KITS, SHARPENES, FILLET KNIVES AND WAYS TO KEEP YOUR FISH FRESH
BY: KRISTINE OSTERTAG
The heart of the ice fishing season is upon us. Whether you’re chasing flags, jumping holes, or enjoying the warmth of a hard house, a quality set of tools will help make your ice adventure a success. I am always on the go, rarely sitting in a hut and fishing in the same hole. Being on the go forces me to pack light, keeping the tools I need with me. These are some of the essential items I keep close by when I’m out on the ice.
Smith’s Ice Fishing Tool Kit
This tool kit has all the essential tools needed when you’re out on the ice. It comes with pliers to remove hooks from a fish, a jaw stripper to unhook those toothy critters, scissors to cut the line, a clipper, and a 4-inch folding fillet knife that’s perfect for any panfish. It also has a marine grade mesh bag to keep it organized and in good condition. The scissors are stainless steel and have a serrated edge for cutting mono and braid lines. The clippers come with a line pick for removing knots from the line, a lure setting tool, and a knife. So it is not only a great tool set for ice fishing, but also useful for open water fishing. Smith’s Ice Fishing Tool Kit: $84.99
Mr. Crappie Fish Pick
When you have hard to reach hooks, this tool will help improve the chance of fish survival. It always stinks when you take a fish out of the hole and the hook is buried in its mouth. This tool is useful for pulling small tungsten jigs out of a small mouth panfish or toothy mouth walleye or northern pike. This tool also has a diamond hook and knife sharpener. It can sharpen any size hook and standard edge knife and has a non-slip handle to maintain your grip. Increase your odds of a successful hook set by keeping those hooks sharp. Mr. Crappie’s Fish Selection: $28.99
Insulated Bag for Bait and Fish Kill
These bags are great for many reasons. You can use these bags as a way to keep your fish cool, or you can use them as a bait cooler. It has an aerator mount and a drain port to quickly drain water from the bag. It is made of durable marine grade canvas, which is washable. It comes in four different sizes. You can choose between 30, 36, 48, and 60 inches. I prefer the 30 inch bag for ice fishing as it is easier to pack and transport. I will put my catch in this bag to keep it cool and prevent it from freezing and getting slimy. This makes it easy to clean at the end of the day. Replace that 5 gallon bucket with one of these bags and you won’t regret it. Smith’s Mr. Crappie Chiller Bait and Fish Kill Bag: $169.99
Mr. Crappie Slab-O-Matic Electric Fillet Knife
After a long day on the ice, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cleaning a bunch of fish. If that’s me, you’re tired, cold, and just want to curl up on the couch with a warm blanket. That’s why I don’t mess around when it comes to fish processing: I like the work to be fast. An electric fillet knife always gets the job done faster. I prefer to use the Mr. Crappie Slab-O-Matic Electric Fillet Knife. It comes with an 8-inch stainless steel blade, and unlike other fillet knives, it also includes a rib cage blade. Usually I will remove all the fillets from the fish, then change the blade and remove all the ribs. Mr. Crappie Slab-O-Matic Electric Fillet Knife: $59.99
I know I’ll be ready for anything on the ice if I have these tools. So grab your friends, family, or dogs and head out on the ice this winter. You won’t be catching fish at home on the couch, but you will be catching fish, and having an unbeatable good time, with the help of these tools from Smith’s Consumer Products.
About Smith Consumer Products:
Smith’s Consumer Products is an Arkansas-based company that traces its history back to 1886. Smith’s produces the broadest line of knife and scissor sharpeners available, ranging from simple fixed-angle sharpeners for consumers who want quick and easy sharpening to sophisticated precision kits. Designed for the knife sharpening enthusiast. Our offering includes manual and electric sharpeners that incorporate many different abrasive materials, including diamond, carbide, ceramic, bonded synthetic abrasives, and of course, Arkansas natural stone. Smith’s Consumer Products Edge Experts also design and manufacture a wide range of tools for the outdoor enthusiast, as well as knives for everyday carry, tactical, shop, kitchen, hunting and fishing needs.