Group: Members
Posts: 284
Member No.: 16638
Joined: December 30, 2018
Hey all,
Like most of you non hut icefishermen, i have a common problem where the eyelets of my fishing rod fill with ice once temperatures start to dip. What I'm looking to do is create a simple circuit powered by a series of AA batteries (preferably encased in the handle of the fishing rod) that will run up the rod and have resistor wires generating low heat around the eyelets to melt ice build up. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to electrical, but if someone could help me figure this out without batteries exploding, it would be greatly appreciated. What I thought of so far was to have two AA batteries in a series with copper wire running up to nichrome wire around the eyelets and going back to copper and nichrome respectively around each eyelet. What I think I need help with most is figuring what gauge of wire I need and if there is a better resistor (I read nichrome might get way too hot) to get me just above freezing.
Group: Members
Posts: 46
Member No.: 16189
Joined: July 26, 2018
Save yourself a trip to the hospital and buy a rod with larger guides. I have a new TUCR and they eyelets are impressively large. I have yet to use it, but I suspect they wont freeze up much. Good luck with whatever you come up with, the world is ready for heated ice fishing rods. Perhaps you could heat the whole blank, and the eyelets would be just warm enough to keep ice from forming. A cork handle would keep your hands from burning up.
Group: Members
Posts: 5030
Member No.: 877
Joined: November 06, 2011
I only use rods with big guides now. I made the mistake earlier of buying a couple with small eyers. I guess they are meant for use in a shack or tent. I thought about carrying a thermos of hot water for that purpose but have never 'gotten round to it" .