7 Best Ice Fishing Rod Cases
The best ice fishing rod case depends on how many rods need to be stored and the intended use for the ice fishing rod case, such as storing for protection, traveling, or everyday winter use out on the ice.
The best types of ice fishing rod cases include:
- Backpack Ice Fishing Rod Case
- Hard Sided Ice Fishing Rod Case
- Barrel Jig Rod Case
- Soft Shell Ice Fishing Rod Case
- Telescoping Rod Cases
In this article, we will go through the best 7 best ice fishing rod cases on the market that cover all of these rod case types so you can get the best rod case for your desired intended use.
Contents
Selecting The Best Ice Fishing Rod Case
The first step to selecting the best ice fishing rod case is to select what you will be using the case for, so here are a few suggestions.
Ice Fishing Rod Case for Traveling
You will want both convenience and protection, so the case is easy to carry while also preventing damage. I recommend the backpack rod case, barrel rod hard case, or telescoping hard ice fishing rod case.
Ice Fishing Rod Case Full Day Ice Fishing Pack
The best ice fishing rod case that can also carry enough gear for a full day out on the ice is the backpack ice fishing rod case or the ice fishing rod + tackle case.
Ice Fishing Rod Case for Protection
A hard case offers the most protection, no matter if it is for traveling, to simply throw in the back of your truck without worrying much, or for long-term storage until next season.
The best ice fishing case for protection would be the hard-sided ice fishing rod case, with the cheap hard-sided ice fishing rod case being the option for smaller budgets.
Below is a summary of the seven best rod cases for ice fishing, then I dive into each option a little bit more.
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7 Best Ice Fishing Rod Cases
Overall Best Ice Fishing Rod Case
Best Hard Sided Ice Fishing Rod Case
Best Rapala Ice Fishing Rod Case
Best Cheap Ice Fishing Rod Case + Tackle Pack
Best Cheap Hard Sided Ice Fishing Rod Case
Best Cheap Soft Shell Ice Fishing Rod Case
Best Adjustable Length Ice Fishing Rod Case
The Best Ice Fishing Rod Case Reviews
The best overall ice fishing rod case that we have selected is the StrikerICE transporter, which has been constructed from 600D Endura Nylon to ensure the transporter has enough durability to hold your belongings in weatherproof conditions. The unit is quite long, which allows it to hold up to 5 rods of 36-inches each.
Additionally, 4 smaller compartments can be used to hold some of your personal belongings. These are closed with a steel zipper, which has been tested to be durable after long-term use. Since it can carry a lot of your gear, it is heavy when you look at the total weight. However, you will have an easy transporter device.
Pros:
- Durable nylon construction
- Weatherproof
- Holds 5 rods of 36-inches each
- 4 personal pockets
Cons:
- Heavy to carry
Using a hard rod case can often give you more protection for your personal belongings. The best hard-sided ice fishing rod case is the Frabil XL hard shell ice fishing rod case, which features solid plastic construction for the outside. Additionally, it also includes foam inserts that will keep the rods from damaging one another.
Due to the large size, the rod holder can hold up to 15 fishing rods with ease!
Although it can help protect your rods, keep them from getting tangled, and hold rods for your entire family to use, the hard-sided case can be very heavy and hard to carry for long distances.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Foam insert
- Holds up to 15 rods
- Multiple compartments
Cons:
- Hard to carry
Rapala is one of the top brands when it comes to ice-fishing equipment. The best Rapala ice fishing rod case is the Rapala double barrel 40 ice rod bag, which is constructed from durable nylon. However, it has a solid plastic insert that will keep the bag sturdy. The unit has a 40-inch length and can carry up to 8 different ice fishing rods.
It is one of the easier options one can carry. The strap is completely adjustable and it makes the bag easier to carry. Additionally, there are two smaller compartments on the outside. Both of these compartments can be used to store some of your personal belongings. Keep in mind that Rapala is one of the more expensive brands.
Pros:
- Durable nylon construction
- Carries up to 8 fishing rods
- 40-inch length
- Reliable brand
Carrying your fishing rods is not the only thing you will have to take along. The tackle box is often carried for all your baits, but the best cheap ice fishing rod case + tackle pack makes it possible to carry the rods and tackle in the same bag. You can look at the Vexan ICE fishing rod & tackle bag, which contains both of them.
In total, the length of the bag is 36-inches and it can hold up to 8 different fishing rods. Numerous different compartments can also be used for storing some of your personal belongings.
Polyester fabric is one of the best materials, which keep the weather out. It also wicks away moisture quite rapidly.
Pros:
- Large carry bag
- Holds tackle and rods
- Holds 8 rods
- 36-inches in length
Cons:
- The bag is large compared to others
If your budget is on the smaller side, you might want to consider the best cheap hard-sided ice fishing rod case. Due to the nature of the MTM IFB-1-30 Ice fishing rod box is large and made with a plastic shell.
The length of the box is 36-inches, and due to the large size, it can comfortably hold up to 8 different ice-fishing rods.
On the inside, you have foam padding and the padding should be perfect for keeping everything from bumping into one another. However, the additional straps can ensure that nothing moves around, as you are moving.
The downside of a hard-sided box is that it is not that easy for you to carry if you have other gears.
Pros:
- 8 different fishing rods
- 36-inch length
- Affordable price
- Durable plastic shell
Cons:
- Hard to carry
When you are looking for something more comfortable, you can use the best cheap soft shell ice fishing rod case. The Striker ice fishing rod black case is a combination of a hard shell and soft fabric.
The Striker ice fishing case features a PVC insert that keeps the unit rigid and durable while you are using the box. However, the fabric around the sides is soft and since it is made from polyester, it will protect the box from the elements and wick away moisture.
The unit has a unique shape, which means you can store some of the smaller items below the rods. The overall length is around 38-inches in total. However, it can only carry 4 fishing rods. While this might not seem like a lot, it is enough for most people that enjoy ice fishing.
The rod-holding straps on the inside of the carry case will also keep the rods securely in place.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Holds 4 fishing rods
- Wicks away moisture
- Weatherproof design
- 38-inches in total
Last but certainly not least, you can find the best adjustable length ice fishing rod case if you have different fishing rods that you need to use.
The Plano Airliner telescoping rod case is one of the best options for larger rods. It can be extended to 88-inches for carrying these rods. However, it can also be collapsed to 47-inches, which makes it easy to transport. You might not even need the extendable length since most foldable rods will fit in the collapsed size.
The rod holder is constructed from durable metal materials, which makes it one of the most useful options on the market today. It includes a state-of-the-art design that will hold up to 8 different fishing rods.
If you have larger fishing rods, this would be the best option for us to recommend. However, it does not have any additional storage compartments for other gear.
