DIY ice fishing box

What should a good fishing box for winter fishing be like?

To begin with, let’s define the main qualities of a good winter box, so that in the store you will first of all pay attention to these qualities.

Capacity

The volume of carried fishing gear, as well as items related to fishing, is different for each angler. These are several fishing rods, spare jigs, knives for ice drills, and an unhooking hook. Almost always, the fisherman has a thermos and some kind of food for a snack on the ice. On the way back, it would be a good idea to put the caught fish in a container.

Experience suggests that a capacity of 25–30 liters is optimal. A more capacious box has larger dimensions and weight, while a less capacious one often forces you to minimize the amount of gear, which does not always have a positive effect on the quality of fishing.

Strength

This is a very important parameter. The winter box is often subject to high loads. Angler weights vary, but even if you're slim, every angler can have a big friend who happens to sit on your box. Therefore, the structure must have a margin of safety and withstand a weight of 100–120 kilograms. The strength parameter also includes the material of the side walls and bottom.

Accidentally hitting ice drills with knives, breaking off frozen ice, loading and unloading into a car or transport, all this is often combined with increased loads. In frost, some materials become brittle, therefore, we add frost resistance to strength. The weight of the caught fish also adds a fair amount to the transported mass, and it would be a shame if, under the influence of a large catch, the box falls apart on the ice. At the same time, an overly powerful container will be too heavy.

Weight

The stronger the materials, the greater the weight. Therefore, when choosing, look for some compromise between strength and weight. The weight of fishing boxes for winter fishing rarely exceeds 3 kg.

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How to choose a box?

Let's look at several parameters for a successful purchase

• Capacity. This parameter is individual for everyone, because every fisherman prefers to carry with him what will be useful to him while fishing. It is necessary that the dimensions allow you to put fishing rods, other gear, a small supply of jigs, a thermos, and food there. And most importantly, there is room left for the caught fish, which you still need to take home with you.

As practice shows, 30 liters is the most optimal capacity. You need to understand that if the capacity is greater, then, accordingly, the weight of the box will be greater.

• Strength. An important criterion for choosing a product. In addition to carrying everything you need, the box has another function - the function of a chair. And here it is worth taking into account the weight of the fisherman; if we are talking about a weight of 100+ kilograms, then accordingly the box must be made of high-strength material. Low temperatures also make themselves felt when the material cracks under frost pressure.
• Weight. A not very strong material gives little weight, while a strong one, on the contrary, increases it. The most optimal indicator of this criterion is 3 kilograms. As a rule, it will be extremely uncomfortable to wear anything heavier.

Now let's look at several types.

Kinds

• Float

When fishing this way, a person sits for the entire process. In this case, enough equipment is required, and therefore the capacity of the box should be large. Using a float, the fisherman reaches for the fish at the moment when the fish bites. In this regard, the box should not be high, otherwise the fisherman will simply fall from it without retrieving the catch. In addition, a box that is too high forces a person to sit over the hole in a more bent position, and for older men this is not very useful.

The most normal height in this case is from 30 to 40 centimeters.

• For the spinner.

Those who use a spoon for fishing are called a spinner. During the entire process of fishing, such a fisherman periodically moves from one hole to another. In this regard, the box should be light, and besides, there is not a lot of gear for such fishing. You can take with you a thermos of tea, one or two fishing rods and, in fact, the lures themselves. And after all, the catch for the day is also packaged.

Speaking of comfort, here we are talking about a height of 50 centimeters. Some also add a belt to the design, which makes the suitcase easier to use.

Now let's move on to a review of the best specimens.

How to choose a winter box for different fishing methods

Let's find out which parameters when choosing a box for winter fishing will be decisive for specific fishing methods.

For floater

The winter box of a fisherman who loves to catch peaceful fish on a float should be as spacious as possible. This kind of fishing is stationary, which requires a little more equipment and, therefore, space. A large volume is also the bait, packaged to protect against low temperatures. What is very important is that when fishing with a float, the gear is on the ice, and when biting, the angler reaches out with his hand to the fishing rod.

If the container is too high, then there is a danger that you will not reach the fishing rod in time and miss the bite. If the angler is aged, then constantly being bent over the hole is harmful to health, and for young people it also does not add any benefits to our favorite hobby.

The height of a comfortable float box is usually 30–40 centimeters.

In this case, weight is sacrificed in favor of volume, since usually such fishing does not involve long, difficult treks during the day, and the angler often gets to the fishing site by snowmobile or using a sled.

For the spinner

The winter fishing box of a spinner or a fisher without a reeler should first of all be light - since fishing requires constant movement between holes. Such an angler usually has less gear. Often this is a small thermos, several fishing rods and a box of lures. The possible catch will also have to be carried around with you all day, so if the weight of a heavy container is added to it, the fisherman will be even less comfortable.

For glittering, it is convenient to use tall containers, from 45 to 50 centimeters. It will also be convenient to store long fishing rods for trolling.

Sometimes such suitcases for winter fishing for traveling long distances are equipped with shoulder straps for convenience. The design of the box is conveniently complemented by a container or compartment for caught small fish. There is an additional hole or cover for this purpose.

The fish folds compactly, does not freeze, does not take on excess snow and weight, and also does not attract the attention of less fortunate competing anglers by jumping on the ice.

Remember that a thermos filled with hot tea must be carried strictly in an upright position, so there must be a special compartment for the thermos.

If earlier, a good thermos was in short supply, then fishing boxes were often made or purchased with a height specifically for the existing thermos. Now you can choose a good thermos of almost any size. But a good thermos, alas, is now not cheap and its size has to be taken into account. Many drawer designs initially have a ready-made compartment where a thermos is placed.

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DIY plywood fishing box

A do-it-yourself fishing box made of plywood is, in principle, a good alternative to a factory design, especially if the homemade product is assembled in accordance with your requirements. Wooden boxes are used if the freezer is inaccessible, and the foam cart seems too fragile.

The purpose of a fishing box is not only to store and transport various fishing gear and accessories, it also acts as a seat, and the more comfortable it is, the more comfortable fishing will become. It goes without saying that the box should not allow moisture to pass through and be spacious enough.

How to assemble a fishing box from plywood

The manufacture of any design begins with creating a drawing and determining the necessary and most convenient dimensions for the fisherman. If desired, and if you have enough skill, the box can be divided into horizontal compartments, similar to factory fishing boxes.

A wooden charabanc has its drawbacks, but all devices have them - some are too fragile, others are heavy, and others absorb moisture. However, they all have the right to exist. For example, we wrote about lightweight boxes in the article “How to make a box for winter fishing from foam plastic.”

• You can also make a charabanc from plywood sheets. According to the prepared drawings, blanks of the required sizes are cut out, which are fastened together using wooden blocks of 2 by 2 cm. All adjacent elements are treated with glue before screwing in the screws.
• If you need a larger box, you can use the following dimensions: 32 by 40 by 15 cm. For a smaller box - 28 by 32 by 12 cm.
• For the bottom, it is more practical to use 6-mm boards made of linden or aspen. To attach the corners you need to use metal corners.
• The lid can simply be covered with leatherette, or it is better to put foam rubber under it for softness, since sometimes you have to sit for more than one hour. Rubber strips are mounted on the inside to secure the fishing rods.

Before assembling the structure, it is important not to forget to make transverse cuts along the large sides of the workpieces and the bottom. A partition will fit into it, which will not only divide the compartments into two halves, but will also serve as a stiffening rib to strengthen the box. You can attach the partition using bars, but the reliability will not be the same.

The lid can be attached with small window hinges or with one piano hinge. The charaban is coated with several layers of hot drying oil, then varnished a couple of times. This will make the wooden parts waterproof, and therefore more durable in use.

It is easy to attach a strap to the ends for transporting the box. A car seat belt is suitable for this purpose. Often, fishermen combine it with manufacturing materials, for example, the sides and bottom are made of duralumin, and the lid is made of wood or plywood.

What are the requirements for charabancs?

There is no need to prove that a fishing box for ice fishing is an indispensable attribute. If this were not so, then there would not be so many fishermen with charabancs on the reservoirs; they would quickly find replacements for them. True, sometimes you come across newcomers with backpacks or even buckets, but they quickly figure out what’s what.

Fishing boxes are quite multifunctional. One of its main purposes is to store equipment, fishing rods, bait, sandwiches, a thermos and other components without which fishing is impossible. Of course, the caught fish is stored in the box, and it also replaces the chair.

If you decide to purchase a box in a store, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• The weight of the product should be as small as possible. Often during the day you have to move a lot, sometimes several kilometers, so the journey to the fishing spot needs to be made easier.
• The internal volume should be such that all fishing accessories can be easily accommodated. It's not very comfortable to carry an extra bag with you.
• Large volume does not exclude practicality. It is better if the drawer is divided into sections, since it is not very convenient to take everything out of it to get to the thing you need.
• Strength plays an important role. If the angler is heavy enough, it will be difficult to use the charabanc as a seat.

You won’t see wooden charabancs on sale, so you make a fishing box out of plywood with your own hands. And these handicrafts can be found on the reservoir mainly among older fishermen. On the one hand, wood lends itself well to processing, on the other hand, their disadvantages include too much weight and the ability to absorb moisture.

This feature is very evident at above-zero temperatures. In addition, such boxes have to be painted from time to time and the resulting cracks must be sealed. Another drawback is that wood absorbs unpleasant odors, which it retains for a long time; getting rid of them is problematic.

Above we described how to make a simple plywood charabanc design. However, it can be significantly improved. For example, a box consisting of three horizontal compartments is considered the most optimal. The lowest one is divided by partitions into which the most voluminous elements are placed, including a thermos and caught fish.

In the middle part there are fishing rods with various accessories necessary for equipment. Various plastic boxes can be screwed to the inside of the lid, where it is convenient to store small utensils, including bait. They should snap securely.

This design feature of fishing boxes is considered the most optimal, as we wrote about in the article “The best winter boxes for fishing: metal, plastic, foam.” However, simpler boxes are not considered a disadvantage, since some anglers do not need a large number of compartments, but they prefer other characteristics.

Source: https://www.udim.ru/articles/yashchik_dlya_rybalki_iz_fanery_svoimi_rukami/

What should the box lid be like?

The top lid of the box often serves as a separate compartment for storing fishing rods. This way they are less susceptible to damage from each other and from carried loads. If necessary, getting a new fishing rod quickly and conveniently.

The lid must be insulated for long periods of sitting in the cold. Fillers used as such materials are polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam. These materials successfully protect the seat from hypothermia and also do not absorb water. But the option of a cork or fabric or foam seat is not suitable for us, since these materials absorb water.

If structures based on a folding chair are used as a seat, take care of additional thermal insulation on clothing - for example, a polyurethane foam “mat,” popularly called a “butt pad.”

A folding chair, indispensable in summer, is not suitable for fishing in winter. The legs of the chair fall into the loose snow, and the wind breaks through from behind and interferes with fishing, while the box plays the role of a barrier from the wind.

Box hybrid of high chair and backpack

Separately, it is worth considering the division of fishing boxes - hybrids of a high chair and a backpack.

Such a backpack box for winter fishing often has a transverse tube at the base, which prevents the structure from falling into the snow, and the backpack protects the hole from the wind. When choosing, I would recommend first of all paying attention to the material and thickness of the chair legs. Often these structures are flimsy and will not last a couple of seasons. And in a critical situation, they will be left far from home without a place to sit. Such designs are equipped with backpacks of various capacities.

I recommend that you do not test the material of the backpack for leaks in a pond, but immediately buy a plastic canister that fits the size of the backpack. It must be cut off at the top with a sharp knife and placed inside, which will protect things from getting wet, and your car from water leaking from thawed gear and fish into the trunk. Then the backpack will last much longer, and at the end of the season, you just have to take out the canister and rinse it with water.

Charaban for winter fishing

Without going into a description of homemade boxes for winter fishing, we will first describe factory-made charabancs. They differ in design, material of manufacture and configuration.

Structurally, winter boxes differ depending on the number and location of their compartments. Conventionally, several categories can be distinguished according to this criterion:

• without branches;
• with compartment for thermos;
• with a container for gear;
• with boxes for bait;
• with an external or retractable tray for placing baits and baits;
• with a hole for storing caught fish;
• with external pockets for carrying assembled fishing rods.

The choice of a specific model depends entirely on the preference of the fisherman, his financial capabilities, and often the availability of one or another sample in the nearest store.

When choosing a material, carefully examine it for strength; it happens that a foam plastic ball is made of higher quality and more reliable than a metal one.

The ice fishing box can be equipped with some additional accessories for the convenience of the fisherman on the ice. This naturally leads to an increase in the price of the product, but in many cases it is justified. Among these improvements, the following additions are worth noting:

1. Skis. Attached to the bottom of some models of charabancs. Allows you to move it on snowy ice.
2. Case. Made in the form of a backpack. Allows you to carry a winter box on your back. In addition, it has additional canvas pockets like a school backpack.

Fishing gloves

Winter fishing has a drawback - severe frost. Today's fishermen prefer gloves, because winter fishing requires careful work with bait and tackle. Gloves need to be more or less loose, not restricting movement. At the same time, the material of the gloves should protect against frost and other surprises of nature. There are several types of gloves:

• With a solid finger.
• With the ability to expose your fingers (folding flap).
• Glove with cap mitten.

"Grandfather's" gloves

They are the best option; they are very warm thanks to the sheepskin lining. Has an advantage over gloves, simple putting on and taking off. If you notice a bite, taking off the mitten is not difficult.

Fishing mittens

Mittens are not very comfortable for fishing, but they retain heat well. If you decide to purchase mittens, choose those with a folding top. Most likely, the top of such mittens will be made of waterproof material. For lining, you should give preference to fur or sheepskin.

Knitted gloves

No matter how tempting modern technologies may sound, knitted gloves will always remain a classic and warm option, they are also light and comfortable. The only disadvantage of such gloves is their water permeability.

A couple of points to pay attention to when purchasing mittens:

• Be sure to try on the mittens and select the appropriate size.
• Carefully examine the mittens to see if they are defective.
• Consider the material in detail: are the gloves elastic, will they get wet, how quickly will they wear out.
• Pay attention to the lining of the mittens: is it well stitched, is all the material not fraying, is it pleasant to the touch.
• Find out about the warranty period of the mittens.

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Homemade charabancs

In general, whoever has something, makes something from it. We will focus on the most popular models made by ourselves.

Foam

This winter box is distinguished by its lightness and warmth in relation to our buttocks and the products placed in it. The foam charabanc should be made from a material no thinner than 30 millimeters (for polystyrene, two centimeters thick will be enough).

The procedure for making such a box is as follows:

1. On a sheet of material we make a drawing of the elements of the box: bottom, walls, partitions, lid.
2. We cut out the elements along the contour.
3. We glue them together with liquid nails.
4. We trim the edges with aluminum corners with rivets.
5. We reinforce the lid with a piece of plywood of the same size.
6. We screw the lid to the box with piano hinges.
7. We install straps on the lid for transporting fishing rods.
8. We attach belt loops to the sides of the charabanc.
9. We rivet the locking device.
10. We cover the box with a water-repellent composition.

It should be noted that in this design, the partition not only divides the ice fishing box into two compartments, but also serves as a stiffener. The foam box is the lightest of the presented homemade products.

The general principle of manufacturing this box is similar to the previous version, only screws, rather than glue, are used to fasten the elements. In addition, in a plywood version in a charabann, you can additionally make a container for gear similar to the factory model.

When making a plywood box, it is worth additionally insulating the lid with foam plastic or other heat-insulating material. After completing the assembly of the charabanc, it should be thoroughly sanded to avoid splinters and coated with water-repellent impregnation. At the end of the work, we attach a latch or lock to the box.

Unfortunately, a charabanc made of plywood or wood is the heaviest fishing box, but it is also the most durable.

From a canister

This is generally a simple option; to make such a box you will need a large plastic canister.

Here's how quickly it can be made.

1. Cut off the top of the canister.
2. Sand the edges with sandpaper.
3. We frame the edges with metal tape and rivets.
4. We install a partition made of plywood or durable plastic inside the canister.
5. Cut out a suitable size lid from a sheet of plywood.
6. We insulate it, for example, with a combination of foam rubber and dermantine.
7. We attach the lid to the canister using piano hinges.
8. We attach the latch.

From the freezer

One of the hits in the manufacture of fishing winter boxes since Soviet times has been considered a charabanc made from a freezer. It turns out to be light, strong, and durable. Some veterans do not change them all their lives.

And here's what you need to know: Attachments for catching crucian carp in the spring

Choosing a box for fishing in winter

Choose shoes for winter fishing, following reviews and the correct selection.

Felt boots

Most often, your feet freeze the fastest on ice. If your shoes are tight or not warm enough, your feet will freeze quickly.

After all, during winter fishing you will have to sit a lot near the hole and wait for a miracle. A great find for warming your feet in cold weather are good old felt boots.

They are fairly lightweight, warm, and also absorb moisture well, but there is one significant drawback. When felt boots get wet, they absorb all the moisture, which makes them heavy, and your feet quickly freeze in damp felt boots.

This problem can be fixed. You can buy so-called fishing shoe covers, which can be worn either over felt boots or other winter fishing shoes; by the way, the reviews about shoe covers are mostly positive.

They are not expensive, last for a couple of seasons, and most importantly, the shoe covers have a high top, which will not allow the felt boots to get wet.

Boots

Modern technologies do not stand still; your feet will remain warm and comfortable with the help of winter boots made of membrane materials. The best boots for winter fishing are designed to keep moisture out while keeping heat in. These boots are more expensive than other types of shoes, but your feet will remain warm and comfortable. These shoes for winter fishing have many positive reviews.

In addition

We did not describe how to make additional containers in the charabanc, cut a hole in the box for storing fish, or attach straps and latches. The homemaker must decide on this choice himself, based on the materials of manufacture and the available accessories.

In addition, we did not describe attaching skis or any runners to the caravan for transportation. There is no description of production and a story about how to make a cover for a foam or polystyrene box.

Go for it, and your charabanc will take its rightful place among the best fishing crafts!

Ice screw

No winter fishing is complete without the main tool - an ice auger. This is always necessary and mandatory, because during the time spent on the ice you will have to go through more than one pair of holes in search of fish. Let's look at the existing types of ice drills:

1. Ice screw "Spoon". The ice auger acquired this name due to the shape of the spoon that cuts the ice. This design is obsolete and has been discontinued.
2. Screw ice drill. The ice auger consists of a rod, with two knives installed below it, which cut the ice.
3. Cylindrical ice auger. Few fishing enthusiasts use this ice drill. The ice screw makes a small hole that forms a cylinder, then pushes it under the ice with a stick.
4. Motorized ice drill. They run on an electric motor or a gasoline one. Outwardly it resembles a huge drill. Fishing enthusiasts should not use such an ice screw; it is too heavy and is more often used in industry.

Winter fishing is not complete without a hook. A hook is a tool in the form of a handle with a sharp hook at the end.

A hook will help you get large fish out of the water. When catching a large trophy, you have to stick your hand into cold water in order to get the fish out from under the ice.

Most often, the fish swims away with the bait. In the presence of a hook, the chances of not missing a large fish increase significantly.

This is an especially necessary item for those who like to fish with girders. The catch of large fish here is not surprising.

The hook will help you cope even with fish whose size is much larger than the hole.

Scoop (skimmer)

Using a scoop, anglers get rid of the ice chips that accumulate after drilling a hole. The handle of the skimmer should be long enough; it is made of foam or wood. It is important that the scoop is durable. Often the scoop gets lost in the snow; experienced fishermen advise painting the scoop in a bright light.

It is also very convenient to fish with a detachment. In order not to lose your bait in the water, you need to purchase a detachable hook. The release is a heavy load on a thick braid. It falls to the bottom and thus puts pressure on the bait, releasing the hook that is caught. There is only one requirement for the release: to thread the fishing line into the slot without any problems.

Fishing box (sharaban)

If you are a regular winter fisherman, you cannot do without a fishing box. The fishing box has a number of advantages:

• Is an excellent seat for fishing.
• It has an advantage over a regular chair; the box can be used to cover the hole from the wind, which is especially important when fishing with a jig.
• Ideal storage for various baits, fishing tackle, thermoses and snack sandwiches.
• Most often it has a soft seat.

Tackle for winter fishing

Winter fishing requires careful preparation. When packing for winter fishing for beginners, read the list and do not forget to prepare the necessary gear, such as:

• Fishing line (diameter depends on what kind of fish you are going to catch).
• Ice screw knives.
• Various fishing rods.
• Lures and lures.
• Spoons and balancers.
• Flavorings (fishy smell and its imitation).

There is nothing more beautiful than winter fishing. Dress warmly, take everything you need, and most importantly, don’t forget to take a thermos with hot sweet tea with you, this will help you warm up and get a boost of energy. Happy fishing!

Source: https://sezonribalki.ru/sharaban-zimney-rybalki/

Is it worth getting a box with runners?

Let's move on to some important design features. The box must be securely closed so that in case of accidental falls on ice or in transport, the contents are not damaged. Check and tighten the screws and hinge fastenings after fishing, as well as before the season.

Some models have stationary or additionally installed runners for long journeys.

I think this design is unnecessarily heavy and cumbersome. Ice often freezes on the runners, which cannot be removed without damaging the box itself and its coating. If you need a large, heavy box for long journeys, for example, when fishing with girders, or for night fishing with a tent, it will be convenient to purchase a sled made of light, frost-resistant black plastic. These sleds fit comfortably into the trunk of a car and protect it from melted snow.