Rod holders are the most important equipment to have when fishing ice. You want to make sure that you have enough space to store the rods, and that the rods are as level as possible, so that you can make sure your line stays straight. This helps to prevent you from having to constantly reel in and out of the small pockets of ice that can develop.
Rod holders are so important to ice fishing that it’s recommended that you buy them a year or two in advance of your trip. Some species of fish have evolved to live in ice that’s too cold for them, so it’s important to buy a set of rods before you go on your trip.
In case you’re wondering, Rod holders for ice fishing do not actually make the rods heavier so you can fish easier. Rod holders are simply a means to make the rods easier to hold in the water. Rod holders for ice fishing are much more effective if you make sure your rods stay in the water for an extended period of time. A rod holder is just a hook that goes around the edge of the rod.