10/09/07

By Troy Peterson - “Mr. Bluegill”

Year after year ice fishermen unwearyingly wait to see what new products will be available for the upcoming hardwater season.  Rumors have started to fly around the local all-in-one coffee, hardware and bait shops about the new gear that is coming.  Website message boards are dusting off the ice fishing forums which have sat idle for the past six months and manufactures along with dealers are spending countless hours getting all the last minute orders filled for what hopes to be an early ice season.  Ice fishermen for the past ten years have continued to take the technological leap at fishing through the ice.  In response to the demand from fisherman, companies are continuing to develop state of the art products using today’s high end technology and materials.  The evolution of electronics is something everyone has noticed.  Cameras and flashers are almost indistinguishable to the cell phone.  On the contrary, items like augers, rods and portable shacks are being overlooked on the technological advancements. 

Frabill

Heating the ice with a new line of insulated portable shacks, Frabill introduces the new R2-Tec.

Frabill’s motto is “Innovating The Outdoors.”  Innovation is an understatement for the new R2-Tec insulated portable shelters made with 3M’s patented FR120 Thinsulate® fabric.  This is sure to raise some head and generate a little heat amongst ice fisherman.  The innovative shack incorporates an insulated material created by the Norpac Company and combines a flame retardant reflective colored interior lining with a tough outer shell that is durable, water repellent , fade and tear resistant. The material is similar in weight to traditional canvas and remains flexible in the most extreme cold.  Unlike traditional single ply canvas shelters the new R2-Tec will require less heat to warm the inside of the shack meaning smaller heaters, less propane used, more uniform heat and less chances of health risks related from propane heaters.  The new R2-Tec shelters will be available with the innovative GlideTrax  sleds in two different sizes comparable to the Magnum and the Fortress.  The combination of GlideTrax and R2-Tec is a guaranteed to be the Hottest Shack on the ice this winter!

 MarCum Technologies-

Ice and cold temperatures are no match for the new heated MarCum Cameras.

Heated Cameras?  That’s right!  The new VS-820 and VS-825C are the latest two models being offered this year from MarCum Technologies.  Two totally new systems from MarCum Technologies are the VS-820 and the VS-825c.  These two underwater viewing systems are the first of their kind and will set the standard for future underwater camera systems from MarCum Technologies.  The greatest development is the new high resolution (600 x 800), sunlight readable, flat panel - LCD screen.   The LCD screen features on-screen displays of all the settings and controls.  On the lower part of the screen the digital keypad controls everything from light intensity of the camera to the contrast and brightness of the monitor.   Unlike other LCD displays which can be sluggish and blurry in cold temperatures, the thermostatically controlled, heated monitor will perform flawlessly in the cold.   The 4:3 aspect ratio of the monitor will display a true image of what is being seen under the water vs. other wide screen monitors that stretch the picture distorting the image.    The new monitor along with the new Manta Underwater camera are both securely stowed into an all new hard case designed with a soft pack feel that totally conceals all components while closed.   The difference between the two models – VS-820 & VS-825c – is that the VS-820 is a black and white system while the VS-825c is a complete color system with a color Manta underwater camera along with a high-resolution color LCD flat panel display.   It will now be just as easy to use an underwater viewing system in the summer as it is in the winter thanks to the VS-820 and VS-825c. 

MarCum Technologies strives at designing new products that will make things easier for fisherman.  The engineers at MarCum are fisherman themselves and test all the new products before sending them out to be manufactured.  MarCum Technologies continues to be a customer driven company that listens to the demands of sportsman and implements the ideas into products.  A few new accessories this year attest the concept of making things easier.  If you are a person that likes to have everything in one spot and easy to utilize, the ICE-PAC tote system is for you!  Designed after an ice-fishing trip to Northwest Ontario for giant Lake Trout, the ICE-PAC was made to hold everything a person needs to fish.  The ICE-PAC has a spot for everything including 4 sturdy tubes that will hold rod and reel combos securely in place, a zippered pouch for a 3600 series tackle box, a Velcro storage area for a handheld sonar or GPS, a strap to hold an ice skimmer, mesh pouches for accessories and a spot for a flasher not only to be transported but to be used while the ICE-PAC is toted around from hole to hole.  All this in a one soft sided case that has a stand which automatically deploys when set down and automatically retracts when the extra-wide comfortable shoulder strap is used.  This will be a great way to carry all your gear from hole to hole or to transport the gear during early or late ice without having to pull a sled.  The ROD-PAC is every bit as useful as the ICE-PAC without a spot for a flasher and without the retractable stand. 

Jiffy

Geared For Professionals……

For over 50 years, Jiffy has manufactured the toughest drills on ice.  This year is no different.  The new STX PRO 2 H.P. drill has an all new HTT (High Torque Transmission) transmission.  The new transmission housing is constructed of a space age material lightening the auger without any compromise to the durability Jiffy stands for!  Along with the new transmission are the new compact cushioned handles and throttle making it a whole lot easier and comfortable to drill for those all day excursions.  The STX Pro will be available in an 8”, 9” and now a 10” auger.  The ability to drill a 10” hole with a 2hp engine has been anything but easy until now.  With the HTT, cutting any size hole will be smoother, faster  and easier than ever before.   Combine the Stealth STX cutting technology with the new HTT  and you get the hottest auger on the ice that not only cuts faster, smoother, weighs less, but also offers the best warranty in the industry.   1-2-3.  1 year on the engine, 2 years on the transmission and 3 years on the STX blades.  Best of all, it’s made right here in the U.S.A.!

WOW!!!  Talk about some hot products, these are only a few of the new items out this year.  Visit your local sporting goods store or check online for all the other new stuff that will hit the ice this season.  Every year fishermen continue to ask the question, what will they think of next?  The suspense is only a year away!

  Troy Peterson, “Mr.Bluegill” is a multi-species guide in Wisconsin specializing in walleyes and panfish.  Troy is also an accomplished photographer, videographer writer and presenter.  His sponsors include MarCum Technologies, Frabill, Jiffy, Custom Jigs & Spins, Humminbird, MinnKota,  GLoomis, Pure Fishing and TTI Hook Companies. He can be contacted at www.mrbluegill.com

Good Ice'n

Mr.Bluegill