Not everyone can have a trailer dedicated strictly for ice fishing, but many of the tweaks and additions you make will make the trailer more functional for any outdoor activity.
Not everyone has a 30-foot trailer to outfit, but there certainly are tricks and tips the average ice-angler can glean from the way Martin operates and organizes when it comes to ice fishing.
A huge part of being a prominent fishing educator, successful tournament angler and member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is being organized. Whether it’s on your boat, conducting seminars and business or organizing your ice-fishing trailer Mark Martin knows the value of being organized. It just makes life simpler.
Martin learned long ago that having your ice-fishing trailer organized and set up for maximum efficiency can pay big dividends especially when it comes to putting on ice-fishing schools and the variables that winter weather and conditions present. Not everyone has a 30-foot trailer to outfit, but there certainly are tricks and tips the average ice-angler can glean from the way Martin operates and organizes when it comes to ice fishing. They may seem like simple, common sense things, but in total they’ll result in being able to spend more time on the ice and catching more fish.
The tracks not only prevent wear and tear, but also provide traction on icy trail gates to get machines safely in the trailer without tearing it up. Rope lights illuminate the entire trailer and make for a great work environment.
One of the simplest quandaries is how you get in and out of the trailer without tearing it up. “Someone told me long ago about putting old snowmobile tracks on the trailer gate to keep from tearing it up,” advised Martin. “It works like a charm. A lot of times people will just give you old tracks so all you need to do is cut it to size and then secure it to the tail gate.” Martin does the same thing on the inside of the trailer using old tracks, rubber mats and hyfax strips to prevent sharp runners, track studs and scratchers from coming in contact with the floor. The tracks not only prevent wear and tear, but also provide traction on icy trail gates to get machines safely in the trailer without tearing it up. Tie downs in the floor secure bars for sled skis and gas cans during transit.
Retractable spools for extension cords mounted to the sides of the trailer keep everything accessible and out of the way.
Interior lighting is important for times when your working on sleds, stuffing swag bags or filling reels in the dark or with minimal light. “The rope lights do a good job because they illuminate the entire space and not just one spot,” added Martin, “and they draw very little juice.” Having the trailer wired for electricity is important because you need multiple outlets for charging graphs, cameras, augers, sled batteries and more. Electric heaters can be plugged in to dry shanties, clothes and thaw out sleds and four-wheelers.
Cabinets are perfect for storing helmets and electronics.
Exterior floodlights illuminate the exterior early in the morning before taking off and again when you come in at the end of the day. A hatch in the floor makes it easy to run an extension cord outside while keeping the trailer locked. Retractable spools for extension cords mounted to the sides of the trailer keep everything accessible and out of the way.
Along the walls of the trailer is some valuable space and Martin makes the most of it. “The cabinets along the one side are perfect for storing helmets, propane bottles, electronics and lighting because they are lockable,” offered Martin.
Rubber Maid Fast Track strips (www. rubbermaid.com/garage-organization) can be mounted high on the wall and are multi-functional.
Rubber Maid Fast Track strips (www.rubbermaid.com/garage-organization) can be mounted high on the wall and are multifunctional. Martin hangs baskets from them and throws chargers and about anything else in them. Below the strip is the perfect place to attach a tool storage rack like the BLAT Tool Storage Rack/Steel Wall Mount Garage Organizer. Designed to hold rakes, brooms, shovels and weed whackers, the storage rack is the perfect devise for holding power augers securely, upright and out of the way. The rack has four sets of prongs that accommodate up to 200 pounds and an auger shaft fits perfectly between them and it securely supports the power head.
Augers can be hung using a tool storage rack like the BLAT Tool Storage Rack/Steel Wall Mount Garage Organizer.
With a 30-foot trailer you have a little more leeway and options, like adding a section of scaffolding. The scaffolding can be used for multiple purposes. Martin uses it to stack boxes of product, heaters and it’s a great way to stack shanties three high to utilize space and allow them to dry out or store them during the off season.
When fully loaded, Mark Marin’s trailer utilizes all the space very efficiently.
Every ice trailer is different. Not everyone can have a trailer dedicated strictly for ice fishing, but many of the tweaks and additions you make will make the trailer more functional for any outdoor activity. Being organized and efficient will definitely allow you to spend more time on the ice.
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