It's In The Bag

By Scott Seibert

You can always tell an ice fisherman by the tell tale white bucket inside the pick-up or car heading down the highway with rods and tip-ups poking out. Some where in the bucket you might find a few lures, line and a piece of a leftover sandwich, maybe even a head of minnow from your first hookup. Those ice anglers might have all they need in those buckets, but they might also have some important items left behind on the floor or in the bed of the truck.

Clam Corporation recently came up with some very ingenious rod and gear bags for the ice fisherman. Ice fishing season is in full swing at this point, to some it is half over but these bags are great gift ideas for birthdays, Mother or Father's Day, or for the graduate in the family.

The first bag is the New Clam Gear Bag. This bag protects your fishing gear and more importantly it will protect your Vexilar flasher and Vexilar Fish Scout camera. Many times you will need to be as mobile on the ice as possible and this Clam gear bag is ideal for moving. It was designed so the ice fisherman not only has protection of the electronic units, but also the function. This bag has two built in Velcro loops on each side that allow the ice fisherman to switch between rods as they change presentation or decide to move. The design also allows the fisherman to select from a multiple of Clam tackle boxes. With side compartments and bottom storage it allows ice anglers the option to fish a variety of species.

With the extra thick padded shoulder strap an ice fisherman can carry this lightweight bag while in search of fish.

The New Clam Rod Bag is a necessity for the modern ice fisherman. How many of you still carry your rods in a 5 gallon bucket? What do they look like when you arrive at your destination? The Clam Rod Bag will protect your rods & reels, but it will also eliminate that tangled mess that you have with the bucket method.

Just like the Clam Gear Bag, the Clam Rod Bag helps the ice angler to be specie specific when it comes to mobility and organization. I have one bag rigged for panfish the other for walleyes. When I get a phone call from my buddies, I can be out the door with all the necessities for that "bull gill," or "trophy 'eye."

The Clam Rod Bag is designed to carry 6 rod and reel combinations in a protective case. Ice anglers are notorious for having as many rods rigged up at one time. Rods rigged with Buck-Shot spoons, or Forage Minnows have a different presentation than ones rigged with jigs. That is why Clam designed this specific rod bag so the fisherman can be productive on the ice rather than cutting and tying on another lure.

A host of goodies can be stored in the bag. For example, you might want to keep a Clam Pocket Ice Light handy. We all hit the ice when there is low light and a pocket light comes in handy. As mentioned before, you will want a variety of lures. You can carry a number of Clam Tackle Boxes, one designated for spoons, another for jigs, and yet another for plastics.

Clam Rod Bag is not complete without some Genz line, Bait Pucks, your hand held GPS and of course a line cutter and needle nose pliers.

Rig up a couple bags for the ice, such as a bag for panfish and a bag for walleyes. You might even consider a bag for northern pike and lake trout if you want to get your hands on some of the best fighting fish on the ice today.

Without a doubt this ice season or the next you owe it to yourself to be as organized and productive on the ice at all times. Remember, “It’s In The Bag.” Hope to see you on the ice soon!!!