as possible. mine got top heavy very tipsy so i narrowed it up and made sections inside so stuff cant slide side to side. have helix 7 mounted on the dash. rod holders on the side of the box. a holder for the slush scoop. buck holder on the back.

Attachments:

1. 

   snowmobile.jpg
   

supercat wrote:

Trying to upload a picture but i keep getting a message that says blocked not sure what I doing wrong?

figured it out file to big

Attachments:

1. 

   Ice-scaled.jpg
   

Custom made box with holder for rods, mega live, and auger. The entire box is 1” smaller than my ski stance for travelling across portages.

Attachments:

1. 

   IMG_7569.jpeg
   

2. 

   IMG_7567.jpeg
   

3. 

   IMG_7568-scaled.jpeg
   

I like that idea Greg it looks great. How’s the rod box held on ?

2 locking toggle clamps. I’ll add pics to show you. I can take it off in 30 seconds. No extra holes were drilled into my skidoo.

The rear is connected with a hitch pin using my existing hitch holes.
The Sides are toggle clamps with a safety trigger.
I placed some tool chest rubber liner between the base and the skidoo tunnel for a snug vibration free fit.

It cones off in 30 second for when I want to trail ride only.
Weighs only 21 pounds.

Attachments:

1. 

   d003.jpg
   

2. 

   d001.jpg
   

3. 

   d002.jpg