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How to assemble a fishing sled with your own hands. How to choose a comfortable sled for winter fishing Homemade fishing sled

An avid fisherman differs from an ordinary amateur in that in his arsenal you can find a huge amount of fishing equipment. If he goes on a winter fishing trip, he will certainly need not only a tent, a fishing rod and an ice drill, but also a fishing sled, which you can make yourself. The design features of the model and its complexity will depend on the nature of fishing and financial capabilities. However, such products still do not turn out to be expensive, because you can use materials that you can find in your barn.

How to get around on snow and ice

If you want to get quite far, then it will not be possible for vehicles to get there, so it is important to think about the best means of transporting fishing equipment. Moving on the surface of the ice is not as easy as it might seem. This issue is easily solved with the help of sleds. For some fishermen, they even become a place to sleep and rest, because in order to catch a trophy specimen, sometimes you have to stay far from home for several days.

Preparation of tools and materials for the manufacture of wooden sledges

If you want to make a fishing sled with your own hands, then you should prepare some tools and materials, among them should be highlighted:

  • pine boards;
  • sandpaper;
  • drill;
  • glue for wood;
  • electric jigsaw.

Step-by-step instruction

Two boards will act as skids, which must be used in the first stage. The compass will allow you to draw semicircles that cut with a jigsaw. To fix the transverse bars on the runners, holes are made. Their connection should be carried out using round probes by gluing.

The resulting structure should be reinforced at the back and front of the skids, for this, transverse strips are laid on the spikes. The design should look attractive, so after the glue dries, the excess needs to be trimmed. Fishing sleds must have a seat, a board can act as it.

At the installation site of the equipment box, grooves should be cut for connection with the skids. In order to achieve structural reinforcement, it is necessary to glue bars on the back of the skis. In places where the skids are rounded in the lower part, an aluminum or steel strip must be strengthened with screws.

Before final assembly, the design should be reviewed to determine the accuracy of the connections. If there are elements that have been previously sanded, they should be coated with a waterproof varnish. Fishing sleds after completion of work on their manufacture must be tested for strength. To do this, all the equipment should be placed inside, because I would not want the product to fail at the most crucial moment.

aluminum sled manufacturing

Fishing sleds should be not only functional, but also light enough, because sometimes with their help the fisherman has to move on ice that can crack. For the manufacture of aluminum sleds, a sheet of the appropriate material and profile should be used. The parameters must be selected according to the size of the equipment being transported and the parameters of the fishing box.

The design will have three main parts, namely:

  • skids;
  • bottom;
  • two side walls.

Manufacturing will involve compliance with certain rules. In the work you will need a bending device. You can get by with metal corners, as well as a mallet. The side parts should be made the same and reinforced, the back wall is made according to the same principle. The bottom is cut out of aluminum. It is important to make the edges of the product safe, for this they are folded.

When winter fishing sleds are made, skids should also be made. They can be made from aluminum profile. In order to make it easier to bend the runners, cuts should be made in some places. At the final stage, it is necessary to assemble the sled, for this you need to use nuts, bolts, as well as self-tapping screws for metal joints.

Refinement of plastic sled

As practice shows, plastic fishing sleds are convenient in everything, they can be used to move fishing luggage over crust, ice and snow. Such structures are made in the form of a trough, are light in weight, can withstand low temperatures and can have different sizes. However, such sleds have one drawback, which is expressed in the absence of mounts for the rope. Correction of this minus is entrusted to the shoulders of the fisherman himself.

Fishing sledges can be supplemented by equipping them with appropriate fasteners. To do this, the required number of holes are drilled along the perimeter, where it will be possible to insert a metal cable with appropriate fasteners. This will allow you to get strong and reliable fasteners for luggage rubber bands and rubber bands that are not subject to frost and corrosion.

To install a pull rope on the front side of the sled, 2 eyebolts should be installed, and the rope will be attached to carabiners. Eye bolts should be installed with nuts, which will be distinguished by reliability and speed of fastening. Such a refinement of the fishing sled shows that for many years of operation, the attachment system does not fail. Everything is held securely and firmly, the elements do not open, and it becomes very convenient to use the sled.

For pulling the sled, it is better to prepare the 20th rope, which folds four times. With the help of a carabiner, you need to strengthen the eyebolts. This can help not only the fisherman himself, but also his companions, who can fall through the ice. If you quickly release the rope, then you will have the 20th section available, with which you can help.

Alteration of old sled

Homemade fishing sleds will be much easier to do if you use an old sled as a basis, which should have a frame and skids. The addition will be light plywood, a sheet that will be used to make partitions for the box. Plywood must be carefully sawn so that it does not form creases along the edges.

The sled that will complement is fixed to the skids with self-tapping screws, the holes for them need to be made with a drill. It is necessary to prepare the corners for the frame. The walls of the box must be insulated using polystyrene foam or polystyrene. It is placed on glue. Then the inside of the box must be sheathed with plywood blanks. The design may have several compartments that are intended for:

  • caught fish;
  • warm things;
  • tackle and bait;
  • stocks of food for fishing.

Once the box is ready, you can start working on the lid. It must be very strong, since this element often acts as a seat, and therefore it must withstand the weight of the fisherman. In order not to freeze, the seat should be insulated. To do this, foam rubber is laid on its surface and sewn up with leatherette. You can strengthen such a system with staples of a furniture stapler. In order to make the sled more comfortable during operation, you can strengthen the fishing rods and pickup, as well as other gear on the box body. When you fish, it will free your hands.

After the sled is made, its bottom should be lubricated with silicone or ski wax. This will keep snow from sticking. For safety on the roads, you need to strengthen the reflective tape to the sled. Sometimes fishermen improve the sled by equipping it with a folding chair. In Russia, fishing is not very common. On their metal skids there is a high chair. You can move on such a sleigh on the principle of a scooter.

For a snowmobile, you can make a sled from plastic pipes. Their welding will allow the fastening of the elements to each other. When assembling, you can use metal corners. The dimensions of such sleds should be determined taking into account the needs of the fisherman. Another sled can be equipped with compartments.

More about snowmobile sleds

If you fork out for a snowmobile, but did not have time to buy a sled, then you can make them yourself. A similar model was discussed above. When preparing plastic pipes for such a design, products with a length of 1.8 and 7.5 m should be used. These components will be used for the cross connection. In order for the frame not to be skewed, it should be laid on a flat floor and all dimensions measured. Sledges that are too high can tip over, while sleds that are too low are uncomfortable to ride. Therefore, it is necessary to make a structure with a height of 30 cm, this parameter will be optimal. When preparing racks, you need to make them in the amount of 8 pieces or more, the strength of the sleigh will depend on their number. The final size should be adjusted with a file.

Conclusion

You can easily make a fishing sled on your own, they can be supplemented endlessly. For example, the backrest, as well as the trunk and even decorative elements, act as improvements. These fishing sleds will be a budget option and a great alternative to factory products.

Anyone who is engaged in sea fishing for zander, perch and pike knows what a fishing sled is for. It is very convenient to transport your belongings, necessary gear, tools and everything that accompanies winter fishing in them. Making a sled with your own hands is not difficult: you will need some materials, tools and basic skills to work with them. The need to manufacture them is due to the fact that almost all purchased products are not very convenient for use.

Box fishing sled

A very simple and budget option for fishing sleds in winter can be assembled from an ordinary plastic box. In addition to the box itself, the following materials will be needed:

  • self-tapping screws;
  • a piece of plywood;
  • four bars with a cross section of 50 millimeters;
  • a pair of old skis made of wood.

The box must be plastic. You can check this as follows: remove a small shaving from the box with a knife and set it on fire - the smell will be similar to the one that comes from a burning plastic bag. It is desirable that the box already has holes on the sides for ease of carrying it. The plywood should cover about half of the drawer and will serve as a seat. You can attach some soft pillow to it. The plywood is screwed onto three sides of the box with self-tapping screws, and the distance between the self-tapping screws is 10 cm.

Four bars are screwed to the bottom of the box in order to fix the skis on them. It is better to screw the bars on the back side, which will be a little longer. They are screwed from the inside: long bars are fixed with three screws, and short ones with two.

It is best to screw wide alpine skis onto these bars, as they have metal edges on the sides that prevent side slipping. Accordingly, if you install such skis on a fishing sled, they will not be blown away by a side wind. If they are not available, you can use ordinary ones, the main thing is that they be wooden. Screw caps must be "drowned" while screwing the skis.

To do this, first a through hole is drilled in the skis with a diameter slightly smaller than the screw, and then a shallow pass is made with a diameter larger than the screw head.

Alternative design

To make another version of the sleigh from a plastic box, you will need slightly different materials. These include:

  • two plastic pipes;
  • toolbox;
  • a piece of plywood and any soft material;
  • self-tapping screws;
  • rubber bands.

Instead of skis, two plastic pipes are installed at the bottom of this trough, which will provide better gliding on snow. The tool case, which is bolted to the box, will serve both as a seat and as a place to store tackle (rods, hooks, balancers). Plywood about 10 millimeters thick is screwed on top of the suitcase, and some soft material is attached to it so that it is comfortable to sit on it.

Such a makeshift seat will not completely cover the sled, and there is enough space under it to put all the necessary things. Rubber bands are attached to two opposite walls of the box, and metal hooks are tied to them. Elastic bands are necessary in order to secure the ice screw or fix any bulky items placed in the sled.

In the sled along their length it is better to make a through hole in order to fix the claw. It is designed to test the strength of the ice and is actively used during the first ice. In addition, such a claw is also useful when the ice is thick, because usually the diameter of fishing drills is about 100 millimeters, and if a large fish is caught, then with the help of this claw you can expand the hole and thereby extract the caught fish.

It is better to choose a longer rope for a sled right away, since a short rope is inconvenient at the transitions. It is fixed simply: you need to make two holes in the upper part of the sled, put the rope through and make knots at their ends in order to fix it. While moving between holes, a long rope is again inconvenient, and it can be easily shortened by making the knot a little higher.

In winter (especially on the first ice) you should never forget about safety. In view of this, a rope must always be fixed on the sled - in case someone falls through the ice. The length of the rope must be at least 20 meters. At its end, it is better to tie some kind of stick. This is done in order to make it easier to throw the rope, since by itself it does not fly well, especially against the wind. In addition, it will be comfortable for a person to grab onto it..

Such a peculiar accessory is fixed at the back of the sled, and it must always be taken with you. Even if we imagine a situation where the owner of the sled fell under the ice, those walking nearby can help by using his own rope, since the sled will remain on the surface of the ice.

Finnish homemade sled

Alternatively, you can make a Finnish sled with your own hands (finca), which are no less popular with anglers. Their design is extremely simple and consists of three main components:

  • skis;
  • back;
  • chair.

It is better to make the design collapsible so that it is convenient to transport it in the subway or in the car. Just before starting the manufacturing process, it is better to sketch out a drawing of the future sled.

Making sleds starts with skids. It is necessary to pick up two metal rods about a centimeter thick, three meters long and six to seven centimeters wide. The ends of the rods are smoothly bent upwards and holes are made for the rod, which will fasten the runners together. The rod itself should be ten millimeters in diameter, threaded at both ends.

After that, the back and seat are mounted. They are made from hardwoods such as oak or birch. You will need wooden blocks measuring 4 by 4 centimeters: two horizontal, vertical, transverse and one as a steering wheel. The sides of the seat are sheathed with boards. All wooden parts of the sledge are fastened together with screws or bolts. The skids with the main structure are connected by welding. A hook can also be welded on the back of the back to secure a bag or backpack.

The distance between the skids should be at least 40 centimeters, but to increase their stability, this value can be increased by another 10 centimeters.

If desired, a kind of snowmobile can be made from such a sleigh by installing a chainsaw motor on it. However, this will increase the weight of the sled, and it will be problematic to move it from place to place. In addition, some anglers equip a tent to shelter from the wind..

Modernization of fishing drags

For winter fishing, it is recommended to take two gear due to the fact that one can always fail, and then fishing can simply end. In addition, the presence of two fishing rods may also be due to the fact that two different baits can be attached to them. In order for the fishing rods not to be damaged in any way during transportation in a sleigh, you can make special holders from polypropylene pipes, which are purchased at a hardware store.

Installing rod holders

The diameter of the pipes should be slightly larger than the diameter of the rod handle. It is best to attach them at the back of the sled using special mounts, which can also be bought at a hardware store. The height of the tubes should be equal to the height of the sled at the back.

Gears fixed in this way in the sled will not break during transportation when you put them together with other things. They will not cling to the backpack with hooks, nor will they break the fragile parts of the fishing rod. When the tackle is in a vertical position, there is no risk that it will catch.

Attaching the drill to the skid

To transport the ice drill, you can make a similar device. An ice screw sitting in the mounts will not ride on the sled, fall, and the risk of it getting lost will be reduced.

The distance from the ice screw to the fishing rods must be made taking into account the fact that a fishing box, a backpack or some other things will be placed in the space between them. The rest of the place in the sleigh will be designed to accommodate the catch.

Typically, classic fishing sleds have holes in the bow for a rope. However, it is better to drill holes around the perimeter and then thread the rope through them. During the movement of the sled, not only the bow of the sled will be involved, but the entire body, which will allow better control of them.

Of course, you can buy plastic fishing sleds and be content with the design option provided by the manufacturer, but, as a rule, the fisherman will encounter some problems during their operation. These may include the box falling into the snow while driving, as well as the inability to securely fasten fishing rods and auger.

In view of this, deep sled drags should be chosen initially so that the box does not tip back. By providing this parameter, you can avoid additional time spent on the modernization of the sled.

Attention, only TODAY!

A real, experienced angler always has additional equipment. For winter fishing, it is desirable to have a tent, an ice screw, a fishing rod, a box, and so on. In this case, a lot depends on the fishing conditions of a particular region. If the reservoir is somewhere nearby, then there are no special problems. In such conditions, you can hide from the weather at any time and return to take what you accidentally left at home.

If you need to get to the reservoir for a long time, then you need to have a device that could facilitate the process of movement.

The fact is that it is very difficult to move around in winter, and even in all the equipment. Not only do clothes restrict movement, you also need to carry equipment. But if you have a sled for fishing in winter, then this problem can be solved. In addition, if you correctly approach the solution of this problem, then the sled can have more advanced functionality. For example, a sled can serve as a stool or tent.

There are a huge number of different designs of sleds specifically for fishing. Sleds on metal skids are very popular. Sledges can be both folding and solid. Unfortunately, such sleds move well on ice, but on snow, and even with a load, this is a problem. Alternatively, instead of runners, children's skis can be adapted, then there will be no problems with moving through the snow.

In this regard, many anglers have begun to switch to plastic structures with wide skids that do not sink in the snow. At the same time, such structures have low sides, which can be attributed to a disadvantage, since it is necessary to fix the load additionally. Despite this, this factor suits many fans of winter fishing.

How to make a do-it-yourself fishing sled

Anyone can assemble such a structure. The main thing is to decide what kind of sled is needed and with what functionality. If you need a sledge in order to deliver fishing accessories to the fishing place, then they can be made on the basis of wood, plastic, aluminum or iron. It all depends on the capabilities of the fisherman and the purpose of the sled.

Metal sledges can be made both collapsible and non-collapsible. More recently, other structures simply did not exist. The metal structure is a rigid and durable base, on top of which there is a platform made of wooden boards or plywood. This is the so-called cargo area, which serves to transport cargo. Their only drawback is the difficulty in operating in snowy areas. Due to the fact that the runners are narrow, they fall through the snow and a person needs to expend a lot of effort to move them, and even loaded ones.

Similar plastic sleds are made in the form of a trough. They have good performance characteristics. They move without problems both on ice and on snow. In this case, you should pay attention to the dimensions of the structure and the quality of workmanship. Although many argue that such a design is not difficult to do on your own.

Wooden sleds are very popular. This is the most affordable and easily processed material, and structures made from it will last for many years. The main thing is to have the following tools and materials on hand:

  • pine boards;
  • glue for wood;
  • sandpaper;
  • jigsaw;
  • electric drill, etc.

Manufacturing technology

  1. You need to take two boards, from which two skids will be made. On them, draw the appropriate shape and cut with a jigsaw.
  2. The runners need to be fastened together. For this, cross bars of the appropriate size are used. The connection may consist of glue and round spikes.
  3. To strengthen the design, additional transverse strips are attached to the front and back of the skids, planted on glue and on spikes.
  4. For a more aesthetic appearance, all excess is cut off and cleaned well.
  5. The board, which will later serve as a cargo platform, is prepared for subsequent fastening by cutting out all the necessary grooves and drilling the appropriate holes.
  6. An additional bar for fastening is fixed on the back of the 2 runners.
  7. The places of rounding of the runners are reinforced with strips of aluminum or iron. This is necessary so that various obstacles do not spoil the runners of the sled.
  8. Before final assembly, it is better to check all parts for compliance with the dimensions. At the same time, you need to make sure that all the elements are sanded and coated with a waterproof varnish.

After the sled is assembled, they should be tested for strength by laying on them all the devices that are used in winter fishing. Only after that, it makes sense to take them with you.

Factory made fishing sled

For those who do not want to spend their time making sleds, there is an opportunity to purchase ready-made ones at a retail outlet.

  • It is light and, at the same time, strong sled, weighing 10.4 kg.
  • Roomy and have dimensions: 165x81x43 cm.
  • Relatively high sides.
  • Well transported on the ice surface.

This is a very light sled, weighing 3.6kg, which is easy to transport by hand. They are made of polyethylene, which is not afraid of sub-zero temperatures. Due to the presence of wide skids, as well as a low center of gravity, they are stable under any operating conditions.

Some anglers use children's sleds for their fishing needs. If they are available, there is no need to specially make or buy sleds. Unfortunately, in the presence of a tangible snow cover, problems arise with their operation. In addition, these sleds are not intended for fishing and you will have to come up with additional elements.

This is the simplest design, which is very easy to transport, as they take up very little space. Unfortunately, these sleds do not fit many accessories needed for winter fishing. In addition, inflatable parts are not particularly reliable.

Such sleds have a number of advantages. Firstly, they are quite roomy, and secondly, they will easily pass over any surface, due to the wide plane of contact. The main material is plastic, which is not afraid of frost. They are easy to move on ice or snow with a regular rope. These sleds have high sides, which securely holds the load inside the structure.

Due to the use of lightweight material, the sled itself is not heavy, and therefore comfortable to use. There are structures that are attached to the snowmobile. This is especially true when there is a long hike ahead. Naturally, such conditions require more capacious sleds, up to 2 meters long.

How to make a do-it-yourself drag sled

Sledge sleds are not at all difficult to make with your own hands. To do this, you can use any available material, from wood to metal. The simplest design is wooden. For this, a wooden frame is made, consisting of two skids and two bars connecting these skids. A sheet of plywood is attached to the bars on top or ordinary boards are stuffed. A metal handle or hitch must then be attached to the structure so that the sled can be moved using the snowmobile. If you use metal instead of wood, then the structure will turn out to be much stronger, given that you have to move quite far.

In this case, special attention should be paid to the strength of the coupling mechanism. For its manufacture, you can use two pieces of pipe, one of the ends of which should be attached directly to the frame of the sled.

Mounting option for drag sleds

  • Holes are made around the entire perimeter of the sleigh.
  • Metal cables with a special fastening should be inserted into each of the holes. Moreover, rubber bands must also be used in fasteners, which always guarantee reliable fastening of the entire contents of the sled.
  • For ease of use, you will need a rope that is attached to special bolts attached to the frame of the sled. The rope can be folded in four, and its length can reach about 20 meters.

Finnish fishermen widely use such sleds, while domestic fishermen do not really recognize them. The design consists of a chair, which is located on the skids. Its advantage is that you can sit on it both while driving and while fishing. They are very convenient for moving fishing equipment.

DIY Finnish sled for fishing

First you need to provide yourself with tools and materials:

  • Prepare sheet steel.
  • Wooden bars made of pine or other wood.
  • Metal rod with thread on both sides.
  • Metal overlays.
  • Tires.
  • Bolts.
  • screws.

The assembly of the sled contains the following steps:

  1. Steel leaves are bent on both sides.
  2. In front of the formed skids, two holes are made for a metal rod.
  3. At the back, where the angler will stand with his feet, rubber pads are mounted. They will prevent slipping under the action of snow.
  4. The dimensions of the structure must be proportional. The top bar, in size, should be shorter than the distance between the runners.
  5. At a distance of 1 meter from the curved edge, it should be welded on both sides along the bar. To do this, you need to use beveled bars with self-tapping screws.
  6. Horizontal posts should be welded to the rod, in the center of the metal sheets.
  7. The seat and back are best made of wood. If you use your imagination and ingenuity, you can make a real masterpiece for winter fishing.

If you have a snowmobile, then you need a sled. The fact that the sled is a useful thing, many fishermen were convinced. The main thing is to decide which design is more suitable for specific fishing conditions. These can be drag sleds or classic sleds on two runners.

As mentioned above, such sleds can be made at home. By the way, if you try, you can make a snowmobile. There are a lot of interesting and unpretentious designs on the Internet that are easy to repeat at home.

Purchased sleds, as a rule, require some modifications, although not significant ones:

  • To prevent ice from accumulating on the inside of the sled, it should be treated with a silicone-based lubricant or ski wax.
  • For driving at night, reflective elements should be fixed on the sides of the sled.
  • It does not hurt to attach a folding chair to such sleds, so that it is more convenient to fish.

Conclusion

Each angler, depending on his capabilities, determines what he needs for fishing. Some anglers prefer purchased mechanisms and devices, due to their capabilities, while others, also due to their capabilities and skills, try to do something with their own hands. The sled is no exception here, as it is a useful thing in any case. If there is a long journey ahead, then it is extremely difficult and difficult to carry everything on your shoulders. Therefore, sleds are able to facilitate such a difficult lot for a winter angler.

Any way to go fishing brings not only joy, but also brings a lot of worries to the process. For winter fishing, a fisherman needs to carry a lot of different things and equipment with him: a tent, an ice screw, a fishing box, and so on.

It is simply impossible not to take some of the devices: without an ice drill, you will not make a hole, without a box you will not sit comfortably, there will be nowhere to keep the bait and equipment, and without a tent there will be no warmth and comfort during the fishing process. Therefore, you need to have everything. But moving on ice, and even more so on a snowy surface with such a load, is not easy, especially with frequent changes of place. It is to facilitate the movement of the fisherman that special sledges designed for winter fishing are required.

On the frozen reservoir, you can always admire sleds of various designs, both purchased in a store and homemade.

Sledge with metal skids

Such models usually come in two versions: non-separable and folding. Previously, only such sleds were used for winter fishing trips. Iron sleds have a very rigid structure and a significant load capacity. Things are located on a cargo area made of wooden slats, plastic or fiberboard.

The disadvantages of such sleds include their difficult movement in deep snow: when the thickness of the snow cover is higher than the distance between the base of the skis and the upper plane, the sled is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to pull. The problem lies in the narrow skis, which are not able to keep the sled on the snow cover. It is convenient and easy to pull such sleds over covered with a low layer of snow and clean ice, or even over trampled snow.

Plastic sled for fishermen

Such models are made of frost-resistant plastic, they are made in the form of a trough with a ski-shaped front part. For smooth and stable movement along the course, they have stiffening ribs on the bottom that act as skids. Plastic sleds? the best transport option for winter fishing. Having a wide base, such sleds do not fall through and move easily even on freshly fallen snow.

In view of the low sides for attaching fishing equipment and things, you need to use rubber straps, the holes for which should be made along the sides with your own hands. The cost of plastic sledges depends on the size and quality of the material. Their dimensions must be selected based on the number of things transported, usually the size should be selected for a fishing box.

But do-it-yourself fishing sleds are considered the most durable, reliable and comfortable; when making them, the fisherman takes into account all his abilities and wishes.

Making a sled for winter fishing with your own hands is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Such homemade vehicles can be made from wood, aluminum, plastic pipes, metal and other materials at hand.

Homemade aluminum fishing sled

To make a light sled, you will need an aluminum sheet and a profile of the same material. Their dimensions are selected based on the total capacity of the transported devices and the dimensions of the fishing box. Such sleds have three main parts: two side walls, a bottom and skids. Their production takes place in several stages:

Wooden homemade sled

Also, good sleds for winter fishing can be made of wood. Before manufacturing, you will need to carry out the necessary calculations and select the material. It is better to use pine boards, it is easily processed, but other types of wood can also be used. Having decided on the material, you can begin to manufacture parts of the sled. You will need:

  • boards;
  • glue for wood;
  • sandpaper of different grain sizes;
  • electric jigsaw;
  • electric drill and other tools for woodworking.

On two boards intended for skids, in front, using a compass, draw semicircles and cut them out with a jigsaw.

Drill holes on the runners to strengthen the transverse bars; you need to connect the parts with round spikes on the glue. After installing the crossbars, it is desirable to strengthen the structure by installing transverse strips on round spikes in the front and rear of the skids. After complete drying of the adhesive joints, cut, where necessary, the protruding tips of the spikes and sand everything with sandpaper.

On the board intended for the seat and installation of the fishing box, it is necessary to cut grooves to connect it to the skids. In the back of the skis, you will need to glue the bars in those places where the skids will connect to the board for the seat and box installation. Starting from the rounded part of the runners, an aluminum or steel strip is attached to them with screws from below.

Before starting assembly, be sure to fit all finished elements and check the accuracy of the connections. All manufactured parts must be well sanded and coated with waterproof varnish. Assembly is carried out using self-tapping screws and a special waterproof adhesive composition. After finishing work, install a fishing box on the sled, put the necessary things for fishing and check the product for strength.

For convenient operation of the sled, drill the required number of holes along the edges for attaching an elastic band that will hold the load.

A real, experienced angler always has additional equipment. For winter fishing, it is desirable to have a tent, an ice screw, a fishing rod, a box, and so on. In this case, a lot depends on the fishing conditions of a particular region. If the reservoir is somewhere nearby, then there are no special problems. In such conditions, you can hide from the weather at any time and return to take what you accidentally left at home.

If you need to get to the reservoir for a long time, then you need to have a device that could facilitate the process of movement.

The fact is that it is very difficult to move around in winter, and even in all the equipment. Not only do clothes restrict movement, you also need to carry equipment. But if you have a sled for fishing in winter, then this problem can be solved. In addition, if you correctly approach the solution of this problem, then the sled can have more advanced functionality. For example, a sled can serve as a stool or tent.

There are a huge number of different designs of sleds specifically for fishing. Sleds on metal skids are very popular. Sledges can be both folding and solid. Unfortunately, such sleds move well on ice, but on snow, and even with a load, this is a problem. Alternatively, instead of runners, children's skis can be adapted, then there will be no problems with moving through the snow.

In this regard, many anglers have begun to switch to plastic structures with wide skids that do not sink in the snow. At the same time, such structures have low sides, which can be attributed to a disadvantage, since it is necessary to fix the load additionally. Despite this, this factor suits many fans of winter fishing.

How to make a do-it-yourself fishing sled

Anyone can assemble such a structure. The main thing is to decide what kind of sled is needed and with what functionality. If you need a sledge in order to deliver fishing accessories to the fishing place, then they can be made on the basis of wood, plastic, aluminum or iron. It all depends on the capabilities of the fisherman and the purpose of the sled.

Metal sledges can be made both collapsible and non-collapsible. More recently, other structures simply did not exist. The metal structure is a rigid and durable base, on top of which there is a platform made of wooden boards or plywood. This is the so-called cargo area, which serves to transport cargo. Their only drawback is the difficulty in operating in snowy areas. Due to the fact that the runners are narrow, they fall through the snow and a person needs to expend a lot of effort to move them, and even loaded ones.

Similar plastic sleds are made in the form of a trough. They have good performance characteristics. They move without problems both on ice and on snow. In this case, you should pay attention to the dimensions of the structure and the quality of workmanship. Although many argue that such a design is not difficult to do on your own.

Wooden sleds are very popular. This is the most affordable and easily processed material, and structures made from it will last for many years. The main thing is to have the following tools and materials on hand:

  • pine boards;
  • glue for wood;
  • sandpaper;
  • jigsaw;
  • electric drill, etc.

Manufacturing technology

  1. You need to take two boards, from which two skids will be made. On them, draw the appropriate shape and cut with a jigsaw.
  2. The runners need to be fastened together. For this, cross bars of the appropriate size are used. The connection may consist of glue and round spikes.
  3. To strengthen the design, additional transverse strips are attached to the front and back of the skids, planted on glue and on spikes.
  4. For a more aesthetic appearance, all excess is cut off and cleaned well.
  5. The board, which will later serve as a cargo platform, is prepared for subsequent fastening by cutting out all the necessary grooves and drilling the appropriate holes.
  6. An additional bar for fastening is fixed on the back of the 2 runners.
  7. The places of rounding of the runners are reinforced with strips of aluminum or iron. This is necessary so that various obstacles do not spoil the runners of the sled.
  8. Before final assembly, it is better to check all parts for compliance with the dimensions. At the same time, you need to make sure that all the elements are sanded and coated with a waterproof varnish.

After the sled is assembled, they should be tested for strength by laying on them all the devices that are used in winter fishing. Only after that, it makes sense to take them with you.

Factory made fishing sled

For those who do not want to spend their time making sleds, there is an opportunity to purchase ready-made ones at a retail outlet.

  • It is light and, at the same time, strong sled, weighing 10.4 kg.
  • Roomy and have dimensions: 165x81x43 cm.
  • Relatively high sides.
  • Well transported on the ice surface.

This is a very light sled, weighing 3.6kg, which is easy to transport by hand. They are made of polyethylene, which is not afraid of sub-zero temperatures. Due to the presence of wide skids, as well as a low center of gravity, they are stable under any operating conditions.

Some anglers use children's sleds for their fishing needs. If they are available, there is no need to specially make or buy sleds. Unfortunately, in the presence of a tangible snow cover, problems arise with their operation. In addition, these sleds are not intended for fishing and you will have to come up with additional elements.

This is the simplest design, which is very easy to transport, as they take up very little space. Unfortunately, these sleds do not fit many accessories needed for winter fishing. In addition, inflatable parts are not particularly reliable.

Such sleds have a number of advantages. Firstly, they are quite roomy, and secondly, they will easily pass over any surface, due to the wide plane of contact. The main material is plastic, which is not afraid of frost. They are easy to move on ice or snow with a regular rope. These sleds have high sides, which securely holds the load inside the structure.

Due to the use of lightweight material, the sled itself is not heavy, and therefore comfortable to use. There are structures that are attached to the snowmobile. This is especially true when there is a long hike ahead. Naturally, such conditions require more capacious sleds, up to 2 meters long.

How to make a do-it-yourself drag sled

Sledge sleds are not at all difficult to make with your own hands. To do this, you can use any available material, from wood to metal. The simplest design is wooden. For this, a wooden frame is made, consisting of two skids and two bars connecting these skids. A sheet of plywood is attached to the bars on top or ordinary boards are stuffed. A metal handle or hitch must then be attached to the structure so that the sled can be moved using the snowmobile. If you use metal instead of wood, then the structure will turn out to be much stronger, given that you have to move quite far.

In this case, special attention should be paid to the strength of the coupling mechanism. For its manufacture, you can use two pieces of pipe, one of the ends of which should be attached directly to the frame of the sled.

Mounting option for drag sleds

  • Holes are made around the entire perimeter of the sleigh.
  • Metal cables with a special fastening should be inserted into each of the holes. Moreover, rubber bands must also be used in fasteners, which always guarantee reliable fastening of the entire contents of the sled.
  • For ease of use, you will need a rope that is attached to special bolts attached to the frame of the sled. The rope can be folded in four, and its length can reach about 20 meters.

Finnish fishermen widely use such sleds, while domestic fishermen do not really recognize them. The design consists of a chair, which is located on the skids. Its advantage is that you can sit on it both while driving and while fishing. They are very convenient for moving fishing equipment.

First you need to provide yourself with tools and materials:

  • Prepare sheet steel.
  • Wooden bars made of pine or other wood.
  • Metal rod with thread on both sides.
  • Metal overlays.
  • Tires.
  • Bolts.
  • screws.

The assembly of the sled contains the following steps:

  1. Steel leaves are bent on both sides.
  2. In front of the formed skids, two holes are made for a metal rod.
  3. At the back, where the angler will stand with his feet, rubber pads are mounted. They will prevent slipping under the action of snow.
  4. The dimensions of the structure must be proportional. The top bar, in size, should be shorter than the distance between the runners.
  5. At a distance of 1 meter from the curved edge, it should be welded on both sides along the bar. To do this, you need to use beveled bars with self-tapping screws.
  6. Horizontal posts should be welded to the rod, in the center of the metal sheets.
  7. The seat and back are best made of wood. If you use your imagination and ingenuity, you can make a real masterpiece for winter fishing.

If you have a snowmobile, then you need a sled. The fact that the sled is a useful thing, many fishermen were convinced. The main thing is to decide which design is more suitable for specific fishing conditions. These can be drag sleds or classic sleds on two runners.

As mentioned above, such sleds can be made at home. By the way, if you try, you can make a snowmobile. There are a lot of interesting and unpretentious designs on the Internet that are easy to repeat at home.

Purchased sleds, as a rule, require some modifications, although not significant ones:

  • To prevent ice from accumulating on the inside of the sled, it should be treated with a silicone-based lubricant or ski wax.
  • For driving at night, reflective elements should be fixed on the sides of the sled.